You're absolutely right. You should not bluff unless you are ready to back it up. But if you are ready to back it up, it is only prudent to give your opponent an out--the opportunity to back down without losing face. Assad failed to get the hint, and now he is going to pay the consequences.

As for bringing Congress into the decision, isn't that what they wanted? Isn't it the right thing to do from a constitutional point of view? That's been my point of view since I started posting on this issue.

Only Congress is constitutionally empowered to declare war, or to authorize military action short of war, except in those cases where the Executive must act immediately. This is not one of those cases. If Mr Obama proceeds without Congressional authorization, one of the most important checks and balances provided to us by the founders will be lost forever, and regardless of how this particlar incident turns out in the short term, a very dangerous precedent will be set for the future. ER, Flame, 8/29

Now lets see if Congress gets the hint.

Don't get me wrong, staying out of Syria, no matter what those crazies are doing to each other, is not necessarily a bad idea. Intervening in mass slaughter isn't a bad idea either. But if you feel that strongly about it one way or the other, let it be because that is what your judgement tells you--not just because you can't wait til Obama fucks up.