Reporter: But then, regarding the decision on whether a redline has been crossed, is that a political determination or is that also strictly whether chemical weapons were used or not?
Mr. Ventrell: I mean, again, we’ll look at all the facts and the evidence and take them into account.
Reporter: And how come it’s taking you so much longer than some of your allies to make this determination? Because three of your closest allies now have gone on and said that they believe, in fact, that chemical weapons are being used. Do they have greater technical know-how than the United States?
Mr. Ventrell: I’m not going to get into intelligence assessments here from this podium, but at this time we are continuing to monitor and we’re continuing to look at all available evidence.
Reporter: So, does past experience make you less confident in Israeli sources or allegations, or more confident?
Mr. Ventrell: Look, we’re in consultation with all of our allies. I think we’ve done what we can on this one. Do we have other topics?
Now, to drive the point home, just replace the references to chemical weapons being used against civilians to, say, questions about German cattle trains transporting millions of European Jews to camps where they are gassed to death, keep the same answers and you’ll have an abridged, yet stunningly accurate, record of the United States government’s record on atrocities and genocide.
What horrible little people they are.
