a clear violation of a long-standing global red line against the use of chemical weapons. as you've stated, something embedded in america's statutes and our treaty commitments, something that is a truly global standard. my view, as i've watched both the images on tv presented at the beginning of this hearing, is that we face a real risk here, if we do not act. that this is an instance where one of the world's worst dictators has steadily ratcheted up an ascending kcrescendo of death in his own nation. he began with thugs and police, graduated to snipers, killing innocent civilians. used helicopters and jet fighters against his own people, has deployed cluster bombs and scud missiles. i think over the last two years, there is no doubt that bashar al assad and his regime is willing