Toward the end of the Second World War, the Allies were begged to bomb the Nazi gas chambers to stop the gassing of innocents.

They refused and argued that "It might make the Nazis angry."

Sound familiar?

It is undeniable that the potential reaction to an attempt to make the Assad regime accountable for their actions (assuming they are responsible,) might result in a yet unknown backlash.

But what is guaranteed is that no response will result in a worse outcome.

The West has a coloured reputation for 'doing the moral thing'.  Yet if they cannot be relied on to do at least that, then stand back while all hell breaks loose.

Britain has already capitulated its morality. France is trying to do the right thing through its gutsy President and against public cowardice. And now the US Right are backing away from the moral path. Pathetic and profoundly depressing.

Society is meant to evolve over time to reach higher levels of intelligence, compassion and tolerance. We appear to be headed in the opposite direction. In this modern world, who will stand up for the moral path despite its isolation and loneliness?

If no one will, then god help us all because we will need it.