text: Call me cynical, or conspiratorial, but Trump's Syrian missile attack does not pass the smell test.  Too many coincidences. This is all about optics: sending a timely message to multiple listeners.  First, China and North Korea: President Xi Jinxing is informed of US attack over Floridian dinner? We saw that scene on TV's West Wing. The most urgent US-China issue is North Korea with Trump wanting China's cooperation - but claiming he might act alone if necessary? FBI and Senate/House: Russia-Trump ties under investigation and seen - at best - as too friendly? Suddenly not anymore.  Baby-lovers: why was Trump emotionally moved now, but not by previous photos? Everybody else: why would Syria drop just one single Saran WMD when an entire squad of jets attacked? And why now, just when Trump needs a symbolic win both at home and abroad? Can we rule out the possibility that Russia did this to aid Trump?  Heaven forbid - might the US have done this?