Muammar Quadaffi is a nut. On any given day, he makes Charlie Sheen look stable. And it doesn't matter how you spell his name. Quadaffi. Gadaffi. Kadhafi. Forty years after he seized power in Libya, the press still has no consensus on its proper spelling and neither do I. But I do know this. Thousands of Libyan freedom fighters are daring to take on this maniac's regime by fighting in the streets with weapons that are no match for his army or hired mercenaries. And still they fight. Kind of reminds me of the Colonial Minutemen vs. the Red Coats and Hessians. We can only hope that the outcome is similar. But we can do much more than hope - a popular buzzword in the 2008 election. We can help change things. The Resistance is not asking - nor should we even consider - introducing American ground troops. But they could benefit from the protection of a no-fly zone. Such no-fly zones have been used before in the 1990's in Iraq & the Balkins. And by both Republican & Democrat presidents. They are designed to protect people on the ground from dictators who use air power to squelch dissidents. Or in the case of both the Balkins and Iraq's Kurdish population - to stop ethnic cleansing. In Libya, it could be used to save the lives of thousands who are at the mercy of Quadaffi's air force. And it would give the rebels breathing room as well. Any military man will tell you that in todays world - air power rules and sets the tone for all engagements.
Once again, this President is impotent in foreign affairs. Either by his lack of experience in an executive position or by his fear of taking the lead and being responsible for its outcome. Even his most cherished piece of legislation - "ObamaCare" was not written by him but rather his party in the House of Representatives. His contribution was his signature. Because he holds a world view on nearly everything, he neglects to understand that sometimes he must act not only the interests of the United States but also those who seek to emulate us. I'm under no illusion that Libya will become a Constitutional Republic in a post Quadaffi Libya. But they will have no opportunity to have one with him in power. We can wait for UN resolution after UN resolution and sanctions. The Libyans cannot. While we attempt to please the Germans, Russians and Chinese at the UN Security Counsel, Quadaffi lays waste to another couple of hundred freedom fighters. Words of condemnation will have no effect in this matter. Quadaffi is no different from Hitler or Saddam Hussein in this way. He understands and respect power. Nothing else. He would sacrifice his entire country to keep it - like so many tyrants before him.
Last year, hundreds of thousands of young Iranians flooded the streets of Tehran to protest the Mullahs and demand reforms that included true democratic elections. The United States responded with the deafening sound of silence. Instead of offering at least our verbal support to those who believe in individual rights - the President said nothing and the crowd was mowed down like so much grass. In his defense, maybe the TelePrompter wasn't plugged in so he didn't know what to say.
The United States is different from any other country. Like it or not we have an obligation - not to be the policeman of the world - but to help those who would stand up to the unelected scum who hold themselves in power with the blood of the innocents. In a world that embrasses so many shades of grey, some things are simply black and white. Either we stand with those who crave freedom or we do not. And should they fall in their attempt while we stood silent, a bit of their blood is splattered upon us. All that is necessary for evil to prosper, is for good men to do nothing.
Once again, this President is impotent in foreign affairs. Either by his lack of experience in an executive position or by his fear of taking the lead and being responsible for its outcome. Even his most cherished piece of legislation - "ObamaCare" was not written by him but rather his party in the House of Representatives. His contribution was his signature. Because he holds a world view on nearly everything, he neglects to understand that sometimes he must act not only the interests of the United States but also those who seek to emulate us. I'm under no illusion that Libya will become a Constitutional Republic in a post Quadaffi Libya. But they will have no opportunity to have one with him in power. We can wait for UN resolution after UN resolution and sanctions. The Libyans cannot. While we attempt to please the Germans, Russians and Chinese at the UN Security Counsel, Quadaffi lays waste to another couple of hundred freedom fighters. Words of condemnation will have no effect in this matter. Quadaffi is no different from Hitler or Saddam Hussein in this way. He understands and respect power. Nothing else. He would sacrifice his entire country to keep it - like so many tyrants before him.
Last year, hundreds of thousands of young Iranians flooded the streets of Tehran to protest the Mullahs and demand reforms that included true democratic elections. The United States responded with the deafening sound of silence. Instead of offering at least our verbal support to those who believe in individual rights - the President said nothing and the crowd was mowed down like so much grass. In his defense, maybe the TelePrompter wasn't plugged in so he didn't know what to say.
The United States is different from any other country. Like it or not we have an obligation - not to be the policeman of the world - but to help those who would stand up to the unelected scum who hold themselves in power with the blood of the innocents. In a world that embrasses so many shades of grey, some things are simply black and white. Either we stand with those who crave freedom or we do not. And should they fall in their attempt while we stood silent, a bit of their blood is splattered upon us. All that is necessary for evil to prosper, is for good men to do nothing.
