So, what’s our policy in Libya?
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the US have had a spotty relationship for decades. During the Cold War, when the US was at the bayonet point of Western Democracy in Berlin, Gaddafi, Libya’s East Berlin Embassy planned, financed and executed and a bombing at the LaBelle Disco in Berlin on April 5th, 1986. They succeeded in killing two American Army sergeants, a Turkish woman and injuring scores more, some permanently.
Ten days later, on April 15th, 1986, an American air strike attacked barracks, palaces and airfields in Libya with F-111F fighters, killing at least 60 Libyans. Two American pilots were killed over the Gulf of Sidra, one of whom, CPT Paul F. Lorence, has never been returned to the US.
In response, Libya then participated in the bombing of Pan AM flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. 259 passengers and crew were killed. 189 were Americans.
After watching the US easily topple the Hussein regime in Iraq, Qaddafi decided that this war on terror was hitting a little close to home, so he volunteered to dismantle his weapons of mass destruction programs. After turning all of his weapons over to the UN, he discovered that it was still cool to oppose the US and endeared himself to the US left by attacking George Bush at every opportunity.
Now Gaddafi’s ass is in an industrial strength sling with his own people. According to some sources, he’s sponsored the murder of 200 – 1000 protesters. His family is squabbling over his assets, Time rumors that he plans on torching gas and oil pipelines. And Gaddafi is defiant;
“I am not going to leave this land. I will die here as a martyr … I shall remain here defiant,” Gaddafi said in a speech on state television.
“Muammar Gaddafi is the leader of the revolution, I am not a president to step down … This is my country. Muammar is not a president to leave his post, Muammar is leader of the revolution until the end of time.”
So what’s our policy now? Other than a few feeble statements from Hillary Clinton, there’s nothing. Gaddafi is in a position that we’ve been hoping for decades to find him in, and now that we have the opportunity to actually influence the outcome while Gaddafi teeters on the precipice, the Obama Administration is virtually mute.
Another opportunity, like scores of other opportunities, about to be squandered.
Category: Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Foreign Policy, Terror War
Love it how Obumbles can jump in with both feet with the unions, until the polling data indicates people are fed up with their shit, then he tries to back away.
But Egypt, Libya, et al? Friggin crickets.
Way to go there, Mr. Pres__ent.
Strange how Jug Ears can call the former president of Egypt on the phone urging him to step down, but only gets busy signals from Lybia.
The same as our policy everywhere else: “Bush’s fault”
Amazingly, after its Air Force bombed civilians in Tripoli on Monday, Libya still retains membership on the UN Human Rights Council.
And the White House remains silent.
Any chance WE could hold early elections?
While we still have a nation that holds elections?
How would you suggest we “influence the outcome”? Are you still suffering from the delusion that we are the world’s puppetmaster?
Joey! Is that a mouse in your pocket or are you glad to be able to use “influence the outcome” and “world’s puppetmaster” in two sentences?
Joe, you ingnorant slut. Obama tells Mubarak he should step down when a) his troops weren’t slaughtering protestors and b)when Egypt has never engaged in acts of violence against the US. Now we have a douche bag dictator slaughtering protestors who has had an unofficial war going with the US and Obumbles is sitting on his hands…. Why is this double standard okay?
Joe, since I believe Mo Mo accused the US of inciting the insurrection, we might as well say something to the nature of:
The people of Libya are tired of living in fear under a petty despot who sponsors terror around the world and slaughters his own people if they dare to question him in any way. The United States wholly supports the people of Libya in their struggle for Democracy of their own making.
/speech writing off.
Joe, I think you misread what I wrote? From your response, it seems as though you thought I was referring to Libya. I was actually referring to the U.S., and our own elections.
Joe,
Once influences the outcome in the usual way:
1. 1 each Marine Expeditionary Brigade offshore to assist in protecting American citizens. The Marines are familiar with Tripoli, after all.
2. Freeze Khaddafy’s personal accounts, along with the family and inner coterie.
3. Broadcast/transmit via internet anti-Khaddafy rhetoric.
4. Remind anti-freedom forces that those Marines offshore can be used in ways other than to protect American citizens.
Easy peasy. Just requires discipline, and consistency.
But folks, please recall that President Obama was not elected on the strength of his resume, or the profound depth of his bows. He did promise to send the energy prices for ordinary Americans to unsustainably high levels. By pissing off the opposition in Libya, we won’t be seeing inexpensive oil for a long long time.
Susan, that was far more cogent than anything that’s come out of Shrillary’s pie hole in the last few days. This administration just can’t seem to get a break. Ears goes skiing and the Libyans erupt, they planned on ruining his vacation, I’m sure. How dare the world not coordinate with Ears before they go and do things like seek freedom?
And Joey? The U.S. is supposed to stand for freedom and self-determination, but this administration only seems to stand for what’s good for Obama. Mr. Speaker, call the vote!
Obama:Present!!!!!!
Kinda hard not to ruin ANY of his vacations, considering he takes at least one a month. Pointing fingers and blaming Bush for all your fuckups is hard work, man.
And Joe? Go die in a fire already. Weren’t you one of the retards claiming how when Obama got elected, the whole world would suddenly love us again? Guess you’re finally realizing what the rest of us knew all along, eh?
Hey, Joe. If what you say is true, what was the point behind Obama’s Cairo speech?
And why do the liberals want Obama to be a “puppetmaster” in Israel’s internal affairs but not Islamic countries?
Heard a news report on the radio this morning that some Libyan official came out saying Mo Mo personally ordered the bombing of Pan Am 103…
Sparky, so true, gotta be exhausting, blaming Bush for everything and all. And, Joey will never admit to buyer’s remorse, even though that thought has crept into the feeble little mind of his.
As to his Cairo Apology Tour, he didn’t think anyone would actually listen, perhaps? After all, no one in the U.S. actually listened to anything he had to say, it was all unicorns, skittles and rainbows. Actually, lots listened, just not enough to alter the immaculation.
OK, OK, if by “policy” you mean verbally supporting the people of Libya in achieving democratic reforms, and presumably getting rid of Gadaffi, you’re right. Use the bully pulpit to propmote democracy in Libya, wherever the chips may fall. But if you define “policy” as actively meddling or trying to influence the outcome, no.
Jesus H. Tapdancin Christ, Joe–Obama couldn’t even be bothered to do THAT much for over almost TWO WEEKS over Egypt, let alone his incredibly tepid response vis-a-vis Iran after their 2009 elections. Hey, even an encouraging word from us might have provided the needed tipping point to turn Iran into a democratic state on their own terms, but noooooo….
I guess Joey is just satisfied with Ears going out on the cocktail circuit, and dropping the word that he’s “dissatisfied” with the actions of the Libyan government? Or, are the “stern words” he used in his statement today enough, Joey?
And, as usual, you’re wrong, yet again. “Trying to influence the outcome”? Not only yes, but hell yes. He oughta be trying with every fiber in his skinny, wimpy little body to “influence the outcome”. Just like Sparky said, if he’d said something, ANYTHING, in 2009, who knows how Iran might have turned out. But, he just mouthed the platitudes, just like today, and the Mullahs, and Gaddafi, will take him as he is, a wimp.
They will never take him alive. The pussy platoon (his personal guard) will protect him to the bitter end.