Libya

[StillettoDoll]

The U.S. is taking increased military action to remove Gadhafi from Power.

Favor
Oppose
Not sure

[girl_dee]

I am in favor of doing anything to stop the blatant abuse of the women of a population.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am in favor of our taking military action in Libya. However, I do believe that other nations need to step up to the plate and take over in bombing missions, and giving arms to the people. The US cannot police the world. We are suffering so much ourselves. With the money being spent in Libya, we could have invested it in ourselves.

[Tommi]

Assasian: A murderer of and important person in a surprise attack. Whe he started the murders of the anti-regime where are the highly skilled heroes?

Oh, yeah, only happens in the movies. I guess I watch to many action movies.

Why are these nasty bad guys not taken out by a sharpshooter???. Why can't one single strike force do it before it gets to all the bombing, destruction, strafing, raping and international tensions reach boiling points and all just hate America.

Kill no more of their civillians and our soldiers who think they must do or die.

USAF Retired

[Kobi]

From what I can understand, it seems what is happening in Libya is
different from the revolutions that have toppled other dictators
in the region lately. In those other revolts, masses of people were
rioting, those guarding the dictator defected, there was a clear
intent of numbers wanting something different. And, they didnt need
NATO or anyone else to come to their rescue.

Libya seems different to me. This seems like a distinct group of rebels - not masses of people, perhaps trying to take advantage of the successful revolts in other countries. The military forces havent abandoned their leader, and are continuing to squash the rebels which seem to be in one area of the country. I dont see masses of people revolting all over the country.

Bad things are happening. Bad things happen in any revolt and in attempts to quell a revolt. It's a matter of perspective and collateral losses.

But, I am wondering if this is a clear cut revolution or if it is international powers, conveniently, banding together to get rid of another pita dictator.

And, it irks me when NATO decides IT needs to step in....IT meaning can it twist the arm of the USA to expend billion of dollars we dont have in forces and equipment to do NATO's bidding.

And for what reason? We, as a country, have stuck our head in the sand when we know and have evidence of ethnic cleansings going on in other countries. So, what is it about Libya that is of significance to the USA to the point we would allow ourselves to be dragged into this?

When I watched Obama's speech yesterday trying to justify what was and might be done, I had to shake off the feeling there was a caricature of Bush on one of his shoulders and Cheney on the other.

For a man who ran on a platform of "change", it never occurred to me that "change" was synonymous to "status quo".

[Andrew, Jr.]

On a talk show today, someone mentioned that arming the people (rebals) is really giving arms to Al-Qaida. Well, I think Tommi is right. Lets use the sharp shooters. Give 'em a job, and bring 'em home. How much money has to be spent on this? It reminds me of Husaain (sp?).

[Toughy]

NO NO NO oh hell NO

Let the Arabs deal with the Arabs.

How come we have not intervened in the Sudan? Millions have been massacred and we have not intervened. Why is the potential massacre of people in Libya more important than the millions massacred all over Africa?

We sold Gadhafi all the weapons he is using to kill his opposition. We need to stop arming the frigging world.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Toughy

Clip > Why is the potential massacre of people in Libya more important than the millions massacred all over Africa? < clip
.

I just said this a while ago. If we are going to fight for human rights who gets to decide where when and how?

[Glenn]

When I saw my oppressed sisters finially in the streets in the middle east, raising their angry hands in protest after years of oppression, I cannot help but be in favor of this, there, or anywhere.

[Toughy]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

When I saw my oppressed sisters finially in the streets in the middle east, raising their angry hands in protest after years of oppression, I cannot help but be in favor of this, there, or anywhere.

Libya is NOT Egypt. This is not a mass uprising of the population like Egypt and Tunisia. Our oppressed sisters are not in the streets in Libya.

The Egyptian people were not interested in violence, they wanted a change in leadership and they got it with almost NO bloodshed.

Who are the rebels? Where are they getting their guns and money? What do they want besides violently taking over the government? Who is the leader?

Besides the Arab League has plenty of bucks and military equipment to deal with what's going on in their back yard.

[StillettoDoll]

I guess in the perfect world Gadhafi could just pack up his bags and leave. It would save alot of people alot of trouble.
Voted not sure.
if we can get in and out very quickly I'm for it.

[Mister Bent]

"Between war and passivity there are a thousand possibilities." - Howard Zinn

Which is to say, a military/armed response is not the only way to support democratic process. We could offer constructive aid that will provide support to those people already fighting for democracy within Libya, or for women's rights in Libya, Afghanistan, etc. I can't profess to know what that looks like, but I do know it seems unlikely as American foreign policy is not motivated by humanitarian issues, but by economic interests. We support regimes that cooperate with us and give us access to their oil (and other economic benefits).

The idea of sending in "sharpshooters," our own military (or private sector) assassins, is arrogant. Because we're the United States of America, we have the right to dispatch leaders who we find unpalatable? And yet, we are stunned when our nation is attacked.

[Daywalker]

Not to be selfish, but it is our Tax dollars that are once again saving
Humans from the Inhumane across the Planet. Our Country has Deficit
that is fucking ridiculous. Our schools, City-State-County programs, Health
Care, Social Security...Homelessness and a gaggle of other issues continue
to suffer while we spend 10 million bucks a day at minimum elsewhere in
the World to ensure they all have what we used to. It's about fucking time
some of the other Allies pitch in a Billion or three this time. Perhaps I am
just in an angry mood today, which is true...but this shit seems to have
triggered the Hippy today. There is something to be said for 'Setting
your own table before asking others to join you, and before teaching
others how to set theirs'. Our 'Table' is missing plates, cups...and napkins.
We owe many Countries a large amount of money. Why not ask for debt
forgiveness, etc...before going in to save a Country that we have an
outstanding balance with?

<<<End Rant Due To Head Explosion

[Apocalipstic]

No more wars.

Military stretched thin
Deployment after deployment
PTSD
High military family suicide rates

OK for US to bomb innocent civilians?

Qaddafi has been up to the same crap since I was 6, back in 1969. Why now?

[Andrew, Jr.]

Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa left Libya and went to Britain in protest over the attacks on civilians. This makes me wonder what he knows is coming in the future, and we don't know. Also, so close to the Royal Wedding. Makes one wonder of possibilities.

It is being reported that Koussa is talking about linking Gadhafi to the 1988 bombing of Flight 103 aka The Lockerbie Bombing now. But again, that is just the media. I am not sure of who to believe.

[EnderD_503]

Yes, because the last time you went around dropping bombs every which way in nations you have no fucking business in it worked out so great! [/sarcasm]

Next time European or North American nations go around "supporting democracy" and bombing the shit out of a "coincidentally" strategically placed (btw, to those talking about the oil/US connection, it is not so much the connection to the US as to Western Europe. Personally, I see why Obama has been very sceptical about this and probably is only falling to political pressure more than anything else) developing nation, ask yourself why no one gave a shit about the countless genocides and other civil wars and rebellions that have taken place throughout the modern era, that were not so strategically placed.

It's already become blatantly obvious that this was an attempt to garner more votes for Sarkozy in the upcoming French elections. Same with dropping support for Cameron in the UK. A war is always a nice way to distract your citizens from important national issues and the fact that they don't want you in office.

Anyone who believes their over-glorified western government is employing military intervention without imperialist dreams is sorely naive.

And funny how the nice little rebels are now on a spree to imprison and beat African migrant workers.

[Softhearted]

As long as the Western World will depend on oil, these type of interventions will occur... Of course the West is protecting its assets and oil, there is no doubt about it. This mission is not based on "humanitarian" reasons...



But how are we going to break the cycle of this oil dependency? Are you willing to buy an hybrid car? Use more public transportation? Avoid buying SUVs? Pay more for an alternative energy?

Just some thoughts...