Why are we even involved in Libia?

[werepossum]

From the outset I've found it curious Obama did not put his alleged formidable speaking skills to work here. During and after the election his supporters claimed he would smooth over many international problems by meeting with and speaking to foreign leaders.

Yet, he moved to attack Khaddafy without so much as an effort to negotiate. Why? And why does no one speak of this?

A couple of days ago the Arab League (or whatever it's actually called) brokered a cease-fire with Qadddafy's accepting. But the rebels refused so no deal unless it required Qaddafy's removal.

Why did Obama not intervene to get the rebels to accept? Or stated objective was stop the (unfair) fighting. A ceasefire would have accomplished that. or objective appears to be other than that publicly stated.

We're now also hearing, despite claims to the contrary, that our Air Force has been flying sorties all along (after NATO supposedly took over).

Fern

This seems odd to me as well. I'm assuming that, since he has acted exactly opposite of how he has repeatedly said a President MUST act and in conflict with what he seems to believe, he must have a pretty good reason. Probably something like "France asked nicely" that is not politically advantageous to reveal.

As to why the media doesn't mention this, it's obvious that they are in the tank for him.

 

[jonks]

Democrats should be more focused on what their own man is doing, less on what idiots like Palin are doing. This man has been a complete disappointment, a disaster, and yet he's a fucking shoe-in for 2012.

Obviously I disagree, but your conclusion seems to me more a condemnation of the quality of the opposition.

 

[cubby1223]

From the outset I've found it curious Obama did not put his alleged formidable speaking skills to work here. During and after the election his supporters claimed he would smooth over many international problems by meeting with and speaking to foreign leaders.

I never found it curious, for I noticed the footnote that stated negotiations would only be used in a situation where Republicans would come out appearing incompetent 😛

And this does not apply to Libya.

Gaddafi warned of "rivers of blood", while Ahmadinejad decleared "Israel must be wiped off the map". The difference is obvious.

 

[Throckmorton]

‎"To me this is like, he did everything right. I can't imagine how any opposition to this could be anything but emotional" - Bill Maher on the Libya intervention

 

[Throckmorton]

I never found it curious, for I noticed the footnote that stated negotiations would only be used in a situation where Republicans would come out appearing incompetent 😛

And this does not apply to Libya.

Gaddafi warned of "rivers of blood", while Ahmadinejad decleared "Israel must be wiped off the map". The difference is obvious.

If Iran is about to wipe Israel off the map, we will intervene... I can guarantee you that.

 

[soundforbjt]

Democrats should be more focused on what their own man is doing, less on what idiots like Palin are doing. This man has been a complete disappointment, a disaster, and yet he's a fucking shoe-in for 2012.

Now you repubs know how we felt when Bush was in office.

 

[bamacre]

Now you repubs know how we felt when Bush was in office.

Actually, I felt the same way. Disgusted.

 

[JEDI]

update:
McCain pushes heavier U.S. involvement in Libya

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/22/mccain.libya/index.html?hpt=T1

ahh yes McCain is now the king of fools for pushing for heavier in our 3rd war when we're already overstreched in our 2 other wars (iraq, afgan)

 

[werepossum]

update:
McCain pushes heavier U.S. involvement in Libya

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/22/mccain.libya/index.html?hpt=T1

ahh yes McCain is now the king of fools for pushing for heavier in our 3rd war when we're already overstreched in our 2 other wars (iraq, afgan)

Agreed. Our ground forces are overtaxed as is, which McCain should know. I've no problem with Obama directing our air forces to do some of the stuff that the UK and France cannot do, but the last thing we can afford is a third ground war.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Gotta love it. Now the tribal leaders are threatening to kick the rebels ass.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/24/libya-tribal-leaders-talks-misrata

Libyan forces have pulled back from their siege of Misrata to let tribal leaders in the area attempt to negotiate a political resolution, according to the Libyan government.


In an acknowledgement that loyalist troops had failed to take control of the city after two months of the siege, the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said: "The tactic of the army was to have a surgical strike but, with the [Nato] air strikes, that doesn't work."


He said tribal leaders had set a 48-hour deadline – due to expire on Monday night – to strike a deal with the rebels, who hold the port area of Misrata and have made gains in the centre of the city in recent days.


If the talks failed, the tribal leaders would launch a military assault on the rebel strongholds, Kaim said. He warned that could be "very bloody".

 

[Gintaras]

If Iran is about to wipe Israel off the map, we will intervene... I can guarantee you that.

What are your GUARANTEES?