Gaddafi is going to win. By now, that's pretty clear. Sad as it is to say, it's not even clear if the rebels are the kind of people who need to be supported, or at least not all of them, including perhaps the ones who might come out on top. Leon Wiesltier, using moral arguments, thinks Obama's response is a scandal. Larry Diamond, trying to be a realist, thinks it's counterproductive. Michael Totten, as usual taking an unusual perspective, asks why Arabs think the Americans owe them assistance.
I continue to look at this from the perspective of a country universally and incessantly exhorted to take risks for peace and justice, and am convinced, yet again, that the only way to ensure one's existence at time of danger is by being well armed and well trained, and very dangerous to anyone who might harm you. If anyone assures you they'll be there for you, they're lying. If you rely on them, you'll deserve their betrayal.
If anyone assures you they'll be there for you, they're lying. If you rely on them, you'll deserve their betrayal.
ReplyDeleteWiser words have never been uttered.
(Even if one might argue that it's not really fair that the Jews, having undergone one Holocaust, should try to prevent their neighbors from committing a second one).
The lesson of the Fogel family massacre is Jews can rely on no one but themselves to be safe and to prevent another Holocaust. The world is indifferent to the slaughter of Jewish babies in our generation.
ReplyDeleteIn the face of this monstrous evil Israel must be strong and remain steadfast. They hate the Jews and want to kill all of them. Any one who pretends otherwise has his head buried in the sand and is living in denial.
The Muddle East is not a place known for mercy.
Wieseltier would be more convincing if he didn't contradict himself every couple of weeks.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think George Will laid out all the reasons to be skeptical of calls for U.S. intervention in Libya.
Barry says it's not fair that the Jews should try to prevent their neighbors from committing a second Holocaust. I may be missing something, but when did anyone call for the Jews (or Israel) to intervene in Libya?
what was obama supposed to do...arm the insurgents?
ReplyDeletethat wouldve been brilliant
cuz you know it wouldve backfired
the un...not obama, has blood on its hands
and personally...i really dont care if ghaddafi massacres all of the citizens of libya
America and its fickle allies played this brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteNo one wanted to intervene (who would we actually be supporting and why think they would be any better than Gaddafi?). By having conferences, assessments, debates, meetings and so on have put off the evil day till it is clear that Qaddafi will utterly crush the rebels and then exact a horrific revenge. As he probably estimated that would do to him and his lot.
Then they can go cap in hand and ask for him to resume oil supplies to Europe, without being accused of being murderous, imperialist, oil-hungry capitalists.
>'But there are reports that jihadists have joined the movement' Economist.
ReplyDeleteIf report on Kausfiles about Al Qaeda in Libya's opposition is correct? That would explain France recognizing them so quickly. Triangulation.
Bruce