Washington – President Obama has authorized $15 million more in humanitarian aid to non-governmental organizations on the ground in Libya. Speaking to reporters at the White House this morning, Obama said he wanted to “send a message” to officials surrounding Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi that “it’s their choice to make” and that they will be held responsible for their actions. The violent attacks against Qaddafi opponents, he added, are “unacceptable.”
Obama warned that military options are on the table. “I want to send a very clear message to those who are around Colonel Qaddafi: It is their choice to make how they operate moving forward,” he said. “And they will be held accountable for whatever violence continues to take place.”
The United States, he concluded, sends a “very clear message to the Libyan people that we will stand with them in the face of unwarranted violence and the continuing suppression of democratic ideals that we’ve seen there.”
UPDATE: At a press conference this afternoon, White House spokesman Jay Carney reiterated Obama’s message but emphasized that sending ground troops is “not at the top of the list at this point.” A no-fly zone is more likely, he said, at least in the near future. “We are being very careful about how we go about this process.”
Wow, Obumbles really knows how to deliver a tongue lashing.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Teleprompter is on FIRE today!
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Unacceptable" is, um, using margarine in a recipe that clearly calls for butter.
Let me at BHO's teleprompter console for a few minutes.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow about sending a couple of boat loads of weaponary to Tobruk? It does not even have to be US weapons since there are tons of AK-47s and RPG around.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse“I want to send a very clear message to those who are around Colonel Qaddafi: It is their choice to make how they operate moving forward,” he said. “And they will be held accountable for whatever violence continues to take place.”
There’s nothing clear about Obama’s message. Notice the passive voice: Who will hold Qadaffi accountable and how will they do it? Obama doesn’t provide these answers, and if we can’t figure it out, than either can Qadaffi. By contrast, a “very clear message” would be “The United States is implementing a No-Fly Zone over Libya, the United States will shoot down any Libyan military aircraft flying over Libya.”
Does anyone think that Obama will really hold Qadaffi “accountable” (Whatever that means) if Qadaffi successfully suppresses the rebellion? ANYONE?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"unwarranted violence" ??? as opposed to warranted violence like the kind practiced in, oh, I don't know, maybe Iran ???
unwarranted = strafing runs from fighter jets
warranted = arresting, raping and killing demonstrators out of sight of CNN cameras ...
Now that is smart diplomacy ... :)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm thinking the Colonels response will be to scratch his temple with his middle finger ... Now THAT would bring a real response ... he may be thrown under the bus with his pal the Hon. Rev. Wright ...
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"military options are on the table" What happened to "NO BLOOD FOR OIL"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJust in case anyone thought it might be "acceptable".
It sounds like he's giving Gaddafi bad report card.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusepfsm: Obama blithering 'unacceptable'.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, of course: The Very Clear Message, coming from the most transparent administration in history:
Someone will hold someone else accountable for unwarranted violence that is unacceptable.
Yep, can't get much clearer than that.
All that was missing was the wagging finger.
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