President Obama’s responses to the Libyan crisis are deeply mysterious. What does he want, and how does he envisage the future of the Arab world and its relationship to the United States? The U.S., he says, “strongly supports the universal rights of the Libyan people.” But they have no rights at all, neither universal nor particular, and far from supporting the Libyan people in even their basic right to survival, Obama has apparently decided on a non-show. Then he has said he is “very concerned.” Is there any cliché more feeble in the entire political lexicon? “Very concerned” means, “I’m doing nothing, you may get on with your plans.”
Since he is limiting himself to “concern,” whatever was the purpose of saying that Moammar Qaddafi must go? Why should the brute go if all he faces is “concern”? Told to be gone but certain that Obama would do nothing to make him go, Qaddafi naturally went on the offensive. What will it do for the standing of the United States that its president has opened himself to ridicule in this way, broadcasting his impotence? And why should anyone trust the United States in the future? Facing even greater violence than the Libyans, the Green Movement in Iran can only conclude that the most to be expected from Obama is more “concern.”
In the event that Qaddafi’s forces retake Benghazi and crush the rebellion, there will be a horrific purge. Many will flee to Egypt though their reception there is most uncertain. Some will try to escape in small boats across the Mediterranean — Italy is already unable to cope with Tunisians in search of safety and a better life. Those who stay are at the mercy of the secret police, torturers, informers, and looters, all giving themselves license to do their worst. Qaddafi and his disgusting sons will have got the better of the United States while their victims will be cursing it. Can Obama really be happy to have helped bring about such an outcome? Is that to be his presidential legacy?
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Conservatives don't people in nation building or violating the constitution. Get your head out of your behind.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMr. Pryce-Jones, does the UK (population 61.8 million) have a military force that is capable of swatting aside the embattled army of Qaddafi's Libya (population 6.4 million)? How about Germany (81.8 million), France (65.8 million), or Italy (60.6 million)? Or maybe even some conjunction of US-armed Egypt (79.9 million), bellicose Syria (21 million) and Saudi Arabia (27.1 million)? No, I guess they couldn't possibly do the job; unless the US is in the game the odds are just too long.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs a Vietnam veteran I am ashamed and mortified by this President's lack of response.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWorst president ever. I can't believe I voted for this guy. /facepalm
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOur President is a worthless empty suit. His paucity of command experience shows in every minor crisis and he is absolutely paralyzed in the face of a major crisis. With the Euro allies and the Arab League giving us the go ahead, Obama does not have the stones to act. Here's a thought, oh shirker-in-chief, bomb the Libyan runways so their planes can't take off, you don't have to actually kill anybody, just render their air force useless. But I sense a certain lack of commitment on your part, Barry. So we will just sit by and watch as Qaddafi's minions slice apart the insurgent movement. Oh well, tee up another ball. FORE!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSupposedly his initial hesitation to take any action was to protect Americans who were still trying to get out of Libya. Now that that the Americans are out what is his holdup?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAttack Gaddafi directly and task our allies with Benghazi.
Make it a quick and ruthless example of 'policemanship'.
Tell the Iranian government they are next.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCouldn't agree more with the call on European powers. However, I would point out that the stink of imperialism and colonialism hangs much heavier on European troops and intervention than it does on alternative options.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne of the basic principles of world politics is that countries and peoples always get the kind of leaders that they DESERVE.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJudging from the many posts and letters in every type of publication that defend and excuse the cravenness of the present Squatter at the WH, 'tis obvious that BHO Plenty O'Nothin' is the perfect President for the USA of today.
Sincerely yours,
Juan Jose Morales of Puerto Rico, a country where the courage and honor of people like FDR and JFK are still admired and taken seriously.
it seems to me that "O" is doing precisely what he wills to do. Since when does any dictator interfere w/another? "O' doesn't want anyone free - including this nation. He has sided w/every dictator in every situation since he was elected. Remember whom it was that he bowed to and been exceeding friendly w/? Not the leaders of free nations but those who cripple their own people - China, Cuba, Russia, Venezuela, Mexico, Syria, Saudi Arabia, etc.etc.
Let's face it, "O" doesn't have to will to help FREE people. He believes in socialism which ultimately enslaves people. As he said recently, " it would be easier to the president of China" (inferring that the populace has no say in the gov't. which does precisely as it pleases). Such is our present POTUS. We have a wanta be dictator.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama probably figures that since he got elected as President on the strength of his words alone he can get through his term(s) in office in the same empty way.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Libyan balance of power will be settled in a number of days, catastrophically. And reaction from the West has been – economic sanctions that take years to have an effect?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt leaves the US and the whole of Europe blushing like pubescent schoolboys for our inaction. Was it possible to screw this up any more? With Gadaffi back in power, the West loses all credibility with the Libyan people and the wider Arab street, and at the same time makes an even more defiant enemy out of Gadaffi. Talk about covering all bases! For good measure, we also manage to appear anemic to the whole world.
Notice the author did not actually say what Obama should do. Thats the problem with republicans, they never propose any plans of their own. All they do is stay on the sidelines and whine.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama supports Gadhafi in the same way that he supported Zelaya. He is very simpatico with leftists, murderers, dictators, and any screwball who opposes the US. Remember, Obama could have prevented the Brits--excuse me, the Scots--from releasing the Lockerbie bomber, but he averted his eyes. Gadhafi has said publicly that Obama supports him, and he loves Obama. How can the ultimate narcissist resist such affection? He can't. He will do nothing to remove Gadhafi. Remember, Obama's pastor travelled to Libya with Louis Farrakhan specifically to give an award to Gadhafi. Wouldn't it be ironic if even as I write, Jeremiah Wright were performing a clandestine mission to open a back channel dimplomatic contact with Gadhafi, to reassure him in secret that Obama's public pronouncement that Gadhafi must go was not the way Obama really feels, and that he really (hearts) Gadhafi. Nothing about this President would surprise me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Is that to be his presidential legacy?" -- Yes.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Arab League has come out in favor of a No-fly zone over Libya. So have the French, British and Italians.
Well, what's stopping them? The Egyptian have over 200 F-16's, the Saudis almost as many F-15s, plus dozens of the Mirages and Tornados and other European models...
And what about all the Russian aircraft that found their way over there? And we haven't even mentioned the RAF or the air forces of France and Italy. Libya's air force doesn't even begin to match any of them in numbers or quality.
Time our loyal allies did their own heavy lifting and their own dirty work for a change.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama's actions are only mysterious when taken at face value. His deeper agenda must always be considered. His objective, which he has made plain, is to weaken, alter, humble the Unites States. He gets a trifecta with his Libyan "policy". By stating his expectation of Gaddaffi's stepping down, he encourages the man's defiance and demeans the office of the United States Presidency; diminishes the confidence of real and potential allies while emboldening bad characters worldwide; and contributes to Arab instability, thus making America less secure politically and economically.
Nothing about Obama is ever mysterious if one simply asks, "how could this harm America?"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseElections have consequences. The consequence of the last Presidential election was to put a nincompoop in the Oval Office.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy would anyone think that Obama is "paralyzed" rather than actually encouraging the shame of the United States? If he were actively working against the best interests of the United States economically, politically, militarily and morally, how would his actions differ from those he has taken?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMr. Pryce-Jones: I disagree that President Obama is "impotent," because he has at his disposal the might of the American people. He has the power, but he chooses not to use it.
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