UN clears way for Libya no-fly zone

[antron]

actually it calls for "all necessary measures"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011 ... tion=world

[DragonInstall]

I'm actually shocked. That took much longer than it should have, but at least something is being done now.

[Skykid]

I'm actually shocked. That took much longer than it should have, but at least something is being done now.

It's a load of shit if you ask me.

Where was the no fly zone when Israel was bombing Lebanon to protect those people? Or in any other countries in the world that suffer under tyrannous leaders. They've been going on for years, only now, because this situation has been in the public eye because of the chain of events since the Egypt uprising, now they decide to get all heroic. Fucking political PR.

If there was no Egypt uprising and it was just some kind of under publicised spat near Benghazi with Gadaffi being all thuggish, they'd not even bat an eyelid.

[E. Randy Dupre]

Just because things that should have been done in past situations weren't, it doesn't mean that they're worthless when they're done in current situations.

Mind you, this was nearly far too late, and may well still prove to be. It also means that inaction by the UN and its member states in similar current/future situations will be far more noticable and far less excusable.

[Skykid]

Just because things that should have been done in past situations weren't, it doesn't mean that they're worthless when they're done in current situations.

I didn't say that.

[Jonathan Ingram]

I'm actually shocked. That took much longer than it should have, but at least something is being done now.

Indeed. Lybia`s oil supplies are important to Europe. So, I`m surprised it took so much time for the action to get approved.

[austere]

Where was the no fly zone when Israel was bombing Lebanon to protect those people? Or in any other countries in the world that suffer under tyrannous leaders. They've been going on for years, only now, because this situation has been in the public eye because of the chain of events since the Egypt uprising, now they decide to get all heroic. Fucking political PR.

It's hilarious when you look at Bahrain as well, where the US is protecting its interests by allowing the government to kill the protestors in drive by shootings and at point blank. There's even reports that the Saudi invaders have used nerve gas already. Got to love the shameless hypocrisy -- they really care.

[neorichieb1971]

We need a global "peoples" uprising.

Too many people are acting like pawns nowadays for governments pocket interests. One life is equal to all life.

[Super Laydock]

live from just above Kaddafi's tent:

[TrevHead (TVR)]

If the UN wants to get that madman out of power theyll need to do more then make a no fly zone and a few precision air strikes.

The sceptical bastard inside me says this is all about oil, humanitarian aid is just an excuse.

[emphatic]

The sceptical bastard inside me says this is all about oil, humanitarian aid is just an excuse.

When is it ever about anything but oil?

[Zeron]

If Libya did not have oil it would have been another Balkans 1991-1996 where there were no fly zones but no one gave a shit.

[antron]

Whatever the reason, that vote may have saved a lot of lives last night.

[greg]

Awesome. President Bush would've done this a long time ago, but President Obama sat around smelling his finger and playing golf until the UN made action happen. Right or wrong, that's a very big difference in leadership. Just sayin'.

[antron]

The difference is PR with the Arab world. Bush would have appeared to just be making an oil grab at the expense of Arab blood. That equates to more funding and support for anti-Weastern elements in the Middle East. One step forward two steps back.

With Obama's approach sceptics are forced to see the world agree to a resolution co-drafted by Lebanon. Very big difference in leadership is right.

You were sayin'?

Added:
Maybe the reason Bush couldn't get anything done with the UN is because he appointed John Bolton, a blatant anti-UN blowhard, to be our freaking ambassador to the UN.

Also, this resolution even has support from the Arab League. That's like NATO approving an attack on Spain.

[neorichieb1971]

The big difference this time is that the people don't want troops taking over the country. Best move ever imo. We don't need another country in turmoil.

I wonder what will happen now that Libya has issued a ceasefire strategy. Lets face it no dictator will last a full scale war. This time even the French are in, thats like some kind of message this is about humanitarian aid since they don't do full scale wars. I would imagine if it ever went full scale they would back out though.

As for this being about oil. I think its more about face than anything. After the debacle of that Libyan terrorist getting off scot free (lol) I think this is more about making up for lost ground. Of course the oil is a factor, because it helps pay for the war if one broke out. Some of these countries don't have much else to offer.

[thegreathopper]

This can only end badly as has Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Obiwanshinobi]

People over there messed with Muammar Gaddafi. I suppose bad ending is something you take into account when you do such things.

[antron]

This can only end badly as has Iraq and Afghanistan.

We had no strong motivated allies on the ground in those wars. The Kosovo War is a better analogy. The KLA did all the fighting and NATO did all the bombing.

[Skykid]

Lol, Gaddafi caved.

He don't want no stinking GI's bombing his precious airfields.

[BulletMagnet]

Awesome. President Bush would've done this a long time ago

If by "this" you mean "given untold billions with zero consequences to his military contractor pals at the expense of entire civilizations", you bet he would have. In any event, I don't recall President My Dad Got Me Out of 'Nam (or VP Other Priorities, or anyone else, to be fair) feeling too gung-ho about playing hero in Sudan or Myanmar, not to mention doing anything about the continuing and uninterrupted flow of US guns to the drug cartels in Mexico.

EDIT: Ah, and I'd almost forgotten the suffering right at home in New Orleans - Guess Jesus neglected to whisper in his ear that day, too.

EDIT 2: Oh, and do you really want to bring up golf to defend the President with the most vacation days ever taken by anyone to hold the office (IIRC Nixon formerly held the record), and, as Jon Stewart put it, "what must be the world's brush-iest ranch"? Now watch this drive!

[Super Laydock]

Awesome. President Bush would've done this a long time ago, but President Obama sat around smelling his finger and playing golf until the UN made action happen. Right or wrong, that's a very big difference in leadership. Just sayin'.

Greg... this comment reminds me why we never got along before....
You live in a different universe from me.

Are you really this ignorant or are you playing?

Shame because I know your intentions aren't bad. (I actually donated towards a Japan's relief fund).

[cul]

Meanwhile, in Yemen and Barhain, let's back up our good friends.

[BulletMagnet]

Not to mention Saudi Arabia, if memory serves...if there's one country whose leadership has been laughing their heads off at the US since 9-11 it's that one.

[Ganelon]

Great political timing by Obama. If the US was going to do something, yesterday was the time. It's arguable whether we should waste money in the affairs of other countries at all (countries that may end up working against us decades later) but if we were planning to intervene, attacking now makes a strong showing that the new government will start out beholden to us (after nearing demise pre-coalition strike) and with good moral cause (Gaddafi's fake ceasefire).

The one thing to consider down the line is: now that we've entered the revolution, will this be a 3rd country we'll be mired up in during post-war recovery or can the Libyan people manage themselves? If our government has any consideration for our children's fiscal future, it should think thousands of times before choosing the former option.

[BulletMagnet]

The one thing to consider down the line is: now that we've entered the revolution, will this be a 3rd country we'll be mired up in during post-war recovery or can the Libyan people manage themselves?

We can only hope so, but if one thing's in our favor it's the fact that the Libyan people were fighting for their cause themselves to start, and openly asked for help later - in the cases of Afghanistan and Iraq, despite the lousy leaders, nobody was ever inviting us in, at least not for the long haul. Of course, now we just have to make sure we don't screw up royally and turn the entire population against us...

[Jockel]

[Zeron]

This will be a disaster that sends the country into civil war


Sure for the most part it seems that the eastern part of the country hates Qaddafi but the western part for the most part supports him, lets say they oust and arrest Qaddafi then what? These pro Qaddafi guys will all just surrender and give up? yeah right..

[Jockel]

Gadaffi.

[antron]

This will be a disaster that sends the country into civil war


Sure for the most part it seems that the eastern part of the country hates Qaddafi but the western part for the most part supports him, lets say they oust and arrest Qaddafi then what? These pro Qaddafi guys will all just surrender and give up? yeah right..

there already was a civil war. we prevented an imminent slaughter of who we consider to be the good guys.