Nothing to see here, Syria is not as important as Libya! :lol:

"despite the Obama administration’s lies"

FTFY

The White House report to Congress last month stated that since turning over the lead to NATO, the US has "assisted in the suppression and destruction of air defenses in support of the no fly zone; and, since April 23, conducted precision strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles against a limited set of clearly defined targets."

So where's the lie?

As the article noted and the White House report stated, the US role since April has been mostly intelligence, logistical support, and search and rescue assistance, while also assisting in the suppression of air defenses.

I can understand disagreeing with the White House interpretation of the War Powers Act, but I dont see anything in this article that wasnt common knowledge.

Link

Looks like the Syrian lives just went up a bit.

Has the tide turned in Libya?
Not one US life lost, not one NATO life lost.

No push back against the US by Libyans.

No worries about Iran intervention or Hamas or Hezbollah retaliation.

Little or no risk to the US with potential for significant rewards for the Libyan people.

But some obviously still dont see or refuse to acknowledge the difference between Libya and Syria.

NYTimes has it too. If this goes off it will be a great success.

There is reason to be optimistic, but a tempered optimism with the expectation that what will follow is not likely to be a smooth transition to a more democratic and representative government.

Much like Egypt where the people appear to be getting impatient with the military controlled transition.

In both cases, US (and NATO) financial/economic support will be necessary or extremely helpful at a time when many here are suggesting that we cut all foreign aid.

One other US policy that I think makes sense is reaching out to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the Islamic Movement for Change in Libya, each of which will expect to have some role in a transition and new government in the respective countries. We can and should talk to these groups, despite the rhetoric from the right about these groups.

[un-UG]This was much smarter and better focused than previous interventions but it is still an intervention and as such should be opposed on principle.[/un-UG] Why is it we always have money for this kind of militaristic nonsense even with a debt limit? I understand that this is Obama finding a middle way, but it is a big strike against him in my book... not that the GOP will put forward a less blood-stained alternative.

Politically, I am as far from the Guerrilla guy as anyone here and on this issue, I would disagree with you.

IMO, opposing all intervention on principle is too sweeping. There are levels of intervention, the least reactionary or aggressive of which should be considered (or at least on the table) as part of our broad foreign policy options, even if only as a potential deterrent.

If the intervention is to protect civilians from the real possibility of massacre by a govt responding to a populist movement AND has a UN mandate, AND is not unilateral, AND has the support of the civilians of the country as well as the leaders of other countries in the region, AND does not include US boots on the ground, AND if the cost in US lives and dollars is low (by DoD standards), AND if there is little risk of a response that could cause greater harm to the country and the region, then I think it is appropriate, given the risk/rewards to both the civilians and the US.

I support this action or this limited intervention. My disagreement with Obama is in the manner in which he is trying to fudge the War Powers Act to continue the action w/o Congressional approval.

We also need to be able to afford it. I'd rather have my mother's SS and MC untouched than improve the quality of life for Libyans. On the other hand, raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans would allow us to accomplish both.

I agree that needs at home should come first.

But we dont have to raise taxes on the wealthiest to pay for a limited foreign policy action. Keeping it defense related, not awarding defense contracts to companies that move offshore to avoid paying taxes (eg Halliburton et al) would easily cover the cost of this one.

Or take a knife to wasteful, outdated or unnecessary DoD programs.

http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbyi...al-photo-shoot

Here we go, application of "soft power" on Assad, as the US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, the EU foreign policy head all demand in unity that he step down.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14577333

That ignores something far more important. Turkey demanded Assad step down and to stop attacking civilians. Turkey also threatened consequences if ignored.

The US is not involved! Already! Read the papers! not a word.... right?

Yeh, after other countries have already done so, Obama then commits. Never in the lead, only seems to be following.

None of us know what happens behind closed doors, but still many were clamoring for this a long time ago and before many innocent lives were lost.

Really? Do you have any citations for that claim? Aside from the US press saying that the US is pushing them to do so, they still have not and have, from all indications, refused to do so, so far. In fact, everything I've found seem to specifically say the opposite, for example:
Read more:

The Turkish foreign chief threatened Assad a few days ago:

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-2538...perations.html

But he seems to have walked back from this.

The Turks don't like waves of refugees - especially Kurds. It destablises their more sensitive areas.

Exactly. The things I saw seemed :confused:

There are reports of fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli.

Good time to pull the US out.

TheMercenary keeps making a claim that is proven by nothing but his accusations. If Americans are in combat, TheMercenary proves his claims with facts and numbers. Necessary for political handlers (ie Limbaugh) to brainwash their disciples. They just believe what they are told rather than always demand facts.

One of us knew Saddam's WMDs were not proven by facts. The other knew it must be true because he automatically believed what George Jr, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al (extremists from the Project for a New American Century) told him what to believe. A responsible person demands supporting facts - the reasons why - before making such claims. TheMercenary keeps making those combat claims (even back on 2 July) without any proof other than Limbaugh who says, "Trust me".

Word is Kaddafi is hours from being drive from Tripoli. Now some far more important questions will be answered. First, where will he and his peers go? Second, and more important, was this war long enough for the various rebel factions to build a unifying structure and relationships? To be honest, I fear not. But we have little reasons to answer with certainty either way.

BTW, this may result in a ten cent (or larger) reduction in gasoline prices by late fall. It will take some months to restore oil production.

And they hate when their nutsacks get destabilised.

Adios mutha f...