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Obama: US readying full range of options on Libya
Reuters
Published: 24.02.11, 00:37
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. After 9 days of silence,
BH ,   Iowa   (02.24.11)
a sudden change of direction toward Libya BHO must have just learned the Muslim Brotherhood is plotting to seize power. Obama has always supported the most extreme Islamists involved - every single time.
2. REGAN had it right
Bill ,   Skokie IL USA   (02.24.11)
just do what President Regan did bomb his Ass.
3. The U.S will do nothing, just more...
Chris.B ,   Australia   (02.24.11)
rhetoric for the tv cameras what a shame for the Libyan people.
4. Mr. President
Jorge el judio ,   Israel/USA/Argentina   (02.24.11)
Mr. President: After this, it is time to restructure UN, and UNHRC.
5. where was this ass when Iran was doing the killing?
DANNY ,   America   (02.24.11)
6. US should bomb kudafi palace, did it before.
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (02.24.11)
7. Main option: harsh language
Stephen in New York   (02.24.11)
Pathetic speech from the one who scrapes and bows and apologizes.
8. Damned if u do and Damned if you dont
superhero ,   Johannesburg RSA   (02.24.11)
When USA does something about a brutal dictator who harms his people - like the toppling of Saddam in Iraq - then there is an Arab World outcry of "occupier " "USA invaded for oil " etc etc. Now suddenly everyone wants the dictator of Lybia to be toppled by UK and USA - through an invasion?- but then will it be the same charges of "oil grab" "occupation"? Two things are for sure: 1. Arab World hypocracy knows no bounds!!!! 2.The problems in Iraq fall squarely on the shoulders of the Arab World who refuse to co-operate no-matter-what and are bent on making their problems everyone elses. Give Gaddaffi a break - he is the Chairman of the UN Human Rights Council and is a 1st time offender as can be verified with NGO HRW.
9. Hey hypocrite, Mr. President
Salma ,   Palestine   (02.24.11)
talk less, act more !
10. #2 Bill
Devorah   (02.24.11)
BINGO!!!
11. Damned if you do Damned if you dont
suoerhero ,   Johannesbrg RSA   (02.24.11)
Is anyone suggesting that USA should topple a brutal dictator and impose democracy through a military action? Surely everyone knows that this will be seen as "occupation" and "oil grab" by the Arab World - like when the brutal dictator Saddam Husein of Iraq was toppled for these very same reasons. Two things are crystal clear: 1. Arab World hypocracy knows no bounds. 2. The problems in Iraq fall squarely on the shoulders of the Arab World who refuse to co-operate no-matter-what. Lets not forget that that Gaddaffi was the chairman of the UN Human Rights Council and if there is any blame to be dished out - then clearly it is to this organization that has for the last 30 years remained silent and in so doing has allowed events like today occurr despite this body being set-up to prevent these things from happining. Give Gaddafi a break - he clearly has some popular support and is the Chairman of the UN Human Rights Council.
12. The talkbacks here are all over the place
Cameron ,   USA   (02.24.11)
If the US moves, it's to get as many of our people out as possible, and that's it. Only a fool sticks his hand in the middle of this kind of internal dogfight. Gadaffi vs. the rabble. Fine. So be it. Both groups will slug it out, and when the dust settles. we'll arrange affairs with whoever is left standing.
13. WHOM SHALL THE US SUPPORT ?
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.24.11)
Al-Qaeda backs Libyan protesters, condemns Gaddafi Published: 02.24.11, 08:32 / Israel News Al Qaeda's North African wing has condemned Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and expressed solidarity with protesters revolting against his rule, the SITE Intelligence Group quoted it as saying on Thursday. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) accused Gaddafi of hiring African mercenaries and ordering aircraft to fire on protestors, SITE said, citing a jihadist statement issued on Thursday. (Reuters) Comment - SO - Shall the US side with AL-QAEDA, and do AL-QARDA side with Peacefull Democratic Protestors? Further - "It is imperative that the nations and peoples of the world speak with one voice," Obama told reporters in his first public comments on the turmoil in Libya, Comment - I think the US had better stay out of the way, She has already stayed idle to long in the Mideast, and lost all opportunities. Further - Obama urged an end to attacks on peaceful protesters The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable," Obama said at the White House with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at his side. "These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop." Comment - The Word of Selfdeceptions regarding reality in the Usefull Idiots are showing. Why cant the Ignorant Fools in the White House understand that israel knows best in the Middle East ? Is it not because of the Selfdeceptive Ideology they have ? The Projection of USs Political Force in the World and on the World, has cheased in Usefull Idiot Obama, and now comes the result - -An upprising of all kinds of Evil forces, because the so called Peacefull Demonstrators, Liberal Socialists/Social Democrats, are also an Evil Force, which will Impose a Totalitarian Dictature Ruled by Democratic Mayority. If this uprising is from GOD, it will not FAIL, or if it is just allowed by GOD, it is for the Fullfillment of HIS WORD. I am convinced it will FAIL. Orao.Srbia.
14. Convene The UN Human Rights Council
Stan ,   Johannesburg RSA   (02.24.11)
If there is anyone to blame for the situation in Lybia today it is the UN Human Human Rights Council - a body formed to prevent exactly what we are seeing today. For 30 years they have been vigorously persuing the wrong tack and should be shaken up. Why Gaddaffi is a once Chairman of this rotten apple and has been sponsor and supporter of many a human rights abuse motion that have been eagerly supported by his co-horts that are now in danger of extinsion. Obama - now is the time to show how smart you are - convene a special session of the UN HRC in Lybia
15. To: No. 12
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.24.11)
No, Libya's a little different from Tunisia or Egypt. It's an oil-producing state with a decent amount of reserves. The pyramids are nice, but don't exactly keep engines running. I wouldn't discount limited military intervention. Me, personally? I think it would be a spectacularly bad idea, but the current administration seems to be chock full of those.
16. It is time for the Congress and Senate to force a MagnaCarta
Rivkah   (02.24.11)
on a King John in the White House and force him to surrender the War Powers given to President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930's to deal with the Great Depression that he promised to surrender before he left office but did not do so before he died. The U.S. has been held hostage to wars ever since that sustain the war powers of U.S. Presidents who are bankrupting the American people with getting into foreign wars and foreign civil wars that are not in America's best interests to be involved in. America needs a Magna Carta, the document King John was forced to sign long ago in England for abusing his powers. The Lords and Nobles surrounded him and gave him no other option but to sign the Magna Carta or to be removed from his throne. President Obama should be impeached on many issues and not surrendering the War Powers is one of those issues. If that were done, the message would be loud and clear that the Executive Orders and Presidential Decision Directives that have crippled industry and so many other aspects of this nation are history and voided.
17. USEFULL IDIOT - ???
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.24.11)
Obama: US readying full range of options on Libya Comment - Why are you always Speaking the Right things on the wrong subjects. This Coment of Yours was also hinted at in the case of North-Korea. IT IS IRAN WHOM YOU SHALL CONSENTRATE UPON, AND ACT ACCORDING TO THOSE WORDS OF YOURS. I am sure the Iranians are almost Laughing themselves to Death, at Your behaviour. GOD Bevere. Orao.Srbia.
18. To Sarah, #15
Tahl   (02.24.11)
With Obama sinking so low in the polls, there is no way in hell he would embark on such misguided adventure. While the importance of oil can never be discounted, I believe the American people in this case will not be duped to send their sons to fight another war. Of course, the oil tycoons are always free to go and fight themselves.
19. Why Rivkah, you trippy cat you
Cameron ,   USA   (02.24.11)
Only you could somehow manage to interject King John, and the Magna Carta into this modern Libyan melee of spooked tyrants and screeching mobs.
20. #1 Obama to his cabinet
(02.24.11)
Look, we need to do something about this Egypt thing. If our own citizens realize they can just toss out their leader, for being a worthless idiot, then I could be next! http://americanstew.net/index.php?topic=29249.0
21. 16 No Military Option, Rivkah
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (02.24.11)
Obama is not Johnson or Bush or Nixon. Congress won't fund our current wars except by borrowing from China. That credit limit has been reached. The US can only talk and maybe, only maybe, sanction. Half of Fox News wants the US to support Gaghafi. The uprising to them is a commie-Islamist plot. That means that probably over half of the Republicans thing Gadhafi is doing the right thing. The US is also about to go into default because our politicians cannot agree. And we don't have enough needy women and hungry children for some, and for others, our middle class is way too big - needs to be eliminated. Obama is unlikely to pull troops from Korea or Afghanistan or even Iraq to go into a shootout in Tripoli. The US Marines did that once already. This is more unlikely since there is no money. It would not be wise to put in troops and have no funds to extract them or feed them or resupply them. If that is to be done, it would have to be a private effort or from some country with politicians who would be willing and have the will to raise the funds to pay their bills.
22. Nr 21. Could be - BUT
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.24.11)
- the US could strike Iran with Missiles and From Air, ( in the way of Yugoslavia ), without Putting ant Troops on the Ground, or Pull them from elsewhere. Orao.Srbia.
23. To: Tahl at No. 18
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.24.11)
It wouldn't be staged as an American intervention, Tahl. If it does come, it will be under the aegis of NATO. The oil tycoons (at least in the U.S.) have large sums of cash at their disposal, and we're in the run-up to a presidential election in 2012. Campaign contributions are a very powerful motivator.
24. Wide range of options which includes"
GideonReader ,   USA   (02.24.11)
Asking subordinte what's going on?Cursing Republicans. General fretting. Hand wringing. Walking back and forth. Stamping of alternate feet. Spitting. Yelling and throwing things at subordinates. Cursing in African American Dialect. Calling labor unions for help and advice. Kicking the family pooch "Bo", Blaming JOOOS and "settlements".
25. To: Gideon at No. 24
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.24.11)
You forgot about those super powerful oil and gas companies and their uber-influential Congressional lobby. The Democrats are going to find campaign contributions a little hard to come by for 2012. You know those $50,000 a plate bashes that the Democrats love to throw to raise campaign funds? How many plates do you think the oil and gas interests will purchase? Their perception is that it is one thing to have a popular revolt in Egypt, it's quite another thing to have a popular revolt in an oil-producing state. They need to send a message to the other oil-producing nations; Libya -- with the horrific events transpiring before us -- is the perfect opportunity to send that message. I imagine none of them have sons or daughters that will be put in harm's way -- business as usual for the United States.
26. 22USN Might take Out Libyan Air Force
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (02.24.11)
The USN Air Force could know the Libyans out of the sky with little repercussion. But trying that with Iran would involve the shooting at Israel and the USN in the Gulf - a full blown war. Then troops and money and authorizations get involved. Not possible on Iran. Congress won't go for it.
27. To: Mark at No. 26
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.24.11)
Mark, Iran is all sizzle and no steak. It took them eight years to eke out a shamefaced draw against a vastly inferior Iraq. Please remember the formula: the more tough-talk rhetoric out of Iran; the more panicked they are. They are terrified of Israel. They are terrified of the United States. A coalesced action between Israel and the United States would demolish Iran in a matter of weeks, if not days. Less, if Israel and the U.S. decide to exercise a nonconventional option. Iran represents the single greatest threat to civilization as we know it. It is spreading its tentacles both east and west, and working actively to destabilize U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf. Inept foreign policy on the part of the United States has left the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, the Emirates and the other Persian Gulf states no choice: they either ally with Iran, or they disappear. (Although I seriously doubt that Israel will allow things to deteriorate to that degree; if necessary, Israel will go it alone -- we're really good at that.) Forget Congress, dear. If the U.S. does decide to act, it will be through NATO. NATO can act independently of Congress. Remember Kosovo? I doubt that troops will be seconded from any country other than the U.S. (the European members of NATO have large, violent and unruly Moslem populations). But whatever public lip service will be paid "deploring" such action, the simple fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of the world will breathe a HUGE sigh of relief. Iran needs to be stopped. One or another way.
28. 21 Mark ben Josuf, USA: Good post. I hope you are right.
Rivkah   (02.24.11)
29. The Joker vs. the frenzied mob
Cameron ,   USA   (02.24.11)
Though the oil must flow, no one is going to quickly step in that crap pile. Both sides are racing against time, so they must leap at eachother very quickly for a true bloodbath finale. the mob = righteous passion The Joker = hardware
30. Addendum
Gideon Reader ,   USA   (02.24.11)
...holding his breath. falling on the floor and kicking his feet. making believe he is sick so he does'nt have to do anything. Blaming it on Biden.Blaming it on Hilarious Clinton. Soiling his clothing. Putting on a Ronald Regan mask and blaming the Gipper. Threatening to have Janet Napolitano sit on G'Daffy Ducks face. Threatening to have the Wookie sit on Napolitano's face.
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