The United States has been trying for the last three years to get military bases on the African continent. Bush set up AfriCom and put a black general in charge and he was unable to convince any country to accept a base. Obama made a trip to Africa and also tried, but was unable to find a country willing to accept a base. Libya has presented an opportunity to get a foothold in the continent which is unfortunate for Africa. I expect we will get one out of this assistance to Libya when Gaddafi is removed whether or not this turns into a bigger war. I feel sorry for the next generation of Africans because the U.S. military tends to do a lot of damage.
If Gaddafi gives up quickly everything will be alright. But, if he does what his son said and engages a long civil war this will become a quagmire. The no fly zone has essentially evolved into air support for rebels who control half the country. We have picked sides and I don’t know how the U.S. backs away from that unless Gaddafi backs down. Gaddafi needs to leave for the U.S. to leave. The next step will be providing the rebels with weapons and the advisers and trainers to go along with them. That will add to the special forces who are already on the ground. As the civil war evolves, we will send in those thousands of Marines who are currently on floating bases, U.S. warships. And, if Gaddafi attacks a U.S. warship — wow, will you see an escalation. As the war drags on (and maybe we will be lucky and it will not do so) the increase in troops will come and along with them bases to house them which will turn into permanent bases.
As much as I dislike Gaddafi and feel for the rebels who are trying to overthrow him, Obama is not an emperor and can’t go around starting wars. He has spent about a billion dollars already at a time when teachers, police and fire as well as health care workers are losing jobs, when cities and states need to cut debts and where the federal government has record deficits.. The military has too much power in the U.S. government. They should not be going around spending a billion dollars without congressional oversight. Especially, when this could easily turn into a quagmire.
KZ
EDITOR: We publish all points of view, whether or not we agree.
Listening to WBAL 1090 from Baltimore this morning the VAST majority of responses in a poll to ‘grade’ Obama’s speech last night gave him an F. Probably had something to do with his egotistical and arrogant delivery of a speech that was decidedly short on explanations/justifications.
Did we notice that he was not ‘available’ for any follow-up questions. “Shoot and Duck”. What will his excuse be when we are still there months/years from now???????