This came in the mail about a half an hour ago:
Statement of President Barack Obama
Tonight, the momentum against the Qadhafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant. The Qadhafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.
The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Qadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all. Meanwhile, the United States has recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority in Libya. At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya. A season of conflict must lead to one of peace.
The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people. Going forward, the United States will continue to stay in close coordination with the TNC. We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy.
I doubt he would release such a statement if there was still any hope for Moammar. It would be nice if everyone involved followed Obama’s advice.
In case anyone is confused by the various spellings. This should help clear it all right up.
Now THAT is F’ing Bizarre! I felt I was having a minor acid flashback from the 80’s when I saw that.
Nobody is saying you weren’t 🙂
Freddie deBoer
That is an appropriate, if VERY diplomatic, statement. But I would prefer that he get some TV cameras in front of him and pound his chest right now. Tell us that we should be proud that we finally had a president with the BALLS to take this asshole down. (of course he would need some more diplomatic way of wording that, but that’s what we should be left feeling.)
When I was a young kid, I remember Pan Am 103 and we NEVER got anyone back for that. It was devistating and we wimped out. This guy is responsible. And now he’s DONE. We should be proud. And our leaders should make some noise.
Reagan didn’t have the balls to do this, nor did any President since and we have been haunted by this prick Gaddaffi or whatever his name is since I was a young boy. And Reagan always said “we don’t negotiate with terrorists.” Bullshit. Reagan negotiated with terrorists to get himself elected and then consistently ran away from terrorists because he was a fucking coward.
Obama takes ’em out. Kills ’em dead. Period.
He should be bragging about this tonight in some way that works PR-wise. But he doesn’t have anyone working for him who knows how to do PR right so he’s fucked.
Put Joe Biden on TV to tell us all what a kick-ass motherfucker his boss is. Do it tonight. That might work.
Do people at the White House read this blog? I certainly hope so. It’s one of the more intelligent places of political discourse I’ve ever found. If so, they should not waste this opportunity.
OKay.
Wasn’t everything going to go wrong? Looks like it worked out, so I guess it has to now go wrong.
I know you’re not questioning me. But I want to make my own views clear on this. I heard so much disagreement to this military involvement at first and ever since, probably because we’re so bogged down everywhere else. So I didn’t say much.
But I always thought that this is the way to fight a battle – with your friends and without an invasion. You don’t get trapped in a never-ending occupation where you are not welcome, only making things worse, yet you and your friends are kicking butt from the sky and supporting the rebels’ needs.
Once it’s over, you simply go home and hope that the locals reorganize the way they like. No guarantees of success. Just a chance for them to change things. That’s all we can realistically expect from a major disruption to a country.
Assad (of Syria) should be shaking in his boots right about now. The Saudis should consider letting women wear simple hijabs instead of burkas and let them drive cars.
We should be using this opportunity to tell the world “You’re next if you don’t start treating your people like people.” Period.
Maybe it’s just bluffing, but we might inspire more popular uprisings.
No, we can’t be out front in any way.
All we can do is follow the lead of the locals.
Arab Spring isn’t about us. Obviously, we’re not entirely just bystanders, but there’s only so much we can do.
Booman, is it too soon to start pointing out that this is yet another military/foreign policy decision that Obama appears to have gotten right?
Or would it be too traumatic for his critics’ feelings because it’s another example of Obama “leading from behind”?
I think you can make a general defense of his actions so far. But you don’t want to end up looking like Baghdad Bob three years from now. So, don’t try to feed anybody crow.
Libya isn’t a democracy yet.
Whether Libya becomes a democracy or not isn’t our call. It isn’t our mission.
The UN Protective Mission we’re involved with kept Gadhafi from slaughtering many thousands of people and crushing the rebellion. Good for the UN. Good for NATO. Good for Obama.
But Libya’s future is Libya’s call. We can have some effect, but ultimately, it’s not up to us.
Obama is leading the USA to transition to a central but non-hegemonic position in international relations. He is doing good, and that despite the GOP (Get-Obama-Party). (and isolationism of a % of the progressive side)
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"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."What a pathetically bitter old loser. It gives me great joy to think of how this latest Obama success must gravel McCain almost as much as bin Laden’s removal.
And by “more,” they mean “invade, occupy, install a client state, and maintain a long-term military presence.”
I see conservatives talking about “ending the war quickly” by landing an armored division a couple of month ago. I don’t think anything would have made this take longer than that type of quick victory.