Finally.
Barack Obama finally got around to taking a position. Now that the dust is settling in Libya, Barack Obama is taking a position. This is exactly the same as he’s done for his entire career.
And the position he’s finally gotten around to taking is Sarah Palin’s. She got there on February 23.
Now, as Gaddafi is mopping up, Barack the Bold appears on the horizon.
In the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama voted present 128 times. He would often use it to duck the tough issues.
Sometimes the “present’ votes were in line with instructions from Democratic leaders or because he objected to provisions in bills that he might otherwise support. At other times, Mr. Obama voted present on questions that had overwhelming bipartisan support. In at least a few cases, the issue was politically sensitive.
Not every state allows the “present” vote, but then hardly any other state can compete with Illinois for pure corruption.
If there was any doubt about voting present being Obama’s mother’s skirt, it was dispelled by on the debt his vote against raising the debt ceiling in 2006. Back then Obama said this:
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
He voted against it, knowing that he could vote against it. When pressed to explain the vote, Robert Gibbs mumbled
Gibbs said Obama’s vote was not necessary at the time to secure passage of the bill, which squeaked by 52-48, and that he was using the occasion to call for fiscal discipline.
Thus Obama could stake out the noble position without any political risk and without having to be point man.
Just like now.
The assertions that Obama was being “deliberate” and/or “thoughtful” with regard to Libya are ridiculous. They are the pathetic efforts of liberals to cover for this complete absence of leadership.
The need for a no-fly zone is past. It’s too late. Way too late.
But only then does Air Obama take to the skies.
The world called the US at 3 AM and there was no one to answer. The world was looking for a leader and none was to be found.
France took the lead in the concern over Libya. France’s Sarkozy and England’s Cameron have left Obama biting at their heels.
France is to host talks on Saturday with senior politicians to discuss what course of action to follow in Libya. The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain will send fighter jets “in the coming hours” to enforce the no-fly zone.
Only then in the shade of political safety did “Brackets” Obama make an appearance.
On March 12 the Arab League voted to support a no-fly zone and asked the UN to impose it.
March 12.
On March 16 Hillary Clinton called vote that a “sea change.” And still nothing happened.
So there it is.
The Arab League opened the door for Obama on March 12. They all but begged him to go to the UN and stir action.
Sarkozy and Cameron probably threw their arms into the air waiting for President Godot and decided to go without him.
Only when Gaddafi was closing in on the Benghazi finale does Barack Obama get off the recliner.
Game over, man.
If you appreciate that unique and ideal combination of ineffectiveness, meaninglessness and tardy symbolism in a President, Barack Obama is your guy.
DrJohn has been a health care professional for more than 40 years. In addition to clinical practice he has done extensive research and has published widely with over 70 original articles and abstracts in the peer-reviewed literature. DrJohn is well known in his field and has lectured on every continent except for Antarctica. He has been married to the same wonderful lady for over 45 years and has three kids- two sons, both of whom are attorneys and one daughter who is in the field of education.
DrJohn was brought up with the concept that one can do well if one is prepared to work hard but nothing in life is guaranteed.
Except for liberals being foolish.
@blast: Oh those damn conseratives. They went to war in Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, without a declatation of war. Oh wait, that was the democrats!
@Greg: Well, well mon Greg, your accolades for his impotence’s (the progressive, marxist after two plus weeks of dithering) action after being gored by a feminist anti-war gadfly is consistent and predictable. For a man who doesn’t even know how to clean an M16, M9 or M1911, to declare war on a sovereign nation in support of a “revolutionary rabble of unknown Islamist intent/backing” is beyond the pale yet you applaud his actions.
Oh how honorable it is that we launched an indiscriminate attack with 112 cruise missiles. Gee, I know how incredibly accurate the Tomahawk cruise missile is; just remember the pinpoint accuracy of our many launches on Bagdad and the hell you gave President Bush for each and every ‘miss’. Now, I am not for, nor have I ever been for Gaddafi but isn’t it interesting that Britain so conveniently jumps in to take Gaddafi down when only yesteryear they released the scumbag responsible for the Lockerbie downing of the PanAm flight to curry favor for access to the Libyan oil contracts. Again, his impotence is always on the side of right as noted on his teleprompter.
Greg, please keep up the dialog of why we launched 112 cruise missiles with such absolute accuracy to ensure that we are not also guilty of killing civilians. With absolute certainty, our missile attack killed at least one unaligned innocent civilian. But that is OK by your apparent Bronx cheer, just collateral damage for those unfortunate enough to live within the strike zone of 1000 #s of HE.
I see why this is a popular discussion board. It is comprised of mostly Obama non-supporters AKA Bush Babies. It is one thing to post on a neutral, diverse board….but cmon 99% of you on here wreak of either Repulican, arrogance, and even issues with race. Perhaps you should find “the dark side” and tell us how you feel about Obama. Who knows you might end up with a warm heart after all the friction. But this is too easy…its just a board of nearly everyone agreeing that Obama isnt much of a President. Free your mind and your ass will follow. Instead of all you complaining about Obama – go do something proactive as an attempt to be the next candidate for Presidency – then we will talk about you and how you dont wipe your ass correctly!
@MataHarley:
Well, I can’t help you with the ‘dislikes”, since I’ve never clicked on that button, but I imagine not everyone, even here, is as upset as James Raider that Obama didn’t rush and bumble his way into yet another Middle Eastern conflict without weighing the American lives and interests in the balance, and how unilateral action would leave us holding the bill again while every other nation on Earth slowly backed away. Funny thing how when Arab nations are forced to step up and take some responsibility for their region, they can’t turn around later and call Americans “Western invaders”. I guess a foreign policy that actually thinks several moves ahead won’t satisfy those checker players who believe that being super macho is the highest of Presidential virtues, and damn the consequences, but I for one have little issue with the US pressuring European and Arab nations to finally put their money (and lives) where their mouths are. Why not let others do some heavy lifting for once? I suppose Obama won’t get his “Mission Accomplished” banner though.
@ Yeah, OK
And you would be wrong to assume we are all Bush Babies. I will assert that we haven’t had a worthy President since Reagan. They’ve been progressively more spendy, and progressively more obsessed with the idea of a new “international” order. I don’t even particularly like the Republican party, but they are better than the alternative until we can get a viable third party up and running. I do not possess the hubris to suggest myself as the next candidate for President; but I do vote, and the discussions here can help educate one on the issues. Yes, we are generally conservative, but by no means homogeneous.
Come to the dark side? Race issues? I’m going to excuse you as being to mentally inept to argue with.
I don’t judge by the color of peoples skin but by the way obamas mother was caucasian, so he is just as “white” as he is “black” my point is why bother saying he is black?
@Greg: Wow! to use our best modern President’s words “There you go again” Greg: “So, who do republicans figure we’d have borrowed the money from to finance a U.S. led invasion and occupation of Libya?
Maybe they figure this one would also pay for itself.”
Who was talking about Republicans?? This is and has been from the beginning a one party show from his impotence to Ms. Hillary and even Bite Me: The independent BHO party committed to the destruction of America as we know it. Get off of it. To incite war it helps if one has credibility and the modicum of appearance of a moral belief in the value of our fellow man. This is not self-evident to even the most learned observer let alone a “Natural Born” citizen of this formally great country.
@Semper Fidelis 72:, #54:
Most likely there was nothing the least bit indiscriminate about it. There were a couple of weeks there to systematically compile and prioritize a list of the most critical Libyan air defense targets–radar implacements, coordination and control centers, fixed and mobile ground-to-air missile implacements, etc. It’s a good bet that they’re now mostly ready for recycling. The next logical step would be to render a few critical runways totally unuseable–assuming that hasn’t been accomplished already.
In retrospect, it’s interesting how many times over the past tw0 weeks we’ve heard the opinion expressed that imposing a no fly zone would be of little real consequence. That followed on the heels of Secretary of Defense Gates’ televised presentation during the open House Committee meeting. A serious undertaking that would produce uncertain results, he said. It would require two aircraft carriers; the danger of shoulder-launched air-to-ground weapons would still exist; there would still be anti-aircraft guns; destroyed air defense implacements could be rebuilt–yadda yadda yadda.
Gates knew who the important audience was. It wasn’t only the people in the committee room, as I’m sure many of them realized. Gadaffi isn’t without a television.
Consider the geography of Libya. It’s 90% desert. Anything that goes from here to there either flies or goes over totally exposed roads and highways. The first thing any competent military strategist would do is take out Libyan air defense and attack capabities. Once that’s accomplished, you’ve got the upper hand.
It’s nice to read that even the Left appreciates the pinpoint accuracy of a cruise guided missile.
Gaddafi had to grab so-called volunteers to surround himself with human shields as a way to maybe keep alive.
In Gaza today 54 UNGUIDED mortars were launched into Israel in a space of just 15 minutes.
Hamas sort of took credit in that one of their commanders was killed when the IDF targeted the heat signature and shot back.
LOL!
No Israeli, either Jew or Arab Muslim, was killed today although a few were injured.
Could have been very different.
UNGUIDED explosives can hit anything……
Schools.
Hospitals.
Homes.
Apartments.
Cars.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Babies.
These things cannot even be aimed.
@blast:
Oh, Blast, I read just fine. Apparently you didn’t nor even took the time to read what I linked. In a classic song and dance, we get this little quote from my source I linked and you ignored:
Which follows this lovely quote:
Translation: Prices for the current goods on supply are going up for European market as Sweet Crude supplied to it to be refined for certain Gasoline Octanes will have to be purchased by another supplier that has direct competition with the North and South America Nations and China on top of Russian crude will exit the European markets to satisfy the Japanese buyers because Japan is buying this at a higher rate to relieve their energy needs.
The Logistics of transporting fuels, food and supplies that satisfy needs in the society will be impacted in the European Union as prices for fuel go up due to shortage of Sweet Crude and its purpose as a certain refinement source due to emission laws. In turn, the EU to make up shortfalls and to prevent logistic nightmares and let alone riots have to compete against the supplies the United States has to bid by making the prices for both the US and EU rise as it goes to highest bidder in the markets.
The United States projected price per gallon of Gas is expected to hit about 5 dollars by June, 7 by Fiscal Quarter 3 (aka Fall) due in part of decline in Libyan Sweet Crude production and supply to the EU and the growing power needs of Japan in the form of refined fuel by outbidding of other Nations. If you can not understand how this directly threatens US National Security in terms of Economical havoc wrought by higher priced domestic Energy which is dependent on prices of barrel of crude…
Thank you for playing, your ticket was not a winner. Please play again.
And have a door prize for trying:
http://www.econbrowser.com/archives/2005/08/sweet_and_sour.html
And in case you need a treat:
http://omrpublic.iea.org/
Enjoy.
But back to the main point, Obama had weeks to assist the French to ensure Gaddafi forces could not mobilize armor and air craft to counter Rebel forces fighting in open terrain and to assist the Rebels in preventing the destruction of Oil Production facilities and to hold tactical areas that overpower Gaddafi. The French Ambassadors were breathing down our Nation’s neck to do something, Conservatives domestically has nothing to do with it much to their opinions of the matter. The decision point to act was a window of only so many hours, just like JFK’s and Johnson’s moments of Presidency in terms of flashpoint issues. There’s a reason why tactical choices and toughest leadership choices are nicknamed, “Flashpoints.”
@Greg: This is the text of the UN Resolution.
Show us where it says cruise missiles may be used anywhere, but especially on Tripoli.
This is war. We have another undeclared war. We’re going to cripple another country which has not attacked us. They’re going to break it and NOT fix it afterward? Is that what you guys are saying here?
Whose government do we attack next?
China?
North Korea?
Egypt?
Saudi?
Tunisia?
How about Zimbabwe?
Whose government do we decide to topple and why? Whose civilians are we going to “protect” next? To whose cries are we going listen next?
This is eerily reminiscent of Iraq. It is a mirror image. After all his bullshit about Iraq, Barack Obama has done EXACTLY the same as George Bush and you morons on the left who applaud this action are absolutely the worst of hypocrites.
The difference is, Bush made sure the mess got fixed.
This is the UN and this is Obama. I don’t think this military action changes anything. Gaddafi stays. The notion that Gaddafi is a threat to the entire region is horse crap.
They all said that this action is NOT to change the government in Libya.
How long are we going to keep this up and why?
This UN resolution does not say military targets may be attacked anywhere and everywhere.
Barack Obama has gotten us into something bad and it’s way too late even if you believe we should be doing anything, and I do not.
For the guy who was against the Iraq war as strongly as he was, this is an astonishingly hypocritical action by Obama. And it’s astonishingly hypocritical of left wing loudmouths to support it.
It’s going to be really interesting to see how many civilians are killed in these attacks.
@Nan G: Hamas can attack Israel but apparently those attacks on another country are not so important as something happening inside another country.
One has to wonder- is that because Joos are being attacked that Obama ignores them?
@Greg:
You don’t know and cannot prove it.
The Arab League voted March 12.
It is of unending amusement to me that Barack Obama has Sarah Palin as his de facto adviser now. After their poo-pooing of a no-fly zone they spun around completely to her position.
@Greg: Come on, Greg. Say it for us.
Sarah Palin was right.
@Greg:
Let me point out more of this bullsh*t.
A few weeks ago Gates summarily disposed of the notion of a “no-fly zone” as “loose talk.”
Given that that’s precisely what is occurring now it is crystal clear that either this is a knee jerk response or Gates’ answer was a knee jerk response.
I leave Greg to tell us which is which.
You lefties are boxed into a corner.
If this remains a “no-fly zone” action, it doesn’t stop Gaddafi’s military. There is no sanction to do more.
@James Raider:
This is exactly right. It was a popularity contest and Barack Obama was hiding behind the skirts, or, er,um, a pantsuit.
@blast:
Exactly what the hell do you think just happened in Libya?
MARCH 19, 2011
OBAMA: ‘Today we are part of a broad coalition. We are answering the calls of a threatened people. And we are acting in the interests of the United States and the world’…
MARCH 19, 2003
BUSH: ‘American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger’…
@Machiavelli: You described my political affiliation. I appreciated the concern for those of us he sent to war, but I opposed his failure to curb spending and his views on immigration. I think the people who inhabit this blog are dedicated more towards Constitutional law and personal responsibility rather than a specific party. I know I have voted “against” during the last elections rather than “for”. I have also expressed myself vehemently to the local political leaders.
@Greg: You really have no clue again Greg. Iraq is “90% desert”. Why didn’t the same thing apply to Iraq?
Blast, we know your game, and nobody want to play with you,
get of your high heels and deflate your head and appologyse
when progressives are wrong, they always resort to using “nasty” remarks. That’s how you know they are wrong. @Yeah, OK:
DRJohn, on your 63, The PRESIDENT BUSH attack IRAK for a good reason,
remember 9/11, and IRAK was the choice to attack for his dangerous way of treating his people with mustard that we wouldn’t put in our hotdog, and collecting gadgets of potentialy using it to eliminate his neighbords and more reason
Yeah, OK, you can go wipe your own ass, because this post is for smart people not for your ignorant expertise
@ilovebeeswarzone: I do remember, Bees. I want the left to remember how harshly they treated Bush for doing what he did and how quick they are to excuse Obama for doing worse.
@randy as to #23: Randy, I have a tendency to get really ticked off and once I get going, I’ll let it fly! That’s why I put the apology at the beginning as I know I’ll probably offend someone in some way as to my (for want of a better word) crassness. On the flip side, I think and hope people realize these aren’t just the rants of some ideological lunatic. As disenchanted said in #40, he believes there are folks out there who want to say what I said and how I said it but are afraid. Also, before I sent it, I did think about it and decided I would not be true to myself if I sugarcoated my comments. what you have and what you get is the raw version of joetote. Besides, I’m to old to worry about what folks think of me now. already blew that one! LOL!
I’m not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just a common everyday guy who has had enough of the lies and deceit from out leaders. As such, I write like the common guy I am. These are the same words I use in conversation with anyone who is crazy enough (LOL!) to want to discuss these subjects with me. The really funny thing as to my comments today is that what really set me off was my son-in-law. He is in the middle of harms way right now and we had just had this discussion right before he left again! Someone has to say these things. someone has to not only defend the truth but get it out there for all to see. Someone has to call it as they see it without worrying about backlash or one’s feelings if they don’t agree.
A quick off topic thing here. Please check out Alan Caruba’s “Warning Signs” (http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com) sight. He has a great post today as to why he feels Obama is a Communist! Well researched and reasoned and fits in with one of my comments above.
@joetote: You did well! Too many tolerate status quo.
@DrJohn: We have now actively taken sides in this conflict, that being the rebel’s. If they win, WE win. If they lose, WE lose. Should Qaddafi remain in power, he will have bragging rights to claim he defeated not only the rebels, but the U.S. and our allies. He will be looked upon very highly in that part of the world. WE will look inept and ineffectual on the world stage. Hopefully someone has pointed this out to POTUS and he understands that the only outcome in this now is to get rid of Qaddafi. Anything less and this will be perceived as a failure.
@DrJohn:
Yeah, that worked out great. It only took eight + years, hundreds of thousands of US and Iraqi deaths and trillions of US dollars.
You’re correct that Obama’s actions in this situation are reminiscent of George Bush’s, but you have the wrong Bush. Obama, unlike the son, is approaching this closer to how Bush Sr. approached the Gulf War: no unilateral action; build a coalition; include Arab states; have a concrete stated goal; no open -ended US occupation force.
It’s funny, Dr. John, how your original post (and other posts you’ve written over the last week) center upon complaining that Obama is not taking a position, but now that events are under way, you’ve switched to complaining that he’s doing anything at all. It almost seems like anything he does will draw disapproval from you, regardless of how inconsistent your complaints are week to week. Meanwhile, you completely ignore any benefits that may accrue from Obama not rushing blinding into unilateral military action.
I’m curious what you think. With the benefit of hindsight, which path would you choose: US involvement in Libya as it’s actually unfolding (UN Resolution, Arab League involvement, a coalition of forces, no US ground troops) OR the US going it alone last week or two weeks ago, back when all the complaints around here centered on Obama’s lack of action?
I was expecting more “thumbs down” and such as it is like coming into a colony of hornets as a buzzing bee…and I am whatever you say I am…
@Tom: Tom
What I have said repeatedly (and you have mis-characterized) is that Obama votes present and waits for the dust to settle and then takes the noble position. It is his MO.
He could have rallied the UN weeks ago when this would have made a difference. Bombing Gaddafi’s army is not sanctioned by the UN, nor is bombing civilians. Time was of the essence and that is precisely why Obama dithered. And please don’t assert that this is Obama’s coalition. It’s Sarkozy’s coalition.
I still don’t think we belong in a civil war. As far as bombing Gaddafi as a means of protecting “civilians”- who’s next? (hey that would make a good post)
And these aren’t “civilians.” They are armed rebels in an insurrection.
Barry Soetoro:
“So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.”
Barry Soetoro:
Gaddafi must “step down from power and leave,”
He is so full of crap.
@ Dr John,
Many on the right have been cheerleading for this war. I think Obama did the wrong thing, and does not have the authority to do this.
another vet, hi, yes this could be one outcome, but what if It is what I think that the next power play will be like EGYPT,as it look like to me, It would not make a diffrence if AMERICA loose her standing because it has already lost it and only a change in GOVERMENT leadership will fix it, bye
@Mr. Irons, I guess you think that less cars in Japan and Gas Turbine generators that will take up the loss of nuclear will add up to more consumption of oil. You can think what you want, link to what you want… but it does not add up. And as to playing the game… your hand is a loser, better fold before someone takes all of your chips. Sheeple!
Time for a fact check before history gets revised again. The Brits, Ausies, Poles, Spanish, Japanese and a host other countries participated in Iraqi Freedom. If they count as a coalition now, they counted as a coalition back then. Can’t have it both ways.
@ilovebeeswarzone: We have to keep in mind that this is the beginning of operations. Most likely they will intensify. Hopefully it will be enough to make a difference. We may have missed our chance. Time will tell. Your reservations are definitely warranted.
Dr. J. How’s that whiplash from kissin Bush’s ass (4200 DEAD 30,000+WOUNDED) to smackin BHO whatever he does.Is it possible like bees you side with the madman? Indefensible in my eyes and the large majority of American citizens liberal or conservative.
Anybody rooting for Gaddafi simply to give BHO a black eye is one sick f—er.
BTW This coalition aint leavin till K leaves the country or is eliminated with extreme prejudice.
SEMPER FI
@DrJohn, #68:
In my opinion, neither was a knee jerk response. As mentioned in post #60, my guess is that what Gates said before the House Committee was an exercise in purposeful misdirection. Deliberate, purposeful bullsh*t, if you like.
It’s surprising that people who automatically disbelieve much of what they hear on mainstream media would have trouble grasping the fact that that same mainstream media might be used in a calculated fashion to confuse a military opponent about your true intentions.
How long do we think it takes to plan and negotiate a coordinated international military action, move all of the necessary pieces into place, and optimize the international political environment in which it will occur?
Maybe Gates should have announced that the imposition of a no fly zone was our obvious intention, and displayed a helpful chart with a complete timetable of upcoming events.
I’m not sure that U.S. military intervention in Libya will turn out to be a good idea. There are lots of ways this could go wrong. There were also lots of ways not intervening could have gone wrong. Since we’ve determined to do so, I find no particular fault at this point with the way the Obama administration has gone about it.
@ Tom:
Evidently you either read-and-don’t-understand, or you simply can’t get ideologically unstuck, as you ignorantly defend indecision on this critically significant situation.
No one has suggested that the U.S. should unitarily invade Libya, but your exaggeration likely triggers a few endorphins that enable your state of happiness in a complicated world. Good for you.
In that ethereal state, you also seem to have concluded that your beloved Obama “actually thinks several moves ahead.” I realize the article I linked to is only one source that evidences your feelings are based on Wishes and Dreams, but perhaps if you start by reading it, then do some more research, perhaps you might give your comments just a little more credibility. You might also find yourself writing comments that are less embarrassing.
I would rather have seen a President take an emphatic stand two weeks ago, “We’re staying out of it, Libyans will have to fend for themselves because I will not send another American into harm’s way,” or “We’re forming a no-fly zone with our European allies, and I don’t care if the Chinese and Russians like it. They can join us, or stay home. We’re helping the Libyan people.”
Either way BE DECISIVE.
@MataHarley:
Unfortunately, for some reason, I show 0 likes and 0 dislikes on my comments for this article.
@Greg: While we all know that Barack Obama lies through his teeth all the time, it would be disappointing to learn that the Secretary of Defense makes a practice of lying to the people of the United States. I do not believe that for one second. I do believe that Obama hid behind Hillary’s pantsuit and let France and England take the lead so that if this adventure doesn’t work, they get the blame. The coalition is Sarkozy’s- it is not Obama’s.
Confuse your military opponent by allowing him a lot more time to complete the efforts you claim to want to stop?
Yeah, that’s really confusing alright, but not to Gaddafi.
With that kind of thinking, you could easily be a Democrat Presidential candidate, Tom.
And let’s see- Obama consulted with France, with England and with the Arab League.
Anyone missing? Oh yeah- the US Congress. Maybe that was to confuse them too.
The boy king strikes again.
“All warfare is based on deception.
“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
Sun Tzu–The Art of War
@Greg: Gates lied, people died?
I am heartened by the fact that, although Gaddafi keeps claiming he has called a ceasefire (twice at least as on now), our coalition looks to the facts on the ground.
Gaddafi’s words of hudna (ceasefire) while tanks and infantry are on the move around Benghazi or, later when he handed out a million guns to supporters, means the tommahawk missiles and no-fly zone is still on.
As to the filthy Arab League.
Once the AL realized it would not be simply jets flying over, but would also include strikes on anti-aircraft guns, they did a 180′ and condemned the coalition’s operation.
Someone got to them and now they refuse to even comment about their 180′.
But You Tube still has it.
No Arab nation participated in Saturday’s military intervention and none are publicly supporting it.
@Greg: If you got the last part of the quote, the ideal deception should have been “stop or our navy off your coast we will kill you”. That would have been a deception that would work. The ” go ahead and kill people because we think a no fly zone is too dangerous” deception didn’t work!
Today almost all nations care about the lives of their own people…..there are a few notable exceptions:
North Korea, Communist China, some African countries and almost every Sharia (Muslim) state.
Golda Meir is disputed to have been the first to say this, but she is attributed to have said either:
Peace will come when the Arabs start to love their children more than they hate us.
OR
Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.
Point is, when a leader doesn’t care about the lives of his own populace he might do anything.
We see Muslim leaders killing their own populace in
Egypt (no, it has not stopped),
Yemen,
Bahrain,
Syria,
Libya and other places.
This is the problem:
http://markhumphrys.com/Bitmaps/palestinian.way.of.war.gif
But I’m not limiting that tactic to just the ones in the picture.
Libya vs the coalition is the exact same.
@Greg:
“We must allow the enemy to gain much time to build his goals in order to make the nation think we are winning.”
Barack Tzu
“The art of of voting present”
Letting people die while the president plays golf is not a strategy Greg. Are you saying that obama was trying to confuse our enemas by seeming negligent? I’m sure he never thought that far ahead.
Funny how he bows to the japanese then does golfing when they are in distress.