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Obama Has 11 Options in Libya, None Ideal

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Posted on Mar 8, 2011
Mr. Fish's Cartoon
Adam Zyglis, Cagle Cartoons, The Buffalo News

By Richard Reeves

Adam Zyglis, the editorial cartoonist of The Buffalo News, did a portrait of President Obama sitting on an oil drum in the classic chin-on-hand pose of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker." Behind him, war raged in the Middle East and "Freedom" was under a tank and rubble. Zyglis' caption was "The Overthinker."

Although Obama may be a touch too thoughtful to be a president in the decisive mold of a Harry Truman, he does have a lot to think about. I count at least 11 options in Libya, all of them risky.

1. Invade Libya and get rid of Moammar Gadhafi once and for all. Risk: This could be seen as our third invasion of a Muslim country in a decade. Many Arabs, particularly, would see that as a modern crusade to destroy Islam. And to quote Secretary of Defense Robert Gates: "Since Vietnam, our record has been perfect. We have never once gotten it right—from the Mayaguez to Grenada, Panama, Somalia, the Balkans, Haiti, Kuwait, Iraq and more."

2. The "No-Fly Zone": Use American air power to try to ground Gadhafi's old jets. Risk: the cratering of Libyan airports and destroying radar and anti-aircraft emplacements. That would be an act of war and could have the same downside as all-out invasion. Plus, Ivo Daalder, U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, argues that "no fly" would be ineffective against helicopters.

3. Besiege Libya by sea and air. Risk: Same as above.

4. Persuade the United Nations or NATO to put bombs or boots on the ground. Risk: A bit less, because even though American weaponry and men would probably take the lead, the president would have the cover of international sanction.

5. Supply the Libyan rebels with arms. Risk: United States weapons more often than not end up in the hands of bad guys like the Taliban. And the rebels don't know how to use the weapons.

6. So, "covertly" send small commando-style units of a dozen or so trainers to teach the rebels how to use the weapons and how to fight a semi-modern army. Result: Arabs on all sides may see even small numbers of American or Western troops as just another attempt to put them down and get their oil.

7. Jam military and commercial radio transmissions in Libya. Risk: It's probably against international law, as President Clinton argued during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which was driven by radio calls for massacre and genocides. The risk there could be regret. Years later, Clinton would say not jamming was the worst decision of his presidency.

8. Find a way to bribe military men around Gadhafi to abandon him or, better, assassinate him. Risk: As in South Vietnam after the killing of President Diem by his own soldiers, we ended up with worse leaders— and worse than them, we broke the country and then we owned it. It became our war rather than a civil war.

9. Work through that most unreliable of allies, Saudi Arabia. It supplies the money, we provide the force. Risk: The Saudis destabilize themselves, which is not a good idea if you are addicted to oil, as we are.

10. Provide humanitarian aid in rebel areas. Probably a good idea. Risk: Gadhafi will end up getting the stuff.

11. Do nothing. Speak loudly and carry a small stick. Libya is, after all, their country, not ours. Risk: Gadhafi will hold out and slaughter every rebel he can find.

So that's what the president is thinking about. If there is one consolation, it is this: Whatever he decides, the loyal opposition in Congress will say he made the wrong choice.

© 2011 UNIVERSAL UCLICK


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By chip, March 12, 2011 at 1:23 am Link to this comment

lasmog,You should write for the Daily show.
Or maybe Jimmy Kimmel because I ain’t got cable.

Thanks for the laugh, but don’t give Obama any ideas.

How come I ain’t heard anyone suggest using a few of those remote control planes we keep bombing the Pakistani kids with?

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By call me roy, March 11, 2011 at 6:31 pm Link to this comment

Barry Barack Hussein Soetoro Obama Thank You

That is right - I will say it, “THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT.”
1. He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine - Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary’s Presidential aspirations something that no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!
2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - No more Kennedys trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!
3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes! Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit Byron Dorgan had never lost a race - quit Harry Reid - soon to be GONE These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010, dozens more will be gone. In December of 2008, the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles, they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the House, if not the Senate, back to the Republicans.
4. He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to re-learn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well. Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check. Liberals won’t bring themselves to protect America - check. Liberals want to take over the economy - check. Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check. Liberals aren’t happy till they are running YOUR life - check.
5. He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year, he has rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking backAmerica!
6. His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a “stimulus” to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved off-shore.
7. In all honesty, one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not of the economy, but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends and strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat wrong.
8. When the American People wake up, no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them! Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again,
I want to say, “Thank You Barry Barack Hussein Obama!” This is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed!

Thanks to “BARRY HUSSEIN ” I can no longer afford these “Luxury’s”
Donald L. Shnyder
WWII Merchant Marine Veteran
Korean War Marine Veteran

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By call me roy, March 11, 2011 at 6:27 pm Link to this comment

Obama finds a TV show on which he has not yet appeared.
“See, Rahm,” the President said, “the proletariat loves me. I’ve been invited to be on a show called America’s Most Desired on the Biography Channel.” “Uhhhh, Mr. President,“ Rahm responded, “It’s called America’s Most Wanted. It’s a crime show. And it’s on Fox.” Fox News reports the details: President Obama will make an appearance Saturday on Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted,” helping to celebrate the broadcast of its 1,000th episode. The show has helped capture more than 1,100 fugitives and reunited 43 missing children with their families, according to show’s host, John Walsh. Walsh will interview Obama on the episode airing 9 p.m. ET. The president will discuss the show’s impact in its 22 years as well as his administration’s anti-crime initiatives, including those involving white-collar crime, Fox said Wednesday. “I love crime shows,” the President said. “Do you think they’ll talk about Bush and Cheney’s war crimes?” “Probably not,” Rahm responded. “But they may discuss what we’ve done to the economy.”

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By call me roy, March 11, 2011 at 6:24 pm Link to this comment

It’s the Middle East and it’s 1979. It’s a hated and secular leader of a U.S. ally. No, wait, it’s the Middle East, but it’s 2011. Yet it’s a hated and secular leader of a U.S. ally. Am I in a time warp?
In 1979, it was an American President who was a weak leader and foreign policy waffler who mistakenly thought that by appeasing the Muslim radicals and dumping a longtime ally, he could bring peace to the region. But in 2011… it’s an American President who is a weak leader and foreign policy waffler who mistakenly thinks that by appeasing the Muslim radicals and dumping a longtime ally, he can bring peace to the region!
But there’s more insanity. In 1979, it was the exiled Ayatollah Rhuhollah Khomeini triumphantly returning to Iran (with the help of the US) to soon found The Islamic Republic of Iran—a thorn in the side of the West for the last three decades. In 2011, it’s the exiled Yusuf al-Qardawi triumphantly returning to Egypt (with the help or, at least, the acquiescence of the US) to preach to hundreds of thousands of Muslims attending the “Victory March” in Tahrir Square less than a week after the fall of the Mubarak government. Is The Islamic Republic of Egypt the next item on the agenda?

Speaking of Iran and 1979 and Egypt. Something happened this week in the Middle East that hasn’t happened since 1979. Two Iranian warships passed through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean.

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By call me roy, March 11, 2011 at 6:21 pm Link to this comment

Obama a “professor”?
He apparently did teach a few “constitutional law” courses at the Univ of Chicago, but to call him a professor is a stretch. Professor is a very specific term that implies a certain scholarly contribution to the body of knowledge. Except for his two memoirs (which I would still bet were written by Bill Ayres), he has ZERO, NONE, NADA, ZIP publications of any kind. That includes the Harvard Law Review where he was the Editor! He was at best an “Instructor”. And I’m guessing that all he did was essentially run ACORN seminars under the guise of “The Constitution.”

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By Bat Guano, March 10, 2011 at 10:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

12. Have our vast punditry provide any ground assault necessary to bring “truth”, “justice” and the “American way” (Superman flies over building) to all the countries of the world.

Has anyone seen our National Debt Clock lately, they’ve added a couple more digits. But hey, don’t let that stop any of you gung-ho journalists from lock and loading. Give em hell Reeves, I’ll sit this one out.

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By call me roy, March 10, 2011 at 8:29 pm Link to this comment

Gas is how much?

Sorry guys Barry Hussein has no options.

Tick tock Barry

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Blackspeare's avatar

By Blackspeare, March 9, 2011 at 8:47 pm Link to this comment

The latest money is on NATO establishing a no-fly zone quite soon.  That will allow supplying of the rebels with arms and food.  There is no other choice.  Under present field conditions al-Qadhdh?fi, will prevail just by attrition.  He is not known for his mercy so every rebel and alleged sympathizer will be executed unless NATO takes action.

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By SarcastiCanuck, March 9, 2011 at 2:20 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

12)Drop some Special Ops teams with shoulder launched Stingers to help the rebels.Knock a handful of Gadhafi’s planes out of the sky and see how the balance will change drastically in the rebels favour.Then yank the boys with no strings attached to the Libyans.I bet dollars to donughts the next regime is gonna love ya…Who was that guy talking about walking softly with a big stick….It would make a great Charlie Sheen movie too..

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By Inherit The Wind, March 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm Link to this comment

13. Appoint Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin to run the effort.  Then he can blame them when they inevitably f*** it up worse.

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By lasmog, March 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm Link to this comment

12. Funnel more money to Wall Street and hope that peace and democracy trickles down to the Libyans.

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DavidByron's avatar

By DavidByron, March 9, 2011 at 12:59 pm Link to this comment

None of those thoughts contain any element of “what is legal?” or “what is moral?” which no doubt is accurate of Obama’s thinking too.

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By gerard, March 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm Link to this comment

What do the Libyan protesters think he should do?
Has he asked them?  Who?  How many? How old? What degree of experience and education? Will he ask them in Arabic or in English?  If they answer in Arabic, will he have anyone adequate to understand nuances and translate accurately? What about other Arab nations? 

Has he consulted the UN General Assembly?  The European Union?  Russia?  China?  Africa?  India?
South America?  The International Court?  The Red Cross and the Red Crescent? (Just a few of the people who might give him good advice based on knowledge and experience.)

Has he considered non-violent interventions of any and all kinds?

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