From Denny: Once the United Nations and The Arab League agreed to a no-fly zone late last week, they wasted little time in implementing it. That has to be the fastest the United Nations has ever moved to agreement or action to help a besieged people.
From the sea over 100 miles away, the UK and America lobbed cruise missiles at Gadafi installations, most especially his air defense ones. After all, if you are going to send up French and American planes to enforce the no-fly zone you first have to take out the military capability of Gadafi to fire upon them.
While America claims to only be part of the operation it is clear we are the majority of it during the first few days of establishing air superiority over Libya. Of the 136 cruise missles launched, only eight were from the UK, the rest were American.
There were over 30 air strikes, again, mostly by Americans. I don't know why France was not the lead here since Gadafi is their Problem Child they enabled for four decades. They should be the ones to deal with him.
Fortunately, it was the French who did take the lead, aggressively calling for a coalition to do this No-Fly-Zone in Paris last week while President Obama hesitated, much like he did on Egypt. The new Egyptian government is not too thrilled with Obama as they feel he did not help them enough in the early days when they cried out for world leadership to come to their aid.
There was a cease fire called by Gadafi on Friday which he never honored. He continued moving aggressively upon his people, the rebel strongholds, to destroy and kill every one of them. Gadafi had just about succeeded in taking back almost all of the rebel held towns when the U.N. coalition finally acted to counter his aggressive military that was slaughtering the untrained rebels.
For now, Gadafi is somewhat contained, at least by air, where he can no longer launch missiles against his people for mass killings. Gadafi is still vicious and vindictive, willing to send ground troops in to do his bidding. He also has ordered military troops to take off their uniforms and pretend to be civilians, stationing them in areas he does not want bombed.
Gadafi is so busy running misinformation campaigns and misdirection it makes a person wonder if he and his family members are busy gathering up their belongings and monies to steal quietly out of the country unnoticed.
When will Gadafi be gone? He may already have fled the country. Surely, Gadafi was rattled by the bombing of his personal compound. Take a look at Gadafi's compound and just how bad it looks:
The rebels have demanded that the coalition NOT take out Gadafi. Thank you very much but they would like the pleasure of achieving that glorious act themselves.
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The Social Poets: Japan: Nuclear Update, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Political Cartoons: "The Japanese keep changing and downplaying the radiation level numbers. At one point last night one Japanese official said the radiation levels at the troubled nuclear plant had reached 1,000 times the healthy levels. He was later forced to back off on that number, claiming it was a mistake in translation. No, it wasn't. Read that as a diplomatic way for a bureaucrat to get out the truth, knowing he would have to walk it back but at least the information would get out to the public."
The Social Poets: Japan: Lying About Nuke Plant Meltdowns, Evacuate Americans: "Watching CNN interview Japan's ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, one thing is clear: the official word from the Japanese government to all their diplomats is to lie and hard sell the official party line. Right now, in the middle of all this devastation, they are lying to President Obama and other world governments."
From Denny: Today in the port city of Zawiya, Libya, fierce fighting between rebel forces and Gadhafi (Kadafi, Qadaffi) loyalists killed scores while Gadhafi was embattled on many fronts throughout the country. Gadhafi threw tanks, bombs and militia at the rebels in Zawiya where at least 40 people died early this morning.
Zawiya is west of the capitol city of Tripoli where Gadhafi is headquartered, his stronghold, considered the rebel forces' prize to capture. Currently, Zawiya is littered with bodies of the brave not properly trained or equipped to sustain such an assault. And yet the rebels still hold much of the town which Gadhafi considers too close for comfort.
Gadhafi claims portions of the city under his control. The local hospital is overwhelmed and Gadhafi has been firing upon the ambulances as they try to help the wounded or remove the dead from the streets.
Rebel forces are made up of teachers, fishermen, former military, all with a passion to take control of their country. It's an uphill battle which they are willing to give their lives to accomplish. Fighting could go on for months unless the military is willing to quit supporting Gadhafi and his sons.
The situation grows more desperate in Libya as Gadhafi thugs occupy the mosques, preventing the people from speaking their minds. Gadhafi's militia is also going door to door to ferret out anyone they think is against the government. Already, people are being arrested just for suspicion. Relatives do not know where their loved ones are taken or if they still live after being taken away in the middle of the night in this ruthless police state.
Meanwhile, America and the rest of the international community deliberates as to the best course of action to remove him from power should the rebels not be strong enough to finish the job. A no-fly zone is finally considered but will it be one as defensive to fire upon Libyan jets? Will it just be NATO jets in the area to fly nearby as a warning to Gadhafi not to bomb civilians?
The United Nations is moving to gather humanitarian aid should this be a sustained civil war. While the U.N. suspended Libya from the Security Council, word is the U.N. placed Iran on the Women's Rights Council. Does the news get any more weird when International Women's Day is just around the corner on 8 March 2011?
Please remember the women in these war torn countries of the Middle East as their governments are in transition. In time of economic chaos and civil war it is always the women who are most at risk.
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The Social Poets: Women in Peril: Ivory Coast Protesters The defiant leader of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, ordered his forces to fire upon thousands of unarmed female protesters. Six were killed. In this culture, when women march as protesters it is considered a last resort against an unrestrained Army.
From Denny: Today news reached the West that Gadhafi air bombed a rebel held town in eastern Libya in a desperate attempt to retake control. Two bombs were dropped near al-Brega.
Why did Gadhafi choose that town when so many others are now under rebel control? Try the fact this town possesses key oil and natural gas facilities: money makers.
Gadhafi decided to drop yet a third bomb for good measure. People on the ground retaliated with what meager means they had like shooting or throwing stones. Then they did the wise thing and fled the area.
Fighting was seen on the ground as Gadhafi's forces moved in to take control of the university in al-Brega. People were rushing to the bombing site with stretchers. Doctors report there are at least four dead, 23 wounded, all victims of gunshot wounds.
Here is the good news: Locals say the rebels were successful in repelling the Gadhafi ground forces and are still in control of al-Brega.
Another town getting the Gadhafi bombing treatment?
The town of Ajdabiya took a beating as Gadhafi's aircraft bombed military camps located just outside of the town. A local tribal leader says that the youth of Ajdabiya gathered together and headed toward the conflict to help defend their town. This town has been in rebel hands for several days and they do not want to give it up easily.
What about the military bases in Libya: who is in control?
Turns out several of the military bases in eastern Libya have fallen to rebel control too. Many members of the military have walked away from the Gadhafi regime, joining their countrymen in the opposition forces.
How do these bombings affect the world community's decision?
The reaction from the international community over the bombings could exact a high toll from Gadhafi. They are calling for a no-fly zone - which should have been done earlier but Obama hesitated. Perhaps he did not understand how a ruthless dictator would take to the air to prove his point he had superior force and was not afraid to use it against his own people.
Well, Obama gets it now. The word is NATO agrees to a no-fly zone to prevent future bombings. Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said imposing a no-fly zone would be "an extraordinarily complex operation." And President Obama says "all options are on the table." American naval warships already are cruising in the Libyan area.
What a ranking Senator on the Foreign Relations Committee had to say
Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated today, "While Libyans are not asking for foreign troops on the ground, they need the tools to prevent the slaughter of innocents on Libyan streets. And I believe that the global community cannot be on the sidelines while airplanes are allowed to bomb and strafe. A no-fly zone is not a long-term proposition, assuming the outcome is what all desire. I believe that we ought to be ready to implement it as necessary."
How is the Arab League handling the Libyan situation?
They met today to consider a resolution calling to reject foreign military intervention in Libya. Protesters in Libya have been demonstrating for weeks, calling for more freedoms and for Gadhafi, the four decades ruler, to leave office.
From the Arab League: "We perceive what happened and what is happening is an internal affair that is decided by the people and their governments." Sounds like they are trying to buy Gadhafi time to regain control or sneak out of the country safely.
Of course, the famous Gadhafi declaration if America or NATO decide to intervene: "Thousands and thousands of people will be killed." Gadhafi also rambles on, in a recent two and a half hour speech, complaining that the protests are orchestrated by America, al Qaeda sleeper cells released from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other outside influences. Read that as "It's not my fault. Blame it on the other guy."
What is the International Criminal Court doing about Libya?
They have decided to open an investigation. Their statement: "Following a preliminary examination of available information, the prosecutor has reached the conclusion that an investigation is warranted."
The court is focusing upon "the most serious crimes of concern to the international community." As to date no charges or violations were listed in the statement.
What has the United Nations done about Libya?
Yesterday the U.N. General Assembly suspended Libya from its seat on the 47-member chamber Human Rights Council. This was the first time the U.N. has ever suspended anyone from the council. It's weak resolutions like this that anger the international public. What we want to see is Libya, one of the worst violators of Human Rights in the world for four decades, should never have been allowed to get onto the council in the first place. Now that Libya was suspended it should be permanently barred.
Of course, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon trumpeted the weak resolution as, ""The world has spoken with one voice." Then he urged everyone else to do the work and investigate the human rights violations of Libya. "We demand an immediate end to the violence toward civilians and full respect for their fundamental human rights, including those of peaceful assembly and free speech." Sec. General Ban, hearing of the news reports, commented the events that are happening "are sobering" because of the deaths and ongoing repression by Gadhafi.
"Arms depots and arsenals have reportedly been opened to gangs who terrorize communities. There are reports that government forces have fired indiscriminately on peaceful protesters and bombed the military bases in the east of the country," Ban said.
"The death toll from nearly two weeks of violence is unknown, but likely to exceed 1,000, with thousands more wounded," he added. Libya's former American ambassador who defected to the U.S., says he estimates the death toll above 2,000.
Are the rebel leaders talking with Gadhafi to meet a resolution?
The talks are not clear. Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, says his talks with the opposition are "in chaos." He claims there are no obvious leaders and the opposition is divided. Who believes that? They are united in opposing the Gadhafi regime. Nor have we heard from any opposition leaders if the Gadhafi regime has attempted to contact them for discussions.
U.S. officials are also not clear as to who are the opposition leaders so they can offer them assistance. Considering the ruthless repression of the Gadhafi regime it would be smart to remain anonymous until the smoke clears. During World War II the French Resistance, headquartered in Lyon, France, chose the anonymous route too until it was clear who could be trusted.
Which cities are under control of the rebels vs. Gadhafi as it stands now?
Tripoli, the capitol city, still remains in Gadhafi's hands. However, Benghazi, al-Brega, Ajdabiya and many more cities are now in rebel hands. The rebels are advancing upon Tripoli. That means the rebels now control some of the resource rich area of Libya.
What is the refugee situation?
About 150,000 people have fled Libya's fighting, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. They have crossed over the border into Egypt and Tunisia, literally thousands arriving hourly, without money or food. The situation is growing desperate as Tunisia and Egypt do not have the resources to cope. This is an excellent area where the international community can help - instead of providing military assistance.
Said U.N. Sec. Gen. Ban: "Time is of the essence. Thousands of lives are at stake."
How do most Americans feel about military involvment in Libya and the Middle East?
Try 67 percent want nothing to do with it and think we should keep our noses out of it, according to a poll from Rasmussen Reports. The real question is whether our own elected government will listen to us.
Bring on the world political opinion via the political cartoons:
World politics - Iran - who just arrested their opposition leaders AND their wives:
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