Article

2011-03-27 Home Front: WoT

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Steve White 2011-03-27 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 We're at war. We need to succeed in that war.

That's funny - the administration doesn't think so with Libya. The UN doesn't think so. NATO doesn't think so. The Arab League - it depends on what day it is and what flavor of hummus they had.

For example, it seems ridiculous for the United States not to be arming the Libyan opposition.

It'd be kinda nice if the intelligence community came up with some objective idea of just who the US would be arming.

I'm personally not all that crazy with supplying those who'd end up being an Islamic version of Jimmy Carter's Nicaragua, or an Iran-on-the-Med.

Posted by Pappy 2011-03-27 00:45|| 2011-03-27 00:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Unfortunately the rebels' idea of freedom seems to amount to electing a dictator of their choice and wiping out Israel.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-03-27 00:45|| 2011-03-27 00:45|| Front Page Top

#3 I like Jerry Pournelle's idea:
"The Congress hereby directs the Treasurer of the United States to pay the sum of $200 million dollars in US currency, and the Secretary of State to deliver a United States passport made out to any name the winner chooses, to anyone who will deliver to any United States Embassy the head of Colonel Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi (Arabic: معمر القذافي‎ Muʿammar al-Qaddāfī). The head may but need not be attached to the body. This prize shall be paid upon confirmation of the identity of the head. The winner of this prize is declared a friend of the United States."

No doubt the drafting could be improved but it is important that it be brief and unambiguous: Bring us his head and you get the money and a new identity, no questions asked, all previous actions against the US forgiven, and when the winner takes the money and leaves no one will follow.

It would certainly be cheaper in blood and treasure than continuing the war to a similar completion.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-03-27 00:47|| 2011-03-27 00:47|| Front Page Top

#4 A cheaper solution would be to offer Gaddafi and a few other people amnesty. Let them leave with a few billions of their stolen money to that country of refugee.

Posted by Bernardz 2011-03-27 01:33|| 2011-03-27 01:33|| Front Page Top

#5 How are we to win the war when a win is not defined by this PREZ?

Posted by Water Modem 2011-03-27 02:10|| 2011-03-27 02:10|| Front Page Top

#6 The Brits are now talking about arming the rebels.

IMO they should be allowed to fight it out with AK47s.

Posted by phil_b 2011-03-27 02:16|| 2011-03-27 02:16|| Front Page Top

#7 "The domestic politics failed. Lets start a war. Conservatives always support a POTUS who's bombing somebody."

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2011-03-27 03:16|| 2011-03-27 03:16|| Front Page Top

#8 #6 The Brits are now talking about arming the rebels.

IMO they should be allowed to fight it out with AK47s. Posted by phil_b

In keeping with past performance in search of somewhat equitable, profit making outcomes, the French should clandestinely supply arms to Qaddafi while the Poms and the US supply arms to the rebels, thus keeping nearly everyone happy.

Posted by Besoeker 2011-03-27 06:59|| 2011-03-27 06:59|| Front Page Top

#9 And the longer they fight each other, the better.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2011-03-27 07:57|| 2011-03-27 07:57|| Front Page Top

#10 As to Pournell - I believe that is covered in the constitution as a letter of Marque and/or Repriasal. I believe congress can issue that order at any time - though I'm not a lawyer.

Posted by Hellfish 2011-03-27 09:37|| 2011-03-27 09:37|| Front Page Top

#11 I would combine the ideas of Bernardz and Jerry Pournelle:

1) let Gadaffy leave with a few billion dollars to a safe haven

2) then kill him and deliver the head to the nearest US embassy.

Why make life hard?

Posted by Steve White 2011-03-27 11:07|| 2011-03-27 11:07|| Front Page Top

#12 That's a win-win situation if I ever heard of one!

Posted by Bobby 2011-03-27 12:20|| 2011-03-27 12:20|| Front Page Top

#13 Look I'm all for my football team, but when the championship is on the line, and its 4th and 20, coach sends out the I-formation then walks off the field before the hike.

Which tribes? The franchise players or free agents?

Posted by swksvolFF 2011-03-27 19:02|| 2011-03-27 19:02|| Front Page Top

00:01 trailing wife
23:55 JosephMendiola
23:50 crosspatch
23:40 JosephMendiola
23:33 JosephMendiola
23:29 Secret Master
23:26 JosephMendiola
23:14 JosephMendiola
23:02 Godzilla
22:56 CrazyFool
22:54 Pappy
22:50 newc
22:20 Procopius2k
22:19 Dale
22:08 newc
21:50 newc
21:41 newc
21:32 Bright Pebbles
21:28 newc
21:26 newc
21:07 Old Patriot
20:58 JosephMendiola
20:43 JosephMendiola
20:32 JosephMendiola