More than 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles struck over 20 targets inside Libya today in the opening phase of an international military operation the Pentagon said was aimed at stopping attacks led by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and enforcing a U.N.-backed no-fly zone. President Obama, speaking from Brazil shortly after he authorized the missile attacks, said they were part of a “limited military action” to protect the Libyan people.
“I want the American people to know that the use of force is not our first choice and it’s not a choice I make lightly,” Obama said. “But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy.”
The first air strikes, in what is being called Operation Odyssey Dawn, were launched from a mix of U.S. surface ships and one British submarine in the Mediterranean Sea at 2 p.m. ET, Vice Adm. William E. Gortney told reporters at a Pentagon briefing.
They targeted Libyan air defense missile sites, early warning radar and key communications facilities around Tripoli, Misratah, and Surt, but no areas east of that or near Benghazi. Because of darkness over Libya, Gortney said it was too early to determine the strikes’ effectiveness.
Bobbo: I perceived this “you Iranians need to stay away from our oil. We don’t need you meddling in our backyard” as a sarcastic mention of the US presence all around Iran (Iran’s backyard, wanting Iran’s oil) so i tried also to be sarcastic as to the reason of US pressure on Iran (nuke program).
But it seems that you held me for a supporter of IR regime… yeah, thank you very much for that (sarcasm).
Anyway, i agree with most of your arguments against the BS these tea-baggers spew here, it’s funny that sometimes even I, who does not live in US, know more about US history and political facts than these guys, based on what they write here. But again, its is my hobby, nothing is hilarious as the contemporary US politics (as long as the bombs are not falling on you).
bobbo, after wading through your troll comments which take up over half this blog and then seeing your own sad comment #71 “Thank god for this blog. Keeps what’s important straight in my mind. I think the best response is just to wish you success staying on your drugs.
Bahram–yes, I was/am being sarcastic. Doesn’t come across well most often, but over time, it can become clear. I was also trying to PROVOKE you just to test your metal. I can’t provide you with my assessment because everyone that passes is a better man than myself, and I don’t like admitting that. Thats why I attack idiots like JB. Attacking the best and the worst in equal measure should put a bit of doubt into anyone’s expressed competency. JB being one of too many exceptions: he’s a rightwingnutidiot–easy to paint into a corner but he’s proud to track paint into the rest of the house.
I don’t know how to “validly” assess the world knowledge of any group of people. Certainly those coming here, even the idiots, are better informed than most, if not initially, then hopefully over time.
We would all benefit from your continuing input should you get any benefit back.
Bahram: I went back and reread your post #76. I don’t know why I took such a negative first impression of it. Maybe your choice of nicknames?: “Bahram?” quite the moniker. I’ve spent many 3-4 day lay-overs in Tehran, run into the Savak, met lots of Iranians. Skied in the mountains. Ate at Int’l House of Chili No 2 for the best chili I have ever had, etc. I’m embarrassed so much of travel comes down to what we find to eat? Better than the lice I got though.
I don’t trust at all my “tourist” experience of Tehran is valid for much==but I did spend a lot of time walking around and talking to folks who spoke English or French. As I posted just recently: people are the same everywhere. The differences are something else.
#84, bobbo, that act doesn’t allow the President to attack “whomever he wishes,” as he still requires the proper constitutional and legislative authority to do so.
http://law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode50/usc_sec_50_00001541—-000-.html
The question really should be: is the President inferring the authority to commit U.S. forces to hostilities from treaty obligations after a vote to do so by the UN Security Council. §1547 suggests this shouldn’t be the case, but for the most part is seems that the WPA is mostly irrelevant anyway, as the Congress usually just politely goes along with Presidents in most cases.
WordPress is a piece of shit. Here is a better URL as the above is broken.
http://tinyurl.com/4jeh5sl
SL–your link didn’t work for me so I tried on my own:
http://law.cornell.edu/uscode/search/display.html?terms=war%20power&url=/uscode/html/uscode50/usc_sec_50_00001541—-000-.html
Seems like Obama is not even close to the required conditions. I wonder if it springs from a Nato agreement of some kind then? OR–its just words and who really cares? Congress is gutless–even PUKES won’t call Obama on violating a Presidents discretion to take us all to war.
Silly Pukes.
Looking at CNN right now, we are bombing inside Tripoli? It is common expertise that you can’t win a war by airpower alone. I say BS. The desert of Libya ain’t Vietnam. The paid mercenaries of KayDaffy aren’t the viet cong. I think we will win in a few weeks.
I’m just guessing.
“But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy.”
Hmmm. Is that statement designed to put China on notice we will not allow any more Tianaman Square-like actions?
Perhaps, we’re warning North Korea and all the Arabs we will not allow them to abuse their citizenry.
Why aren’t we doing something about Somalia allows abuses of forign nationals hundreds of miles from their territory?
Have we stopped the Sudanese from slughtering their own people?
President Barak H. Obama – the H is for hypocrite.
# 101 bobbo, “I think we will win in a few weeks.”
Thinking clearly, are you? I believe your fearless leader (currently hiding out in South America) succinctly stated it was not our fight to win. We’re only trying to stop the atrocities against civilians.
Someone whose thoughts are as muddled as yours would ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee by putting ice in it…
Mmmm. Coffee. Only a little after midnight. Do I dare? Oh, what the hell. I think I burned out most of my caffeine receptors while studying at university.
Sweet dreams.
Mr Ed–I’m sure if the UN, Arab League, Britain, France, and Italy all authorized a No Fly Zone over China, Obama would step up to the plate as he has done now.
You have to consider all the stipulations.
UN? I think Russia abstained, but China said “No?” UN/Nato–unilaterally if we really wanted to.
always amusing to see people want to stick words to politicians as if the people thought such words had any meaning to begin with.
silly hoomans.
Hi Animby–I did say Iced Cappuccino not coffee and my ice is iced cappuccino as well. You know, like politics, there is no accounting for taste==its all what we flavor.
as to the political statements of our leaders dear Animby, think “placebo” and enjoy your dreams.
Khadafy recognizes that he is the weak horse, and is likely to fold, if the asking price is right.
I wonder if anyone with an Obama sticker STILL on their Prius will consider pealing it off now.
Bobbo, supporting NATO should not be an American goal. It is the other way around. The purpose of NATO unofficially is to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.
RSweeny–I will if you take your Puke Sticker off that rotten dog turd.
Mike–you might want to update your Rolodex. You are about 30 years behind the times.
Super Quote: “What I really like about Obama is that he’s gone 29-3 in his bracket picks over the first two days. You have to spend a lot of time watching college basketball to be that good.”
I thought he just picked the straight Vegas odds on favorites?
but when you are a Puke, any swear will do, regardless of how silly it makes you look.
If the rubes over on the anti-war Left are upset about Obama’s lack of leadership, well, they should try voting sober next time.
My take:
Sarkozy is sucking royally at the polls and needed to slaughter some Muslims in order to make his voters happy.. ;p
The Brits are still trying to rebuild their fallen empire..
..and we’re just along for the ride..and possibly, needed to test some new Block 4 TLAMS and other upgraded toys..
I mean come’on, how long was Gadhafi on the cia payroll? -what, no one gave him a hat tip?
sheesh..
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Here come my fighters…
#90 “..The Messiah is not doing very well communicating his Foreign Policy mission to the American public. “..
I get it and the American Sheeple I’m sure have an idea what the international community, UN, EU, Arabl League.. is doing. Do you get it quite yet?
Have you checked out his body guards?
Those bitches look like they could rip his dick off with their Keigel muscles alone.
Just offer a few gold ingots to whoever can deliver the head of Daffy to the nearest US embassy.
Problem solved.
I’ve seen so many references to Daffy and “his” people. They are not “his” people. They are the people of Libya, many of whom no longer want anything to do with him.
#90 #118 see that Pedro agrees and proves my point that sheeple do understand well into the rural areas and even illegal aliens.
GOP – Consider that McCain has been flapping his gums about unilateral invasion. Bohner couldn’t cry any more about.
Teabagger-wise, Palin saw a camel once and weighed in positively to invade the Libyan island at once.
#122. Ron Paul is like Ross Perot without the charts. He often has good points and then farts out of his mouth and loses credibility.
I’m afraid again we lose an opportunity for a viable 3rd party.
ALfred, whats your take on this? What about your candidate Christine O’Donnell ? Is she joining the coalition by sending her flying monkeys to enforce the no fly zone?
What about the crackdown against the protesters in Bahrain?
Awesome!
After the “rebels” realized last night that they too are an American target, the Arab League now comes out to condemn the US air-strike taking place. Guess they didn’t read the fine print either.
The only way to get this crap to stop is to do something about the left/right cultists in this country, who are no better than child molesters.
#126 – I don’t think cruise missiles are accurate enough to hit protesters in Bahrain without damaging the local real estate, we will have to let the Bahrain security forces crack down on them instead
The rats are eating their young again.
“hard-core group of liberal House Democrats … raising the prospect of impeachment”
http://politico.com/news/stories/0311/51595.html#ixzz1HCID5ULE