As I Predicted

Again

The Republicans are all over talking headom about Obama being too arrogant to get a declaration of war or even a serious discussion or hearing going over the invasion of Libya. Even
John Conyers, a democratic loyalist friend of Obama (I thought) is finding it hard to swallow.
Because this "limited" mission in scope and duration is a profound provocation and a first strike in a war. You can't just say we are implementing a UN no fly zone. Clearly, you aren't just doing that if you are bombing his compound. Does he have air craft anti-ballistic missiles in his compound anywhere other than photoshopped imagination?

Here's where the American blindsidedness comes in- there are French and there are French. And most Americans can't tell the difference. The French have their internal political right-left issues just like we do. Sarkozy came in the wake of people being sick of being demonized by Americans and accused of not helping and letting down the faith who viewed Chirac as too corruptly tied to the interests of Saddam Hussein. Recall under Chirac millions of people in 2003 (eve of Iraq invasion) went to the streets pouring out in 'manifestations'- rallys and riots almost to stop the war in Iraq which killed Millions of people. Libya is 'the Magreb' which has large French imperialist influence in it. The Conservative guard French are still smarting from the Algerian revolution- and they
have a large contingent of anti-arab racism. Sarkozy recall is the guy who sent back all the Romani to ---where?? They were French too- and he expatriated them, in a racist move that would have every plaintiffs' civil rights attorney in this country suing the government if it happened here. Sarkozy is to the right of Atilla the Hun's grandfather. He's a Bushie with a better wine collection.

Here is why it is all so barbaric. Clearly, Khadaffi is not a good guy. Clearly he engineered the lockerbie crash and other air crashes and terrorist actions. Arguably the Palestinians have had leaders that are terrorists, the Irish have the IRA, and apparently there is talk now in Geneva that some Israeli leaders should be hauled before Human Rights commissions because of unilateral attacks against Gaza and breaching the border agreements with settlement abuses.
Everyone against anyone who has experienced violence by anyone sees the other side as terrorists. Americans were terrorists to the British before winning the Revolution of 1776.

The evolution of humanity requires a better response, a more enlightened one- a one driven by peacemaking impulses for resolve that is more clever. That is why Pax Christi is deeply upset at the Western response under cover of the 'by any mean necessary' UN resolution purporting to be a No Fly Zone enforcement.

Violence of any kind is a failure. Fire cannot be put out with more Fire. The 'shock and awe' of the Bush aggression was shocking and aweful. And it is being repeated here.

The provocation is deeply disturbing and deeply dangerous.

Chirac is now being tried for corruption- and the right wingers are jumping with glee. I predict he will be exhonerated. I also predict that Sarkozy will be run out of town on a rail at his re-election. This War is a big deal for everyone. Bigger than you calculated.