Looks like Eugene Robinson may be a hater

[ReggieVeggie]

In the Mideast, U.S. policy is still driven by realism

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-the-mideast-useful-and-non-useful-tyrants/2011/03/21/ABeWu38_story.html

By Eugene Robinson, Monday, March 21, 7:33 PM

Anyone looking for principle and logic in the attack on Moammar Gaddafi’s tyrannical regime will be disappointed. President Obama and his advisers should acknowledge the obvious truth: They are reacting to the revolutionary fervor in the Arab world with the arbitrary “realism” that is a superpower’s prerogative.

Faced with an armed uprising by democracy-seeking rebels, Gaddafi threatened to turn all of Libya into a charnel house. The United States and its allies responded with overwhelming military force that is clearly intended to cripple the government and boost the revolt’s chances of success.

Thus begins our third concurrent Middle East war. No one has the slightest idea how, or when, this one will end.

I have to admit that I, too, would have found it hard to stand idly by as Gaddafi drenched the streets of Benghazi in blood. But what makes it any easier to watch other despots do the same thing?

In Yemen, forces loyal to dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh have slaughtered dozens of defenseless protesters seeking democratic reform. Saleh, who has ruled the nation for 33 years, clings desperately to power despite having been abandoned by many of his political supporters and some of his generals. He has shown nothing but defiance. “Every day we hear a statement from Obama saying, ‘Egypt, you can’t do this, Tunisia, don’t do that,’” Saleh said in a speech earlier this month. “Are you president of the United States, or president of the world?”

<snip>

Gaddafi is crazy and evil; obviously, he wasn’t going to listen to our advice about democracy. The world would be fortunate to be rid of him. But war in Libya is justifiable only if we are going to hold compliant dictators to the same standard we set for defiant ones. If not, then please spare us all the homilies about universal rights and freedoms. We’ll know this isn’t about justice, it’s about power.

[LaurenG]

1. Are you being sarcastic in your subject line?

I don't see a hater I see a thinking man trying to put his thoughts down.

[ReggieVeggie]

2. Referring to other posters and their absolutism

[LaurenG]

3. I feel better. I adore Eugene and pretty much agree with most of what he says,

most of the time. :P

[A Simple Game]

9. He just looks like he enjoys life.

He always seems happy. I like him and respect his opinion too.

[Fuddnik]

5. Last night he would have been accused of racism.

[ReggieVeggie]

6. today also

[Major Hogwash]

4. You don't get it, Mr Robinson. Yemen is next!

Christ, do we have to draw a map for you guys or what?
PNAC already did!

Go look at the 7 countries PNAC listed that they wanted to invade, and then find out which one's next!
Or ask General Clark.
He saw the list.

[bertman]

7. Where do we find that list? Link please, Major. nt

[Frisbee]

8. Apparently so did Mr. Obama. n/t

[Ramsey]

10. I'd say we want Lybia'x oil. The other nations don't have enough.

[applegrove]

11. I keep thinking about Darfur too.

[ellenrr]

12. I don't usually like Eugene, but this is good article.

I'm kinda surprised at his conclusion, in a good way.