Obama makes convincing case for action in Libya

[ProSense]

Obama makes convincing case for action in Libya

By Jonathan Capehart

For a man who didn’t want to elevate U.S. actions in Libya to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by delivering an Oval Office address, President Obama just delivered a speech worthy of the venue. Did it answer all of the questions asked by members of Congress on the right and the left, particularly the one about what victory would look like? Um, no. But Obama did state clearly why the United States stepped in to corral an international coalition and why it must relinquish its customary lead role.

Obama summed up the rationale for U.S. action in one neat paragraph addressing those in Washington who argued against intervention.

… given the costs and risks of intervention, we must always measure our interests against the need for action. But that cannot be an argument for never acting on behalf of what’s right. In this particular country — Libya; at this particular moment, we were faced with the prospect of violence on a horrific scale. We had a unique ability to stop that violence: an international mandate for action, a broad coalition prepared to join us, the support of Arab countries, and a plea for help from the Libyan people themselves. We also had the ability to stop Gaddafi’s forces in their tracks without putting American troops on the ground.

<...>

Two phrases anchored everything Obama said. One is in the aforementioned paragraph — “the costs and risks of intervention.” The cost and risk in terms of American lives and in terms of treasure it no longer has. Another was “interests and values.” As in, “hen our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act.” Or: “There will be times, though, when our safety is not directly threatened, but our interests and values are.”

In such cases, we should not be afraid to act — but the burden of action should not be America’s alone. As we have in Libya, our task is instead to mobilize the international community for collective action. Because, contrary to the claims of some, American leadership is not simply a matter of going it alone and bearing all of the burden ourselves. Real leadership creates the conditions and coalitions for others to step up as well; to work with allies and partners so that they bear their share of the burden and pay their share of the costs; and to see that the principles of justice and human dignity are upheld by all.

Once again, Obama made it clear that the United States did not go it alone. Not in a humanitarian mission in Libya and not in paying for or leading it.

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[jenmito]

1. Wow-rec'ed up to 0! Capehart is 100% right. n/t

[joshcryer]

2. To the greatest. ;)

:hi:

[madamesilverspurs]

3. K & R

Creds to POTUS for not pretending to have a crystal ball.

-

[jaxx]

4. Make that +9

K&R'd

[rhett o rick]

5. It is good to be able to help the Libyan people. However, he should have involved Congress.

For two reasons. One, the Constitution requires it. And I know that many presidents have ignored that provision, but that doesnt make it right. And I dont buy the, "we need quick action" excuse for violating the Constitution.

Two, it would have made the Republicans choose a side. Either supporting the action and the President or not supporting helping the Libyans.

And what about other countries around the world that need help like the Ivory Coast? Did oil enter the decision?

And what about the hundreds of billions being spent at a time when people around the country are being asked to cut wages, benefits and social programs. There should be a limit to the profits for corporations, like GE, in wars like these. How much influence did Pres Obama's friend and war profiteer Jeffery Immelt have in this?

[bhikkhu]

12. On March 1st they unanimously passed a no-fly resolution request

...so they did get what they asked for, at least.

They haven't requested any action anywhere else, of course.

[rhett o rick]

19. Thank you very much. In what form was it? A bill? Do you know the number?

Thanks, I didnt hear that.

[bhikkhu]

22. Non-binding bipartisan resolution passed by the senate

http://nationaljournal.com/congress/senate-passes-resolution-calling-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-20110301?page=1

I don't know all the formalities or precedents of the thing, but there it is.

I do recall after it was passed Obama was criticized quite a bit for "dithering", as he was unwilling to put us into any action that lacked the support of the Arab League (as well as the UN).

[rhett o rick]

27. I am sorry, but a symbolic gesture by the Senate does not fulfill the President's obligation

to ask Congress to declare war. Nice try.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. More than 10,000 children 5 or under died from malnutrition today

Will we be doing something about that? Or are they less-important than Libyans for some reason? If so, why?

[ProSense]

7. Hmmmm?

Will we be doing something about that? Or are they less-important than Libyans for some reason? If so, why?

Do you believe that saving and improving lives should be done wherever and whenever possible? Or should every life saved be measured by its worth?

Delegation applauds nearly $1.8 million to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to Vermont school children

"first major federal antipoverty effort in decades"

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Sorry, I don't think you answered my question. nt

[ProSense]

9. You were serious? n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Yes. Will we be doing something to save the 10,000 children who die each day

from malnutrition. I can't imagine it would cost nearly as much as blowing stuff up in Libya.

[ProSense]

13. Yes.

2011 Hunger Report

Your turn: Do you believe that saving and improving lives should be done wherever and whenever possible? Or should every life saved be measured by its worth?

[MannyGoldstein]

14. So this hunger report will save these children?

That's great news.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=4064&cat=press-release">According to Doctor's Without Borders, all the wealthy countries combined spend $350 million a year on childhood hunger. That's less than 1/3rd or what the US spent on just the first day of the war against Libya. I'm guessing the good doctors are mistaken? Please confirm.

[ProSense]

15. Countries

pledged $22 billion

The U.S. pledged $3.5 billion (PDF).

[MannyGoldstein]

16. That's fantastic!!!

After two years, do we have an interim report showing how much was spent, on what, and the results?

[tekisui]

21. Where is your faith?

Gottat have faith.:)

[ProudDad]

32. "pledged" ain't fed... (n/t)

[rhett o rick]

28. I am guessing that you dont give a shit about the starving children. The DLC is only interested in

corporate profits.

[ProudDad]

31. They don't have control over any oil...

The Empire doesn't give a shit about them...

[tularetom]

11. Why aren't congressional republicans screaming "warmonger" at Obama?

I think it's because being a warmonger is a good thing in the eyes of their batshit crazy constituency.

They don't want to give the loons the impression they are praising him.

[ProSense]

17. Reactions to Obama's address on Libya

Reactions to Obama's address on Libya

<...>

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona:

"I think that the first part of his speech was excellent, and he laid out the reasons why it was important to intervene and what would have happened in Benghazi. ... He made a strong case."

"Then ... he made a very puzzling comment, and that was (regime change by force) would be a mistake. Gadhafi must have been comforted by that."

"The president's policy is Gadhafi must go. I think there's a chance, if we keep the pressure on, Gadhafi could be thrown under the bus (by people surrounding him.)"

"It's clear we're on the side of the rebels in this conflict. ... (But) if we tell Gadhafi, 'Don't worry, you're not going to be removed by force,' I think that's very encouraging for Gadhafi."

Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS":

"It was actually an important speech. It was quite carefully constructed. It had a humanitarian angle, a strategic angle. But at the heart of what Obama is saying is that there are places in the world where the United States does not have vital national interests, where we have not been attacked, but we have limited interests and we're going to try to find a way to have some kind of limited military response."

"What John McCain was suggesting (in the reaction above) frankly strikes me as a very dangerous argument -- that in a place where we have clearly limited interests, clearly nonvital interests, the United States and the president should (have) an open-ended policy of military escalation and say we will do whatever it takes to get Moammar Gadhafi out of office. That is, frankly, the way we got in conflicts like Vietnam. In order to not be humiliated, we couldn't back down."

<...>

[Cali_Democrat]

20. So John McCain fully supports the cruise missile and bombing attacks on Libya

His only beef with Obama is that Obama should announce regime change as one of his goals.

[rpannier]

25. Wanting someone out and actively trying to push them out are two different things

Mc Cain is a fool/liar/pathetic jerk.

I am for getting rid of the President (here in Korea) and the GNP from the National Assembly, but I'm not out organizing a mob to make it happen.

I guess the subtleties are losty on McCain

[The_Casual_Observer]

18. They said the same about Powell's UN speech.

Time will tell about this thing.

[Keith Bee]

23. K&R

[rpannier]

24. K&R

Thanks

[jenmito]

26. K&R.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

29. Oil?

[ProudDad]

30. Bookmarking for the inevitable Libyan Quagmire to come... (n/t)

[ItNerd4life]

33. How true! I can't believe the support for this illegal war. nt

[Mimosa]

34. Is anybody else reminded of Cambodia in the mid 1970s?

This is American military adventurism all over again. What good can come of it? I guess this will benefit the heavy arms industry, among the few major manufacturing businesses still US based.

[stevenleser]

35. Except that it won't. Qaddafy's folks are in London negotiating his leaving as we speak/type

[Ikonoklast]

36. You're harshing the vibe.

Libya will soon be forgotten as the PL moves onto the next 'outrage de jour'.

Qaddafi is already getting his exit strategy in line, the family is only negotiating over how much money they get to keep, and if anyone will come after them in exile.

[stevenleser]

37. I know, I'm like that. :-)

:pals: