What is it with this "against his own people" line?

[howard112211]

It is weird. People say it as if the act of a government using force against those it governs is more despicable than a government using force against people it doesn't directly govern. I would say the ranking should perhaps be reversed: Attacks on other nations are often more severe in scope than attacks occuring within one nation.

[buddysmellgood]

1. It's the betrayal. It may be splitting hairs but would your rather be stabbed

in the face or in the back?

[LWolf]

5. You make a point. The point holds firm

when people begin screaming, "So do you want PALIN?!?!" as election season heats up and Democrats have nominated a back-stabber.

A Republican promoting bad policy is a stab in the face. Elected Democrats doing it is a stab in the back.

[BzaDem]

2. So what? Wouldn't it be a GOOD thing that our action is "more severe in scope?"

After all, we are attacking those trying to attack the Libyan people, rather than the Libyan people. It seems your argument (that our attack might be more "severe in scope") points towards intervention -- not away from it.

[grasswire]

3. honestly, the rhetoric is re-traumatizing me

Obama's announcement could have been exactly what Bush said about Saddam. It could be identical.

That's the tragedy of what Bushco did. They lied, damaging the words that another president might have to use later to justify war.

When I hear the mention of the other countries involved, I hear Bush say "coalition of the willing."

When I hear "against his own people" I hear Bush lying about Saddam.

Honestly, I'm sick of it all.

[johnroshan]

4. The question is - Is Obama saying the truth?

If so, well and good.

If not, God help us.

I would say UN approval along with explicit support of several Arab nations does give the issue a veneer of credibility.

[Joe the Revelator]

9. D you believe that Gadaffi isn't bombing his own people?

[Hosnon]

6. I disagree. Every government's primary role is to protect its citizens. nt.

[gmaki]

7. Agreed it has no real meaning

if "his own people" (as if he owns them) are attacking him then it is not surprising he is attacking back.

Sure we think he is wrong, and they are right but in the end it's a fight and one side is more powerful than the other and so they win.

It's not like Gadaffi just woke up one day and thought "I think I'll bomb a random city in my own country today" He is going after armed rebels (we'd call them "insurgents" to justify attacking them) that are attacking his government.

[bobbolink]

8. If you had been following the tweets from the Libyan revolutionaries, you would know

what the thoughts are of the people themselves:

"For people who are worried about the civilians killed by the no-fly zone. I have heard many Libyans say they are willing to die for freedom.

That is, if the have to die so that Gaddafi is removed, they don't mind.

They do mind being killed by Gaddafi."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x692608#692730

And don't bother to attack me.. I am giving you a message to consider, and have no desire to be involved in another petty DU flame war.

[KurtNYC]

10. and I don't think they consider themselves "his" people

If aggression against other nations AND civil wars/internal struggles are BOTH reason to get involved then every conflict is an invitation for invasion and occupation.

[joshcryer]

11. A states responsiblity first and foremost is for its own people.

Yes it matters.

[SolutionisSolidarity]

12. It tends to lose creedence when it's used in every conflict.

[Bluenorthwest]

13. A government derives any right to so much as exist from its

people. So attacking them is at a basic level an act of criminality, as no such powers are sanctioned by the people. Governing is by consent, not by force.

[defendandprotect]

14. Genocide -- or attacking your own people to hold onto power --

should rightly be despised --

but you're correct, war of aggression -- imperialism -- should also be despised --

and it used to be! See Nuremberg trials!