Friday, March 18, 2011
After waiting until the United Nations Security Council approved a “no-fly zone” for Libya, the United States acted unilaterally and announced Friday it will deploy amphibious ships to the Mediterranean, part of the Obama administration’s plans for responding to ongoing violence in Libya.
The USS Bataan Amphibious Group, based in Virginia, won’t deploy for nearly a week — on March 23, “ahead of its original schedule in order to relieve units from the USS Kearsarge (Amphibious Ready Group) currently positioned in the Mediterranean Sea,” according to an Obama White House statement.
It remains unclear to many, how the U.S. will fund its latest military action.
Shortly after taking office, Mr. Obama appointed a debt reduction commission that quickly became known colloquially as the “Cat Food Commission.” Led by retired, far right conservative, Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, the commission attempted to cut Social Security benefits and make it more difficult for Americans to access benefits. Simpson even referred to Social Security “300 million tits on a cow.”
On Feb. 11, 2011, U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner notified Congress that sometime between April 5th and May 31th, 2011, the Federal government will reach its debt limit — the level of debt Congress has authorized for the borrowing that meets obligations ranging from Social Security to our seemingly endless war expenses, as well as interest payments for Chinese creditors.
So naturally, it is of keen interest to bloggers, journalists and just regular American citizens who have been asked to sacrifice, just how President Obama intends to pay for our latest military soiree, this time, in Libya?
And what about Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution? Article 1, Section 8 reads in part: (the) Powers of Congress shall pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense. How can President Obama make a decision that appears on the merits to ignore this nation’s guiding document?
However, what all Americans must watch for is the dreaded mission creep. We cannot allow Mr. Obama to send U.S. ground troops into Libya.
From the Left 
The only reason Obama decided to help Libya is Secretary Hillary Clinton. She’s been pressuring the White House to do something for weeks and Obama, as usual, held back.
What is interesting to me is, Obama says there will be no boots on the ground — for now. But what happens if Qaddafi proves to be a more formidable force than this administration thinks? Then what?
This is the problem we always encounter. A dictator with oil wealth isn’t a schoolyard bully. Qaddafi has managed to survive for more than 40 years and he has a modern, well-equipped military to oppress his people with. If he doesn’t go quietly into the night quickly, believe me, American troops will be on the ground in yet another military action while the French and Brits remain safely in France and Britain.
Something is going to trigger our sudden, Soviet collapse. This might be the trigger.
We keep hearing the US Treasury is empty?
There’s no money for education, or the NIH, or Social Security, or Medicare but, as usual, this president, like all of his predecessors, is always able to find the money for a military operation.
I think it’s a legitimate question: how is President Pootie Tang going to fund this one?
Here we go again.
Sorry but I don’t believe for a New York minute that American troops won’t eventually end up on Libyan soil. Even though it’s Sorkosy who is salivating over the prospects of French control of Libyan oil.
Christopher,
As usual, you bring up not just one but two critically important issues here.
1.) Where is Obama getting the coin for this and,
2.) The Congress wasn’t consulted because they aren’t even in session today
Obama is opening himself up to a hornet’s nest of criticisms and legal problems. I know his arrogance is legendary but with this, his arrogance could result in hearings and calls for impeachment.
Remember, the Republicans impeached Clinton over a BJ. Ordering ships of war to Libya is much more serious.
vicodaniel1987@yahoo.com
The UN Security Council formally approved a no-fly zone today. Even the Arab League tacitly said, “do it.”
So how do we go from a no-fly zone to ordering the USS Bataan Amphibious Group to the waters off Libya? And I agree with the posters who basically said it’s just a matter of time until US troops are roaming the streets of Tripoli.
Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution? Show off. Thanks for making me feel stoopid.
There’s even a term for it: ‘mission creep.’ I will be very surprised if American troops aren’t on the ground within 72 hours of the USS Bataan reaching the shores of Tripoli. I hope I’m wrong but, restraint has never been an American military trait. It’s gung ho, get ’em, and mom and pie and the flag. Plus, Obama has a chip on his shoulder now. He must prove to his critics that he’s up to the job as Commander in Chief.
Funny how we can always find millions and even billions for military operations?
Christopher, I love your description, “our latest military soiree, this time, in Libya?” and next time it will be Venezuela, or North Korea, or Nigeria.
American elderly will be living in cardboard boxes under freeway overpasses, teachers will be unemployed, and funding for disease research languishing but, the US military will be somewhere in the world meddling.
If we have money for a fresh military incursion, then I expect my grandmother will get a large COLA next January.
She’s gone without for two years because Obama says there’s no inflation.
In my opinion, any military effort to remove Kaddifi (how the hell is his name spelled?) should come from the French. They owe the Libyan people for the way the left at the end of their colonial domination of the country. The US has no legitimacy there and will be resented across the Arab and the Islamic world. This task is up to the rebels and the French.
Feminazi,
Both the New York Times and al Jazeera English have excellent coverage of the war against Qaddafi and in support of the rebels. Definitely, check them out.
The New York Times is fairly brutal in their subtext that Obama only stepped up after Hillary Clinton told him enough of your indecisiveness.
About the spelling — who knows what’s correct? I’ve seen a half dozen ways so I settled on the “Q” example.
They didn’t waste time to memorialize it either: “Operation Odyssey Dawn.”
Call it, war number 3.
The Libyan war is underway.
A coalition of European powers but primarily French, plus the United States, and a small handful of Arab states and Libyan rebels against the government of Moammar Gadhafi.
The long-term goal is regime change — displacing the government of the Libyan dictator, Moammar Gadhafi and replacing it with a new government built around the rebels. The mission is clearer than the strategy.
President Obama says “no American troops will set foot on Libyan soil.” I hope he’s correct but, if in a week from today, and Gadhafi is still in-charge, we should prepare for yet another American military-led conflict but this one on African soil.
This is normal, the interest is fundamental! ! !
Last night, I saw reports that showed that the attack by the US, France, and Britain is going way beyond seeting up a no fly zone. We’ve been lied to
againas usual.