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- iHaveNet.com: Politics
by Bill Press
We are at war. Again. Against a third Muslim country. On top of Afghanistan and Iraq, it's now Libya. And the question every American must ask is: "Is this a war I can support?"
For conservatives, it's easy. They wanted military action against Libya. They got it. They demanded a no-fly zone. They got it. Yet they'll still oppose it, simply because Barack Obama started it. And anything he's for, they're automatically against. Which is why nobody should take seriously anything said on the subject by John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, John Boehner, or any other Republican.
For liberals, it's a lot more complicated. We opposed the war in Iraq because it was launched by the U.S. against a country that did not attack us first, conducted almost exclusively by U.S. forces, and paid for entirely by U.S. taxpayers. But this war is different. Unlike Iraq, we initiated military action in Libya at the request of other Arab countries. We are not alone. We are operating under the UN flag, not the U.S. flag. And there are no boots on the ground. In many ways, it's the kind of war we said we wanted: the perfect war for the post-Iraq war age.
So what's a good liberal supposed to do? First, let's not kid ourselves: war is war, no matter how civilized you get into it. And the United States is doing the heavy lifting, no matter how many allies are involved. Those were U.S. missiles launched from U.S. ships. Those were U.S. bombs dropped from B-52's flown nonstop from the American mainland. That was a U.S. fighter plane that crashed, enforcing the no-fly zone. There are already Libyan civilians killed by U.S. bombs. And, before it's over, there will be U.S. troops killed by forces loyal to Muammar Gadhafi. This is America's war, and there are still unanswered questions about its legal authority, cost, timeline and mission.
Is it legal? In December 2007, candidate Barack Obama told the
What'll it cost? Tomahawk missiles cost
How long will it last? President Obama insists the United States will complete our part of the mission in days, not weeks. After which, we'll turn over operation of the no-fly zone to
What's the goal? To get rid of Gadhafi? Or to protect the people of Libya? That depends on whom you ask. On March 3, President Obama said what he has repeated many times since: "Muammar Gadhafi has lost the legitimacy to lead, and he must leave." But two days after the bombardment of Libya began, General Carter Ham told reporters: "I could see accomplishing the military mission which has been -- which has been assigned to me, and the current leader would -- would remain the current leader."
Attempting to smooth over the apparent contradiction, the
So many questions, so few answers. So what's a good liberal supposed to do?
Answer: Hold your nose and support it, for now. And hope we get out fast.
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Another Muslim Country, Another War | Politics
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