Menu
Why are we in Libya?
To the editor:
Let's recap the Middle East in recent times.
We worked with a dictator in Iran who was moving his people into the 20th century. The people rose up wanting democracy and we ask the Shah to step aside, to prevent a bloody civil war. He did and the country is now lead by a radical Islamic group on the brink of having nuclear weapons and has spread and promoted terrorism around the world. Great move on our part -- one dictator for another who is worse.
Afghanistan was the Russian's problem until we supported the rebels in their fight for freedom. We succeeded, and Russia withdrew. Their freedom led to the birth of the Taliban and al-Qaida, which is about as far from a republic or our idea of a democracy as you can get. This lead to Sharia law and the attack of (9/11)! Another Great move on our part.
The first Iraq war, Desert Storm, was under Saddam Hussain's rule as dictator. He had invaded and occupied Kuwait. He used poison gas on the Kurds, killing thousands, and murdered all the politicians who opposed him. We freed Kuwait. The second Iraq war began after Saddam convinced the world he was making nuclear weapons. We watched TV night after night as the nuclear inspectors were refused entry to a facility. We then watched trucks go in and out of the facility. Then the inspectors were allowed to enter. In hindsight, America was safer and we had a lot more money with him in power, and he kept Iraq's attention. Now we have a democratic government that can only stay in power by force. Our republic and their democracy are worlds apart as they are killing those of other faiths. There will be a net gain of zero when we walk away and a new dictator or Iran takes over.
In Uganda and Rwanda, both countries have killed millions in tribal wars committing mass genocide with the weapon of choice being a machete. Neither the UN nor the world did a thing. Did they have oil? Now with a change of heart, we pick sides in a tribal civil war in Libya; go figure.
Now for Libya, with our track record, this war is bound to turn out as great as the last three fiascos? Gadhafi is another dictator, but he hasn't been at war with any one until now. He hasn't murdered his opposition or gassed his people as Saddam did. Don't get me wrong -- he is a bad guy. Now we want to get involved in Libya's civil war. So to stop him from bombing his rebels of which few were killed, we bomb his military and police, killing more and destroying more than he has trying to putting down the rebellion. Is any of this making any sense to you? It's not making much sense to me.
Who made us keeper of the world? If Europe and the Arabs want to get in this one, let them. Let's not waste any of our young men, women and resources. Let the countries that sit on the sidelines get off their butts and put their money and young people's lives where their mouths are. What is Islamic democracy? Where is the Islamic country that does not persecute those of other faiths?
With my kids and others I have learned people usually don't value or take care of anything that is given to them. Only when they must sacrifice and earn it is it appreciated, cherished and protected. This goes for freedom also. Only with our constitutional republic are we guaranteed personal God-given rights that many have died protecting. That's 180 degrees from a Sharia Law democracy.