Maybe If We Just Dropped Straw On Qadaffi...

The WaPo highlights a typical Obama strawman argument, in which Obama, the calm voice of reason, fends off the crazies.  The topic is Libya:

Yet Mr. Obama apparently remains unwilling to rally American resources that are readily available and that Britain and France have repeatedly requested. The allies have asked for the resumption of strike operations by U.S. warplanes that Mr. Obama pulled from the fight in early April. But immediately after acknowledging that more resources are needed, Mr. Obama talked down the prospect of “additional U.S. capabilities,” saying “there are going to be some inherent limitations to our airstrike operations.” He added: “There may be a false perception that there are a whole bunch of secret super-effective air assets that are in a warehouse that could just be pulled out and that would somehow immediately solve the situation in Libya. That’s not the case.”

Well, I happen to think that if Obama busted out the good stuff from Area 51 we could end this war yesterday (literally yesterday if we deploy the Trans-Top Secret Time Twister).  But the WaPo notes that the French and British are not thinking quite that big:

In fact no one we know of is making that claim — much less Mr. Cameron or French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose appeals for help Mr. Obama is ignoring. What the allies are seeking is no secret: eight or so U.S. AC-130 and A-10 planes, weapons that exist only in the American arsenal and that are ideal for the close ground-support operations that are much needed in Libya.

The Times warns us that Obama has formally shifted to regime change, not civilian protection, as the allied goal:

As Goal Shifts in Libya, Time Constrains NATO
By ERIC SCHMITT and DAVID E. SANGER

WASHINGTON — President Obama has subtly shifted Washington’s public explanation of its goals in Libya, declaring now that he wants to assure the Libyan people are “finally free of 40 years of tyranny” at the hands of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, after first stating he wanted to protect civilians from massacres.

But if toppling Colonel Qaddafi is now the more explicit goal, Mr. Obama’s European trip this week has highlighted significant tensions over how much time the NATO allies have to finish a job that is now in its third month.

Mr. Obama has urged strategic patience, expressing confidence that over time the combination of bombing, sanctions and import cutoffs will force Colonel Qaddafi from power. “Time is working against Qaddafi,” Mr. Obama said on Wednesday at a news conference in London with Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain.

"Strategic patience" translates as "Hey, you guys are doing great!".  As to how long NATO needs to remain patient, Obama's election in November 2012 seems too far away; maybe they can wait until he announces troop withdrawals from Afghanistan this summer.

Comments

[Ranger]

What the allies are seeking is no secret: eight or so U.S. AC-130 and A-10 planes, weapons that exist only in the American arsenal and that are ideal for the close ground-support operations that are much needed in Libya.

And exactly the type of aircraft that are exposed to the greatest risk during their missions. There is no way Obama is going to risk the loss of any US personel in a war he has specifically refused to ask permission for. The man is stupid, but he is not that stupid.

Of course, next summer Obama may be facing a campaign add with a calander (updated regularly of course) that show how many days its been since he began his grand adventure in North Africa, with his own words of "Days not weeks" in the background...

I can see it now... XXX days, President Obama. That is XX weeks since you promised the American people this war would be over in 'days not weeks.'

[Danube of Thought]

I think Qaddafy's days are numbered even at the current pace.

[Extraneus]

Surely we have the pro-American government ready to take over the minute that happens.

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 12 at Raz today.

[Threadkiller]

Excerpt from “The Audacity of Dems Waging War” speech:

“Warthog…,Spooky... Hey, I’m all for funny names, but we don’t really own planes like these… do we?”

[Tom Maguire]

I think Qaddafy's days are numbered even at the current pace.

I think it is easy to underestimate the persistence and meglomania of people like that.

In any case, my unschooled understanding is that Qadaffi is de facto leader of the tribe that has historically dominated the Tripoli area. Even if there is a surviving tribal leadership that could vote him off the island, that won't automatically bring reconciliation with the rival (rebellious) tribe from eastern Libya.

Still, as a matter of show there might be tribal leaders looking for a way to cast Qadaffi overboard and end the NATO effort.

[I R A Darth Aggie]

Still, as a matter of show there might be tribal leaders looking for a way to cast Qadaffi overboard and end the NATO effort.

And if they cast him overboard in favor of one of his children?

[Rick Ballard]

The Benghazi Ali Babas are showing signs of strain. It would appear that stealing something you can't sell removes the basic common motivator for Mohametan cooperation.

Has Colin Powell invoked the Pottery Barn rule on our illustrious President as yet? Perhaps the President's reticence is related to an unwillingness to pay for the destruction being wreaked across Libya in his effort to help the Libyan people #tweet themselves into a more prosperous and secure future.

[Threadkiller]

--“There may be a false perception that there are a whole bunch of secret super-effective air assets that are in a warehouse that could just be pulled out"--

Was the gutsycall secret-copter exposed to prepare us for this stupid argument?

Even the straw men may reconsider voting for him, if this is the best he has.

[narciso]

Their learning curve is concave (or convex) we didn't get Bin Laden, by bombing from 10,000 feet, we took him out with the Seals, so the logic would indicate, GIGN, which is
the French equivalent.

[Cecil Turner]

There is no way Obama is going to risk the loss of any US personel in a war he has specifically refused to ask permission for. The man is stupid, but he is not that stupid.

I don't know, he may actually be that stupid (or arrogant, whatever). I didn't think he'd start bombing either, but he did (and got away with it).

In any case, my unschooled understanding is that Qadaffi is de facto leader of the tribe that has historically dominated the Tripoli area.

Spot on. If Mogadishu taught us anything, it's that you can't expect tribes to surrender against their interests (and that attacks on their leaders just solidifies support).

[narciso]

Yes, you're more right than you know, Cecil:

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=24257

[sobeit]

Half of the Social Security benefit of a worker earning $43,000 today and retiring at age 65 in 2022 will be consumed by Medicare costs under the first year of the Republican plan. Ninety percent of that worker’s Social Security benefit will be consumed by Medicare in 2037, 16 years after the Republican plan takes effect. By 2041 – 19 years after the Medicare voucher begins – an average worker’s Social Security benefit is estimated to be worth less than their Medicare costs (see Table 1). By 2047, this same retiree will have to devote 125 percent of his or her benefit to cover health insurance costs and out-of-pocket expenses. The percentage will be even higher for lower earners.
The amount of a person’s Social Security benefit consumed by Medicare costs will grow because private insurers have significantly higher costs than the traditional Medicare program and because the voucher provided to seniors to purchase private coverage will not keep pace with rising medical costs.4 Though the voucher increases only 2.5 percent per year from 2022 to 2030, overall Medicare expenses under the Republican plan, which relies on more expensive private insurance, are expected to grow over 5 percent a year, according to CBO data.

http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/Ryan_Plan_Medicare_SS_Analysis_final_Definitive.pdf

[narciso]

That's isn't really the goal of the organizers, look who they are:

http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/about/coalition

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

And what does the democrat "plan" -- Obamacare -- do?

[glasater]

sobeit-

The only thing that will "fix" healthcare costs is to put the consumer in charge of paying for his own health needs not the government.

[Threadkiller]

so strawbeit has worked his magic on this thread.

[Soylent Red]

So, hypothetically...

What happens when an Airman or navy pilot gets shot down and killed in

a. a war not approved by Congress;

b. a war not covered under the War Powers Act?

Does the family have a case that their son was killed as a result of BHO prosecuting an illegal war? I mean, let the Left say what they will about GWB and Iraq, at least he asked for the requisite permissions and played it close to the Constitutional requirements.

Also, Medea Benjamin and Cindy Sheehan seem quite subdued on this issue. Odd...

[narciso]

It's almost as if principle wasn't at stake, Soylent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGPwEHqz5bU&feature=player_embedded

[clarice]

As for NATO and the European ruling class , the adage be careful what you wish for comes tomine.

[clarice]

**to minD*

[Danube of Thought]

Happy birthday, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

[Manuel Transmission]

Has anyone else noticed that K-daffy appears to be blind? The couple of B-roll shots of him up close greeting some fellow slimeball, show him with his arms out wide and sort of shuffling Zomby-like forward waiting for the other person to make contact. Also always wearing large sunglasses.

[Frau Steingehirn]

"NATO and the European ruling class ..."
They'll always have Booosh, clarice.

Soylent, Obama was elected for his judgment (!) and is permanently excused for the length of his learning curve. Those who voted for his place in history are still gritting their teeth, and the Code Pink Sluts are sitting around fingering their worry beads.

[Danube of Thought]

The CBO says Medicare as we know it will be insolvent in nine years. Seems to be of no concern to any Dem.

[Danube of Thought]

"...the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is scheduled to be insolvent in nine years according to CBO." that's 2020.

So the guy retiring at age 65 in 2022 will get nothing. I suspect he would prefer the Ryan plan.

[Extraneus]

That's a feature to them, DoT, not a bug.

[Benevolent Dictator]

Brooks has a suggestion to,ostensibly, assist the Republicans in their quandary over the Debt Limit;

First, Republicans have to make a grand offer on raising the debt ceiling. This offer should include a bipartisan commitment to reduce the growth of Medicare spending. Republicans need Democratic fingerprints on a plan to restrain entitlements. In exchange, Republicans should offer to raise tax revenues on the rich. They should get rid of the interest deductions on mortgages over $500,000 and on second homes. They should close corporate loopholes and cap the health insurance deduction. […]

Democrats may not agree to this offer…. But if the Republicans made an offer that included revenue increases, they would at least show they are willing to compromise to prevent a national catastrophe. And Democrats might take them up on it.

[bgates]

President Obama has subtly shifted Washington’s public explanation of its goals

That's a little divisive, isn't it? Why not, "The embodiment of the will of the United States in the person of Barack Obama has subtly shifted the public explanation of our goals"?

[sobeit]

"strawbeit has worked his magic on this thread."

==You're welcome++

[Danube of Thought]

"They should close corporate loopholes.."

Brooks should first define "loophole."

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Click here for larger view

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

I don't know where gas is only $3.10, we are still over $4.00 and it has been a long long time since we have been below $3.50.

[Extraneus]

Aren't you planning to move to one of those places, Sara?

[glasater]

Think someone posted this link earlier but it made such an impression on my little mind I just wanted to do a repeat:

George Soros making a move to control food and grain production

With George Soros's making this move in backing Gavilon Grain's purchases to control food and grain distribution in the United States, and becoming the third largest grain company in the country, it will lead to the same results that we see in the energy markets as oil is controlled by a small group of corporations, and the price can be dictated by an artificial control over its supply.

With the exception of ADM all the grain companies are privately held I believe. With Soros getting in this mix it should strike terror into one's heart.

[Frau Steingehirn]

I sure hope I outlive Daddy Soros.

[sbw]

So why would Soros do this? Simply because he can? What does he gain from it, by toying with other when he has no need? Must he be a cat with a ball of twine?

[glasater]

sbs--

It used to be that in grain sales the seller did not have to provide 1099's but that could have changed in recent times.

[Article Submission Directories]

Article Submission is an online free article Submission for both publishers and authors.

[Pops]

Introducing the all new Obama A-10 gunship....when you absolutely must kill a foriegn leader overnight....

Endorsed by Seal Team 6 and the Obama cabinet.....certified deadly by Code Pink....

[Carol.Herman]

Well, if Q-Daffy was dead, how would you know?

On the other hand, when Q-Daffy can be reported dead, Obama will give a big speech.

[jorod]

Obama would have to deal with the War Powers Act. So far, he refuses to acknowledge that Congress even exists.