Astute observers are rightly noting that Hillary had a hand in the 2011 decision to overthrow Libyan strongman Qadaffi and replace him with... well, nothing but chaos.
But is this Monday morning quarterbacking? Is it fair to argue that Hillary could or should have foreseen a Libya divided along tribal lines, a dreadful refugee crisis, and the emergence of terror groups in the failed state?
Well, yes. For a bit of Sunday afternoon quarterbacking, let's excerpt this from March 22 2011, by Adam Garfinkle of The American Interest:
As noted, there is a regional and tribal element to the fight in Libya. It is unlikely that the Benghazi-based rebels could by themselves establish stable control over the whole country. It is almost as unlikely that the Tripolitanian tribes could re-establish firm control over Cyrenaica. Qaddafi managed the feat through a combination of patronage, terror and cooptation. That will be a very hard act to follow in the wake of so much bloodletting. We are therefore looking into the maw of a Libya that may well be divided, in the throes of some kind of protracted, at least low-level civil war, and that could very easily produce an insurgency spilling over the Egyptian and Tunisian borders—complete with refugees, the usual dysfunctional NGO triage operations and all the rest. And in due course, if the fractious mess lasts long enough, there is a reasonable prospect that al-Qaeda will find a way to establish a foothold amid the mayhem.
Who will want to send in peacekeepers to baby-sit a Libya that looks like that? Who’ll want to go to the UN to get the job authorized? The African Union?
Now, given that this sort of problem is foreseeable, and that it was also foreseeable before the cruise missiles started flying on Saturday, it stands to reason that a responsible, serious government will have thought about all this in advance, and come up with some plan for the post-combat “Phase IV” of the Libyan War, right? Not on your life; the President and his war council almost certainly have not even begun to think about this sort of thing, because they’re still in denial that it could happen. This is, after all, just a limited, humanitarian mission as far as they’re concerned. They don’t realize it yet, but these guys are on a path to make even Donny Rumsfeld and Tommy Franks look good—and you thought that was impossible.
Well, yes, that piece hit on refugees, terror groups, and an ongoing civil war in a failed state. And FWIW, I found it sufficiently persuasive to link to it back in the day, and recycle the main themes a few days later. The point being, these arguments were made in real time and ignored by the Administration, including our former Secretary of State.
As to the analogy to Iraq, well, the Colin Powell aphorism was that if you break it, you own it. Why don't Barack and Hillary own Libya? And can the Republicans let go of Benghazi and talk about the much larger failure of judgment involved in displacing Qadaffi with no credible plan to replace him?
The guy who got elected on 'No More Iraqs' gave us a new Iraq (and lost the original one!). With Hillary at his side encouraging our involvement.
BBC Breaking NewsVerified account
@BBCBreaking
#Calbuco volcano in southern Chile erupts; authorities order an evacuation for 20 km around the site
Go to "View image" to see full pic. Just in time for Earth Day, tons of CO2 released!
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 07:54 PM
Speaking of earth day promoters:
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/04/earth-day-co-founder-murdered-girlfriend-composted-body/
Posted by: pagar | April 22, 2015 at 07:57 PM
I remember who it was but will not name names.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 22, 2015 at 08:01 PM
Michael Tomaskey dreams the impossible dream, or rolls Bill and Sir Edmund Clinton up the Sisyphean heights; take your pick:
The Clintons Still Aren't Corrupt.
Walter Duranty grins, awaiting Mikey's arrival in that special circle of hell for shameless propagandists.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | April 22, 2015 at 08:11 PM
If it was I, it must have been a typo.
Posted by: clarice | April 22, 2015 at 08:13 PM
Michael Tomaskey. Was ever a Bolshevik better named?
Posted by: maryd | April 22, 2015 at 08:16 PM
O'Reilly and Krauthammer marvel and how corrupt the Clintons appear to be. They cite shit that was found in hidden in plain sight in the public domain.
These are the same guys that investigated Obama's narrative?
Krauthammer at least is hoping the veil of legalese covers how lazy he and O'Reilly have been.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 08:19 PM
Haha, maryrose, I remember that and I'll bet someone else does too. You wandered in right after a siege of trolls who sounded a lot like you.
There was a difference in tone, though, and U were furreal.
Posted by: Oh, those many long years ago. | April 22, 2015 at 08:19 PM
...found hidden...
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 08:20 PM
Obama named his sister to be a director of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Posted by: clarice | April 22, 2015 at 08:20 PM
http://cbs4indy.com/2015/04/22/group-of-students-staff-exposed-to-tuberculosis-at-southport-high-school/
This is the high school my grandchildren attend!
They got a call today and those who were exposed will be notified next week.
My grandson asks why it took so long. He is PO'd, as you can imagine, as prom and graduation are coming up.
Grrr.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 08:22 PM
I distinctly remember thinking 'Hey, she's a teacher and is just summarizing the lesson'.
Glad you stuck around. There are a lot of people I miss, and not just the dead ones.
What's cool, though, is that the live ones still seem to pop back in now and then. With just a little imagination, the dead ones do too.
Posted by: An odd medium. | April 22, 2015 at 08:24 PM
At least she is a citizen, Clarice.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 08:32 PM
Heehee, you were the victim of an ace who'd just shot down about five trolls.
Posted by: Flying by the heat of his taunts. | April 22, 2015 at 08:34 PM
Oops, much better to substitue 'flying monkeys' for 'trolls' in whozit's comment above.
Posted by: L'esprit d'escalier, usually an ally against this medium. | April 22, 2015 at 08:36 PM
Clarice:)
Posted by: Not you Clarice, how could I be upset by a typo | April 22, 2015 at 08:40 PM
Is Precious' sister's Masters dissertation on how money is a whitey racial construct and thus deserving its separation from said whitey to everyone else?
Posted by: lyle | April 22, 2015 at 08:49 PM
Remember, I told bgates that you can be too good, and I prefer Cap'n HaHa to his regular moniker.
I was recently the target of an onslaught by someone I consider to be one of the most acute critics in the climate wars, and a friend. It was after I'd made a joke about Kerry, and he really unloaded. I still enjoy his comments, but I don't enjoy talking to him anymore.
Interestingly, he claimed to have worked for Bush, and was definitely not Swiftie sympathetic. Had I wondered before about any connection between Bush and the Swifties, he disabused me of that notion.
Posted by: Pardon Libby, bring Fitzgerald to justice. | April 22, 2015 at 08:50 PM
lyle,
Got off the phone with grandson, who is extremely PO'd about the TB thing.
I used that conversation to remind him brainwashing would be in effect at IU, and he said he had already been warned by friends who were there.
Brought up the red shoes ROTC thing and he was aggravated.
Got to keep on top of these things. I will be driving down every week to take him to lunch or dinner next fall, to make sure the brainwashing is not taking effect.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 08:52 PM
lyle, I imagine the first meeting of that board is going to be very amusing.
Posted by: Kumbayah. | April 22, 2015 at 08:54 PM
"Obama named his sister to be a director of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland"
???????
Posted by: pagar | April 22, 2015 at 08:55 PM
Obamas sister coming to the Cleveland Federal Reserve. Hide the silver
I denounce myself
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 08:56 PM
MM Was it illegal immigrants that brought in the TB
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 08:58 PM
I was a AFROTC grad in 1965. This is a simple result of allowing gays in the miltary and softening the quals like for Marine officer infantry training. Your military is being demoted to the level of Malta's or Zambiia's.
My son once had aspirations for West Point, Colorado Springs and Annapolis but now would rather be in Hillsdale. Think about that.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | April 22, 2015 at 08:59 PM
"his" is Tomasky.
Posted by: clarice | April 22, 2015 at 08:59 PM
Sometimes the posts come too quickly. I should always remember to use names not pronouns to avoid confusion.
Posted by: clarice | April 22, 2015 at 09:00 PM
Let's send some of those TB Students to Malias high school
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:00 PM
maryrose,
Don't know. Meth and shared needles are a problem in some of the small towns, so it could be that. Also, we don't really know where the feds settled the illegals who arrived in that wave last summer.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 09:01 PM
maryrose,
My first comment referred to the HIV outbreak.
As far as the local high school, I would bet illegals but no one is talking.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 09:02 PM
If that is the real j-i-b and not a troll, welcome back Bud.
Posted by: peter | April 22, 2015 at 09:04 PM
peter,
Only if the Isles lose to the Caps:)
Posted by: Jack is Back! | April 22, 2015 at 09:05 PM
Pin chuk a Clinton donor broke sanctions against Iran
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:06 PM
My son, who is not much of a sports fan, has lately become an Islanders fan. So I have to hope that they at least survive the first round. I really don't follow hockey much but I have to say that a playoff game can be enjoyable to watch. the pace really picks up vs reg season
Posted by: peter | April 22, 2015 at 09:10 PM
Every day we get a drip drip drip of scandal wrt Hillary
They are grifters pure and simple
Lewinsky. Marc Rich. The list is endless
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:10 PM
Jib,
I didn't get anything from you on Facebook.
Posted by: Jane on Ipad | April 22, 2015 at 09:11 PM
Kraut hammer says the Clintons cover their tracks but I'm sure they slipped up somewhere
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:13 PM
Jane,
Posted on You Too Congress.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | April 22, 2015 at 09:14 PM
JiB
It will be a loss for the Academies, but Hillsdale is a fine school.
Posted by: Buckeye | April 22, 2015 at 09:14 PM
My grandfather thought the academies were in trouble in the 70s (post Vietnam, recently coed, honor code scandals, bad economy, thus piss poor morale). He recommended getting the best education available, then OCS. Good plan until the intake physical (D1 soccer has a price).
Posted by: henry | April 22, 2015 at 09:20 PM
WSJ announces Carly Fiorina will announce her candidacy on May 4.She's doing a marvelous job on Hillary.
Posted by: clarice | April 22, 2015 at 09:21 PM
From what I just got from Megyn's Show, one of the biggest doners to the Clinton Foundation was violating the Iran Sanctions as he donated millions to the Clinton Foundation.
Megyn suggested that on it's face it looks as if while she was Sec-State trying to impose the Administrations Iran Sanctions, she was receiving cash from an Iran Sanctions violator.
Megyn says that what is a bit different about this latest breaking story from NewsWeek, is that the Media will be able to look at the paperwork trail and the transfer timeline, and determine if it was a violation of the Law---if the Media decides to pursue this story.
We will see.
Posted by: daddy | April 22, 2015 at 09:21 PM
Frederick will be successful wherever he goes
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:21 PM
I would be interested in anonamom's opinion, but I think it is at least possible that alien Tb might be more likely to be drug sensitive than the drug resistant variety we are cooking in our prisons, our homeless shelters, and our inadequate mental illness facilities.
Posted by: So there's that, mebbe. | April 22, 2015 at 09:23 PM
maryrose,
He want's to go to University of Antwerp since his Grandfather founded it by combining 4 colleges into one famous European university. No football team but they will debate any other college.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | April 22, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Is this Obama's secret sister?
Posted by: Pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter | April 22, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Teh One's Earth Day Tweet:
#ClimateChangeIsReal. So is President Obama's three-point game.
How insecure and narcissistic can a person be? The Onion wouldn't try this as satire, but Barry has to keep jumping all sharks.
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 22, 2015 at 09:27 PM
JIB
I know it is early but many high schools award a Phi Beta Kappa honor which recognizes a love of learning and an intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge Frederick seems to fit that description
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:29 PM
pagar
My thought exactly. Who is she and what is her story? I didn't even remember that he had a sibling. Who is HER daddy?
Posted by: Buckeye | April 22, 2015 at 09:31 PM
http://www.birtherreport.com/2015/04/final-nail-barack-obama-and-death-of.html?m=1
Chock full of details.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 09:32 PM
maryrose,
Thanks for your compliment vis a vis Frederick. Yes, he will do well.
Off to bed. Nytol. Slaap Lekker. Thanks for you indulgence during my absence.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | April 22, 2015 at 09:33 PM
I've enjoyed watching Carly on a few of the Sunday political shows. She's far ahead of the talking heads and clearly enjoys slaying them. Who knows if she'll be part of the ticket, but I think she's invaluable for the greater campaign; and if she's not, there should be a cabinet slot offered.
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 22, 2015 at 09:34 PM
BOE
Obama remains true to form. A leopard doesn't change its spots
Maybe it's his sister from another mother
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:34 PM
Just in time for Earth Day, tons of CO2 released!
Ha, MM! Not only is Lady Karma a beeyotch, she's obviously good friends with Lady Gaia!
Posted by: Captain HaikuEric in Boise | April 22, 2015 at 09:35 PM
Her dad is purportedly Lolo Sortero, Buckeye.
Sortero is one of Obama's known aliases that he may have forgot to mention to the Illinois Bar Association costing him his license.
Allegedly.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 09:35 PM
Soetoro
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 09:36 PM
http://www.theobamafile.com/_family/SoetoroDunhamMarriage.htm
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 22, 2015 at 09:36 PM
Henry
Meghan Kelly covering John Doe kerfufe
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:37 PM
All police officers the prosecutor and the judge who signed the warrant should be jailed
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:40 PM
Maryrose, thanks. No cable here.
Posted by: henry | April 22, 2015 at 09:40 PM
Daddy,
The Iranian sanctions were authorized via two or three bills, enforcement and interpretation were delegated to the Executive and a few EOs were issued offering some level of interpretation. Treasury, not State, is the compliance watchdog and has FAQ pages online with an additional level of interpretation.
IOW - typical government hodgepodge and pinning the Red Witch with peddling indulgences is going to be a tough row to hoe. If Congress wants to lay blame, they need a mirror capable of reflecting 535 incompetents.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 22, 2015 at 09:42 PM
Barbara Olivia signed hundreds of warrants
Chisholm the prosecutor looks like he is toast put a fork I them they are done I think I got judge Barbara's last name wrong
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:43 PM
Kluka was the judge that signed the warrants in one day, then declared a conflict the next.
Posted by: henry | April 22, 2015 at 09:44 PM
RB
Kraut hammer agrees with your assessment
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:45 PM
Beasts, I worked for HP during Carly's administration and she left a bad taste in my mouth as she was quite the prima donna, and was out of touch with the rank and file employees, among other flaws.
Will she get the nomination? I doubt it. Would I vote for her if she did? No brainer as I'd vote for a ham sandwich rather than vote for the Red Witch/Squaw. Of course, I sang a similar tune in '08, and '12.
Anyway, she seems to be getting under the skin of the progs, and is obviously not shy about calling Cankles out on her carp, and I hope that continues.
Posted by: Eric in Boise | April 22, 2015 at 09:45 PM
I really like Carly Fiorina.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 09:47 PM
http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/04/22/state-dept-cuts-airhead-looking-forward-to-outrage-over-marie-harf-being-passed-over-for-a-white-man-197670
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 09:47 PM
Henry
Please keep us posted Looks like it has hit critical mass
Jim what is happening in Washington with your dem scandal
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:47 PM
"his" is Tomasky.
Not Obama's sister.
Posted by: Janet | April 22, 2015 at 09:48 PM
Henry,
Who is favored to be elected Chief Justice?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 22, 2015 at 09:49 PM
Twenty to six in favor of fast track of TTP
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:53 PM
Rick, Patience Roggensack from what I hear. They may not vote until August 1 when the new term starts (traditionalists).
Posted by: henry | April 22, 2015 at 09:54 PM
Marie Harf is a dissembling fluff chick
Doesn't deserve the post
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 09:56 PM
My son once had aspirations for West Point, Colorado Springs and Annapolis but now would rather be in Hillsdale. Think about that.
Amazingly sad sign of our times JiB, but I fully understand and certainly don't blame Frederick.
Glad to see you back, Sir.
Posted by: daddy | April 22, 2015 at 09:57 PM
Ugh. We are under a freeze warning for tonight. Good thing I didn't plant anything.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 09:58 PM
@EiB: Lots of prima donnas in that rarified air, but I understand there are legitimate dings on her from the HP days. I can live with that given her position and willingness to fire at Cankles, as you noted.
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 22, 2015 at 10:01 PM
but now would rather be in Hillsdale.
Hillsdale not so bad
One can make it through without
Having to wear heels
Posted by: Captain Haiku | April 22, 2015 at 10:03 PM
Beasts,
I like having her in the mix because of her swell barbs targeted towards Clinton.
She might not have been a great CEO of HP, but she definitely is more competent than Hillary, and I bet she could give Warren the business, too.
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 10:04 PM
Henry,
The legislature should pass appropriations for redecorating the offices of the new Chief Justice. Patience should start leaving carpet and drape swatches on her desk next to paint samples and a tape measure.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 22, 2015 at 10:05 PM
Thanks Rick, for your 09:42 explanations.
Megyn read a partial statement from the alleged perp saying that the statements put out by NewsWeek were libelous. I hope the alleged perp presses the issue in court so that the Media has to pay attention and we can get to the bottom of this. I'm personally disgusted in that it seems the only folks who ever suffer real legal punishment are the Ted Stevens and Scooter Libby's of the world.
Posted by: daddy | April 22, 2015 at 10:17 PM
Daddy. So true
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 10:23 PM
I can't remember Obama's sister. Who is she? Younger, I assume.what does she do for a living?
Beasts, Carly has been hitting it out of the park. She is the best thing we have against Hillary.
Jib I'll have to figure out how to access that FB PAGE, so it may be a while. Glad you decided to return.
I really hope Jon Doe in Wisconsin has legs.
Ohhh Hit...
Hohhot Dot....
Posted by: Jane on Ipad | April 22, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Ugh. We are under a freeze warning for tonight. Good thing I didn't plant anything.
We've had at least a couple instances of snowfall today; no accumulation but it still makes you sigh and think WTF. A week or so ago a local weatherman recommended not planting anything until the middle of May.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 22, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Captain Hate,
Based on the old-timer's lore, I don't plant anything until May 15th. Occasionally I will do som pots for the patio, since I can bring them in if a hard freeze is forecast.
The old wives' tale here is to avoid planting anything susceptible to frost until after the snowball bushes have bloomed. (That is a variety of viburnum.)
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 10:28 PM
Season finale of the Americans
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 10:35 PM
Nytol!
Posted by: Miss Marple | April 22, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Carly is sharp-minded and very well spoken. A joy to watch. She is perfect for the broadsides (pun perhaps intended) against Hil.
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 22, 2015 at 10:41 PM
The old wives' tale here is to avoid planting anything susceptible to frost until after the snowball bushes have bloomed.
Here in Boise, it's "No tomatoes until the snow is off Shafer Butte." Local peak in the Boise foothills.
Nytol, or Bytol. Whatever we're using currently.
Posted by: Eric in Boise | April 22, 2015 at 10:43 PM
MM I have a virburnum tree in my backyard
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 10:43 PM
I prefer Bytol
Posted by: maryrose | April 22, 2015 at 10:52 PM
Regarding Fiorina, the third rate utility where I wasted 19.5 work years had a CEO who was just a miserable excuse for a human being. He had the Roger Goodell/George Costanza ability to be wrong about everything. In addition to that he was petty, vindictive, pompous and every other critical adjective you can apply to a horrible person.
After he mercifully retired and turned over the reins to a much better person who had unfortunately been gelded by the board, the retired guy apparently went to teach at John Carroll University such classes as business ethics. The reason I know this is because the wife of a friend had him for a class and told me he seemed to be wonderful person. As my blood pressure rose to aneurysm blowout levels, I not very calmly told her that anything positive he said about his work experiences is an out and out lie. But upon reflecting on it further I figured that he probably found something at which he was much better than leading a company.
The same probably applies to Fiorina.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 22, 2015 at 10:55 PM
Well that was cleared up, comrade pinch uk like a good spectra members have fingers in a lot of pies like davis, include the online education initiatives. But as with tamraz, vino la sic etc I don't expect much serious searching.
Posted by: narciso | April 22, 2015 at 11:05 PM
EiB - In parts of Europe, the Ice Saints are considered by farmers to be the final period of frost.
Posted by: Frau Nachtfrost | April 22, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Well the huntress did endorse her as a Senate candidate, as opposed to a huck type and another fellow. I'm surprised Chelsea wasn't brought into the Ukrainian realm. We saw how the Solon ' s son got a similar sweetheart deal re ukraine gas.
Posted by: narciso | April 22, 2015 at 11:19 PM
Fodder for the "most electable" cannons.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/22/this-chart-perfectly-explains-why-the-middle-is-dying-in-american-politics/?tid=sm_fb
Posted by: Stephanie | April 22, 2015 at 11:25 PM
Cilia does get one in three columns right, the others will be doozies.
Posted by: narciso | April 22, 2015 at 11:27 PM
MYSTERY haiku GUY.
Any guesses??
Posted by: GUS | April 22, 2015 at 11:28 PM
Thanks for that, Frau. What I've always loved, and continue to love about this site is that I learn things here that I would never learn anywhere else.
Now for a word from my alter ego:
JOMer sighs
Rubs his eyes, with heavy lids
And whispers "Nytol"
Posted by: Eric in Boise | April 22, 2015 at 11:32 PM
It's curious how the Americans seem to have borrowed the koa chess as their inspiration even though they say it was the Chapman ring.
Posted by: narciso | April 22, 2015 at 11:34 PM
Carp that north Korean deal, negotiated by the same deal behind this one, toad the wet sprocket.
Posted by: narciso | April 22, 2015 at 11:39 PM
Heh. All kinds of possibilities for "Haiku Gus", but I'll let somebody else explore them.
Gus: Love ya , brother.
Now I've Really got to get to bed. Long day tomorrow.
Boise out.
Posted by: Eric in Boise | April 22, 2015 at 11:39 PM