Marco Rubio slams Obama on Libya
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) has slammed the Obama administration's handling of the crisis in Libya. Unfortunately, the administration’s initial response has been inadequate. Instead of taking the initiative, the administration is relying on other countries and international bodies to lead. For example, it makes no sense to rely on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a body that has long been comprised of and even led by some of the world’s worst human-rights abusers, including Libya...In other words, Obama is voting "present" again, which is what you do when you believe you're a middling power with nothing to contribute. We've already seen where that leads.
[Measures the U.S. can take with partners] could include (but are not limited to) pressing bordering nations to stop the flow of mercenaries into Libya, finding ways to restore severed communications, imposing a no-fly zone to protect civilians against aircraft attacks, and mobilizing a humanitarian relief effort.
Labels: Barack Obama, Libyan regime change, Marco Rubio
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:54 AM
5 Comments:
Something important is being missed here. I don't think Obama-in his last press conference-even mentioned the name of Libya's dictator. So what is going on??
I think Obama is worried about something else entirely with Libya. Just how many Americans are stranded in Libya now? Meanwhile the state department's plan to rescue the remaining Americans is hampered by weather. So why don't we send in a US warship or some other rescue? I have no idea. I think they are worried the Libyan dictator will hold hostage the remaining US personal over there. Each day a single American remains in Libya, is a greater risk for America.
So Obama has mishandled the situation not by 'talking stronger' about LIbya but by not just sending in the cavalry to rescue all US personal still in Tripoli.
Obama's not merely voting "present" again. He has been deeply involved with the Libyan regime for years. Two of his closest associates, Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan met with Qaddafi in the past. Farrakhan received generous donations from the Libyan and Wright conferred a number of honors on him. Also - Obama Earmarked $400K for Two Libyan Charities Run by Gaddafi’s Children: http://tinyurl.com/4tbdre2. Note in the photo the warmth with which Obama greets Qaddafi.
AFIK Obama for all his flaws has no demonstrated tie to the Nation of Islam which is not a true Islamic organization but a pseudo-Islamic "Black Power" cult founded by Elijah Muhammad. With O, "closest associate" is a relative term. O was comfortable with the street cred given by Wright and is motivated by a mixture of unearned narcissism and new-left-old-left scrap heap ideological fixations but the dots don't connect to Farrakhan (and Wright is cut off). O is capable of sucking up to anti-American dictators on his own as long as it doesn't cause him political damage at which point he tap dances.
I hate to say this, but part a small part of me is happy the USA is remaining silent and refusing to lead the way. For 7.8 years of the Bush administration all we heard was the U.S. is not the worlds police and much worse things than that. Well I say welcome to the world without the USA leading the charge. Lets all sit back and let the UN handle it.
Like it or not, Obama has given his rationale for US involvement in Libya, now it is Sen. Rubio’s turn to tell us why he has been so eager to start the fight and go in alone without UN or NATO involvement. His explanation needs to be much more than his comment: “to show we have the guts.”
The Senator must tell us what gave him such supreme confidence in the Libyan rebels agenda, and the certainty of a favorable outcome for the US.
Rubio says the rebels “simply yearn to usher in a new era of freedom.” But the Senator must know it is never that simple.
Libyan rebel spokesman Mahmoud Shammam says “The aspirations of the Libyan people are to be free, to live under a constitutional democratic system.” Meanwhile, Senator Rubio should remember this quote from another rebel: “The single word most expressive of our aim and spirit is simply—freedom. First of all and most of all, we are fighting to do away with dictatorship …. and to establish the foundations of genuine representative government.” That was Fidel Castro in his article “Why We Fight” published in Coronet magazine in Feb. 1958.
Winston Churchill, in so many words, said he would make a pact with the devil (..in his case, Stalin) if it would help defeat Hitler. How is Rubio so certain that the rebels are not simply making a pact with their “Great Satan” …the USA … to defeat Gadhafi? If Russian, Chinese, or Saudi jets were bombing Gadhafi, wouldn’t the rebels cheer them just as they cheer the US ?
It is absolutely imperative that Senator Rubio give a complete and detailed explanation of the reasons he has been so eager to send the US to war in Libya. How does he know so much more than the rest of the world about the Libyan rebels ? Can the Senator name three Libyan rebel leaders who have inspired his unceasing support? We would like to interview them.
If Rubio is so dedicated to sending America to war in support of people who yearn for freedom, what other countries are on his target list? Sudan? Syria? Zimbabwe? Are there any refugees from tyranny to whom he would grant the special privilages for US residency that are now reserved only for Cubans? Would he send aid to the thousands of Libyan refugees encamped on the Italian island of Lampedusa or invite them to the US? Does he want to arm the rebels or put US troops on the ground in Libya? How long is he willing to fight, how much is he willing to spend? What happens when Gadhafi is defeated? Are there any limitations to his support? Is Rubio ready to cut US domestic programs in order to fund his Libyan rebels?
Sen.Rubio has absolutely no responsibilities for executing the Libyan operation, so it is easy to spout tough talk, and Obama will be the one on the hook if things do not work out well. Nevertheless, this is as much Rubio’s war as it is Obama’s
If Senator Rubio cannot give a detailed, convincing rationale for his desire to involve the US in the Libyan civil war, then we must conclude that his tough talk about Obama being “weak and naive” on Libya was simply a reckless political gamble to embarrass Obama. A responsible US Senator should not be so cavalier about sending Americans into battle.
There are a thousand consequences to Rubio's proposals, yet he has shown no in-depth thought on any of them.
Senator Rubio has been getting by on photo-ops, sound-bites and on-camera performances, yet this man hints at aspirations for the Presidency. He still needs to demonstrate that he can be a responsible Senator. He can do that by going on record with details about his decision making, and a realistic assessment of the consequences. Now is time for complete and honest answers from Marco Rubio. He owes Floridians a detailed explanation. We are still waiting.
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