I Support a People’s Libya
Why I support President Obama’s decision to use limited military action in Libya:
1.) The people of Libya overwhelmingly want our assistance, at least in the limited capacity that we are providing it now. If this turns into a permanent occupation, things would likely change.
2.) We are fighting an actual army instead of a hodgepodge group of individuals who are oftentimes unidentifiable.
3.) We have a genuinely broad coalition and the support of the international community.
4.) Winnability - The rebels are regaining ground and will be able to oust Gaddafi themselves, provided that he cannot kill them all with airplanes and missiles. Prior to our military action, Gaddafi’s army was advancing. Now they are on the run.
5.) If Gaddafi is allowed to beat/rape/kill his way back into power it sends the signal to other governments in the region that one will not be punished for maintaining control over the people this way. As the people of the world stand up for their human rights, we must send the opposite message; that if you attempt to hang onto power by executing those who dissent to your policies, you will be brought to justice.
6.) The people of Libya deserve the same rights and freedoms as the people of Egypt and Tunisia (who neighbor Libya geographically).
7.) If the people of Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia take control of their respective countries, there will be a continuous block of three grassroots democracies in the middle east, which will advance the cause of peace and justice in the region over the long term.
As John F. Kennedy once said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
~Tanner Spracklen
