Let's support the Libyan rebels.
Ok, in an ideal world, the Italians would never have been allowed to use mustard gas on civilians in Etheopia. In an ideal world, Standard Oil would not have sold Hitler all the oil he needed to invade Poland and then run amok in Europe. In an ideal world, the UK and USA would put ethics before their own economic interests and would never install tyrants like Idi Amiin or Saddam Hussain.
But we don't live in an ideal world. However, if we did, what would happen next in Libya?
Without troops on the ground, wars cannot be won. We bombed Germany into ruins, but it was not until Russians, Yanks, and Brits marched into Berlin and flew their flags that Hitler's people got down to signing the documents for unconditional surrender.
It may be argued that troops on the ground need to occupy Libya, but whose troops? I think that the only fair and just settlement to the Gaddaffi question is that we must let his own people deal with him themselves.
The UK, the US , and even the UN, can send in warplanes to shoot down Gaddaffi's air force, which is currently being used to kill the rebels who want him deposed. We could also attack his tanks and artillery from the air, but we must let - we should let, the Libyans take care of this tyrant for themselves.
We must not invade and set up a western style puppet government to ensure our own interests, but rather support the democratic movement within Libya itself. Gaddaffi has it coming to him. He has sponsored acts of terrorism against the West, from arming and funding the IRA to the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie. It's payback time, and if his own people depose him and put him on trail, don't ask me to speak in his defence.
However, while air strikes against the Gaddaffian troops and shooting down any planes that threaten the rebel advances must begin immediately, it would be wrong for anyone else to march in and take the victory from the rebel forces. Let's assist from the air, but leave our ground forces out of it. Libya must be liberated by the Libyan people, primarily. And we owe it to them to send in the help that they ask for.
But we don't live in an ideal world. However, if we did, what would happen next in Libya?
Without troops on the ground, wars cannot be won. We bombed Germany into ruins, but it was not until Russians, Yanks, and Brits marched into Berlin and flew their flags that Hitler's people got down to signing the documents for unconditional surrender.
It may be argued that troops on the ground need to occupy Libya, but whose troops? I think that the only fair and just settlement to the Gaddaffi question is that we must let his own people deal with him themselves.
The UK, the US , and even the UN, can send in warplanes to shoot down Gaddaffi's air force, which is currently being used to kill the rebels who want him deposed. We could also attack his tanks and artillery from the air, but we must let - we should let, the Libyans take care of this tyrant for themselves.
We must not invade and set up a western style puppet government to ensure our own interests, but rather support the democratic movement within Libya itself. Gaddaffi has it coming to him. He has sponsored acts of terrorism against the West, from arming and funding the IRA to the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie. It's payback time, and if his own people depose him and put him on trail, don't ask me to speak in his defence.
However, while air strikes against the Gaddaffian troops and shooting down any planes that threaten the rebel advances must begin immediately, it would be wrong for anyone else to march in and take the victory from the rebel forces. Let's assist from the air, but leave our ground forces out of it. Libya must be liberated by the Libyan people, primarily. And we owe it to them to send in the help that they ask for.