As far as your humanitarian question, how many lives have been saved... that's the weird one for me. I heard Ghaddafi's threat as one against the rebels, not just a promise of mindless innocent slaughter
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360595/Gaddafi-threatens-burn-Libya-protesters-cease.htmlGaddafi's last stand: Embattled leader threatens to 'burn all of Libya' if protesters do not cease in their bid to overthrow him
Former Libyan diplomat warns thousands will die in the next 24 hours Prospect of setting up a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi bombing protesters
Thousands defy shoot-on-sight warning at Green Square protest
U.S. imposes sanctions on Libya and cuts diplomatic ties
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has threatened to 'burn all of Libya' if the citizens do not cease protests against him. In a surprise televised appearance, Gaddafi warned he was ready to unleash further bloodshed and urged his followers: 'Prepare to defend Libya.'
He told loyalists in Tripoli's Green Square that 'we will defeat any outside attempt to overturn our country', and bizarrely added: 'Libyan people love me.'
He was attempting to stage a dramatic last attempt to cling on to power as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Libya.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8399788/Libya-innocents-still-being-attacked-says-US-forces-chief.htmlAdml Samuel Locklear, who has joint responsibility for enforcing the no-fly zone, said that, according to US intelligence, Gaddafi had launched attacks on the rebel-held western city of Misurata, where four children were reportedly killed by shelling yesterday.
“It’s my judgment that, despite our success, Gaddafi and his forces are not yet complying with the UN resolution due to the continued aggressive actions his forces have taken against the civilian population of Libya,” he said.
His comments followed reports that Misurata was under siege by Gaddafi’s forces. Tanks and snipers have been deployed to the city centre, killing more than 40 people and injuring 300.
Doctors described desperate scenes as hospitals struggled to cope with the number of injured. Surgeons were forced to operate on bullet and shrapnel wounds in hospital corridors because of a lack of space
I'm trying to think which one of those lines you wrote you might be correct on...
As far as NeoCons go, Obama is now one of them.
The debate over going in to Iraq lasted a year. It was a debate with the public, in the media, and with both houses of Congress. There UN resolutions, Use of Force approved by the Congress, a national interest at stake (whether you think it's a "lie" or not) and overwhelming public support.
"Overwhelming public support"? Based on a lie...
"UN"?
http://www.democracynow.org/2002/10/11/congress_gives_bush_unilateral_power_toCongress Gives Bush Unilateral Power to Invade Iraq Without UN Approval Or Congress Notice: House Members Dennis Kucinich & Barbara Lee Try to Delay the VoteShare As the Iraqis hunker down for an invasion, the U.S. Congress has voted to give President Bush the power to unilaterally attack Iraq. Just before the House took its roll call vote a protester cried out. Minutes later Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio tried to have the vote delayed by putting forward an amendment to send the resolution back to committee. Several Congress members including California’s Barbara Lee supported him. Kucinich’s amendment was defeated. The House then voted 296-133 to give President Bush the power to unilaterally invade Iraq.http://www.opednews.com/Poll/Did-Bush-Comply-With-The--by-Gene-Cappa-080809-311.htmlDid Bush Comply With "Authorization to Use Military Force"?
As hard as he tried, twice or more and failed, Bush could NOT get the United Nations Security Council to approve his invasion of Iraq.
The United Nations Charter "prohibits the use of military force against any member nation without the approval of the Security Council", but lacking the required authorization, Bush decided to attack Iraq asserting that Congress gave him the authorization to do so by approving House Joint Resolution 114, the "Authorization to Use Military Force".
However, a closer look at the Resolution reveals that Bush did NOT COMPLY with the "most critical WHEREAS clauses" CLICK HERE
http://www.impeachbush.tv/args/noiraqauthority.html "Basically Bush tricked Congress into signing HJR114 by fraudulent means which negated his authority to invade Iraq.
Violation of Requirement for Determination
Bush also violated several terms of the resolution. The first violation relates to Section 3(b), which states:
"In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall ... make available ... his determination that—
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq;"
If Bush had told the truth about Iraq then he would have said Iraq did not pose a threat to America. In that case "diplomatic or other peaceful means" would have given us adequate protection.
