Comments on: Obama Administration Official Splashes Cold Water on No Fly Zone Proposal Over Libya

By: jane

jane — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:31 +0000

“Iraq still has its oil resources and freely sells it. If Iraq was about their oil, why doesn’t the US have any oil contracts with Iraq?”
Of course, Iraq still has its oil resources like any other oil producing region. FYI, Exxon-Mobil has contracts with Iraq. KBR and Haliburton are involved in the rebuilding of its infrastructure, which is in keeping with Cheney’s goal of the oil revenue paying for its reconstruction and the state department’s imperative from as early as 2002 to privatize their formerly nationalized oil fields. It’s undeniable that Iraq’s resources were a highly decisive factor in the invasion, rather than non-existent WMD and taking down Saddam at the cost of over a million Iraqi lives and thousands of American lives and injuries. No doubt Haliburton/KBR is ripping off the Iraqi government like it did/does the American taxpayers.
BTW, most large oil and gas companies are international nowadays like BP or BRITISH Petroleum, who are closely aligned with US interests.

By: justj joey

justj joey — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:27:28 +0000

Who is this guy anyway? I guess those aren’t Russian built airplanes killing those poor freedom lovers, are they. Keep these people off the airwaves….you know, like our President, unless it is a trivial saving of the turkey or picking the winning Bowl Team.

By: talmag

talmag — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:34:22 +0000

.I think this president is doing the right thing holding back until Nato gets involved. We could be called aggressors and we did not step in on the other riots for freedom except to offer verbal support and for now that is enough. Besides, the expense is astronomical and his advisors like Gates says it is not something we should do. Why have advisors if you do not listen? Also..once we get in…how do we get out? Do we just walk away after a few weeks or what? Too many variables and we need to step back and wait because if we go in alone..Nato could recall us and other nations would consider us the aggressor. There will be many episodes of countries fighting against tyranny and oppression and we cannot nor should we get involved. It is up to the people.

By: Sigmonde

Sigmonde — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:12:44 +0000

“Libya’s oil resources are no more incidental to the intervention than Iraq’s were. ”
Iraq still has its oil resources and freely sells it. If Iraq was about their oil, why doesn’t the US have any oil contracts with Iraq?

By: kottaras

kottaras — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:16:46 +0000

A no-fly zone is not the only option. Eliminating Gadhafi’s ammunition stocks and even getting to him would help. Offer a reward perhaps!

By: jane

jane — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:46:04 +0000

The colonists either sought help from France or it was offered, though not for humanitarian or ideological reasons. At that point in history, an enemy of England was probably a friend of France.
There was also an official consensus on accepting help. That hasn’t emerged yet in the crisis, but it may be a matter of time through the Arab League and/or the African Union.
I don’t believe humanitarian concerns are guiding many of the US based concerns for a no-fly zone. For one, it’s an attack on the infrastructure that would produce significant civilian casualties. Libya’s oil resources are no more incidental to the intervention than Iraq’s were.

By: tanarg

tanarg — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:20:37 +0000

It is unconscionable to withhold help from the Libyans who are begging for our help in establishing a no-fly zone. They don’t want our boots on the ground, but they do want our help. Here we have all the evidence we need that innocent Libyans are being massacred and we stand by and do nothing. It is a disgrace for us to sit idly by like this. Great shame is upon you, Mr. Obama.

By: Sigmonde

Sigmonde — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:52:39 +0000

“Do you think the colonists wanted unsolicited help that would seek to control them and their resources?”
The colonists sought help from France. The Libyan rebels seeking help from the US or others is no different.. If you are implying the US would control Libyans and their resources, how would that happen?

By: Flash Override

Flash Override — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:40:40 +0000

“Creating no-fly zones” is what we are euphemistically calling declaring war on Libya.
The real debate is are we going to declare war on Libya or not, and stating it that clearly tends to help people make more rational decisions rather than blow hot air.

By: Nephron

Nephron — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:04:33 +0000

Jane,there is an opening at NPR.