Liberal Commander Kristof in the NY Times: Send SWAT Team to Seize Col. Qaddafi
Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist, newly minted war-monger. On March 24 the Iraq war dove claimed the U.S. was being welcomed as liberators in Libya. On Sunday he applauded what the column’s text box admitted was “our inconsistent intervention in Libya,” headlined with a bleeding-heart plea: “Is It Better to Save No One?” He even called for "a SWAT team of Libyans and coalition forces" to swoop down and seize Qaddafi for trial in The Hague.
Critics from left and right are jumping all over President Obama for his Libyan intervention, arguing that we don’t have an exit plan, that he hasn’t articulated a grand strategy, that our objectives are fuzzy, that Islamists could gain strength. And those critics are all right.
But let’s back up a moment and recognize a larger point: Mr. Obama and other world leaders did something truly extraordinary, wonderful and rare: they ordered a humanitarian intervention that saved thousands of lives and that even Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s closest aides seem to think will lead to his ouster.
Would Qaddafi have followed through on his threat of a massacre in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi? We can't know for certain. But Kristof, who consistently opposed the U.S. intervention in Iraq, which ended the rule of a despot responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of people, has suddenly become quite impressed with shifting government arguments on the necessity of intervening to stop humanitarian crises.
The International Criminal Court is investigating Colonel Qaddafi, with an indictment possible as soon as next month. It would be a fine step toward ending global impunity for atrocities if a SWAT team of Libyans and coalition forces swooped down one day and seized Colonel Qaddafi to face trial in The Hague. It’s the kind of thing that no one can predict, but it’s an ending that would leave this Libyan incursion remembered not only for the lives it saved, but also as a milestone in the history of humanitarianism.
National Review’s Greg Pollowitz said he looks forward “to General Kristof’s next column on just how we can actually accomplish this snatch-and-grab.”
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Comments
Send a SWAT team? Nice idea. Not!
Submitted by JLin on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 9:52am.
What a total dork. Yes please send a "SWAT" team, but only if you want to witness a combined Bill Clinton Somalia and Jimmy Carter Iran cluster-f*uck operation. Moron.
(Whisper) Pssst, hey, Nick!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 9:54am.
Didn't you get the email? We're not supposed to mention Libya now.
We have a President to re-elect, so no more Libya talk, Ok? I'll tell you why later. If Qaddafi ends up dead we will celebrate the mighty Obama, but until that happens, cool it, man.
LOL - Can you say suicide mission?
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 9:57am.
What a moron.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
A SWAT Team?
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:19am.
This idiot watches too much TV.
And for his information, the British SAS has been on the ground since Bombing Day - (minus) 3 weeks. Who do these idiots think was lasing targets, eh?
They do the old snatch & grab as well as any specops troops in the world (they probably invented it).
Who dares, wins. Something O might consider (BUDGET), as he slinks away from his leadership position, yet again.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Definitely something in the kool aid
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 9:59am.
There's something in the kool aid all right, this kind of idiocy doesn't happen naturally, does it?
-Jon
Why Not Get a Court Order?
Submitted by libBuster on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:01am.
Why not do one of the left's favorite things and get a Court order? Judge Maryanne Sumi of Wisconsin is probably available to issue such an order. After all she overturned the Wisconsin collective bargaining law. She can do most anything.
If not I am sure he can find some Federal District Court judge willling to use her commission to order Khadafi to leave Libya.
Tripe
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:13am.
Just like Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, Kristof is projecting to put a smiley face on the latest Obama blunder.
Once the White House framed the intervention as "humanitarian" and the MSM took up the chorus, it provides them with cover to apply any violence they want without Congressional authority.
Kristof is a fine example of the hypocrisy in the MSM.
I'm surprised he didn't call for Jack Bauer to be sent in for
Submitted by virginia republican on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:33am.
the operation he proposes. Kristof's tactical military expertise is based on watching too much television and movies. Hey, here's an idea: why not send in Angelina Jolie? She did a great job in "Salt". Maybe add Milla Jovovich of Resident Evil fame.
Naa, VR.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:38am.
The Unit would do a much better job, and someone's wife would get laid in the same hour!
Yeah, Nicky! You can lead the mission!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:35am.
"arguing that we don’t have an exit plan"
An "exit plan?" Hell, Bambi didn't even have an ENTRY PLAN!
We're as helpful as the kid who wants to help, so he kicks over a wasp nest and runs like the devil while all the other kids stand around and get stung. Oh, we saved some lives all right. We just pissed Mo Mo off, so when we have all disappeared from the scene, he will just crush people.
NOTE TO LIBYAN REBELS: Dear friends. You are now learning what it is like to have European Socialist countries, and the chick-a-fied Wussie States of America on your side. The French have tanks that only run in reverse, airplanes that have the landing gear welded in the down position because they don't plan on staying airborne more than a couple of minutes, and troops that can say "I surrender" in every language on the planet.
Sad part is, the French are the bravest member of NATO nowadays!
We apologize for getting your hopes up, but our President has to get on with his reelection now. Throwing you under the camel and the armed Toyotas is all he needed to round out his "war credentials" so no need to finish it.
Good luck. Just like us, you're gonna need it.
Citizens of the USSA.
Intellectual Idots
Submitted by Utherpend on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:03am.
This idot reminds me of college professors and politicians who know nothing of how things work but expect others to fill in the details.
Kristof apparently doesn't
Submitted by dscott on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:22am.
Kristof apparently doesn't consider the implications of what he is saying. Even Odumbo knew he couldn't do that. Once you show it's ok to capture or kill the leader of another country to impose your agenda you set the precedent for others to do it too. This is why Obama won't authorize the assassination of Qadhafi, because at that point he, Obama is fair game by every country on the planet who has an axe to grind with the US. As impressive as the Secret Service is in protecting a president, they can't possibly have a 100% track record as history demonstrates over and over again.
As tempting as it might be to bump off or arrest thugs like Castro, Chavez and Dear Leader (DPRK) to name of few, this would also open the door to the Russians and Chinese to do the same with leaders who oppose their agenda. Are you prepared for that kind of chess game? No, I thought not Kristof you ignorant lib.
T.W.I.T -----
Submitted by Pilgrim1949 on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:39am.
Brilliant idea, coming from a proud card-carrying member of Densa (inverse universe counterpart to Mensa).
So now he's totally out of the closet as the Commander and Founding member of the T.W.I.T. team!
Totally Weird Incomprehensible Tactics
I suppose he and that oh-so-charming Congress Critter will put a plate of fruit on their heads and volunteer to read the Dear Colonel his Carmen Miranda Rights?
That calls for some Libyan Oil of Ole!
"Ye canne change the laws of physics....." but some politicians believe that with the right legislation you can pretend they don't really apply to your own pet projects...
Nicholas Kristof = incredibly
Submitted by Beukeboom on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 12:03pm.
Nicholas Kristof = incredibly dumb
Does Nicky want to send in Jack Bauer, too?
Just another illustration of why the NYT is deep in the crapper.
Oh, Man
Submitted by justbob223 on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 3:48pm.
This guy has been watching too many TV shows.
This is just one of the libs'
Submitted by Rowane on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 5:31pm.
This is just one of the libs' main misconceptions, that America is the world's police force. The nimrods don't seem to understand the difference in police and military.
You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything. (Aaron Tippin)
They Say Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder.
Submitted by Avitar on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 11:00pm.
I do not think that there is any question now that whatever Liberalism is it indistinguishable from a mental disease. Stupid can only take you so far. This suggestion calls for Hospitalization. Delusions this profound poses a danger to the person and those around.