Joe Klein Hails Obama's Followership on Libya Crisis
Leading the free world is highly overrated and so last century.
Just ask Time's Joe Klein, who is giddy that our European allies and the Arab League took a leading role in setting up a no-fly zone over Libya, some 31 days after Muammar al-Qadhafi started opening fire upon ragtag rebels.
From a March 18 entry entitled "Gaddafi Duck" at the magazine's Swampland blog:
There's been some amazing diplomacy afoot over the past few days regarding multilateral actions to be taken, perhaps, against Libya. The notion that the Arab League came out in favor of a no-fly zone is extraordinary; that the UN Security Council, not an easy place to press military action, has agreed is almost mind-boggling. I remain extremely skeptical about military action, but the unanimity of world opinion--especially the opinion of Gaddafi's neighbors--is certainly a welcome and bracing phenomenon. It will be interesting to see how, and whether, the U.S. participates in the actions to come. It would be a very welcome change if we let those closest to the situation--the Arabs, the Europeans--lead the charge. We don't always have to be lead dog when it comes to kinetic/testosteronic matters, do we?
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Lead, follow or get out of the way
Submitted by MidAmerica on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 4:58pm.
We don't always have to be lead dog when it comes to kinetic/testosteronic matters, do we?
I'm not thoroughly convinced obama has testosterone.
Imagine if a General George Patton had to take orders from a guy who can't make a decision and wears mom jeans:
"Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood. "
MA,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 5:04pm.
If Gerge S. Patton, Jr. were alive today and watching all this, it would kill him.
Part of the responsiblitly of being a world power is earning the respect of most of the rest of the world, and right now, I have a feeling we are beeing laughed at from all quarters.
Obama will go down in history as the invisible president.
I just hope he doesn't take us down with him.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Since you mention that
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 5:51pm.
Since you mention that he'll be the invisible president, here's this headline:
Obama warns Qaddafi to Stop Attacks or Face Consequences
Ooooh I bet he's quaking in his boots and under his umbrella followed by a snicker snort laugh!
-Jon
Hell, ol' Moammar might have
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 12:06am.
Hell, ol' Moammar might have to mail order for some more nice medals to commemorate his bravery in the face of threats from Boy Blunder!!!! And I think we need some reward for having to look at Khaddafi's stupid moustache and beard!!! Maybe if he gets out of there alive, he can get a job selling used cars in Chicago.................however
Submitted by MidAmerica on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 6:23pm.
If somebody doesn't stick some testosterone patches on him pretty quick he may go down in history as our first transgendered president.Watch him cross his
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 12:07am.
Watch him cross his legs................he allready IS!!!!May as well jump in with the obvious---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 6:48pm.
and say that Obama's wife appears to have enough testosterone for the both of them.
Too bad she ain't willing to share.
MD
Atlas shrugged...
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:04pm.
Obama collapsed.
BK
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:51pm.
Turn the lights on!
The classic Greek thing is a bit too much there, fella. Ewwwww.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
go fetch
Submitted by MidAmerica on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:41pm.
As a rural cyclist I have had many occasions to experience dog group behavior. One notable occassion that made me laugh was a classic in dog behavior. I was passing a farm and group of around five dogs came out to confront me. That sounds really bad but you have to quickly decide who is the alpha dog and confront him. The others are taking their cues from him. This time only two dogs actually entered the road, the alpha dog and the beta dog. The beta dog is the packs wannabe leader. The alpha dog confronted me headon while the beta dog was sneaking around behind me. The remainder of the dogs are watching from the yard waiting to get their cues as to what to do. I charge the alpha dog with my bike as a shield. This causes the alpha dog to decide I am too big and aggressive to challenge and backs up. Backing up in dog language is backing down. Once I see a dog back up I know I've got him. However the funny part was that when the alpha dog backed up the yard dogs took off running to the house yelping. Obama is a yard dog.That's a great metaphor, Mid
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:49pm.
Exactly right. He's not even a junkyard dog, he's just a scared member of the pack of yapping mutts.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Excellent, Marine---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:45pm.
and had the globe been a bit more to the right, I still would have recognized that face.
MD
Does the War Powers Act Apply Here?
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:55pm.
I think it does. (I know, I'm citing Wiki...but it seems pretty clear and to the point, to wit:
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 (50 U.S.C. 1541–1548) was a United States Congress joint resolution providing that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if the United States is already under attack or serious threat. The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war. The resolution was passed by two-thirds of Congress, overriding a presidential veto.
So where is the authorization of Congress, since we're not under attack or facing a serious threat from Libya?
As far as I know, Obama has made no mention of formally notifying Congress and asking them to invoke the War Powers Act.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
For small skirmishes a
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 8:16pm.
For small skirmishes a President can and has sent the military and gotten permission later. I think it mostly depends on the action length. The President should have the leeway to send troops anywhere they are required; act of war or not on a moments notice w/o congressional approval.Here's a decent summary and
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 8:38pm.
Here's a decent summary and analysis of War Powers provisions and implications. There is still a lot of gray area.
Jer
Obama sends enough mixed
Submitted by Miss_Me_Yet on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 8:31am.
Obama sends enough mixed signals to confound, by design, even the most astute political observer here in America. I cannot imagine what could be going thru the minds of others around the world, especially the Middle East & Africa concerning his flip flopping or complete lack of engagement.
First he went on his whirlwind " It's OK To Hate America, I hate Her Too " tour upon first entering office. At the same time he gave a mixed message B/S speech to the students of Cairo about " winning the future ".
Now this year when the students take their future destiny and the brutal regimes that have kept them from it for so long head on, the supposed president of the United States of America has for the most part, come out to proclaim their respective leaders must go NOW, then pretty much gone back to his regular schedule of golfing, basketball picks, Motown parties and exotic vacations with the family.
Meanwhile those children made the mistake of taking the feckless liar at his word. While he enjoyed the perks afforded someone who actually is the leader of the free world, they were being murdered in their home or on the street.
President Obama, for his unconscionable actions rather inaction, has the blood of each one of those ordinary citizens turn patriot on his hands.
The kicker is his MIA status over the past three weeks concerning the atrocities taking place against the Libyan people had more to do with not interfering with him and Michelle jetting off to Rio than the B/S, he a deep thinking pragmatist, not George W. Bush.
I bet those poor souls his being such an ineffectual loser contributed to the murder of across the Middle East and Africa, along with those he deliberately leaves in harms way, while he leaves on vacation wished to hell Obama was Bush, rather than hiding behind one.
Liberals ... we can't live with them, they couldn't survive without us ...