Nimrod K. in Uganda writes:

who does Gaddaf think he is,why use state power to silence the interests of his countrymen and women of wanting freedom,can't he now do the least he is expected to do '' RESIGN '' and let Libyans enjoy some freedom finally. or the international community please come to Libyans rescue and help to stop Gadaff from all this his madness. thank you.

Posted on Thu Mar 10, 2011

Char in Washington writes:

Intervention by world powers on behalf of saving lives and stopping the carnage in Libya is necessary from a human rights perspective. Qaddafi has shown excessive instability and inhumane treatment toward his own people. It's time for him to go.

Posted on Thu Feb 24, 2011

José R. in Spain writes:

The whole Egyptian army was against the use of force against civilians. They have the power now, supported by their own people. It could work for a beginning. ¿Who knows anyone that could have the same role in Libya? It seems hard to find. This is where the American and European diplomacies have to work.

Posted on Wed Feb 23, 2011

Russell in the U.S.A. writes:

Now that "we have received multiple credible reports that hundreds of people have been killed and injured in several days of unrest" I fear the time for words of strong condemnation has ended. Ghadaffi has responded to those words with a merciless military strike on his own civilians. In my opinion, any "leader" that would slaughter his/her own people to maintain power is no leader at all. If for no other reason than to preserve human life some action needs to be taken. By no means should we repeat the Iraq approach. However, we should appeal to the international community and move as one. Ghaddafi only understands action as he has adamantly turned a deaf ear to diplomacy. The Libyan people, like so many others (Yemen, Bharain, Ivory Coast, etc), deserve better than what they are experiencing now.

Posted on Wed Feb 23, 2011

Chris B. in Maryland writes:

It's not enough to condemn and deplore violation. The United States and other superpowers, the UN, the European Union, the International Criminal Court should make it clear that those responsible for those atrocities against unarmed, impoverished and weakened populations claiming their rights under decades old, oppressive and repressive dictators in Libya, Gabon, Bahrain, Yemen, Algeria, and soon Cameroon (which is preparing for major protest), would be arrested and prosecuted if the crushing do not stop. The world needs to set new precedents to detract the rise and reign of dictators. How many more killing we must witness or tolerate by these sons of anarchy before we do something about this old problem. It's a fallacy that our national interest often interfere with this worthy cause, the contrary is much plausible.

Posted on Tue Feb 22, 2011

Anatoliy in the Ukraine writes:

Every people have, in accordance with the preamble of Universal Declaration of human rights, right on rebelling against tyranny and oppression. And every leader must by it consider, otherwise he dooms itself on a contempt and court of own people. And will not envy to the that dictator, who ignores with opinion people . In Ukraine position differs nothing from position in the Arabic countries, but the Ukrainian people too patient, but will come and turn and for our people to rise in revolt from the superhuman terms of life. I believe in it.

Posted on Tue Feb 22, 2011

Eric in New Mexico writes:

Aloraimi in Oman, Steven J. in Oregon, and Joseph M. in Oregon have inspired a "what if?" thought on how to resolve a few things.

Seems both Ghaddafi and the Israelis have public diplomacy problems, for different reasons, and now I think I've found a complimentary solution.

See, if the Isrealis cratered those military runways in Lybia to create a virtual no-fly zone and support freedom and democracy for Muslims in helping remove Ghaddafi, I bet that would send more shock waves through the Muslim population of the region than even all the unrest going on in it presently combined.

Like that would be the last thing folks would expect, right?

Right, so that's why the Israelis should probably go for it.

Somebody's got to.

Stands to put them in a whole different light on the Arab street. For once the Israeli gov. will have actually become liberators rather than retaining their rep. in the region as oppressors.

Plus they get to make Iran nervous while they get to earn kudo's among a lot of folks that don't trust them at present, so what's not to like about that if you're the leader of Israel?

A little shock and awe might just go a long way to establishing the trust needed for a restart of one on one talks as called for.

If an attitude adjustment is called for, then I think there's a way to make that happen.

I bet the Egyptian military would allow overflight of their territory if asked for the above purpose.

I suppose we could do it if no one else will, but the Israelis are closer.

Posted on Tue Feb 22, 2011

Sal in Maryland writes:

Please act now to help the people of Libya. The people are being killed in the name of freedom. The US must rally with the UN and others to pressure the government to stop or face extreme measures. This is completely unacceptable.

Posted on Tue Feb 22, 2011

Eric in New Mexico writes:

Crater a few military runways and tell the Lybian airforce to go home and take care of their mothers?

There's an idea...get you a "no-fly" zone for about a month that way, easy. If there's anything left for them to fly after that, more precicely.

The question is will their mothers let them back in the house after bombing the people?

I think it's all but a moot point, Ghadaffi will likely endure the same fate as Mussolini at the hands of his people, for his crimes committed upon them.

And he'll have only himself to blame if he be hung on a meathook like a side of beef.

Maybe once a terrorist, always a terrorist?

Like serial killers I guess, sometimes they take a break for a few years and then go back at it.

Well I remember telling a fellow dipnote blogger awhile back that there was a lot of mental illness on the world stage.

I guess I don't need anyone to second that opinion as it's patently obvious that the criminally insane are doing their thing.

@ PJ Crowley, Assist Sec. of State- Public Affairs

How about we just put a screeching halt to it PJ? Talkin's not doing, and the other guy ain't listening, so let's all get busy as democracies on this planet and tap dance on Ghaddafi's head...might wake the boy up.

Or we could simply have him for batting practice at spring training this year courtesy of the entire RED SOX NATION.

I mean with all due respect for life, limb and property and all...words alone, I don't think will cut it when you need a scalple to perform the lobotomy.

See, this is a another real good example of why the world can no longer afford to put up with tyrants and dictators for another second.

And I would suggest to you without speculation sir, that "the war on terror" has actually entered a new universal understanding thereby.

Looks like the people are winning, but at a very high price.

EJ

Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011

Joseph M. in Oregon writes:

@ Steven J.,

I've been busy writing my graduate thesis, but I feel compelled in addressing the recent U.S. delegation's "veto" at the U.N. general assembly. I couldn't agree with you (Steven J.) more on the U.S. recent veto for not "condemning the continuation of settlements in Eastern Jerusalem". I am absolutely appalled by the U.S. vote and subsequent veto and with the fact that the U.S. seemingly, is not able to go along with the EU and the rest of the international community on condemning, Israeli's repeated efforts in ignoring the expansion of Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem. The Israeli's do not want a meaningful two-state solution and peace agreement with the Palestinians, this has been clear during the past decade by their actions.

The U.S. veto and vote sends the "wrong message to the international community", it is contradictory and is certainly counter-productive in enhancing any hope for a future, agreement between the two parties. I am disheartened by the U.S. veto and appalled by the notion that there seems to be a different standard when we engage the Israeli's, when we address their policies, and our lack of assuming a firmer stance with the Israeli's lack of cooperation in the region.

Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011

Joseph M. in Oregon writes:

Once again, once a autocratic, authoritarian ruler, initiates the random killing of their own people, my guess would be that they will not survive as a ruler and "yes, they've lost their grip and any future prospect for remaining in authority as a longstanding dictator". There are some key differences with respect to Libya; Libya is strategically important to the international community due to its high yielding oil production and unlike Tunisia and Egypt, the Libyan regime seeks in choosing violence and would rather kill their population, instead of adhering to stepping down. I heard Qaddafi's son, quote the following this morning, broadcasted by BBC World News, when asked if they are considering engaging with the demonstrators seeking reforms--suggesting that the Libyan government would seek further confrontation, by stating: "if it takes every last bullet, in reference to stopping the demonstrators, they literally would rather kill the Libyan people". So much for the concept of human rights, rule of law and seeking any hope for democratic reforms for change! An absolute mess. I'd like to see the EU place greater pressure, in asking the Libyan government in stepping down, they should be indicted by the International War Tribunal for "crimes against humanity".

Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011

Steven J. in Oregon writes:

The US veto in the Security Council which prevented sanctioning of Israel's settlement policy is especially tragic in this time of risk and opportunity in the Arab world. We should reschedule a softer condemnation vote, but one with some real sanctions ASAP.

As despotic regimes are driven out of office the main alternatives will be fragmented tribal governments, new despots, fundamentalists or a genuine representative government. We have no "street cred" as a real friend of the people after the last 3 wars and obvious siding with Israel, which has unfortunately become a litmus test of support for Muslims.

I am not for throwing Israel to the wolves, but we have become codependent supporters of a string of right wing governments that just wants to postpone the issue, and creates facts on the ground by taking land. Sharon got to power by triggering a second round of Palestinian protests by visiting and threatening the Dome of the Rock Mosque. Both extremes know how to claim the headlines and make fears of the opposition the prominent topic in politics. We should not join the escalation of this feud, and need to push a realistic acceptance of coexistence.

Hamas became powerful because the Palestinian Authority was not able to deliver on any viable state. Hezbollah now dominates the Lebanese government from opposition to the last few Israeli invasions. People who witnessed grossly disproportional death and destruction will sympathize with attacks against their invaders and ignore the organization’s other practices. That was the hour that mattered for the Lebanese and we lost influence. How could the US have stood silent about Israeli bombing as far away as Beirut in a supposed border incursion? This and our silence about widespread civilian casualties in Gaza will be long remembered in the Middle East, as much as Abu Ghraib.

Regarding the settlements, unilateral claims of disputed land with longstanding Palestinian ownership in occupied land has no legal legitimacy. Land, water and human rights can not be divided preferentially based on American politics or power relations. When European democracies unanimously oppose the US on an issue, we should examine our national policies critically and realistically.

Even putting human rights aside, we have seen that high tech weapons are much less valuable than support of the population in guerilla wars. Our society will long be addicted to Middle East oil and we need to anticipate a realistic policy to appeal to people in the Middle East that see history in a different light. They have seen our government and industry support the regimes that opressed them, we need to show we value them as human beings of equal value. We had a chance to push the reset button and blew it. We should find a way to correct this mistake very quickly.

Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011

Aloraimi in Oman writes:

I am in Oman and very shocked to see women, children and inocenste people are fired at from aircraft and heavy guns. I am sening my request to all world people to help stop this massicar, try to enforce no fly zone over, Liya till libyan people capture Gadafi and courmarchal him. Pleas apply no fly zone and shot flying gadafi air force...I ask American, european and middleastren people who has the power to do so..stop killing people in Libya. Please send this message to everyone whom you know.

Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011

Palgye in South Korea writes:

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Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011