51 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 47 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 3/29/11

Why Obama's right on Libya but Bush was wrong on Iraq

By       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   25 comments
Message Don Williams
Become a Fan
  (2 fans)

Having said that, I worry about the war in Libya.

I wonder whether President Obama sought to "dialogue" with Gaddafi, and if he did, just what was said. Isn't it possible we could've bought Gaddafi off with the right combination of threats and bribes, for the cost of, say, a dozen cruise missiles? Lives might've been saved. I'll walk this far with Dennis Kucinich. We need a Department of Peace to study creative alternatives to war, a department with a broader perspective, even, than the State Department.

I worry about the president's assertion of authority to launch military action without express Congressional approval, just as  I worry about the precedent he's setting. What will we do if power elites in Syria or Bahrain threaten to do what Gaddafi threatened?

Obama gave a good speech--and while I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt in Libya--his position falls short of setting forth an Obama Doctrine, and that's what's needed. Maybe it's time to help pro-Democracy youth throughout the Middle East throw off their chains.

Just maybe. It's an idea fraught with peril and moral hazard. Obama is right to tiptoe up to such perilous waters and take a good, deep look before diving.

More soon.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 1   Well Said 1   Funny 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Don Williams Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Don Williams is a prize-winning columnist, short story writer, freelancer, and the founding editor and publisher of New Millennium Writings, an annual anthology of literary stories, essays and poems. His awards include a National Endowment for the (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

A word about Easter Island and other calamitous feedback loops

Atoms for War, Atoms for Peace: Only Japan knows both sides of nuclear coin

McCain's heroic story isn't the whole story; questions need asking

Obama at Ground Zero--How Executing Osama bin Laden Brutalized Us All

Biden wins debate, yet MSM insists on calling it a tie

Why Obama's right on Libya but Bush was wrong on Iraq

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend