Could Libya Be the Next Iraq for the United States?

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I cannot understand why we keep involving ourselves in places where we have no business. Although he was arguably mistruthful didn't LBJ once about Vietnam that "I'm not going to send American boys 10,000 miles away from home to do something Asian boys should be doing."? While I sympathize with those Libyan who want to overthrow Gaddafi, let them do it. If this is a civil War, then let them fight it out. If memory serves, didn't we have a Civil War? President Lincoln certainly didn't want any foreign power involved, although the Confederacy did. What is so different about today. Although the weapons are arguably more lethal, so what. General Sherman said that "war is cruelty, and you cannot refine it."
Europe wants us involved because Libya exports most of her oil there. I think I speak for many Americans when I say that I'm tired of being the world's policeman. We expend far too much money enforcing a Pax Americana that much of the world resents. We send too much money to the U.N. only to have many member states of that organization who do not share our core values use it as a forum to attack and propagandize against us. Note how Germany pulled out of the coalition operation when actual fighting did not suit their tastes. We need to withdraw from NATO and quit fishing around for reasons to make it relevant. Americans have for too long bore an inordinate cost in both blood and treasure in this organization. We do nearly all the fighting and dying while the other member countries perfrom mostly non-combat support operations. NATO accomplished its mission. Europe was spared the Red plague. It's time to bring the boys home.
Pax Americana - we can't afford it, the world does not need or want it - END IT.

Mike of PA 12:00PM March 24, 2011

I bet you weren't singing this song when President Bush was in office and that was my point. We eight 8 years of disgraceful disgusting comments and protest against the President and now that "your" guy, Mr. Hope and Change" is in charge he is not “solely responsible".
Then you tell me to "try educating yourself" maybe it's time to take a look in the mirror.
And for your information the President of the United States is the solely RESPONSIBLE person. Nothing happens without his approval and in the far chance it does then heads should roll, publicly. Just remember that the people around the President serve at the pleasure of the President and he is responsible for their actions, period.
The Buck Stops at the White House.

Larry of CA 10:32AM March 21, 2011

#1 Powell Doctrine. 1. Military action should be used only as a last resort and only if there is a clear risk to national security by the intended target.
As with Iraq, there is no risk to the U.S. from Libya. At least not before we start killing Libyans. Qadaffi might well return to terrorism.
I'm not against war myself, only dumb wars where US interests are not involved.

Luther of LA 2:21AM March 21, 2011

I remember after the 9-11 attacks, I read an article where it stated how upset President Bush was, and how he wanted retaliation. I imagine nearly everyone who lives in America was very upset and anxious. I know I was. But his father, the former President, advised George not to be bellicose, war like.
This continual urge to get drawn into all of these foreign entanglements, which ends up lasting years and years, not months as originally promised, is a significant part of the huge federal deficit. Certainly not all of it, but a large contributing factor.
We need to address very serious problems at home, not running off at every opportunity to engage in yet another war.

Tim B of WA 1:51AM March 20, 2011

Remember that the Iraq II war started with a no fly zone as well. The purpose was to protect Iraqi civilians against Saddam Air Force. All of this was a continuation of the first Iraq war and a prelude to the second.

Joe of PA 1:07AM March 20, 2011

"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy."
Funny, last month, Imadimwacko told Iranians if they protested against his government they would be shot down like dogs - not a peep out of BHO.
I guess we "can stand idly by" if the opponent looks too tough and has nukes.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 6:20PM March 19, 2011

1. gadaffi is producut of a military coup in 1960s.
2. No idiot No retard stays in power for so long..
3. gaddafi is "fox of the desert" kill or be killed.....
4. USA: 3rd war after Afghan War Iraq War Libya War.
4. War/Peace: war has been going for 5000-10000 years... don't this cannot happen again in 2010-2020.

CHARLES DARWIN of NY 12:35PM March 19, 2011

Re the UNs vote in favor of a No Fly Zone over Libya:
If this is so important – if it is so universally important, then let France do it. Sure let the UK, too. But let Italy and Greece and Turkey go.
Not NATO – France and the others of the Mediterranean region. And the question must be asked, “why not them?”
For once, let US stay home. Let France and the Med take care of this.

Michael E Conner of CO 9:30PM March 18, 2011

Just noticed this .... poll from US News & World Report, today
Could Libya be the next Iraq for the United States?
1. 63.74% Yes
2. 36.26% No

Observer of WA 4:57PM March 18, 2011

'If he surrenders peacefully, it is fine, if not force of that magnitude should be used to find him and either catch him or kill him, nothing more. We have not to put our step on Libya's soil but we can achieve this goal by directing the Libyan's army and military personnel who have join with the uprising.' ~ a reader
It is such thoughts as these that are a precursor to war. Wasn't it thinking of exactly this kind of thinking that led to the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan ? (limited involvement, we'll be in and out in little time)
The resources of the United States are not unlimited, witness the current federal budget deficit. Although I do not claim to be a historian, it is my recollection that Great Britain ceased to be the world's strongest nation because of involvements all over the world, with a finite supply of money to fund all of these various enterprises.

Observer of WA 4:53PM March 18, 2011