Topic: Decline of the West
Even more blood, to be precise. Heaven alone knows how many people have already been killed in the revolt against the murderous dictator of Libya, Colonel Muammer Qaddafi. But whatever the number, I’m afraid it’s only a down payment on the butcher's bill for ridding Libya and the world of one of its most repulsive occupants.
For his part, Qaddafi appears determined to go down swinging. Perhaps recognizing that there’s no plausible refuge for him beyond his own country’s borders, the dictator is mobilizing his supporters for a last desperate battle. And though it may be difficult for many in America and Western Europe to grasp, Qaddafi has supporters enough to make a fight of it. Some are the accomplices of his crimes, who know that summary punishment awaits them if the tyrant falls. Others are his tribal comrades. Still others—including the African mercenaries he has imported—are simply in it for the money. Together, these cohorts of supporters command enough military power to guarantee a bloodbath.
Of course, a bloodbath could be averted if the so-called international community would only bestir itself. America and Western Europe together possess sufficient military power to tip the balance decisively against Qaddafi at a far smaller cost in human lives. But what am I thinking? The international community is, as always, quite incapable of decisive action. Today, economic sanctions were imposed on the Qaddafi regime. Oh, and it appears possible that Libya will lose its seat on the UN Human Rights Council! Could there be a greater insult to the Libyan people at this moment of their nation’s greatest trial?
I’d be willing to entertain the argument that Realpolitik dictates against intervention in Libya. But I just can’t stand the pious hypocrisy of people like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, the denizens of the UN, the mandarins of the EU and the rest of that crew, gathered in Geneva to tut-tut over Colonel Qaddafi’s unacceptable behavior. Either do something, ladies and gentlemen, or just shut up!
