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Libya - Gaddafi views himself as a martyr

#21
Well, mods will decide if the thread violates OT rules for some reason, but from what I've seen there's a distinction between talking about current events in the world that have something to do with politics and "political discussion" in the sense of advocacy of a particular position, policy, or party. I haven't noticed that we've had to steer clear of posting about events in Egypt or anything.

Libya is going to be a very interesting case because, as Qaddafi's son said in his broadcast it's "not Egypt." Qaddafi makes Mubarak look like Mother Teresa. The question is whether the movement for more freedom in the Middle East has the determination to press forward in the face of a government with no qualms about massacring protesters, and whether what you'll get is another toppling dictatorship or a protracted civil war.

I don't think it's out of line to say that I, and I think the whole free world, are rooting for the protesters on this one.
 
#22
hrodbert696 said:
Qaddafi makes Mubarak look like Mother Teresa.
Click to expand...

Refresh my memory, this is the same guy that was a huge pita to the USA for a LOOONG time. Then, Regan finally had a butt full of him and from 10,000 miles away ran a cruise missile through his living room window and hit one of his kids right in the back of the head. And he sat down and STFU and hasn't said squat since? Is that the guy?

He like every school yard bully is a nutless coward. He'll be an issue as long as he thinks he can get away with it. Once the heat get's turned up, he'll take his 200 billion in stolen money and move to wherever he can find that will allow him to dig a hole and hide. The sooner, the better.

IMHO YMMV
 
#23
Relic said:
Bahrain, Libya, Yemen.... people are rising up and demanding a better life - I sincerely hope they get it, and may it be free of despots and religious nutjobs.
Click to expand...

Bahrain's a little different from the others and the issues are not the same. It's more complex and the crown prince is actually pretty cool guy that's more progressive. He's the one that called off the military and the police and wants to engage in a meaningful dialogue. If there's one guy in the Gulf that sees the future for what is evolving, it's going to be him. He's not unlike King Abdullah of Jordan.

The want for a better life is not unique to the Middle East. Bahrain used to be a much worse place before the emir died in 2000. (Google Butcher of Bahrain). When the current king's father died in 2000, his son released all kinds of prisoners and told Bahraini's living in exile to come home, which many did. He introduced a charter of rights. He's allowed elections.

Issues between ruling sunni's and the majority of Bahraini's, shiite, have been a bone of contention for many many years.

The US govt is challenged to take a position here as the US 5th fleet is headquartered there.

(BTW...the base was a great source of gig income for me for two years. $1200 between five guys, playing between 6pm and 8pm with a backline supplied!)

Bahrain is a great country and very very safe for foreigners. The locals are friendly. Many of the working population under 40 have university educations from the US and UK. It is not Saudi or Yemen.

It's truly unfortunate that the region gets such a bad rap. It's a fascinating culture. I hope the issues of today work out for the best.
 
#24
I'm going to take my chances and "take a position on this one". Gadaffi is a Animal, and that is about as non-graphic as I can be about a man who considers blowing up civilian Aircraft and Night clubs as acts of diplomacy. And what he is doing to his own people is nothing short of genocide.

If you have any doubts look at this link. WARNING it is VERY graphic and not suitable for kids or dinner

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#26
burk48237 said:
I'm going to take my chances and "take a position on this one". Gadaffi is a Animal, and that is about as non-graphic as I can be about a man who considers blowing up civilian Aircraft and Night clubs as acts of diplomacy. And what he is doing to his own people is nothing short of genocide.

If you have any doubts look at this link. WARNING it is VERY graphic and not suitable for kids or dinner

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Yep. Those images say it all.
 
#28
burk48237 said:
I'm going to take my chances and "take a position on this one". Gadaffi is a Animal, and that is about as non-graphic as I can be about a man who considers blowing up civilian Aircraft and Night clubs as acts of diplomacy. And what he is doing to his own people is nothing short of genocide.

If you have any doubts look at this link. WARNING it is VERY graphic and not suitable for kids or dinner

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

I can't look at those pictures but I read accounts of these more recent victims yesterday. :mad:
 
#30
IMHO, Libya and the rest of the world will be a far better place when somebody puts a bullet in Qaddafi's brain. For the sake of the people in the streets there, I hope it's sooner.
But I also have to say that all this unrest over there is going to lead to higher gas prices at a time when our economy can least afford it. Don't be too surprised when gas hits $4.00 and more a gallon.
)-(
 
#32
sandmangeck said:
I'm so sick of the gas going up! Can't those people just starve, and be under educated there in silence.......;)
Click to expand...

I think if you saw the pics and video linked by Burk you'll see that these people are actually putting their lives on the line for change. Over 200 people have been shot and torn apart by hollow point bullets and helicopter gunships. This includes children and one of those videos is of a dead baby. Yet they're still protesting. Personally, I think this is way more important than the cost of gas.

Just saying. I know you were trying to make light of the situation, but I just can't bring myself to laugh about this.
 
#36
The current crisis in Libya is mind numbing. But if it hadn't been for one man, it may have been a lot worse. Thank you Doc Brown for scamming the Libyans out of plutonium with a box of used pinball parts.
 
#37
MakiSupaStar said:
I think if you saw the pics and video linked by Burk you'll see that these people are actually putting their lives on the line for change. Over 200 people have been shot and torn apart by hollow point bullets and helicopter gunships. This includes children and one of those videos is of a dead baby. Yet they're still protesting. Personally, I think this is way more important than the cost of gas.

Just saying. I know you were trying to make light of the situation, but I just can't bring myself to laugh about this.
Click to expand...

I heard on the news tonight that Qaddafi was having soldiers burned alive who refused to fire on the protesters... That's some sick sh*# from a very de-ranged individual. )-(
 
#38
bmc said:
Bahrain's a little different from the others and the issues are not the same. It's more complex and the crown prince is actually pretty cool guy that's more progressive. He's the one that called off the military and the police and wants to engage in a meaningful dialogue. If there's one guy in the Gulf that sees the future for what is evolving, it's going to be him. He's not unlike King Abdullah of Jordan.

The want for a better life is not unique to the Middle East. Bahrain used to be a much worse place before the emir died in 2000. (Google Butcher of Bahrain). When the current king's father died in 2000, his son released all kinds of prisoners and told Bahraini's living in exile to come home, which many did. He introduced a charter of rights. He's allowed elections.

Issues between ruling sunni's and the majority of Bahraini's, shiite, have been a bone of contention for many many years.

The US govt is challenged to take a position here as the US 5th fleet is headquartered there.

(BTW...the base was a great source of gig income for me for two years. $1200 between five guys, playing between 6pm and 8pm with a backline supplied!)

Bahrain is a great country and very very safe for foreigners. The locals are friendly. Many of the working population under 40 have university educations from the US and UK. It is not Saudi or Yemen.

It's truly unfortunate that the region gets such a bad rap. It's a fascinating culture. I hope the issues of today work out for the best.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, much appreciated. What I had read regarding what was going on in Bahrain made it sound a bit worse than that - but from past experience I know that you and I agree on the state of journalism these days... what I read was probably a bit of sensationalism thrown in for effect. I'm glad that it's not so bad there. I just hope the others in the Middle East and (sub-Saharan) Africa (there are similar protests going on in a few African nations as well that seem to be falling under the radar) get the freedom and prosperity they deserve. I'm skeptical about it no doubt, but who knows...
 

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