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Kucinich's Lonely Fight Against Obama's Libya War
Sometimes it seems like Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is carrying the ball all by himself in criticizing President Obama’s misguided war in Libya.
Earlier this week, Kucinich warned that Obama was “prolonging a civil war” in Libya by aiding “mysterious ‘rebels’” who rejected an African Union plan for a ceasefire and negotiations. Here’s an excerpt from the congressman’s statement:
"It’s easy for the rebels to reject a peace proposal: The US is spending more money on this war than any other nation. The cost of the war has reportedly passed $600 million and there is no end in sight. The mysterious ‘rebels,’ who by themselves have been unable to force Gaddafi to terms, want the US/NATO to hand over control of Libya to them—this even though they have not been able to demonstrate broad-based public support throughout the country. It is understandable the rebels would demand regime change. That’s the Obama Administration position.
“In the past week the Administration has rejected a communication from Gaddafi which sought to end the war and to bring about a peaceful agreement. The Administration today asserts that it has not read the African Union’s plan to bring about a peaceful agreement; nevertheless, Secretary Clinton continues to call for regime change. If regime change is the price of peace there will be no peace in Libya, and consequently, millions of innocent civilians will be caught up in the middle of an intensifying civil war.
“Humanitarian intervention has quickly given way to covert operations, regime change, and unending civil war. The US/NATO have taken sides in a manner that puts politics ahead of protecting civilians and undermines the argument that the United States and NATO attacked Libya to avert a humanitarian disaster. It is beginning to appear that the potential of a massacre was not a justification for action, it was pretext.
“We’re now prolonging a civil war. We are putting civilians at risk: Regime change, providing extraordinary air combat assistance, rejecting peace plans, assisting in rebels gaining control over oil resources, continuing covert operations, consideration of arming the rebels, all adds up to more innocent people getting killed.”
And Kucinich sent a letter to the secretary-general of the United Nations warning that the UK and France, in particularly, were trying to expand then UN mandate to include forcible regime change:
“It is imperative the UN remind France and Britain that regime change is not part of the UN mandate. An attempt at regime change would likely expand a civil war creating a large number of civilian casualties on both sides. NATO is not authorized to go beyond the UN mandate and France and Great Britain should not demand they do so. The UN Secretary General must intervene to stop an expansion of the war even though two member states, for whatever reason, appear intent on pursuing that expansion.”
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82 Comments so far
Show All"two member states, for whatever reason, appear intent on pursuing that expansion.”
whatever reason?
arms deals.
betcha.
Give it up Dennis. They don't listen to reason, especially when it interferes with their plans for empire.
Kucinich should be lonely! the turncoat screwed all of us by rolling over on healthcare for a ride on AF1?
I thought his term was up. Go home and sulk, think of all the good you could have done if you'd stuck to you principles.. if you ever had any?
Dennis sucks!
>^^<
You forgot, or intentionally ignored, Ron Paul, a major antiwar congressman if ever there was one.
He's not a democrat so he doesn't count....right folks?
Funny things those democratic liberals...they keep declaring their position for peace and justice, but keep supporting and voting for murderers.
Why is that?
Yes, funny. The answer being that there is no such thing as a "democratic liberal." The two terms are not compatible. Since the Democratic Party is now so far right of where even the Republican Party was twenty years ago, and the thin veneer of "standing for the people" has just about worn off, most intelligent true liberals know the truth now: there is no discernable difference between the Democrats and Republicans, except for a little window-dressing. Both are whores for the corporate Oligarchy that owns them and the U.S. government. Thus the majority of dems voting for war war and more war right alongside their buddies across the aisle.
Vote 3rd party.
Which one is the 3rd?
THANK YOU!!
"Why is that?" you ask.
The D Party is now run by the Democratic Leadership Council, founded with backing from a host of corporations and ... get this ... the Koch brothers. That's why. Kucinich is not part of the DLC.
I like very much that Ron Paul is anti-war.
I like even more that Dennis K is pro-peace.
Time to dust off the "I*-word," Dennis.
(*That's the letter between h and j, of course.)
shut-up Dennis
shut-up Waldo
Ghandighost
Another Obamapoligist?
Right on!
I don't see why CD wastes any time on this scum.. He rolled over on healthcare. He'll probably just rollover on peace too!
He has no morals, and no right to be heard nationally. He gave that up on AF1
>^^<
Thank you Dennis. You are doing a great job and as Churchill said, 'If you are going through hell, keep going'. I think that is where we are at in this country. Hopefully your voice can crack through some thick skulls.
Shame on you, Waldo Binney, for trying to shut down the ONE VOICE that is for the people. You must only have one single brain cell in your skull -- be careful when you move your head or it might die as well.
Dennis Kucinich has been fighting MANY battles for the middle and lower classes of this nation for a very very long time. That's why the people in his district keep voting him back in (despite great obstacles put in place by the evil ones) over and over. He is the ONE SHINING LIGHT in Congress. There are others -- but none as brave as Kucinich. He picks up that sword of courage -- not for himself -- but for THE PEOPLE and he goes into battle alone if he has to. Sadly, he has to so many times because the others are either corrupt or too cowardly.
The intelligent people in this nation are behind you Dennis J. Kucinich. THEY KNOW WHO YOU FIGHT FOR. It's for us. THANK YOU a trillion times a trillion. I thank God for you in this world.
Yes, Kucinich is one who will draw a line in the sand and absolutely not cross it. When he makes a statement you can take it to the bank. He is one politician who can absolutely be trusted. He will never go back on his word.
Truer words were ever spoken!
Three cheers for "Truthiness!"
Good Facts! as opposed to facts!
>^^<
Look, I got your sarcasm. But this stand he is making now is a good one and his mistake in caving on health care doesn't change that.
The problem is Dennis is damaged goods. I don't doubt his sincerity, just his effectiveness. Had he stood firm on the healthcare issue, he'd have alot more credibility now.
drift,
Cannot disagree with you here.
We're ALL gonna be RAPTURED!
Hope not! all the interesting people seem to have gone the other way.
>^^<
Yeah, huh?
You're thinking like THEM.
Stop it.
This war is unconstitutional and unwise.
Those who point that out are worthy of praise.
That's it.
"credibility" -What a joke!
What, are you waiting for Jesus to come back and run for Prez?
What a crock.
-matti.
THEM? You mean THOSE people? OMG! It's worse than I thought!
Unconstitutional wars? REALLY? You mean that's happening? HERE? No way! You can't be serious.
Jesus? He came back? FINALLY?! HOORAY!!! JESUS for President! Where do I sign up?
Do you have any insurance?
You mean am I subsidizing the wealth of large insurance corporation CEOs? ABSOLUTELY! After all, they EARNED it, fair and square.
dkshaw,
Pretty good! I still remember Obamacare, without Kuncich there will NOT be an Obamacare. It's suck!
And I thought Kucinich said he would never vote for Obomber's health care proposal if it did not include at least a public option. And he said he couldn't vote against it because he didn't want the republicans to destroy Obomber's presidency. You'd think if Kucinich had real integrity he'd care less if our war criminal's presidency was destroyed. After that kind of BS I no longer think he can be trusted. btw, do you think obomber will take him on another plane trip to set him straight?
It seems a bit harsh to say "he can't be trusted" simply because he drew a different conclusion than you on whether it was important to save Obomber's political capital from being destroyed by the Republicans (who were bashing health care reform from the right, not the left). You may disagree with the logic of Kucinich's decision, but there's no reason to think that it was not made in good faith, and therefore no reason to say that he can't be trusted.
Truthseeker58,
He should not be ashame, and I am proud of Waldo Binney. It take guts to Not to be another obamapoligist and cave in.
Control of oil and gas is the root of this war, whatever you may think or believe.
Does anyone here know anything about the leadership of the "rebels?" No. So how do you know who the USA is supposedly supporting?
Gotta love Dennis.....he was slaughtered in the last election but he's still up front carrying the flag so as the "point man" he's going to take a lot of fire.
Americans talk about a do nothing congress. Dennis is the exception to the rule. He is by far the most dedicated and hard working representative in our elective body. Thank you Dennis and never give in.
again.
never give in again.
Imagine the first one billion dollars we are in the process of spending in 8 weeks, devoted to biosphere enhancement in Libya and the surrounding Sahara desert. Thousands of soldiers planting food trees in soil stable areas. At the end of the 1st year the trees have absorbed and converted/synthesized through photosynthesis greater tree matter to: .1% of available solar energy, 2nd year 1%, 3rd year 5%, 4th 8%, 5th 12%, 6th 20%, 7th 28%, 8th 37%, 9th 45%, 10th 55%. The land comes back to life, people have living economies to build a real life, humidity condenses on tree leaves, deep roots pump water and minerals from a growing aquifer, a coolness pervades the planted areas and draws warm-moist winds from the sea. Now compare Iraq and Afghanistan 10 years later and we have an idea of what is possible on the earth. Did you know that the Sahara was originally a rich productive orchard with rivers, lakes, wildlife and abundance. Humans are keepers of the tree. We have a great job to accomplish with the aid of all species to bring the planet back to peace and abundance www.indigenecommunity.info
Ever since he took that Plane Ride with Obama,
Kucinich has become Irellevent.
Freddie Kilowatt,
Right on again. If anyone take a bit more time and examine Obamacare, they'll notice more give away to the Oligarchy. Did you notice the recent budget? Obama now going to cut SS Medicare, Medicaid, PELL grants and more.....
Did YOU notice that healthcare is not the subject of this thread?
A proper forum would not tolerate your intrusion...
matti,
I am truly sorry if I offended you. But if you read again Freddie Kilowatt commented on the plane ride that changed Kuncich Vote on Obamacare. I add the word "Obamacare" and expanding it to be more precise.
There are countless intrusions, why pick on me? I suspect your ulterior motive to silence me. I suggest you go to the one that does not allow any intrusion and you will be happier there.
I had an encounter on April 12, 2011with matti, very cordial and interesting dialogs. Anyone reading this may want to see mine and matti postings. Just type search "sivasm" and "matti" on CD links below.
The subject "Fool Us Twice? Can Obama Get Reelected? by Ted Rall"
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/05
-9#comment-1799282
"contras," not "rebels."
LOL! That's what I've been calling them for weeks now. It's good to see I'm not alone.
To ignite Congressional action, Dennis merely has to publicly in Congress raise the issue of "The Pentagon's New Map" being the war plan being played out in Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc --- across N. Africa, the whole Middle East, to the boarders of India and China!
Lately, and because of Libya and the prospect of the coming explosion of a vastly broadening war from N. Africa, through the entire Middle East, and on to the very boarders of India and China, there has been a lot of talk in the corporatist "Vichy" media about, "What is the Obama Doctrine?"
Here's the definitive answer:
The Obama Doctrine = lies of omission about global Empire. (period)
Obama himself is the faux-emperor/president and Puppet in Chief of the hidden global Empire.
Obama is lying through his teeth (via lies of omission) that any such thing as a disguised global Empire even exists.
The corporatist "Vichy" propaganda media in the US is helping Obama lie and hide the fact that a global Empire certainly DOES exist --- and that it exists precisely as the ruling-elite's global corporate/financial/militarist EMPIRE which has now fully 'captured' and controls our former country by hiding behind the facade of its 'bought and owned' TWO-Party "Vichy" sham of faux-democratic government!
This disguised, hidden, and lied about global Empire is 'right now' igniting and executing the beginning of a pre-conceived, pre-planned, and preemptive grand war plan across the entire swath of 5000 miles from N. Africa, through the Middle East, and to the doorsteps of India and China --- which war plan is clearly proven by merely looking at Thomas Barnett's 2004 Naval War College and national intelligence/security state "hot read" book, "The Pentagon's New Map" --- and which Obama and the traitorous media's lies of omission are covering up by not telling the American public 'word one' about the war plan and "The Pentagon's New Map".
"The Pentagon's New Map" --- which promulgated a 'Quiet American' war plan within the entire swath of "Gap" countries across the 5000 mile area of N. Africa, the entire Middle East and SW Asia, from Mauritania to AfPak boarders, and which the well-known and influential CIA-connected WaPo "journalist" Bob Woodward was cynically hinting about last Sunday on the Boeing-sponsored and GE weapon builder's NBC TV network 'show' "Meet the Press" when he said: "I’m not sure whether it’s unrest, an upheaval, whether these are revolutions. But in a 5,000 mile area from Mauritania to Afghanistan, you have to kind of put all this together. The president has a mammoth management problem. There is deep unhappiness, as there should be, about do we know what’s going on in these countries.”
This is almost an exact, but larger, version of the lying and deceptive technique of lying their to war in Afghanistan and Iraq that was ginned-up in the 1990's by Perle and Wolfowitz's PNAC, Defense Analysis, and "Clear Break" war plans --- which were put into use once Bush came into office in 2001, and once the supposedly unpredictable "second Pearl Harbor" of 9/11 occurred to "light the fuse".
Barnett's "Pentagon's New Map" plan was likewise fully developed in advance in 2004, and is now being 'set-off' and triggered to "light the fuse" across an area an order of magnitude bigger than Iraq and Afpak, by the supposedly equally "unpredictable" Arab Spring revolutions.
This whole thing smells of a "fixed game" and a fixed game of the hidden global EMPIRE right here in River City. And the US public is being played for suckers by a much better actor than George Bush.
The American public had finally almost caught-on to the repeated deceit of the arrogant and haughty war makers of the Bush/Cheney regime fronting for the global Empire, and then the Empire simply switched the players and brought in a promising new kid from the bench to take the starring role of Lucy in promising 'hope' and 'change' in really, really, finally "holding the ball" to give peace a chance --- and now anyone who is not blind and hopelessly naive can see the this new "Lucy" character is just a pawn of the same Empire pulling the peace football away again, but now with the sick excuse that "this is an exceptional and humanitarian crisis (in Libya) and we'll only go in there for a short time".
What Bull Shit!
The Obama Doctrine = lies of omission about global Empire --- and continuing Empire war. (period).
And the key to understanding and easily defusing this Bull Shit is just to look at the truth in Barnett's "The Pentagon's New Map" ---- which Obama and the corporatist media whores are lying about via omission, and keeping us from seeing so that the fun of global Empire war can proceed for their benefit.
Alan MacDonald
Sanford, Maine
Liberty & democracy over violent empire -- People's party 2012
Alan, Do you really think they will succeed?
Things are not goin too well for the Empire and some defeats and stalemates since that old map was drawn.
They need more then a map.
They don't have the people and even some Republicans are sayin the war in Libya sucks.
Wars get tiresome and bring down Empires.
I have never seen Israel so nervous as now. They don't know what is comin next either.
Jim Glover,
You might do better if you come straight out and said..."Obama and/or the Democrats are our only hope..." Rather than the long and winding ranting, which I finally came to realize.
An obamapoligist will reason with you, beat around the bushes, than launch an attack the Repug without mentioning a single "Democrats" in their long ranting.
I will not name, names and you are among the best obamapoligist I came across and I give you the credit for that.