I am certainly anti-Gadaffi, but foreign intervention makes it very complicated. As the article mentioned, it's also unconstitutional. The United States military is meant to protect the United States... that's it. The reason Scheuer didn't mention the War Powers Resolution is because it's irrelevant to what he's saying. I'm sure he understands that people would use that as an argument against what he is saying, but he doesn't accept it as a legitimate argument. The Resolution basically says that the President can have a two-day* war without Congress's approval, correct? It was probably passed with good intentions- that the US could be sitting ducks, waiting for approval from Congress. But isn't that unconstitutional? Besides, intervention in Libya isn't consistent with that reasoning because it's purpose is not to protect the United States.
Anyway, if Libya was actually completely anti-Gadaffi it should be possible for their own people to rise up and give power to someone else. Similar to what happened in Egypt. But I think this is much more of a civil war, as you said. There's two sides and some people probably don't even care either way. But war is messy and I think there is certainly the risk for Gadaffi to gain support against NATO. People don't like foreigners telling them how to live. There's already a large population that supports Gadaffi, I'm sure he can expand that with the same mentality. He's certainly trying at the very least (see the portion of his speech I quoted).
Either way, my point is that it's ultimately up to the people of Libya on what they're going to do with Gadaffi. And I'm not a pacifist either. I support defense. But the Libyan government isn't attacking the US. I think if someone is concerned about what is happening in Libya or elsewhere, they should feel free to go to war. Why not join the resistance yourself? But when the government goes to war, the people have no choice in the matter- they are supporting it. And I don't think it's too much to ask that you don't force me to support this war.
*Edit: I think it's actually 90 days.
Edit 2: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crZrRJtUQ2s/TW3xVX51oII/AAAAAAAAAoE/SnM9EkDM5WY/s1600/Libya+alone.jpg =o
Anyway, if Libya was actually completely anti-Gadaffi it should be possible for their own people to rise up and give power to someone else. Similar to what happened in Egypt. But I think this is much more of a civil war, as you said. There's two sides and some people probably don't even care either way. But war is messy and I think there is certainly the risk for Gadaffi to gain support against NATO. People don't like foreigners telling them how to live. There's already a large population that supports Gadaffi, I'm sure he can expand that with the same mentality. He's certainly trying at the very least (see the portion of his speech I quoted).
Either way, my point is that it's ultimately up to the people of Libya on what they're going to do with Gadaffi. And I'm not a pacifist either. I support defense. But the Libyan government isn't attacking the US. I think if someone is concerned about what is happening in Libya or elsewhere, they should feel free to go to war. Why not join the resistance yourself? But when the government goes to war, the people have no choice in the matter- they are supporting it. And I don't think it's too much to ask that you don't force me to support this war.
*Edit: I think it's actually 90 days.
Edit 2: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crZrRJtUQ2s/TW3xVX51oII/AAAAAAAAAoE/SnM9EkDM5WY/s1600/Libya+alone.jpg =o
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