"Military mission divides Congress; Questions raised about US role, overall strategy" by Farah Stockman and Mark Arsenault, Globe Staff / March 21, 2011
WASHINGTON — The operation has brought together some unusual allies. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, both Republicans, support the action along with Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, a Democrat who has become perhaps its most spirited champion.
Related: The Two-Headed War Party
Aren't you glad you have a choice, America?
“I believe very, very deeply that America’s strategic interests and our values require us to support people’s aspirations,’’ said Kerry, in a telephone interview from Cairo before a meeting with Libyan opposition leader Mahmoud Jibril, who traveled from the Libyan city of Benghazi to see him.
Kerry said the stated goal of the military operation is to protect human life, not to topple Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy.
Yeah, dropping bombs and missiles on people will really do that.
But he said that the no-fly zone presented a host of opportunities to negotiate an end to Khadafy’s rule and that the US military operation has crippled Libya’s feared security forces, his chief tool for staying in power.
“I believe Khadafy will ultimately go,’’ Kerry said. “If he lifts a finger against the world, he is gone.’’
I'm embarrassed that he is a senator from my state. I didn't for the f***.
What a tool he has become since his Vietnam days.
But the US military action has also sparked fears that the overstretched US military could be drawn into another protracted civil war, without a clear goal or exit strategy. Some lawmakers said no military action should have been taken because Libya is not a threat to the United States. Others remained deeply skeptical but did not state outright opposition.
“We have got two wars going on right now,’’ said Representative Stephen Lynch, a South Boston Democrat who said he was “troubled’’ by the decision to commit US troops, especially without consulting Congress. “We are tremendously overextended.’’
Representative Jim McGovern, a Worcester Democrat, said he initially supported a no-fly zone three weeks ago but now has reservations because the peaceful protests have transformed into an armed rebellion.
“I just have this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach,’’ McGovern said. “None of us know who is really calling the shots in terms of the opposition. It’s very dicey and very dangerous. I am hoping and praying for success. I am deeply worried.’’
Some members of Congress said they were confused about the US role in the operation. The Obama administration, which has been wrestling with how to respond to mass demands for political freedom across the Middle East, announced last week that US forces would play a supporting role to the British and French militaries to protect people who oppose Khadafy from being massacred.
And that is where the wall came up.
I guess you really don't need to read that the great liberal peacenik Barney Frank's only objection is picking up the tab and other assorted gases from DC.
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Why bother clicking on the link anymore, readers?
Related: Globe Editorial Obama should have obtained Congress’ approval on Libya
Little late now, Globe!
Nicholas Burns The gamble in Libya
Found that on the agenda-pushing opinion page.
