[PatriciaKalligo]

It is very disheartening to see people in todays world fighting for their freedom and for democracy. After the ending of Egypt's dictatorship, I found myself over joyed. I watched each day as the citizens fought against government forces for their freedom, of course there were times when their was some innocent bloodshed, but for the most part this did not occur. This made me hopeful that the other middle eastern countries would use Egypt as an example to get rid of their own dictators in a peaceful manner. However, my hope has been shattered when each day I wake up to hear that more people have died for their freedom, they have been killed by government forces. When will this end? When will the international community put a stop to Gaddafi and his forces? When will the UN exercise its power? All these questions need to be discussed and answered. There needs to be a plan for these people, they cannot just be defeated leaving Gaddafi still in power. Gaddafi should be left isolated from communicating with all other democratic countries, until change occurs.

[rickc]

I don't see the U.N. doing anything about the situation in Libya. China and Russia can veto any resolutions trying to ouster Gaddafi. Certain countries in Nato might do something. France is pushing the issue. Sadly it has much more to do with oil than Democracy. Libya produces light sweet crude oil,very low in sulfer. Exactly the type of oil that the refineries in Europe are set up to refine. Sadia Arabia has stated that they are ready to pick up the slack from the loss of oil coming from Libya. Unfortunately the oil from Sadia Arabia is a heavier dirtier oil than Libya's. More expensive to refine. Gas prices in Europe are outrageous now, the last thing they need is an increase in price. If gas prices get much higher,Europe will have their own riots to quash.

Any help for the people of Libya will be motivated by countries own financial self interest and economic hardship, not concern about democracy in the Middle East. We in the States don't get much oil from Libya. If we get sucked into the fray, it would be more about scoring some much needed brownie points with the Muslim community {as if that stategy would ever work}. Rest assured we would be waving the banner of democracy all the way.

[martin14]

rickc rickc:

Gas prices in Europe are outrageous now, the last thing they need is an increase in price. If gas prices get much higher,Europe will have their own riots to quash.

Euro 1.55 in Italy today, its not funny anymore.

As far as the UN exercising its power....