Operation Odyssey Dawn

First Wave of Allied Assault: 112 Cruise Missiles

I wonder who makes up these names. This one is particularly pretty.

I’ve been thinking about our newest war. I was listening to my local talk radio show while I was in line at the drive-thru. Saturday night burger ritual. The host mentioned that Libya was no threat to our national security and that listening to Obama was like listening to Bush before he invaded Iraq. It’s sad, but true. They are no threat to us.

Why did Obama have to step up our involvement from enabling to tomahawking? The French and British could handle this. If they needed our expertise or back up, we would be there. What happened in that 24 hours that caused us to start firing cruise missles? Are we just not used to taking the backseat in war?

This is like Iraq the sequel, minus the invisible weapons. We’re not being humanitarian here. If we were, why are we not helping our allies, Yemen and Bahrain, too? Their governments are attacking their own people. Why aren’t cruise missles flying overhead? Libya has the one thing in large supply that Yemen and Bahrain don’t. O-I-L.

That’s what it all comes down to – the black gold. It’s not about the poor citizens and their revolution. It never was. Even though everyone knows this is not humanitarian, you could make it look like it is by helping out Yemen and Bahrain. They could really use our help.

Hang in There, Hillary

Clinton: No Interest in Job if Obama Wins in 2012

And she has no interest in running for POTUS either. Who can blame her? She must be beyond exhausted. The Middle East is still exploding, and Japan is dealing with catastrophic ruin.

• Libya
  Nothing is stopping Qathafi in his psychotic rage. Rebels are trying to hang on to Benghazi and Ajdabiya, and they’re losing their grip. Will there be a No-Fly Zone?
• Bahrain
  The government called in for backup. The KSA, whose troops are well rested from their own Day of Slight Annoyance, get to fight protesters. Iran just had to weigh in. They don’t like it foreigners influencing Bahrain. Considering King Abdullah encouraged the US to bomb them, Iran is saying, “KSA beat it, or we’ll beat you back.” The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, and diplomatic “sources” say they’re evacuating.
• Japan
  9.0 earthquake, followed by a tsunami that washed away cities, and nuclear plants that are leaking radiation.

Any one of these international incidents can drive a Secretary of State to drink. But all together? The fact that she hasn’t completely cracked shows what an amazingly strong woman she is.

“There isn’t anything that I can imagine doing after this that would be as demanding, as challenging or rewarding,” Clinton said.
Translation: I’m going to retire, and my only job will be bugging Chelsea and Marc to make me some grandbabies.

We understand, girl.

We’re Not Going to Take…What?

Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Going to Take It should be the theme song of the Middle East right now. What they’re not going to take anymore differs, as we’re seeing in Bahrain.

Bahrain, the pearl of the Persian Gulf, is exploding in protest. Unlike Egypt, their uprising has a Shia and Sunni twist. 70% of Bahrainis are Shiite, yet they’re ruled by Sunnis. What happens if you’re a regular Shiite Bahraini when your King, government, and police are Sunni? You’re not even considered for the good state jobs. Want to be a police officer? Forget it. They’ll give that to a Syrian or Jordanian Sunni before you. If you are a political activist, you’re special. You get imprisonment and torture.

Bahrain, inspired by Egypt, are voicing their demands. Thousands took to the streets. They don’t want a complete overthrow of the government. They want changes. Release of the political prisoners. Economic equality when it comes to housing and jobs. Their chant in the streets? “No Sunnis, no Shiites. We are all Bahrainis.”

I’m really pulling for Bahrain as it holds a special place in my passport. It’s a tiny country with a rich ancient history. I loved my R&R vacation there. When I wasn’t pool side, I enjoyed wandering through their National Museum. The Tree of Life, a huge mesquite tree in the middle of the desert with no apparent water source, was really neat.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa should thank his lucky stars they didn’t want to ship him off into exile. He went on national TV to offer condolences for the young men who were martyred for the cause. He promised changes and an investigation into the protesters’ deaths. In light of what’s going on in the Middle East, I am very hopeful for Bahrain. Authoritarian leaders throughout the region, like King Hamad, are afraid. They should be.