I am getting these breaking news items in my email. I knew the French were already involved...now this.

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The U.S. military has launched its first missiles in Libya against Moammar Gadhafi's forces, a senior Defense Department official said Saturday.

Earlier, French fighter jets deployed over Libya fired at a military vehicle on Saturday, the country's first strike against Moammar Gadhafi's military forces who earlier attacked the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

U.S. Tomahawk missiles have landed in the western area around Tripoli and Misrata, the American military official said.

"He's clearly been on the offensive," the official said of Gadhafi. "He said that he was going to do a cease-fire and he continued to move his forces into Benghazi."


The military official said the attacks on Gadhafi's forces will be part of a multiphase approach in a sequential and deliberate manner. rest with video at link.

Fox news has this: President Obama Speaks About Situation in Libya in which you can click on and watch live and this" http://www.foxnews.com/ (sorry I got booted off before I could post the link to this...now it saying this on Fox news: Pentagon Press Briefing on Libya

Wow uh? I hope this 'miltary action' is brief...

God bless

This was posted on youtube 5 minutes ago. The promise is for "no troops on the ground".

IMbcmjueaKA

Were I a betting man... I'd go the whole farm that this will be a lot of money spent with very little bang for the buck. What grates at me... why not Yemen? Why not Saudi Arabia? Nothing going on here than isn't happening in those places too. Being a politician now days is about like being a pimp. You may not be the one doing the whoring yourself... but you'll sell it if the price works for you.

Were I a betting man... I'd go the whole farm that this will be a lot of money spent with very little bang for the buck. What grates at me... why not Yemen? Why not Saudi Arabia? Nothing going on here than isn't happening in those places too. Being a politician now days is about like being a pimp. You may not be the one doing the whoring yourself... but you'll sell it if the price works for you.
This country is at the point where the rebels and also many innocents are all about to be slaughtered. Would you have everyone just sit by and watch? As for the others countries you mentioned, how about taking things one step at a time? We can't take care of all of the world's problems in a day. Is it not better to do what we can for the time being than to sit by and do nothing at all, jus because we can't take care of every problem at once?

This country is at the point where the rebels and also many innocents are all about to be slaughtered. Would you have everyone just sit by and watch? As for the others countries you mentioned, how about taking things one step at a time? We can't take care of all of the world's problems in a day. Is it not better to do what we can for the time being than to sit by and do nothing at all, jus because we can't take care of every problem at once?
Yes. There are times when civil war needs to simply be fought and let the chips fall where they fall. We can pick a side and give them arms or the like although that's never worked so well before. Much of the arms used to shoot at our guys in Iraq in the first war were arms that we gave Iraq when they were fighting Iran. Then there is the brilliant example of "not so smart" when we armed Bin Laden to fight the Russians while going on about the enemy of our enemy is our friend. That has always bit us in the proverbial butt.. enough now that you'd think we actually could figure it out without a lot of help. So yes. It stinks. Folks die. It's bad. Wished it wasn't happening. But what we are doing now is a lot of nothing. We did this over Iraq if you can recall. It didn't work then. Won't work now. No ground troops and the good old dictator just toes the line to keep from getting shot at and figures out more creative ways to destroy his enemies from inside. As long as it ain't by air or major military ground force moves... there will be no stopping him just as there was no stopping Sadaam without ground forces.

We fight wars in a silly way now. Not much fighting and a whole lot of blowing stuff up from afar. Sounds great in theory but to be effective... it will take grunts and boots on teh ground.

As to us doing this "one step at a time"... that's total naivety. Oil is why we aren't messing with Saudi and that's just a fact. Don't matter if you are Democrat or Republican... they're not going to dare make that leap because they know what it will mean on the global market for the price of oil. As long as we're not going to drill here and are totally relying on Arab oil... those guys can hang folks in the middle of their oil fields at high noon with news camera's rolling and we'll pretend it ain't happening. To think otherwise is to simply fool oneself.

Let me add... I am not opposed to the action. I am opposed to the half-action. If we are going to do this then let's do it. Get in. Get him out. Get out and let them deal with it. Problem is... no one knows what will happen so the answer... do something they know will back him down YET AGAIN and they can get another few years of the old boy behaving himself. This is nothing more than history repeating itself and the guy is a stone cold nut-bar. He probably makes Sadaam look sort of sane. Kick butt or do nothing. When we do this half-stepping... it turns out to be a horrible mistake later. This will be no different. We've turned into weenies now. We sort of take stands. Even Clinton today made it clear... they have no yet decided whether or not to back the rebels. Uh... then why are we doing this? For the people? All we are doing to them is making things more complicated in an already horribly complicated part of the world. We're like the stupid kid that always puts his hand in the fire no matter how many times we learn that fire is hot and causes you pain.

Libyan Leader Qaddafi Threatens Attacks as U.S., Allies Carry Out Military Strikes


Published March 19, 2011 | FoxNews.com
http://tags.bluekai.com/site/668
Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi remains defiant as the U.S. and its allies launched its first attacks against military targets in Libya Saturday.
Qaddafi threatened to attack military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean in retaliation of international coalition strikes on Libya.
"It is now necessary to open the stores and arm all the masses with all types of weapons to defend the independence, unity and honor of Libya," Qaddafi said in a speech broadcast on Libya state television, according to Reuters.
The Pentagon says 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been launched from U.S. and British ships in the Mediterranean, hitting more than 20 Libyan targets along the Mediterranean coastline.
Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs. He said the success of the mission was not immediately clear, adding that additional attacks would commence later.
Gortney said the mission has two goals: prevent further attacks by Libyan forces on rebels and other civilians, and degrade the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
The U.S. military strikes clear the way for European and other planes to enforce a no-fly zone designed to ground Qaddafi's air force and cripple his ability to inflict further violence on rebels, U.S. officials said.
President Obama authorized limited military action against Libya Saturday.
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," Obama said in a statement from Brazil.
The president also reiterated that the U.S. will not be deploying ground forces into Libya.
A senior military official tells Fox News that the U.S. will be targeting air defenses along the Libyan coast in Operation Odyssey Dawn. There are a total of 25 coalition ships in the Mediterranean, with the U.S. contributing 11 warships.
"Some of the key first strikes that we are planning to strike of course would be on the coast because that where the integrated and missile defense systems are and of course the other air defense related facilities that we will be going after. That would open up the environment where we could enforce the no fly zone throughout from east to west of Libya."
"The U.S. will be at the front end of this," the official told Fox News.


Wow.

Libyan Leader Qaddafi Threatens Attacks as U.S., Allies Carry Out Military Strikes


Published March 19, 2011 | FoxNews.com
http://tags.bluekai.com/site/668
Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi remains defiant as the U.S. and its allies launched its first attacks against military targets in Libya Saturday.
Qaddafi threatened to attack military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean in retaliation of international coalition strikes on Libya.
"It is now necessary to open the stores and arm all the masses with all types of weapons to defend the independence, unity and honor of Libya," Qaddafi said in a speech broadcast on Libya state television, according to Reuters.
The Pentagon says 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been launched from U.S. and British ships in the Mediterranean, hitting more than 20 Libyan targets along the Mediterranean coastline.
Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs. He said the success of the mission was not immediately clear, adding that additional attacks would commence later.
Gortney said the mission has two goals: prevent further attacks by Libyan forces on rebels and other civilians, and degrade the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
The U.S. military strikes clear the way for European and other planes to enforce a no-fly zone designed to ground Qaddafi's air force and cripple his ability to inflict further violence on rebels, U.S. officials said.
President Obama authorized limited military action against Libya Saturday.
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," Obama said in a statement from Brazil.
The president also reiterated that the U.S. will not be deploying ground forces into Libya.
A senior military official tells Fox News that the U.S. will be targeting air defenses along the Libyan coast in Operation Odyssey Dawn. There are a total of 25 coalition ships in the Mediterranean, with the U.S. contributing 11 warships.
"Some of the key first strikes that we are planning to strike of course would be on the coast because that where the integrated and missile defense systems are and of course the other air defense related facilities that we will be going after. That would open up the environment where we could enforce the no fly zone throughout from east to west of Libya."
"The U.S. will be at the front end of this," the official told Fox News.


Wow.He is certifiable... that's the thing. Most would have taken their billions and moved somewhere tropical and nice and lived life out quite comfortable. Thing is though... there are those that stay drunk on power and that's a dangerous drug. He's addicted to it.

I always thought it would be North Korea.

Wow. Just wow.

He's totally under the radar right now which ought to scare the puddin out of most folk. He likes to be out front in the cadre of nutbars. He's slacking but he never does for long.

This thing has to end with Gaddafi being taken out of power, right?

My whole take on this whole matter is that by doing this to an "affordable" country the rest of the world powers in this alliance is hoping it will send a clear message to the other nations that they dont really want to get "involved" with them and this is whats going to happen to you if you continue, but we really dont want to have to go in any way close to this far with you because it could hurt us, so just do your thing in a civilized manner.

I would think they would end it if he was taken out of power and someone "responsible" in the alliances veiws went to power.

Pretty much a mini redo of the political Iraq without any WMD recognition.

It won't end until he is taken out of power sure enough. Thing is... it likely won't end even if he is taken out of power but that would be a chance worth taking because at least there is a chance.

The dogs of war are eating well these days.

CNN blog tweet:Italy is sending four Tornado warplanes and four F-16s to help patrol the no-fly zone

I heard about this on the news...he has a golden fist crushing a USA plane in its hand :rolleyes: but they didn't show it..found it on youtube...
CfYmy9SB6Vk

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From Fox news: 'Significant Success' in the Early Stages of Enforcing U.N.-Sanctioned No-Fly Zone (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/20/significant-success-early-stages-enforcing-sanctioned-fly-zone/)

The U.S. and allied forces claimed significant success in the early stages of enforcing a U.N.-sanctioned no-fly zone in Libya, said a military official at the Pentagon.

At the time of the press conference, the U.S. fired 124 Tomahawk missiles onto strategic air defense systems across Libya. There were no reports of any allied planes being lost and no reports of civilian injury, said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, the director of the Joint Staff.

The array of Tomahawk cruise missiles lit the night sky and were fired from a British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs. rest at link.

Now CNN has this very interesting news update:

Libyan military calls for cease-fire amid allied successes (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/20/libya.civil.war/index.html?hpt=T1)

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The Libyan military on Sunday called an immediate cease-fire after allied forces pounded one of its convoys near Benghazi and, according to U.S. officials, significantly degraded the regime's air defense capability.

U.S. military leaders insisted the air campaign was limited -- enforcement of a United Nations-mandated no-fly zone and preventing troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi from advancing on rebel positions.

Sounds like they got their hind end kicked and now are wanting to back off...I hope this is for real this time.

I was listening to different news reports last night on TV and one lady apparently there (lives there) was saying while the people there are extremely thankful for the help from all these countries they are very fearful of what Gadhafi might do...meaning take it out on them. She said the miltary was going into hospitals and gathering the dead and injured to use to claim the US did this to innocent people. Which you can see from the news articles Gadhafi was claiming..that we had killed some women and children. I guess its ok if he does the killing of these people but by golly no one else can...:rolleyes: (though none of this was true anyway...he is lying yet once again).

So stay tuned ...I do hope the cease fire is for real and people can sit down and talk and work through this without further bloodshed. :pray:

God bless

This thing has to end with Gaddafi being taken out of power, right?

My opinion? He'll go down hard and he'll go down fast. I think Eqyptians will allow Mubarak to leave after they freeze his assets. I've said for awhile now, if Libya revolts, Gaddafi will swing from a light pole. Mubarak was mean. Gadaffi is mean and nuts.

Coalition targets Gadhafi compound (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/20/libya.civil.war/index.html?hpt=T1)

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Airstrikes Sunday in the heart of Moammar Gadhafi's Tripoli compound had a military objective, but also no doubt brought a message of allied resolve to the Libyan leader's doorstep.

A coalition military official confirmed to CNN that the compound was targeted because it contains capabilities to exercise command and control over Libyan forces. The coalition's goal is to degrade Gadhafi's military capabilities.

FOX: Qaddafi Compound Demolished as Coalition Sees 'Significant Success' in Libya
(http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/20/significant-success-early-stages-enforcing-sanctioned-fly-zone/)
The 4-story compound in downtown Tripoli that was home to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi was demolished by missile attacks, according to reporters near the area.

There was no known injuries at it remains unclear where the leader has been living since the no-fly zone was ordered.

:hmm: I am confused...why did they do this if their is suppose to be a cease fire?

Looks like they're knocking the daylights out of several potentially dangerous installations, and it's good to see. There ought to be a large number of Libyan troops changing sides.

Hopefully, it wont' be long before the end...

Report: U.S. Eyes Qaddafi Terror Response



Published March 21, 2011 | The Wall Street Journal
http://tags.bluekai.com/site/668
WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence agencies are watching for signs that a desperate Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi (http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/muammar-gaddafi.htm#r_src=ramp), under attack from a coalition air assault, could resort to acts of terrorism against Western targets.
Col. Qaddafi has extensive stockpiles of mustard gas and high explosives at his disposal that could be used in attacks against targets in Europe or against his own people. He also has a documented history of orchestrating strikes against civilians and other world leaders.
"U.S. officials are keeping an eye on that possibility," one U.S. official said.
So far, counterterrorism officials in the U.S. and Europe believe there is a low probability of Qaddafi returning to terrorism in the near term because he is focused for now on maintaining his hold on power during Western airstrikes.
"We haven't seen any intelligence yet" that he is actively reestablishing his terrorism ties or plotting attacks outside Libya, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official said. Another U.S. official called the likelihood "low," but added: "That being said, a madman's a madman."
John Brennan (http://topics.wsj.com/person/b/john-brennan/5728), President Obama's top White House (http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/white-house.htm#r_src=ramp) counterterrorism adviser, has first-hand knowledge of Qaddafi's past ties to terrorism. One of Brennan's colleagues at the CIA died aboard Pan Am Flight 103, which blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, an attack blamed on Qaddafi.
A bigger concern, U.S. officials say, is what Qaddafi would do if he survives in power and becomes an international recluse who could use his newfound hostility to fuel instability in the region.

Looks like they're knocking the daylights out of several potentially dangerous installations, and it's good to see. There ought to be a large number of Libyan troops changing sides.

Hopefully, it wont' be long before the end...

I say send him to the moon! its closer right now..shouldn't be as long of a trip..lol.

So which "moderate Muslim dictator" have we picked out to replace CrazyPants?

And when are we going to put a no-fly zone over Dafur, Yemen, or Zimbabwe?

Or San Francisco?

Summer is coming! Could sure use a no-fly zone up here!

I say send him to the moon! its closer right now..shouldn't be as long of a trip..lol.

They're bombing his compound but they said that the goal was not to take him out but that he "must go". hmm...okay...this guy ain't goin nowhere and if he does go, he's just going to cause more havoc. Makes no sense.

PRESENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRESENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eh? (btw for 15 more characters imagine that in a deep Canadian voice...is there any other way?? 8))

Saying "We are not dropping bombs to force DaffyQadafi out" but that "he has lost his legitimacy and must go" [note to self---how does a terrorist that rises to power in a military coup have any legitimacy to lose] is the equivalent of voting "Present" in your apprenticeship as a junior senator from the People's Republik of DaileyVille.

I think the saddest thing about all these wars is that they are never "surgical". They always start off with "just fire a few missiles, drop a few bombs ... no troops on the ground". All it takes is 100 rebels running around the city with AK47's and a few home made IEd's and the next thing there are 100,000 troops having to be deployed. War is always dirty and messy and I don't believe there is such a thing as a "surgical" war. It's always a lot more than that.

I think the saddest thing about all these wars is that they are never "surgical". They always start off with "just fire a few missiles, drop a few bombs ... no troops on the ground". All it takes is 100 rebels running around the city with AK47's and a few home made IEd's and the next thing there are 100,000 troops having to be deployed. War is always dirty and messy and I don't believe there is such a thing as a "surgical" war. It's always a lot more than that.

Amen, bdh. So true. War is always messy. That's why we, as Christians, are called to do everything we can to stop them from happening.

Yours in Christ,

Benjamin