ONE VOICE: Libyans Standing Up To Qaddafi Regime

UPDATE 10/20: There are unconfirmed reports that Qaddafi has been killed in Sirte, Libya. Aljazeera is showing pretty convincing video that he is indeed dead.  Apparently, our government has received false reports about his capture before, so they are double triple checking this time before they make an “official” announcement.  So, MAMAS, given the fact that the USA doesn’t have “boots on the ground,” the international community was on board and the Libyian people led the charge for change, was this the right formula for our international involvement in the region?  Or, should we have gone in with troops and tanks?  What lessons do you want your KID-Os to learn about our engagement in the Middle East and North Africa?  Maybe – isn’t not all about us?!  (-:  Please share your opinions MAMAS on this breaking news…

UPDATE 8/22:  President Obama updated the nation on the rapidly changing events in Libya; Qaddafi regime coming to an end, his sons are in custody, rebels have taken over the capital and state TV.  And, NO, we don’t have any idea how to spell his name…Qaddafi, Gaddafi, Khadafi, Khaddafy…tomAto, tomado?!  So, MAMAs, what happens now?

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UPDATE 3/26: President Obama announces that the United States is transferring the responsibility for the mission in Libya to our NATO allies and partners.  He also expressed thanks to all of our men and women in uniform.   

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UPDATE 3/18: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” to protect civillians.  So, are we in another war?

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UPDATE 2/24: Immediately after US citizens had been evacuated from Libya, the US closed its embassy, imposed sanctions on the country and froze Qaddafi’s assets.

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The people in North Africa continue to speak out against oppressive leadership.  First, Tunisia, then Egypt and now, Libya is awash in unrest.  Leader Muammar el-Qaddafi, who has been in power for 40 years, has ordered that his government crackdown on protestors calling for his ouster.  Qaddafi is the “bully” believed to be responsible for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, including the bombing of the Pan Am flight downed over Lockerbie Scotland in 1988.   President Obama has called on the “nations and peoples of the world (to) speak with one voice,” against Qaddafi’s actions. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Geneva on Monday to meet with diplomats from around the world to figure out how to respond to the crisis.  The voice the world is hearing, is the one of people screaming for change…united against the bullies in the Middle East.

When enough small voices unite, they make a noise big enough to be heard.  On the playground, over the internet, or in the streets people where people are demanding change.  The people in Libya are doing so at great personal risk as they stand up to the oppressive regime of Muammar el Qaddafi.  They are being met with violence and imprisonment from their government.  President Obama said, “the suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable.”  Indeed.  We would not tolerate a bully doing this in the schoolyard, and the people of the world will not stand for it in the international playground either.  As with any bully, when you can no longer ignore the taunting and you stand up for yourself “there is strength in numbers.”  We tell our kids to stand up for what they believe is right and stick by their friends.  So, the Libyan people have finally found the courage to stand up for themselves.  Should the world send back a collective “we stand with you, “ in response?  Or, do we stay out of it?  What do you say MAMAs?

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