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Breaking News
Ferry Diplomacy
America’s disgracefully inept response to the Libyan crisis.
In a bold and daring move that suggested Churchillian backbone, the British military on Saturday flew military aircraft into Libya to rescue oil workers and others stranded in desert locations amid the escalating violence of Moammar Gaddafi’s reign of terror.
The secret mission reportedly plucked 150 or more British citizens and other nationals from the chaos and flew them to safety in Malta Saturday, U.K. Defense Secretary Liam Fox confirmed to Associated Press.
The bravado of the British in acting to rescue its citizens from a madman’s mayhem stands in such stark contrast to the inept and weak-kneed response of the United States to the Libyan crisis that is raises these questions: What good is the world’s greatest military machine if our leaders won’t use it? And why pretend to be a world leader if we won’t act like one?
Those were questions that I had been asking myself all last week because of a personal connection to the tragedy unfolding in Libya. My nephew is a Foreign Service Officer who was working at his job in the United States embassy in Tripoli when the revolutionary winds of democracy blew in from Egypt after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
Despite the obvious warning signs of turmoil across North Africa and the Middle East, the State Department was caught completely unprepared for unrest in Libya, where Gaddafi has ruled by brutal tyranny for four decades. How it could not have dawned on the Obama Administration that American citizens and embassy officials would be in grave danger is beyond comprehension. Yet it seems there were no contingency plans for getting Americans out if violence reached Tripoli.
I was astounded to learn this week that the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli had no U.S. Marine security guard. I had always believed that Marines protected every U.S. embassy, even in the most secure and friendly nations. But in Tripoli — of all places — it turns out that the only security for the small embassy staff was provided by hired Libyan nationals.
As the Washington Post reported Sunday: “The U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic posts in Tripoli, reopened only five years ago, comprise a series of lightly protected compounds and trailers. The guards there were Libyan, not the U.S. Marines posted outside most embassies. And an armed and angry Libyan opposition was approaching the city from the east, as hundreds of Americans awaited evacuation across rough seas.”
In other words, the embassy officials and staff were sitting ducks for a delusional dictator who had vowed to fight to the death to stay in power. We had known for decades that Gaddafi was capable of unspeakable atrocity — does anyone at the State Department remember the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103? — and yet our citizens and diplomats were unprotected.
During a week of terror in which it was nearly impossible to communicate with my nephew or virtually any American trapped in Tripoli, I had watched a feckless response by President Obama and his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the unfolding slaughter in Tripoli ordered by Gaddafi.
After days of silence, Obama finally went on television to deplore the violence and to promise that his beloved “international community” would begin debating responses, but he timidly would not even name the source of that violence — Col. Gaddafi. The President’s rhetoric tiptoed along a tightrope stretched between restraint and gutless appeasement, as if not offending a terrorist murderer was his first priority.
All the week, I kept asking myself: Where in God’s name is the U.S. Navy? Is the Navy’s Sixth Fleet not deployed in the Mediterranean with ships and aircraft available to rescue trapped Americans in Libya? Why not use it? In my mind’s eye, I envisioned a daring nighttime rescue by U.S. Navy Seals, dropping into the embassy compound via helicopters and pulling U.S. officials and American citizens to safety.
But no. Instead, the Obama Administration’s response was to hire a commercial ferry from Malta. The Maltese Ferry was no falcon (apologies to Humphrey Bogart), swooping in to swiftly fly our endangered Americans to safety. Once it reached Tripoli harbor, it sat there for three days because the seas were too rough for it to sail. (I bet an American destroyer would not have delayed sailing because of weather.) So once our embattled Americans escaped from our unsafe embassy, they had to endure three days on a ferryboat unsuited to the venture — all the while wondering if or when Gaddafi’s planes or tanks might blow it and them out of the water.
The story ended happily when the ferry finally docked in Malta on Saturday, but that was thanks to pure luck rather than to our government’s ability to manage crisis. It was left to the British to give us a lesson in bold action. Under Obama’s leadership, America has become expert at apologizing, temporizing and speaking in mealy-mouthed, multicultural ambivalence, while remaining unwilling to act boldly or speak clearly as if it were still a leader of the free world.
Gaddafi may fall, not because the United Nations imposes sanctions, and not because President Obama has given hope to those yearning to be free, but because the people of Libya will risk torture and death to topple him. Theirs is the admirable patriotism of honor. Ours is the embarrassment of dithering in the crisis, and watching — with poignant memory of past leaders like Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Reagan who knew when to speak clearly and act boldly — while the Brits show grit and guts reminiscent of Churchill.
About the Author
James P. Gannon is a retired former Wall Street Journal reporter and newspaper editor. He lives in Virginia.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (142) | Leave a comment
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Glein| 2.27.11 @ 2:54PM
As the Caliphate begins to congeal, Russia attempts to reanimate the Soviet Empire, China expands and arms to the teeth, licking it lips over the eventual swallowing of Taiwan and its absorbtion into the Chinese gulag, the Iranian Shia empire builders move closer toward the destrution of Israel and instigating an Armegeddon for the ultimate arrival of the Mahdi this presidents response will be to challenge the world to create a light rail system and green energy for the future. Oh, and appreciate low fat food.
Alan Brooks| 2.27.11 @ 9:47PM
You are jingoist-asshole. Up yours.
Gunner Asch| 2.28.11 @ 3:04AM
Classy, Mr Brooks. Very classy. Betcha had to think long and hard to come up with that one.
Stormzeye| 2.28.11 @ 5:04AM
Alan, you never disappoint.
Estragon| 2.28.11 @ 6:49AM
"jingoist" is a typical term used by communists against their rivals. Got Mao?
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:21PM
"jingoist" is a typical term used by communists against their rivals. Got Mao?"
Speaking of China, you don't like their jingoism, do you? but it doesn't matter, if I agree with you on some things, then it's "brown-nosing"; disgreeing makes one a commie fag-lib'ral.
what the main disagreement really is:
you think you can go to a commie fag lib'ral blog and preach your minds; yet when someone blogs at AS or NR, etc, they have to behave as the perfect ladies and gentlemonsters that you yourselves do not have to be.
Being radical "conservative" means never having to say you are sorry. so game over- you win, no purpose in even having a game if your winning is a foregone conclusion, however you can rest assured you and your families will go to heaven and live happily ever after, next to Jesus at the right hand of God. The cat is in the bag, you have it made in the shade; the gate is narrow but you all have a get-out-of-Hell card from your Monopoly sets. YOU WIN.
Doctor Right| 2.28.11 @ 5:48PM
"Being radical "conservative" means never having to say you are sorry."
Of course not; that would imply that we're wrong.
And on that score, when arguing with Liberals such as yourself, we never are.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:55PM
"Of course not; that would imply that we're wrong."
You are NEVER wrong? so you are God?
then you must give us tips for betting on ball games and the market. pardon, I thought this was the AS site, not the God site.
Melvin| 2.28.11 @ 7:31AM
Allen you severely disappoint me. I thought better of you.
Glein, is merely stating his opinion, and some would say the obvious. Don't be so narrowed minded.
da monk| 2.28.11 @ 8:06AM
Messrs. Gunner, Stormzye, Estragon & Melvin pray tell what do you think Glein was suggesting in his diatribe? Alan Brooks was subtly suggesting Glein want us to send troops, your sons, to invade Libya. Can you think of any other reason for Glein's comments?
Mike| 2.28.11 @ 8:38AM
da monk
I did not get the impression of sending troups from Glein's comment. The impression I got reinforced the opinion that I hold. That being when the world perceives weakness it attempts to take advantage of it.
The classic example is Korea in 1950. Through diplomatic errors and a drawdown of the United States military the North Koreans concluded that no one would intervene when they invaded the South. They were wrong and we did and fought a bloody three year war.
I see the same thing happening in the hot spots Glein mentioned. The mistakes the administration is making are sending the message that we will not or worse, are not capable of, intervening. This will result in some fool thinking they can get away with it. Right now we still have choices in how we handle things. Once the madness starts we have none.
How many of our sons will be sacrificed once we have no choice? Si vis pacem, para bellum. Or, as we used to say in the Army: Peace though superior firepower.
Mike Johnston
SFC USA (RET)
da monk| 2.28.11 @ 8:49PM
So Mike. What do you suggest we do?
da monk| 2.28.11 @ 8:54PM
Mike it's da monk again: Are you intimating that all these problems enumerated by Glein JUST OCCURED in the past two and a half years and nothing happened to cause the present dilema in previous administrations?
Mike| 3.1.11 @ 9:48AM
da monk
No not at all. The problems have existed for decades and sometimes longer. The projected weakness that the world is seeing has occurred during the past two and a half years.
Just off the top of my head I can point to the Arab oil embargo when the Middle East perceived the turmoil here as weakness and an opportunity, or the Soviet Union and the Iranian Islamic radicals seeing the weakness that was the Carter administration as an opportunity.
It is human nature on a grand scale. There are bullies in the world who prey on the weak. As long as the bullies perceive someone as weak they try to take advantage of them. Once the target has corrected that perception the bullies back off.
In my opinion one of the reasons we saw no addition terrorist attacks after 9/11 on US soil during the Bush administration was the perception of Bush as a "cowboy". Not being sure he wouldn't rain fire and death down on Mecca the Islamist bided their time. With the current administration there is the perception of weakness and lack of resolve so the terrorist plans go forward.
To directly answer the question I would have immediately dispatched a carrier battle group toward the Gulf of Sidra. I would have made a speech that this was happening in the event that our citizens and diplomatic people became threatened and need to be evacuated. I would have communicated through diplomatic channels that we are not going to interfere with Libyan internal politics but if the situation warrants we will be comming in to evacuate our folks. Finally I would have communicated "God help you if you intentionally start targeting Americans and our diplomats."
By doing nothing for an extended period of time and making confusing and weak public statements this administration has solidified the perception of weakness. For crying out loud we HIRED a ferrry boat to go get our people and intimated that the cost would need to reimbersed. If I was in country my reaction would have been "Really? really? That's the best you can do?" We will pay a price for this as will our military.
I do not take any pleasure in fact that this administration can't find it's ass with both hands in it's back pockets. I am deeply concerned that the damage may be irrepairable.
Mike Johnston
SFC USA (RET)
Stormzeye| 2.28.11 @ 9:01AM
da monk,
You seem to see and hear what you want, else why would you assume that Glein's comments have anything to do with intervening militarily in Libya. Glein's comments were far from a diatribe however your attempt to marginalize his rational analysis of facts with such a characterization supports the view of most Conservatives that liberal/progressives only argue using personal, invective and denigration.
I am not surprised that you find "subtlety" in Alan Brooks' vulgar, ignorant and tasteless verbal assault. Neither you nor Alan Brooks bring anything to this table. Step up your game before you attempt to comment in this forum.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 9:11PM
Yes. "He that desires peace should prepare for war." The storm is coming. Look at the population statistics, and remember Heinlein's observation that "all wars are fought over population pressures." (Heinlein was a graduate of Annapolis.)
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:23PM
"We do not in any way rule out the use of military assets to deal with Gadhafi's regime".
Clinton said the above, but she is a patriot, not a pighead as some of you are.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:24PM
"Don't be so narrowed minded."
Yes, one must be open-minded and liberal in our opinions at AS. Close-mindedness is for religious and other fanatics.
Larry| 2.28.11 @ 8:05AM
Alan, when you pull your head out of your ass, is there a loud popping sound?
michigander_sandusky| 2.28.11 @ 9:13AM
Mr. Brooks,
When I read your posts it calls to my mind the lyrics of one of the Beatles tunes, "if you've been carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't going to make with anyone anyhow."
B Diebold| 2.28.11 @ 10:01AM
Mr Brooks,
Your response is most likely your best attempt at meaningful communication with other people. My only warning to you is while you obviously drink the cool-aid of this presidential poser, obuma the islamist manchurian candidate, he will use you and then dispose of you. Fortunately this great Republic will be far better off after you're dead and in the ash heap of human sewage.
Have a great day!
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:28PM
"Fortunately this great Republic will be far better off'
No, America is as Ancient Rome- and would have been so had Obama never been born.
Consigned to the ash heap:
Rome
Ottomans
British Empire
Soviet Empire.
Next in line: America, with or without Obama or any other leftist.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:50PM
PS,
the Spanish, French, Germans, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese-- and a few others--also lost their empires.
Do you think a pattern has developed that might bode ill for America and its imperially overstretched obligations? Do you think the Derb might have been onto something when he eloquently wrote of how America now guards the "Fulda Gap"? do you think it is going to go on like this forever?
da monk| 2.28.11 @ 9:02PM
B Diebold: My you are a nasty hateful person. Why the nastiness. Your comments are remincent of comments heard in Germany in the 30's by people who people who did things to people they disagreed with. What ever happened to the Golden Rule. Didn't they teach that to you in Sunday School. You have a big problem
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:26PM
They don't care about other nations, they are nationalists, not patriots.
scythe| 2.28.11 @ 10:10AM
Is it the jingoist part you condemn? But you love the asshole? Please clarify at your earliest convenience.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 5:37PM
"Is it the jingoist part you condemn? But you love the asshole? Please clarify at your earliest convenience."
IMO the jingoist is worse than the asshole; if a Chinaman (yes, that is not PC) is an asshole it might not even hurt your delicate sensibilities- but if he wants to jingoistically invade Taiwan, or remain in Tibet for another 60 years, then you might have your wittle feewings hurted and you will stamp your footie and say 'why wont the guvmint do somethin about it!'
Unless perhaps you are an America-Firster.
Doctor Right| 2.28.11 @ 5:51PM
Pay no attention to Alan today; it's her time-of-the-month.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 6:34PM
"Doctor Right| 2.28.11 @ 5:51PM
Pay no attention to Alan today; it's her time-of-the-month."
Doesn't matter what you write, America isn't what it was in 1945, you will lose your empire someday.
Do not argue with me, argue with America-Firsters, they are your allies, not me-- and if they are not your allies then IMO you might be in more trouble than you think you are.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 9:08PM
Yes, we will lose our empire someday; and Obama is bringing it on. He reminds me of Nero...or perhaps Commodus.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:31PM
"Yes, we will lose our empire someday; and Obama is bringing it on."
Obama was a toddler when America messed up bad in Vietnam; Obama was 10 yrs old when Watergate started. You have little sense of fairness or justice, so you cannot call yourself Christian or even conservative.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:38PM
Obama was a sophomore in High School when Carter was sworn in as president.
But you blame Obama for America's decline??
We have to admire your gall, though. While you're at it, why don't you blame Obama for the Marine barracks truck bombing in '83 when Obama graduated college? was it called Khobar or something? Blame it on Obama as you blame him for America's decline.
Maybe you can blame him for 9-11, as well.
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:09PM
And you are a willfully ignorant fool, Mr. Brooks. I wonder if you'll think we're all "jingoist a**holes" as your head gets sawed off on YouTube?
Dustoff| 2.28.11 @ 12:14PM
lol... The CHILD has spoken.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 7:38PM
"And you are a willfully ignorant fool, Mr. Brooks. I wonder if you'll think we're all "jingoist a**holes" as your head gets sawed off on YouTube?"
Now you reaveal your insecurity, you think YOUR head is going to get sawed off by an iIlamic on YouTube- and it is not outside the realm of possibility for BOTH of us, Dustoff. Then you will have to change your moniker to Knockedoff.
So speak for yourself about being beheaded.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:53PM
Alan, take my hypothesis for starters:
The non-Islamic world is in a death spiral demographically and the Islamic world is just the opposite. Check the oh-so-right -wing UN Demographic websites for the numbers.
Process the numbers through your nimble mind, assume no philosophical change in the Moslem Brotherhood or its ideological allies (hasn't happened in 1400 years, why now?), note that the biggest population increases are coming from kids of the most fundamentalist sections, and extrapolate.
I don't think Obama's doing a good job on this. I really worry.
Ok, that's my view, free of ad hominem. You're a bright guy---discuss and disagree.
Honestly, save the vitriol for the Valley Forge Homonculus---you know who I mean.
I hope you had a nice Ground Hogs Day.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 9:06PM
Sorry, OED says "homunculus." Damn.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:44PM
Obama isn't a magician. What can he do?
Besides, Islamics aren't stupid-- they know America only cares about America, not them.
josephsantin@sbcglobal.net| 2.28.11 @ 12:13AM
That's a rather eloquent summation, Glein.
Deborah D | 2.28.11 @ 9:15AM
Glein -- I too am appalled by the dithering of this administration -- appalled, but not surprised. Weakness is provocative, and American weakness lets loose the dogs of war. It's only a matter of time, and not only are we weak in our responses, but our country is weak financially. Where are the adults?
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 1:24PM
If “weakness is provocative” and “American weakness lets loose the dogs of war” then who is going to “lets loose the dogs of war?”
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 7:45PM
"If 'weakness is provocative' and 'American weakness lets loose the dogs of war' then who is going to “lets loose the dogs of war?”
They are hard to please, vtwin: if Obama does something bold he displeases some Rightists and Obama is accused of not being correct (i.e. doing their idiosycratic bidding). If he does less, he accused of what Deborah accuses him if above. They wont let Obama win, he is to be foiled at every turn so another Bush-type can be elected in 2012 or '16.
If Obama did everything nationalists want him to, he would be accused by America Firsters of being a neocon!
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:55PM
The Rottweilers of War will be released after a WMD attack on US soil. Pray it doesn't happen. I pray it doesn't happen. I fear, however, that it is inevitable as we are seen as a "falling camel." We dropped two Nukes on Japan after Pearl harbor. Imagine what we would do to a country/people that killed us in megadeaths?
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 9:52PM
And if a WMD attack does occur, who will be blamed by the Right?: Obama.
Obama can't win no matter what he does, Rightists wont let him.
Remember how Bush was blamed for economic troubles years ago, as a scapegoat? Now Obama will be blamed for Mideast upheavals in the same extreme manner:
find flaws in your opponent, and conflate the culpability in attempting to crucify him politically. Isn't that taking opposition too far?
You want to elect a Republican next year so you will sabotage the Obama administration any way you can even at the risk of exacerbating the situation to America's detriment?
One almost has to admire your toughmindedness.
Mimi| 2.28.11 @ 9:24AM
GREAT POST !!
Stephanie| 2.27.11 @ 3:32PM
...and don't forget he asked the NASA to reach out to muslims. Mardi Gras is getting closer.
Occam's Tool| 2.27.11 @ 4:23PM
Please keep in mind that the higher echelons of State Department leaders are anti-American scoundrels. Refer to the Keith Laumer novels on this point.
RAMIII| 2.28.11 @ 9:36AM
Yes and furthermore what do you expect from a pure Narcissist (Mr. Obama). When "his" world collapses he can only make excuses to try and make himself feel "better".
Unless it directly affects him, HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE US nor its CITIZENS!!
Tim| 2.28.11 @ 2:09PM
Ah, yes. I must remember to dig out my old Retief collection. Leftist idiots sound the same no matter what year it is.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:56PM
Ah, nice to hear from Tim, not Tim*.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 10:30PM
Tim*?
You mean Clint?- or is some other handle these days?
NJK| 2.27.11 @ 4:22PM
"does anyone at the State Department remember the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103? -- and yet our citizens and diplomats were unprotected."
They should, they released the Lockerbie Bomber. Just a week or so ago one of Gadhafi's ministers said he is the one who ordered the bombing of that aircraft and ended Pan Am as an airline. Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary Clinton and and United States State Department let this mass murderer go. The public needs to be reminded of this because this impostor president thinks he is going to run again.
Barack Obama| 2.27.11 @ 8:04PM
Even if I wanted to do something I can't until my Saudi Arabian controllers approve it. I'm stressed, I need a vaction.
Dan Hirsch| 2.28.11 @ 10:14AM
Dear Barack;
We need a vacation, too! From you!
Martine| 2.28.11 @ 3:40PM
And the colonel is Rev. Wright's "friend." Farrakhan's too. Perhaps that explains a little of the Kenyan's reticence.
Osamas Pajamas| 2.27.11 @ 9:51PM
Quacky Kadaffy's dollars go a long way when buying influence in America ---- Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson.....Barak Hushpuppy OhBummer?
A.C.Guard| 2.27.11 @ 10:13PM
Alan Brooks, what a class act you are.
John | 2.28.11 @ 5:43AM
Alan Brooks presents a very cogent argument. He clearly demonstrates the intellectual superiority of the left. I was devastated by the simplicity and conciseness of his argument; "jingoist-asshole." That says it all. Americans should get their priorities straight. After all, what is mo important; an international oil crisis or a motown hoedown?
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 7:48PM
After Saudi Arabia falls, you have to go Green. No other choice remains except to convince Canada to share its petroleum with us to the fullest as if were united into one nation-- can you arrange that?
Appleby| 2.28.11 @ 6:40AM
Shades of Jimmy Carter.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 7:52PM
That was 32 years ago; this time the Saudis go down.
Do you think women are treated much better in the Saudi Kingdom? Are you brave enough to answer that Appleby?
Melvin| 2.28.11 @ 7:45AM
There are a number of inadequacies afoot here. One is a government so large and lethargic that it is completely unable to act in an extremely fluid environment.
Another is the lack of forward thinking in analyzing a situation as it develops, and by the time the bureaucratic machinery in the State Department comes up with they're solution, the situation has moved on and developed into something much worse, thus completely befuddling the bureaucrats.
Don't we pay good tax payer money to hundreds if not thousands of analysts to make sure that this type of government feebleness doesn't take place?
Old One| 2.28.11 @ 7:54AM
Another debacle delivered with the Libyan ferry failure.! I an shocked! Not!
Why would anyone expect effective action from the community agitator-in-cnief and his underling not the smartest in America State Departmentaand its brain dead but overpaid bureauweeniees? In November 2008 the media brainwashed voters and ACORN antics elected a man child to run the show.
Why are we surprised the Soros scripted mental midget Man Child, party aninal, & teleprompter reader is delivering us substitute teacher day junior high kiddiie follies?.
John K| 2.28.11 @ 12:10PM
Thank God Joe Biden's on hand to provide his legendary foreign policy expertise.
Alan Brooks| 2.28.11 @ 7:54PM
He has alot more than Palin. No wonder you love Reagan-- the last time you got it right was with him.
But you are the last to know!
davelnaf| 2.28.11 @ 8:01AM
Discussing Obama’s ineptitudes regarding (apparently) nearly everything under the sun has long since become an exercise in redundant déjà vu. But the Bamster’s capacity for manufactured ineptitudes may not have hit rock bottom yet. So, the discussion continues and the big question now is: when will it become conventional wisdom that he is doing it deliberately?
It’s at least nice to know we’ll have a Republican president in 2013, but he (or she) will have to spend the first half of his (or her) first term just repairing Bamster’s devastations. The Democrat Party will be further downsized and well on its way to becoming a small progressive party that no one, except the kooks, pay much attention to. But what a price we are paying, and are going to pay, before all of that happens and the Bamster’s reign of error comes to an end.
Angelo | 2.28.11 @ 12:06PM
The damage this Obama has done to my country..will not be undone in my lifetime...
that is Financially, foreign policy wise ..economically...and domestically...dare I also say
judiciously?????????
Angelo
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:57PM
Judicially, as well.
SpiralArchitect | 2.28.11 @ 5:17PM
Speaking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today, would-be First Lady Michelle Obama said, "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."
Then in Madison, she said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change." -February 18, 2008 - Mrs Community Organizer
Questions?
Louis Jenkins| 2.28.11 @ 8:40AM
Dear Davelnaf:
Don't be so quick to say we'll not have Bam Bam in office after the next national election. The masses still whither and scream his name when prompted. But seizures not withstanding, it was amazing that the US sent a pokey boat to rescue the workers, and Britain flew in loaded for bear. Maybe those limies mean business afterall. It will be another two years at least before the US stretches it muscles. We can only hope that Bam Bam does fall, and who knows, it may be like the end of Gadhfis reign, in fact, we may have to kick the low brow out.
Mike Rogers| 2.28.11 @ 8:43AM
I am heartened to see that the highly trained British forces can still pull off a daring rescue.
The question is whether the demonstrated need and obvious success will prevent their government from cutting back further.
The bigger question is whether any of our current leadership will learn the lesson from this stark contrast in methods.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.28.11 @ 9:50AM
Well,
The Brits were embarrased over the capture of their sailors in the Persion Gulf a while back.
Our communist, (pardon the shorthand), has literally dropped the draw-bridge to the barbarians.
Fix bayonets, folks.
Bulgaricus| 2.28.11 @ 9:52AM
What better evidence, than this article, is there that our once great nation is run by a bunch of blithering idiots?
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 10:34AM
James P. Gannon is just another conservative asshole with nothing to offer after the successful evacuation of all Americans wishing to leave Libya but mindless criticism of President Obama.
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:12PM
I hope the next time YOU'RE trapped in some 3rd world hellhole filled with people who want nothing more than to saw your head off, that YOU have to wait for the government to charter a ferry rather than helo you out. I'll bet you'd just be in FINE shape. What a joke people like you & Brooks are.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 2:01PM
Look, I'm not going to pretend I wouldn’t be scared sh*tless about getting my head “sawed” off because I would be! But after your post I hope I don’t get stuck sitting next to someone on the ferry on the way out that's complaining about not getting to ride in a helo.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:59PM
Sorry, vtwin, but Obama and Carter's responses to terror threats and actions were remarkably similar. The way to recue these folks would have been with the 101st Airborne or the Marines, coming in full power.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 9:00PM
Sorry, rescue.
However, point holds---bullies understand force, nothing else. When surety can be put in place of luck, it should be utilized.
Albert| 2.28.11 @ 3:32PM
The only things here that are "mindless" are your expressions (one really can not call them "thoughts.")
Mike Gabel| 2.28.11 @ 11:09AM
It is 3am and the phone rings in the White House.
No one answers.
Pelligrino| 2.28.11 @ 11:36PM
Mike Gabel, correct.
They're (deeply) sleeping off the Kool and The Gang concert on the premises just ending 90 minutes prior.
Actually the 24/7 Comms team deep underneath will answer. But your point is the same. Those officers then have a heck of a time rousing someone who's sober (clear-headed) enough to handle the incoming issue.
No, we the American people don't have confidence in the present National Security team. None. After all, as we learned from a senior official 2 weeks ago, the Muslim Brotherhood is a relatively benign organization.
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 11:11AM
I hereby suggest a 3 prong approach to negotiate a peace in Libya. Send a diplomatic trifecta of Alan Brooks, da monk & vtwin to lay some liberal talking points on Quadaffy & negotiate a peaceful transfer of power. The combined superior intellect, negotiating power & fundamental understanding of how to best utilize the US military in the handling of foreign affairs will surely dazzle Quadaffy into submission without further bloodshed.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 11:59AM
I like it Steve A. And, I’m willing, as I’m sure both Alan Brook and da monk are, to help in this crisis but I think the Libyan people are capable of dealing with what your hero Reagan once referred to as “the mad dog of the middle east" on their own.
Cuffs| 2.28.11 @ 11:27AM
Why is everyone amazed to be amazed at Obama?He is out of his league; way above his pay grade.
Notice how there is always a delay before he
addresses problems. He has to wait for his
masters to tell him what to think & say.
Merciful God, is he ever a disaster, not only as a man but as president.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 12:14PM
Yeah, what we need is another president that acts before thinking, more American troops occupying another Muslin country, another Middle East quagmire, another reason for Muslin to hate us.
Yeah, too bad we didn’t elect John McInsane.
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:17PM
They've hated us since the time of the Barbary Pirates. But please, don't let actual facts get in the way of your insipid little rants.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 12:22PM
And, Bush with his invasion of Iraq has done a lot to turn that around. Don’t ya think?
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:25PM
Oh, that's right. We should just leave them alone & they'll leave US alone. Oh, wait. 9-11. I forgot. How stupid of me.
What a joke you are.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 12:40PM
9-11 was justification for the Iraq? I though in was WMD. Or was it because of Iraq’s support for terrorists? Or was it to bring democracy to the Middle East? Or was it “they tried to kill my daddy?”
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:46PM
That's not what I mentioned 9-11 in context to. I mentioned it in relation to your moronic assertion that we do things to make Muzzies mad 7 that we shouldn't do things like that anymore so they don't "hate us."
We left those people the hell alone LONG before 9-11. They didn't return the favor. So, again, spare us your sophomoric diatribes about how we shouldn't do anything else to make the "peaceful" Muzzies "hate us" when they've shown that they hate our very existence. We do have to do anything but EXIST for them to hate us. I realize that's a tough concept for you to grasp.
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 12:44PM
On a completely unrelated subject; Im still waiting for Obama to lower the sea level. Any ETA on that??
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 1:04PM
Sorry no, properly being block by House Republicans.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 1:13PM
Sorry, that's probably.
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 2:33PM
Good one v, you funny.
Albert| 2.28.11 @ 3:34PM
What we need now is a President who is capable of actually THINKING! That rules President Bozo out completely.
Dave Williams| 2.28.11 @ 11:52AM
Thanks, vtwin, for stepping up to the plate and proving that you have at least one more IQ point than the eloquent Mr. Brooks....that'd bring you up to about 12. Go back to your troll hole.
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:15PM
Does anyone remember when Delta rescued Kurt Muse from prison in Panama during the invasion? They flew their Little Birds DOWN THE STREET during the escape. I guess we can't rescue people like that anymore.
And for the LIFE of me, I cannot understand WHY IN THE HELL, in a place like LIBYA, our Embassy doesn't have a Marine security detatchment. What? Is that sending the "wrong political message" these days?
Sad. Just plain sad.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 12:29PM
Does anybody remember the failed rescue of the hostages in Iran by “helo?”
Does anybody think the Republicans wouldn’t love to see few a dead Marines in Libya before 2012?
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 12:42PM
Spare us your hyperbole about "dead Marines in Libya before 2012." Its got nothing to do with sending in a Marine combat unit, dolt. Its about age old proceedure not being followed. Oh, & also spare us your faux concern about our troops. Its idiots like you who said that the surge wouldn't work before it even started.
Other than Desert One, when was the last time the evacuation of an embassy went bad? Please. Being lectured on military matters by someone like you is like Lord Gaga teaching classes in abstinenece.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 12:59PM
Oh, yes I‘m sure you’re right the military advised the President to use “helo(s)” for the evacuation but the President insisted on a chartered ferry. Must be a black thing. Ya think?
And, just for the record I didn’t just live on the military base because my daddy was stationed there. I served in the U.S. Army.
SpiralArchitect | 2.28.11 @ 5:35PM
Couldn't make it in the Marines?
NavyBrat | 2.28.11 @ 10:05PM
Good for you. Since you served in the Army, you would know how & why the operation at Desert One went bad. And you would also know that since that debacle, along with when those 4 SEALs from SEAL Team 6 drown in the Grenada Operation, to the disaster at the Tocumen air port in Panama, to the mess in Mogadishu, special operations have advanced.
Hell, the Brits sent in the Paras & the SAS to rescue a patrol of Royal Irish Rangers in 2000 out of Sierra Leone. A rather large force that had to assault, by helicopter, into the jungle. They were able to do so with one SAS trooper killed, & 12 Paras wounded. All hostages rescued. It HAS been done & COULD be done again. The SAS, motto, "Who Dares Wins" isn't specific to just them. ALL of our spec ops guys & Marines live by that credo. I'm sorry that a veteran like you doesn't think that our troops these days couldn't do the same type of operation with similar success.
DG in GA| 2.28.11 @ 6:53PM
Why on earth do you say the Repubs would love to see a few dead Marines in Libya by 2012? Nobody on this thread is talking about invading Libya. They ARE talking about how the American government should have sent an effective evacuation force in to rescue the Americans our government put in harm's way there. Frankly, I do not think the American government should have to rescue oil workers and others whose employers put them there. The oil companies should do that. Obama's response to the situation in Libya is similar to his response to the situation in Egypt. And that is because he supports the Muslim Brotherhood who are right now making their move to establish the caliphate in the Middle East. Obama is a disgrace.
SeattleBred| 2.28.11 @ 12:17PM
Apparently Lord Cochrane was available for our British cousins. Where were our President Jefferson and Commodore Preble?
WilliamInWien| 2.28.11 @ 12:39PM
Question still seeking an answer: Where is (was) the 6th fleet? One report indicated it is comprised of a "command ship and one destroyer". fleet (n) a group of warships under one command. I guess that these days two ships are considered a "fleet". Now that is downsizing!
Ed| 2.28.11 @ 12:52PM
The USMC teaches their officer trainees that the most important thing to do in a crisis is to make a decision. It might be a good decision, or a bad decision, but it gets things moving, and gets your team "off the beach".
President Dithers has not learned this lesson, and will never learn this lesson, it's not in his DNA.
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 1:34PM
Does the phrase “GO OFF AT HALF-COCK” mean anything to you?
Albert| 2.28.11 @ 3:36PM
The correct phrase is "half-cocked" and the use of the preposition "at" is inappropriate. Is there anything your brain does not mangle?
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 4:49PM
Thanks, Albert you are correct on both points. But this illustrates my point: I can afford to make mistakes when posting but the President doesn’t have that luxury, not when American lives are at stake. The President must, taking whatever time the situation affords him, carefully consider each his options along with each option's possible consequence. Something this commentator (James P. Gannon) ignores in his pathetic partisan attack on our president.
As Reagan once said of Jesse Jackson's travel to Syria to secure the release of a captured American navy pilot "You can't quarrel with success."
SpiralArchitect | 2.28.11 @ 5:51PM
People are not talking about taking time to make an evaluated decision.
Waiting a grossly extended period of time is negligent & dangerous.
I am sure that you and A/B would both have soem of your crew design some rough ( perhaps vague...) plan(s) for certain potential word crisis events that would be possible.
This would certainly lesson the time to take action.
To make an educated decision, yes, good call. To wait till the cows come home than ask Pannetta what he saw on TV about Lybia is not a good call - got it?
Renaissance Nerd | 2.28.11 @ 1:13PM
This is not just a sign of a feckless government (though it is that) but also a sign of the advances in communications. Once upon a time any sloop-of-war captain in the Med would've taken it upon himself to rescue whoever he thought needed rescuing. He had no way of receiving instructions from home, and for that matter home wouldn't even know about the problem until he arrived with those he'd rescued.
With the global command and control system even the coxswain of a rubber dinghy can communicate all the way home. While this is a great advantage in so many ways, it's also a destroyer of initiative, because it allows those far away from the problem to make decisions. It's Johnson picking targets for bombing raids while those close to the targets watch them being evacuated before the order comes down. The problem is that world-wide communications, especially including spy satellites and video of almost everywhere, gives the REMF the illusion of omniscience. That illusion working on minds already ensorcelled by romanticist delusions of omni-competence is a bad recipe, especially when those in question is also moral cowards. Imagine a worse-case scenario, where a fleet commander decides to get them all out, executes a botched raid which gets tons of civilians, and all of those supposed to be rescued, killed. The admiral in question might get court-marshaled and cashiered, perhaps even spend time in prison. A lot of people would pay with their lives for his incompetence. But those in power in Washington could care less about all that. What worries them is that their peer group might say mean things about them. To be a leftist/liberal/progressive etc is to live a life of endless fear; like being a teenager forever, convinced that everyone is watching and worried about appearance above all. That is why they won't risk, they don't want to be criticized by their friends. Putting such in charge makes a naturally feckless semi-competent government descend into uselessness.
Reinhard| 2.28.11 @ 3:20PM
Great post!!!..as a father of two, I loved the teenager connection...too true
pyroclastic| 2.28.11 @ 6:52PM
Solid post!
As noted by Marshall Mcluhan decades ago, "the medium IS the message". The false sense of omniscience embraced by REMFs and assorted remote horse holders occasioned by staggering achievements in bandwidth and processing speeds does indeed pose a very real danger not only to the grunt in the mud at the tip of the spear but also to the folks back home.
In this context, how many folks realize that thanks to the habitual cutting of force combat readiness that is the hall mark of every Democrat administration since Carter, for the first time there is NO repeat NO fixed wing aircraft carrier anywhere in the Med. When is the last time anyone can remember either the Sixth or Seventh Fleet without at least ONE birdfarm ready and able to project the power of this nation at the command of the Commander in Chief?
If nothing else why was there not a rotary wing amphibious assault carrier available to render humanitarian assist/evacuation to our endangered citizens?
Our so called "news" media seems strangely uninterested in the weakness of our combat readiness posture, especially given the amount of lead time in which the need for such emergency evacuations had become increasingly evident.
As if that were not bad enough, I understand that plans are afoot to moth ball three carriers bringing the total in both Pac and Lant to what? twelve bird farms. What the hell kind of carrier battle groups will we even be ABLE to deploy in response to the dynamic threat package that seemingly grows larger by the week?
What will it take? Hugo Chavez running us out of the Carribbean? Before we wake up, reload and man battle stations?
Kingofthenet| 2.28.11 @ 2:09PM
At this point, I think the US should 'lend a hand' some food, ammo, and Stingers and Javelins should work nicely...
vtwin| 2.28.11 @ 2:25PM
Stingers are small handheld antiaircraft missiles. Do you really think we should be passing these out to Arab folks?
SpiralArchitect | 2.28.11 @ 5:53PM
Kudos, you actually made a post without insulting anyone... well anyone in the forum.
Richard Baker| 2.28.11 @ 2:27PM
Yet again the Kenyan shows his indifference and ineptitude. I thought it couldn't get worse for the country when Carter was President and my Commander-in-Chief but time has proven me mistaken. Next to the word buffoon in the dictionary is the Kenyan's picture. Presley O' Bannon weeps.
Melvin| 2.28.11 @ 2:30PM
Maybe this is something we need to sub-contract to the ChiComs.
Kingofthenet| 2.28.11 @ 2:37PM
If Gaddafi has HIS Mercs, I say we send in a few 'Special Force' Merc teams of our own to help the opposition, Backed with Air Power of course and armed with the best. Just to 'Turn the Tide' in the Rebels favor, than GET OUT!
chris haynes | 2.28.11 @ 2:50PM
How about Bush Cheney Rice and Rumsfeld? That lack of marine guards at the embassy came under their watch. Give credit where credit is due.
And the ferry boat evacuation worked, if three days late. That seaworthy US destroyer you called for would have given Quadaffi great propaganda. A safe evacuation was what counted, and that has happened. Now when there are no hostages, we can sabre-rattle about naval blockades and no-fly zones more credibly. Perhaps the President figured that out .
Reinhard| 2.28.11 @ 3:47PM
Yes...great propoganda for us! When I think of every democratic administration military posture I connect the word...wimp.
The Brits rescued their people immediately ...we chartered a bus from a third party...great response. Even better, we send Billary to Geneva to chat with other vacationing "diplomats" to address the Libiya issue...what a joke...we're going to talk them to submission. Basically the Brits showed us the way...remove your people immediatley...we should be embarressed.
GENE HAUBER| 2.28.11 @ 2:52PM
IMPEACH THIS BUFFOON NOW!
Angel Artiste | 2.28.11 @ 3:10PM
I understand that the Community Organizer-In-Chief's Blackberry was down for several days, preventing him from getting adequate instructions on the crisis from George S.
Mark Jeffery Koch| 2.28.11 @ 3:32PM
To sit idly by while Ghadafi murders unarmed protesters with automatic weapons and bombs dropped by planes is not an example of America's finest hour. We have a President who does not believe in American exceptionalism but instead believes in the United Nations, the same United Nations that Bill Clinton went to for helping ending the genocide in Kosovo, which was refused, and then the U.S., Britain, and France unilaterally bombed Serbia until it stopped its mass murder.
Obama puts his faith in the U.N., the same U.N. that did nothing about the famine in Somalia, and it only ended with the first President Bush sent our forces in to end the starvation. Obama believes in the U.N.. the same U.N. who stood by while 800,000 people were massacred in Rwanda and did nothing, and the same U.N. that has done nothing about the genocide in Darfur. We need a President to say "enough!" and send aid to the rebels as well as a stealth bomber to take Ghadafi out. America is supposed to stand for something and it appears we have a leader who would rather pass the baton of leadership to other countries, none of whom have ever shown interest in ending war, destruction, oppression, and subjugation of another people. Who will lead if not the U.S.? The Russians and Chinese who subjugate their own people and murder and imprison dissidents and who are more interested in selling arms to these countries and getting their oil ? The French who cozied up to the leaders of Tunesia and Libya? The Brits who are disarming as fast as they can?
Either America takes a strong stand or else the world will become a far darker place. Period.
George S| 2.28.11 @ 3:34PM
What Obama did was the equivalent of calling a cab to rescue stranded family members. What the British did was get in a car and pick them up personally. Subtle, but telling.
RAMIII| 2.28.11 @ 6:14PM
Hear! Hear! This is a great metaphor. Astute observation and again President Obama's narcissism is exposed.
Pelligrino| 3.1.11 @ 12:40AM
You are correct, George S. Very nicely put.
However, let's not all make the assumptions that this was the C. in Chief's call/decision. Do we know? I don't think any of us here are privy to that kind of inside information.
Please understand. I'd be the last person here to defend our current POTUS -- on anything. The day he departs office (peacefully, of course) will be a day of brief/vibrant rejoicing. Followed by hopefully purposeful frenzied activity because there will be SO MUCH to repair.
But which of us can say that our feckless?? (DADT repeal in December come to mind?) members of the Joint Chiefs offered up an easy 5-step evacuation plan that met with instant approval? Did they offer such plans?
Maybe the ferry boat was someone's desperate decision because no one else would take charge and offer up a viable, executable evac plan?
[Please tell me: Has a senior leader within our Armed Forces tendered his resignation in protest for this fundamental & fundamentally evil decision for our nation and its future, the DADT repeal. Has one?]
Actually the Tripoli Evac Plan should come from a much lower rung. But a Dept. of State head person and NSC leader should be "greenlighting" it.
POTUS is NOT our only problem. We have weak-kneed, callow, my-career-first, yes-men everywhere.
A lot of them are wearing uniforms. Many are our nation's top bureacrats and civil servants(?)
Nonetheless, the CINC is indeed always the "Buck stops here" man.
NJK| 2.28.11 @ 5:10PM
It looks like Thailand has an impostor president too!
February 28, 2011
Dual citizenship could force Thai leader from office
http://www.americanthinker.com.....rce_t.html
chris haynes | 2.28.11 @ 5:19PM
What the president did was this: He got all the Americans out alive, on the ferry boat. But that was "inept".
Here is what's ept: "I envisioned a daring nighttime rescue by U.S. Navy Seals, dropping into the embassy compound via helicopters and pulling U.S. officials and American citizens to safety"
Now my Mrs. She's not a tough guy, like retired Wall Street Journal reporters. I asked her, would you want a midnight helecopter rescue, or a ferry boat ride? She said the ferry.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 9:03PM
The only problem---max force stuff deters further episodes.
Pelligrino| 2.28.11 @ 11:53PM
Yes, thank you, Occam. Correct. Showing an open willingness and almost ease in doing such operations forces the nefarious to cower. And if they cower, perhaps they desist (reduce?) in their evils.
Impeach Don't Wait| 2.28.11 @ 9:25PM
Apparently the Administration didn't regard the situation as all that dangerous, those friendly Libyans and all... A slow boat... Sounds reasonable. (NOT)!
Just musing here...
If I were the British, I would have swooped in to saved the Americans too. That would really have put the Administration to shame. But then again that would have required some cooperation from the Administration...
Yosemeti Sam| 2.28.11 @ 10:22PM
Damn it - I want to know right now if new East Jerusalem settlements are being built.
It is after all of GALACTIC import to the Arabs.
And Tut BHO.
chris haynes| 2.28.11 @ 10:25PM
On that "Kenyan Community Organizer-In-Chief'", and his "inept slow ferry boat".
It got the people, all of them potential hostages out, with nobody hurt. Nothing suceeds like success.
To the ferry boat: Mission Accomplished, Well Done.
Pelligrino| 3.1.11 @ 12:21AM
Folks, I've perused most of the posts above and there are indeed some good points made in the comments that follow Mr. Gannon's article.
However, his first main point is that chronologically this unrest has come to Libya well AFTER the initial rupture weeks of Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere.
Mr. Gannon's point is: Where was the prior planning? The preparation? (for the day & hour where evacuation was the prudent COA) Where were the ready-to-execute contingency plans?
Maybe using a ferry boat from Malta is incredible real-life understatement at work? I dunno.
My take: It seems like a flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants action.
Thus, there's potentially a lot of shame to be owned up to for disgraceful incompetence.
What, the US State Department doesn't have boilerplated, tested, rehearsed action plans for its embassies and consulates in "hot" countries?
And other agencies (Dept. of Defense included) haven't also done their preparations for such (fairly routine, I should think) contingency operations?
This should have been well thought-out BEFOREHAND. That is the full-time task of MANY government workers. All know of the 5 P’s, right? Execution should reflect solid, professional prior planning.
(Is this overall -- at the mid-level manager/leader level -- just one more example of government incompetence?)
Let's see how they handle the next Mideast hot spot. I’m sure that this last chapter in Libya did not inspire confidence for Americans at their posts in, say,…Saudi? Syria? Jordan?
People say such a situation cannot arise in a place like Morocco. Okay. But why not plan for it anyway?
Be prepared. (And then execute flawlessly)
pyroclastic| 3.2.11 @ 5:31PM
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....stpop_read
OPINION
MARCH 2, 2011
The Decline of U.S. Naval Power
Sixty ships were commonly underway in America's seaward approaches in 1998, but today there are only 20. We are abdicating our role on the oceans.
By MARK HELPRIN - Mr. Helprin, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, is the author of, among other works, "Winter's Tale" (Harcourt), "A Soldier of the Great War" (Harcourt) and, most recently, "Digital Barbarism" (HarperCollins).
Last week, pirates attacked and executed four Americans in the Indian Ocean. We and the Europeans have endured literally thousands of attacks by the Somali pirates without taking the initiative against their vulnerable boats and bases even once. Such paralysis is but a symptom of a sickness that started some time ago.
The 1968 film, "2001: A Space Odyssey," suggested that in another 30 years commercial flights to the moon, extraterrestrial mining, and interplanetary voyages would be routine. Soon the United States would send multiple missions to the lunar surface, across which astronauts would speed in vehicles. If someone born before Kitty Hawk's first flight would shortly after retirement see men riding around the moon in an automobile, it was reasonable to assume that half again as much time would bring progress at a similarly dazzling rate.
It didn't work out that way. In his 1962 speech at Rice University, perhaps the high-water mark of both the American Century and recorded presidential eloquence, President Kennedy framed the challenge not only of going to the moon but of sustaining American exceptionalism and this country's leading position in the world. He was assassinated a little more than a year later, and in subsequent decades American confidence went south.
Not only have we lost our enthusiasm for the exploration of space, we have retreated on the seas. Up to 30 ships, the largest ever constructed, each capable of carrying 18,000 containers, will soon come off the ways in South Korea. Not only will we neither build, own, nor man them, they won't even call at our ports, which are not large enough to receive them. We are no longer exactly the gem of the ocean. Next in line for gratuitous abdication is our naval position.
Separated by the oceans from sources of raw materials in the Middle East, Africa, Australia and South America, and from markets and manufacture in Europe, East Asia and India, we are in effect an island nation. Because 95% and 90% respectively of U.S. and world foreign trade moves by sea, maritime interdiction is the quickest route to both the strangulation of any given nation and chaos in the international system. First Britain and then the U.S. have been the guarantors of the open oceans. The nature of this task demands a large blue-water fleet that simply cannot be abridged.
With the loss of a large number of important bases world-wide, if and when the U.S. projects military power it must do so most of the time from its own territory or the sea. Immune to political cross-currents, economically able to cover multiple areas, hypoallergenic to restive populations, and safe from insurgencies, the fleets are instruments of undeniable utility in support of allies and response to aggression. Forty percent of the world's population lives within range of modern naval gunfire, and more than two-thirds within easy reach of carrier aircraft. Nothing is better or safer than naval power and presence to preserve the often fragile reticence among nations, to protect American interests and those of our allies, and to prevent the wars attendant to imbalances of power and unrestrained adventurism.
And yet the fleet has been made to wither even in time of war. We have the smallest navy in almost a century, declining in the past 50 years to 286 from 1,000 principal combatants. Apologists may cite typical postwar diminutions, but the ongoing 17% reduction from 1998 to the present applies to a navy that unlike its wartime predecessors was not previously built up. These are reductions upon reductions. Nor can there be comfort in the fact that modern ships are more capable, for so are the ships of potential opponents. And even if the capacity of a whole navy could be packed into a small number of super ships, they could be in only a limited number of places at a time, and the loss of just a few of them would be catastrophic.
The overall effect of recent erosions is illustrated by the fact that 60 ships were commonly underway in America's seaward approaches in 1998, but today—despite opportunities for the infiltration of terrorists, the potential of weapons of mass destruction, and the ability of rogue nations to sea-launch intermediate and short-range ballistic missiles—there are only 20.
As China's navy rises and ours declines, not that far in the future the trajectories will cross. Rather than face this, we seduce ourselves with redefinitions such as the vogue concept that we can block with relative ease the straits through which the strategic materials upon which China depends must transit. But in one blink this would move us from the canonical British/American control of the sea to the insurgent model of lesser navies such as Germany's in World Wars I and II and the Soviet Union's in the Cold War. If we cast ourselves as insurgents, China will be driven even faster to construct a navy that can dominate the oceans, a complete reversal of fortune.
The United Sates Navy need not follow the Royal Navy into near oblivion. We have five times the population and almost six times the GDP of the U.K., and unlike Britain we were not exhausted by the great wars and their debt, and we neither depended upon an empire for our sway nor did we lose one.
Despite its necessity, deficit reduction is not the only or even the most important thing. Abdicating our more than half-century stabilizing role on the oceans, neglecting the military balance, and relinquishing a position we are fully capable of holding will bring tectonic realignments among nations—and ultimately more expense, bloodletting, and heartbreak than the most furious deficit hawk is capable of imagining. A technological nation with a GDP of $14 trillion can afford to build a fleet worthy of its past and sufficient to its future. Pity it if it does not.
Bruce A. Frank| 3.10.11 @ 12:39PM
As for acting like a world leader and using that power, Obama, and many others in the Democrat party, including Bill Clinton's Sec. of State, have publicly stated that the US should not be a world leader. Madeleine Albright also said that we need to get used to not being that leader of the free world. We thought they were speaking of some distant future natural evolution. We didn't know that they were telling us that they intended to bring us down to third world status from within.
Creative Recreation | 8.11.11 @ 2:41AM
is good
العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 6:16PM
I hope the next time YOU'RE trapped in some 3rd world hellhole filled with people who want nothing more than to saw your head off, that YOU have to wait for the government to charter a ferry rather than helo you out. I'll bet you'd just be in FINE shape. What a joke people like you & Brooks are.