A ghost hung over President Barack Obama as he stood at a podium in the East Room of the White House on Friday afternoon to talk about Libya: the ghost of George W. Bush.
As Obama discussed the UN Security Council's resolution authorizing the use of force, including a no-fly zone, to block Muammar Qaddafi from waging further war against the opposition, the president's remarks about the Libyan autocrat echoed Bush's comments about Saddam Hussein prior to the US invasion of Iraq—absent references to WMDs. Qaddafi, the president said, was engaged in "brutal suppression." He has "demonstrated a willingness to use brute force" for decades. "Left unchecked, we have every reason to believe that Qaddafi would commit atrocities against his people." He was thwarting the will of "the international community." He had a stark choice: submit to the UN resolution or face a military response. "These terms are not negotiable."
Ashlee Simpson Donna Feldman Jodi Lyn OKeefe Emma Watson Amy Smart
