Here at Hope n' Change, we've got to admit that we were initially skeptical that Barack Obama would be able to offer a cogent explanation of why he unilaterally initiated extremely "kinetic military action" in Libya without seeking Congressional approval. And then went sightseeing in Brazil.
But after hearing his speech to the American people on Monday night (assuming you consider 4:30 pm "night" on the West Coast), everything has been made perfectly clear. Except...well...for just one or two points.
For instance, Obama described the great humanitarian purpose of sending cruise missiles into Libya, but neglected to mention that it was in support of rebels who were attempting to overthrow the government. Or that some of those rebels are affiliated with Al Qaeda. Come to think of it, he never mentioned the Libyan rebels at all.
The president emphasized that he authorized military force to protect America's "interests and values"...although his Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, says that our country has no "vital interest" there, and Barack Obama has previously only mentioned American "values" when condemning them overseas.
And now that we review his speech, the president didn't exactly make clear why we want to intervene in Libya but not any of the other hotspots in the world... although the distinction may have been made a bit clearer when an official in his administration announced that Libyan rebels (remember them?) could now start selling oil.
But despite his "go it alone," "cowboy diplomacy," "do it for oil," attitude, Mr. Obama took time to distance himself from President George Bush...making a sneering reference to the many years that "regime change" has taken in Iraq, versus Obama's "days not weeks" miracle in Libya.
Although he didn't quite explain exactly when our military involvement there will end. Or what our ultimate goal is. Or why he prefers to consult with the U.N. on military matters rather than America's elected officials.
But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln...it was a great speech.
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