Libya: Benghazi unrest, to Civil War, to a new government and Gaddafi's death.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

This is by far the worst regime that has had any type of unrest in it, so I'm really hoping this one goes.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

This is the one where the west has the most influence. Gadaffi's personal guard who he's obviously going to need are basically nothing more than highly paid mercenaries, Blackwater-type thugs. And their payment comes from offshore bank accounts. If Gadaffi's assets were frozen, no more payment, and he's done. And if he cracks down bloodily, that becomes far more likely to happen. Guy is really stuck.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yeah with an army rebellion that's who he'll have to rely on. Cut off his funds, and he'll have no means of keeping control.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Maybe Ireland will grant him asylum? There's going to be a hell of a lot of very sad people in Ireland and among Irish-Americans if Gadaffi goes down after all. Has Gerry Adams spoke in favor of him yet?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Maybe Ireland will grant him asylum? There's going to be a hell of a lot of very sad people in Ireland and among Irish-Americans if Gadaffi goes down after all. Has Gerry Adams spoke in favor of him yet?

I don't think there are many countries depraved enough out there to grant that sociopath asylum.

But Gadaffi was the IRA's best friend in the 70s and 80s.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Well it has Sinn Fein in their parliament. Maybe they'll argue for granting him asylum.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Considering that Gadaffi is a rather nutty, egotistical true believer type while Mubarak and Ben Ali were just standard bureaucratic authoritarians him opting to stay and fight to the end does kind of make sense.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Who else agrees that alcohol being illegal in Libya is enough justification to overthrow the government and kill anyone who supports it?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

We have a map, nice!

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg615/scaled.php?tn=0&server=615&filename=un88.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I'd like to remind everyone that this military force kicked Gadaffi's ass:

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Well Obama is imposing sanctions: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/02/25/Obama-imposes-sanctions-against-Libya/UPI-61861298667236/

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It sounds as if Gaddafi is preparing for the final battle: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/26/gadhafis-civilian-supporters-being-armed/

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I don't think the mercenaries would surrender though even if they weren't paid, in one city about 30 were captured and then burned alive. Of course if not paid they'd be fighting just to flee the country.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

One of the opposition leaders said that they would be OK with airstrikes if they continue to be unable to take Tripoli but not any land invasion. And I might have to give kudos to Australia since Rudd (now the Foreign Affairs minister) and the Defense minister are seriously talking about a no-fly zone enforcement.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

What would Beet have said about Romania in December of 1989?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Morden's showed up fine for me too.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The Libyan state propaganda outlet has had about as much reliability as Baghdad Bob. Why even pay attention to them?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The Libyan state propaganda outlet has had about as much reliability as Baghdad Bob. Why even pay attention to them?

It isn't unusual for state propaganda to make incredibly big lies in their dying days. Even Hitler believed his own lies about his troop numbers as the Russians closed in.

So the rather infamous Downfall clip is probably accurate?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It has been reported that Egyptian special forces have been in Libya backing the rebels. Reportedly the elite Unit 777.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Didn't Gadaffi already call a "ceasefire" and just ignore it? I don't think anyone will trust him.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Egypt has already given quite a bit of weapons to the rebels and their special forces have been sighted in rebel regions including the elite Unit 777.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Egypt has already given quite a bit of weapons to the rebels and their special forces have been sighted in rebel regions including the elite Unit 777.

If Mubarek was in power maybe they'd do more......so we could do less?

I don't think it makes a difference in any way if Mubarak was in power or not. Any government in Egypt would want Gadaffi gone.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I just found out the Danish parliament voted unanimously to send aircraft to enforce the zone which I find kind of interesting. I figured the Red-Green Alliance at least would've voted against.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I'm reading that Gadaffi has lost 14 tanks, not one.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Obama is speaking live now about it. Hasn't really said anything that everyone didn't already know so far.