The Embarrassment of the United State

President Obama broke his silence about Libya yesterday. The protests and riots have been taking place for nine days. After 41 years in power, the regime of Muammar Gaddafi seems ready to topple as he loses control of the people, his military and land day by day. It took our president more than a week to even open his mouth and make a statement about this incredible, world changing event.

The United States stands for freedom. It's long been our policy to support the quest for democracy in nations around the world. Over the past several weeks we've seen revolutions spring up in Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Libya and several other nations with varying degrees of success. Throughout this time our president, the man considered the leader of the free world has been very reluctant to speak up and speak out about these developments.

I certainly do not suggest that the U. S. should go into these nations uninvited. I also realize that the State Department needs to watch what they say so that passions are not inflamed. However there's not a regime in the world that doesn't or shouldn't know that our country and our government stands for and believes in democracy. What an opportunity to go to the United Nations and propose a resolution condemning the actions of the governments in Libya and Iran. Why not look into the possibility of a U. N. peacekeeping force being made available if things continue to deteriorate in Libya? Instead, Obama wants to speak about gay marriage while a nation burns.

There is absolutely no reason for Obama to wait nine days after the Libyan revolution started before he even speaks on the matter. When he did make a statement yesterday he didn't even mention Gaddafi by name even though that dictator has ordered the killing and bombing of his own citizens. Obama waited fewer days to speak in support of union protests in Wisconsin than he did in criticizing Gaddafi. That is pathetic.

We shouldn't be surprised though. After all, this is the same guy who made a trip to the Middle East one of his priorities early in his administration. That was the trip to Egypt when he basically apologized for the actions of the U. S. in that part of the world. We should be disappointed but certainly not surprised in his most recent failure of action concerning that part of the world.

This is an historic moment. The flame of freedom is being ignited in places we never thought possible. Unfortunately President Obama has decided so far to sit this one out and just watch the flame to see if it fires or flickers out on its own.