lets step back a minute and re-run 2 days ago.....
march 16th
US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice insisted that the no-fly zone was no longer sufficient and that they wanted an authorization that would allow immediate attacks against Gadhafi’s forces on the ground, including air strikes.
so they really wanted MORE, but, the took what they could get, I guess, I mean wtf? where is this is this in the msm? He was actually going to ask to conduct air strikes? Thats not a no fly zone.And what are "attacks on the ground" By who?
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, however, insisted that the attack would have to include “Arab participation” because the administration is concerned that a unilateral US attack would have “unintended consequences.”
and..
The move comes amid recent suggestions that Russian and Chinese opposition to the no-fly zone may be fading. It remains to be seen if they will support an outright war against the Libyan regime, however.
US Pressing UN for ‘Military Authorization’ Against Gadhafi -- News from Antiwar.com
and there ya go,....so Turtle bay and us, took the no fly zone way out......why? becasue they could not get sppt. for anything else.
so, lets be clear a no fly zone means Qaddafi cannot fly aircraft without risking them, BUT he can use artillery and attack on the ground.
So, who thinks the no fly zone will be effective? At the least its stasis. Apparently Qadaffi reads what we do and he sees that a no fly is enacted but, that doesn't mean he cannot move up to Benghazi. And attack is the conditions are favorable. He'll rope a dope us, the UN et al.
Meanwhile;
Yemeni forces fire on protesters, killing at least 46
Obama urges officials to protect demonstrators; 3 children reportedly among the dead
updated 2 hours 25 minutes ago 2011-03-18T20:42:49
SANAA, Yemen — A massive demonstration against Yemen's government turned into a killing field Friday as snipers on rooftops fired down on protesters and police made a wall of fire with tires and gasoline, blocking a key escape route.
At least 46 people died, including some children, in an attack that marked a new level of brutality in President Ali Abdullah Saleh's crackdown on dissent. Medical officials and witnesses said hundreds were wounded.
Saleh, struggling to maintain his 32-year grip on power in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state, said the deaths had occurred in clashes between demonstrators and other citizens at a protest encampment at Sanaa University.
"I express my extreme sorrow for what happened today after Friday prayers in the university district," Saleh told a news conference in Sanaa, blaming gunmen among the protesters for the violence.
"The police were not present and did not open fire," he said. "It is clear there are armed elements inside these tents and they are the ones who opened fire."
The dramatic escalation in violence suggested Saleh was growing more fearful that the unprecedented street protests over the past month could unravel his grip on power. The United States, which has long relied on Saleh for help fighting terrorism, condemned the violence.
more at-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42148274/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
Meanwhile-
As Bahrain arrests the opposition leaders, no one is left for dialogue
.
There were demonstrations in Iran Thursday, and protests in Shiite communities elsewhere over the crackdown on Bahrain's pro-democracy movement. Streets in the capital Manama were quiet but riot police were using tear gas in some suburbs. (March 17)
Video: There were demonstrations in Iran Thursday, and protests in Shiite communities elsewhere over the crackdown on Bahrain's pro-democracy movement. Streets in the capital Manama were quiet but riot police were using tear gas in some suburbs. (March 17)
The leaders — some of whom had for weeks dominated a stage set up in Pearl Square, which protesters had occupied until security forces cleared it Wednesday — are now behind bars. The stage was leveled Thursday along with much else, even the palm trees. And the vastly outgunned opposition appeared to have few viable options as evening curfews continued to quiet the capital.
“The future is dark,” said Matar Ebrahim Ali Matar, a member of the main opposition political society al-Wefaq who said he did not know what would become of the protest movements. He said he was not aware of any communication between opposition groups and the government since thousands of troops from Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states arrived Monday.
The government said those who were arrested were members of a “sedition ring” who had “intelligence contacts with foreign countries,” according to a statement from Bahrain’s military that was carried by the Bahrain state news agency. They “incited . . . the killing of citizens,” the statement said.
Al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman, who was not arrested in the raids, called Thursday for Saudi troops to leave Bahrain and asked for an independent international investigation into this week’s events.
more at-
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...ft-for-dialogue/2011/03/17/ABhiJ6m_story.html
Time to head for Rio....family in tow.....