Oppose All Wars, Especially Half-Wars
By Jeff Hackman
June 23, 2011
In March, the US began a bombing campaign in Libya. The reason given was that Qaddafi is a brutal tyrant, bent on killing thousands of his countrymen who simply wanted to join the Arab Spring and establish a more humane rule in Tripoli.
Soon thereafter, the US turned command of the air war over to NATO, with the US in support roles. It was hoped that with the cover of air support and a no-fly zone, the Libyan rebels would quickly topple Qaddafi.
That was over two months ago, and the Colonel shows no sign of packing his bags. The US is increasingly involved in the war. Just this week, it was revealed that the US has continued combat missions over Libya after the hand off to NATO. On June 20, we found out the US lost a navy drone over Libya—replacement cost: $16 million. As to “no boots on the ground”—does that include Special Forces, or black ops? Who really knows?
The overall cost of this action, which Obama refuses to call a “war” (more on that later) is increasingly becoming an issue in Congress. This is the summer of fiscal doomsday—which, unlike the Camping non-event, is real. The price tag for Libya is miniscule compared to the other wars the US is fighting—it is estimated at about $600 million so far, headed toward $1.1 billion by September. Nevertheless, a lot of good could come of that money here at home as we struggle with a very sluggish jobs picture.
The legality of the war is also an issue. Under War Powers Act, the President can engage in military action for 60 days without Congressional approval. Well, that marker came and went over a month ago. Some in Congress are actually suing the president, saying the war is now illegal. Obama’s response is: this is not a “war”, therefore it doesn’t fall under the War Powers Act.
The last debate my students did this year in their Debate Club was centered on this resolved statement: The US should send ground troops into Libya to hasten the fall of Qaddafi. I was the only person in the room born before Q (just as shifty as the Star Trek character of the same name) shot his way into power in 1969, some 42 years ago. Since some students were gone, I had to pinch hit. I had to argue the affirmative. This was a good experience—arguing a position that I personally disagreed with.
I researched Obama’s speech when this all started. He was adamant about Q’s evil nature. The president stated that Q was no longer the legitimate ruler of Libya. Given the rhetoric of his speech, you’d think he was announcing a holy crusade against the tin-plated dictator. But he was announcing a “half war”.
My mind went back to Hitler. If indeed the opponent was as bad as Obama claimed, why indeed weren’t we going in to kick him out? I’ve never heard that adequately explained. At any rate, why wouldn’t I support the war in real life? (BTW, the affirmative side narrowly lost the debate on points; kudos to our opponents.)
My study of Jesus’ teachings leads me to conclude that all wars are wastes of fiscal, physical and spiritual resources. My study of US history tells me Americans get involved in overseas conflicts when strategic interests or resources are in play, not to defend freedom or democracy. My study of economics tells me the US would not be involved if Libya’s main export was myrrh. (Though the share of world oil reserves controlled by Libya is quite small, even if of a high quality.)
My own conclusion given the contradictory policies and statements about Libya, is that the US is involved because there are profits to be made for the military-industrial complex. Each Tomahawk cruise missile sent into Libya costs a little over $1 million to replace. I didn’t check, but I’m pretty sure the manufacturer’s stock (Raytheon) went up the day the war started. Actually this half-war might indeed be the wave of the future: the companies get their contracts and there are no body bags to dampen the spirits.
The US doesn’t care about human rights, democracy or Q’s excesses. It is controlled by a corporate-military elite that only cares about the bottom line, and getting its puppets re-elected. As Gen. Smedley Butler said so long ago: “War is a Racket”.
Probably the best thing the US could do is quietly, multilaterally, build a civil society in eastern Libya (where the rebels are based). Also reconstruction aid is very much in order. This could be a model for the rest of Libya to see. Eventually Q will leave. But a war or even a half-war is the only thing that will make his reign a little longer and the suffering of the Libyan people a little worse.
