Obama Announces Perimeters of No Fly Zone Over Libya

This is not something Americans say every day: Be as bold as France. That was in a tweet from Senator Lindsay Graham Thursday as the U.N. voted on giving the A-OK for a No Fly Zone over Libya, as reported by Tweet Watch Report.

France has called for a No-Fly Zone in Libya. My advice to the Obama Administration - be as Bold as the French. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. @GrahamBlog

America supports the No Fly Zone over Libya, which is a declaration of war. Some on both sides of the political aisle are not happy that Obama went around Congress - only meeting with a group of leaders - before he made his public statement. He said that America will not put boots on the ground in Libya and that Great Britain and France will take the lead in flying missions over Libya. This is Barack Obama having it both ways. He can say he finally did something about the atrocities in Libya where Qaddafi is murdering his own people and that the "international community" is working together.

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) insists that President Obama has to receive Congressional approval to go to war with Libya. A quote from a speech delivered by then candidate Barack Obama can be used in support of Lugar's declaration:

“The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation,” Obama said as a candidate and then-senator.

Barack Obama and his supporters are fond of declaring him as a constitutional scholar, an expert if you will, and he should live up to that description as President, right?

And, though Obama goes out of his way to distinguish himself from George W. Bush, he certainly sounds a lot like him.

BUSH OCT 2001: "To all the men and women in our military--every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every coastguardsman, every Marine--I say this: Your mission is defined; your objectives are clear; your goal is just."

OBAMA TODAY: "I've taken this decision with the confidence that action is necessary, and that we will not be acting alone. Our goal is focused. Our cause is just. And our coalition is strong."

BUSH 2001: "We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. The name of today's military operation is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear."

Qaddafi is known for "wily survival instincts", as one reporter said. He thought he had a permanent get out of jail free card with his move of giving up his weapons of mass destruction when the U.S. went into Iraq. He received kudos from all corners and has ridden that goodwill ever since, though his behavior towards his own people never changed. He is a madman.