Good work! Good work the Libyan people! Good work the “rag tag” army of the NTC with their amusing inefficiency and lightly armored pick up trucks. Good work the NTC that starting out as a tiny unconvincing group in Benghazi eventually against all odds got its act together and achieved its goal of defeating the man known as “Colonel” (what is it about that rank that seems to appeal to some people) and getting international recognition. Good work NATO and (for a change!) good work Obama. But what kept him for so long from recognizing the vast political and economic opportunity? Good work Bernard Levy, who did, & first talked Sarkozi into intervening. The French, British and Obama get credit for stumbling into the principle of humanitarian intervention which seems to me a new and promising concept. This liberal form of international activism is more positive and constructive than Bush’s conservative version practiced in Iraq. Good work Qatar whose al Jazeera publicized the lengthy uprising. As for the Arab league, they deserve credit I’m sure but a local news blackout on the related facts kept this contribution secret. And finally good work, “Colonel” who did a good job of dying the way he said he would.
I imagine these events weren’t lost on a certain pointy headed narrow eyed dictator to the north whose nights will be more sleepless.
A few quibbles, however, with the news channels who brought us the events. CNN and Wolf Blitzer seemed incensed that Gaddafi may have been executed and at one point was threatening to study every frame of the videotape for evidence of that in one part of the tape G was alive and in a later one dead. --a theme picked up by Hala Gorani whose eyes glowed with moralistic fervor. They seemed ready to start playing Great World Media Pontificator and condemn the Libyans for abandoning the script they were supposed to follow and rule of law – the Libyan ambassador however (a certain Jajani?) when grilled by Blitzer asserted his view that the way Gadaffi died wasn’t important – only the fact that he was dead so that the nation could begin rebuilding without distractions. He admitted that it might have been useful to have Gadaffi around for questioning so as to get to the bottom of all his corrupt dealings and hidden loot – but on the whole felt that the “Colonel’s” survival and trial would have presented more conflicts and problems than benefits.
The celebrants interviewed on Tripoli’s main square that night by Al Jazeera similarly seemed unfazed by the seemingly disorderly and casual nature of the demise of Gadaffi – it was a bit much to expect the citizens of a country in the throes of celebrating a revolution – in a country moreover that hadn’t seen any rule of law in 42 years to appreciate the legalistic questions of TV reporters. James Bays seemed particularly preachy when he kept asking the crowd, if it “wasn’t time to put the guns away.” He interviewed one young militia man, carrying a rifle, who replied patiently and reasonably, then asked a young woman the same question, pointing to the young man with the rifle. It was all done with an annoying air of superiority. He and & Al Jezeera would have done better and come off as less self-righteous if he’d simply reported the jubilation rather than lecture the Libyans having their first party in 42 years. It seems clear that the Libyans dealt with the situation in a way consistent with their beliefs, practices and expectations. Good luck to the Libyans'democratic revolution -- too bad that our country seems bent on choosing plutocracy instead.
Written at Massa Hotel #5, AlAin, where I am batching it due to necessary departure of family for the Philippines. I’m working a handy load this term; and am recovering from a back injury sustained when moving out of the family apartment last July. This set up is the usual one required in Visiting contracts, so the hotel is full of other university staff and professors in the same situation. I have to rest most of the time, am in physio-therapy and hope to be better by Christmas when I plan to visit the family.
