Much ado about Libya

Muammar Gaddafi has ruled Libya for 41 years. Now, protesters want democracy and a new leader. The protests started small and later grew into an uprising. Gaddafi responded by using the military, censorship, and blotting out communications. What makes this interesting is that Gaddafi's own defense minister, including the majority of his generals, wouldn't follow through with what Gaddafi wanted them to do. As the protests went on, soldiers foreign to Libya were attacking the protesters. Huh? Gaddafi wanted to talk it out, but the rebels don't want to talk it out. They want Gaddafi to resign, period. And if he doesn't, then he has got to be removed by force.

After the protesters organized a bit, they formed the Transitional National Council (TNC). And then the International Criminal Court comes along and accuses Gaddafi of crimes against humanity. Gaddafi's assets are freezed and his ability to travel halted. Gaddafi fought back, taking back many of cities the protesters had temporarily conquered, and then set his eyes on Benghazi, TNC's headquarters. And when it looked like things couldn't get any worse for Gaddafi, there came a no-fly zone over Libya. After Gaddafi called a ceasefire in response, we later found he was bluffing. The no-fly zone enabled many of Goddafi's air defenses to be decimated.

How did this all come about? The head-honcho before Gaddafi took the helm was King Irdis I, who was ousted in 1969. Gaddafi became the ruler for the 41 years thereafter. Gaddafi did what probably a lot of people would do in his position. Only family and tribal loyalists need apply. The government became filled with those sympathetic to whatever Gaddafi wanted. So that none of his sons become too excited about getting the crown, Gaddafi confused them by loving one son more one day, and favoring another on another day. And the same with loyalists. It's actually a skillful strategy. Rivals, of course, are killed or shoved to the margins.

Much of Libya is almost devoid of a middle class, because they don't see a need for one. Usually, we have a middle class so we can tax their income and strengthen the economy. Not Libya. 58% of Libya's GDP is money made from petroleum, a natural resource over there. So, the money they make from trading those resources goes to fund whatever the government wants to do for its people. And effect of this is that the quality of living over there is very high, even though unemployment is at 21%. Yet everyone wonders why unemployment was so high if there are labor shortages? There are millions of capable workers who don't work. Many of the protesters are these workers.

Why is Gaddafi such a jerk? In his 41 year rule he got rich. Really rich. What did he spend his money on? Charity? Helping the kids? Funding science research? Nope. He decided to buy lots of guns and to sponsor terrorism. Great. He also made Libya the most censored state in the region. Talk about progress! Oh, and if you want to dissent, you can if like to be thrown in prison and beaten. Want to create a political party? Sure. Go ahead. Execution awaits you. Chances are you'll have your 5 minutes of fame on television too. I think executions are on channel 4. Maybe you think you can talk politics with foreigners. Nope. Unless you want 3 years in the slammer. Fun fact: there's a million dollar bounty on Ashur Shamis. His crime? Being a critic of the Libyan government.

Gaddafi has a pretty insightful explanation for the uprising: alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs. Yes, sir! They can be found in milk and coffee. But who is doing the distributing? Gaddafi says its Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden, the favorite whipping boys. And lets not forget the whole Western conspiracy to subjugate the Libyans and get that precious oil!