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A reporter in Libya wanders, and then wonders, about lessons of war
Jewish World Review ^ | 10/3/2011 | David Enders

Posted on 10/03/2011 6:58:39 AM PDT by Former Fetus

Before I left for Libya to cover Moammar Gadhafi's flight from Tripoli and its aftermath, my roommate in Cairo remarked that I didn't look excited to be going.

"I'm not sure what else I can learn about war," I said.

I wanted to believe the narrative I had been getting from news coverage of the Libyan revolution - that this revolution was spotless, clean, was a replacement for the murderous dictatorship that came before. But too many years of war disabuses any rational observer of such romanticism. I had covered the war in Iraq and the violence in Lebanon and I knew: Violence has its own logic, and political catharsis frequently confuses freedom and democracy with mob rule.

When I arrived in Libya, it was easy to believe the narrative. The rebels, now revolutionaries, shouted "Allahu Akbar" - Allah is great - to one another at checkpoints, as a greeting coming and going, and as an affirmation of anything they think is good.

During my first week or two in Libya I found it an affable salutation, and an inclusive one - Libyans are (almost all) Muslims. Encouraged, I participated, heartily adopting it at checkpoints and in response to questions about "what I thought" of the Libyan revolution.

(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: idealism; libya; revolution
I don't know what is more insane, the American reporter shouting "Allahu Akbar" (at least he doesn't do it any longer)or the gay men in Misrate fighting for the Muslim revolutionaries.
1 posted on 10/03/2011 6:58:46 AM PDT by Former Fetus
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To: Former Fetus

The reporter needs more wandering.


2 posted on 10/03/2011 7:02:52 AM PDT by Rudder (The Main Stream Media is Our Enemy---get used to it.)
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To: Former Fetus

That would be soon to be dead gay men.


3 posted on 10/03/2011 7:15:08 AM PDT by org.whodat (Just another heartless American, hated by Perry and his fellow democrats.)
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To: Former Fetus

If saying Allahu Akbar makes it easier to pass checkpoints
mannned by hotheaded youts with avtomats, it seems like a good idea. I wouldn’t be gushing about it to my readers though.


4 posted on 10/03/2011 7:17:03 AM PDT by RitchieAprile
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To: Former Fetus
There will be many war crimes sponsored by NATO and carried out directly by NATO that will be covered up. The victors write the history books. Obama may be pleased as he paves the way for the Greater Caliphate, but the West will pay a dear price as Islamic radicalism sweeps across North Africa and through to Iran and unites against the West and Christians.
5 posted on 10/03/2011 7:19:04 AM PDT by Truth29
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To: Truth29

What you say is true. ... so why does America tolerate American resources being spent on expanding the caliphate?

It was just a few short years and we were fighting them. Now we side with them, for the devils sake. Obviously the people have not thought of the consequences. Obama has totally changed the war trajectory and timetable bringing the upcoming war into next week!


6 posted on 10/03/2011 7:28:42 AM PDT by himno hero (Obamas theme...Death to America...The crusaders will pay!)
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To: Truth29
The victors write the history books.

What's that old, completely true saying? "The first casualty of war is the truth." In fact, wars slaughter the truth.

7 posted on 10/03/2011 7:35:21 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: Former Fetus

Not all who wander are lost.

Some are just stupid.

}:-)4


8 posted on 10/03/2011 7:41:58 AM PDT by Moose4 ("Oderint dum metuant" -- "Let them hate, as long as they fear." (Lucius Accius, c. 130 BC))
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To: Moose4

LOL!


9 posted on 10/03/2011 7:43:13 AM PDT by Former Fetus (Saved by grace through faith)
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To: RitchieAprile
If saying Allahu Akbar makes it easier to pass checkpoints mannned by hotheaded youts with avtomats, it seems like a good idea.

Years ago when I worked for a rent-a-rig international oil company, I was slated to go to Nigeria (luckily it didn't pan out).

The old-timers said to take along a half dozen or so cheap wristwatches. The deal was that when you ran into an impromptu road block, they took your watch before letting you pass. No watch, no pass and maybe get shot.

10 posted on 10/03/2011 9:35:49 AM PDT by Oatka ("A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." –Bertrand de Jouvenel)
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