The goal is a “no-fly” zone – a zone where aircraft is disallowed – similar to a demilitarized zone on land.  This goal is not to be confused with regime change.  Those who were looking for “boots on the ground” to rid Libya of Gadhafi will be sorely disappointed.

Charlotte Seybright

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

With the confusion, of our Commander In Chief, we have no business, being involved at all !!!!! Why are we spending the time and money to protect the citizens of Libya? We have no stated goals, for the strikes, no end policy, and no United States security risks.  With this inept administration, and lack of policy goals, I want all of our troops HOME NOW!

 ercoop at gratewire

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America’s role is in achieving that mission.  In fact, the limited, sometimes contradictory, case made to the American people by members of your Adminstrationt I and many other members of the House of Representatives are troubled that U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America’s role is in achieving that mission.  In fact, the limited, sometimes contradictory, case made to the American people by members of your Administration has left some fundamental questions about our engagement unanswered.

John Boehner

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Critics are also calling for a clearer explanation of U.S. policy in the North African nation.

U.S. President Barack Obama, who just wrapped up a five-day trip to Latin America, has insisted that the goal of the U.N.-sanctioned military mission is strictly to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Daily Mail

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The mission was poorly conceived, because a no-fly zone was never sufficient to protect civilians. Air strikes are now targeting Libyan ground forces, but the fighting persists and pro-Qaddafi forces continue to control much of the country. Where we go from here is unclear. On the implementation side, coalition members have bickered about who is participating and what the command structure should look like. Meanwhile, the expected contributions from Arab countries have yet to materialize. Finally, administration officials have sent mixed messages about the purposes of the operation, confusing allies

James M. Lindsay

 

So that's why Benghazi fell to Qaddafi.

    you say. 

Oh. It didn't fall.

Well there must have been some lucky break offsetting the fact that Obama had failed at the key task  of 

clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is

Or just  maybe not defining the mission for the American people,the Congress, and our troops, and Quaddafi's troops and the janitor at the Pentagon wasn't an  omission. It was a tactic Think about that for a minute.

    says Flavius

And while you're at it, just for the fun of it  suppose that the goal of the Administration ,is not in conflict with the goal of the UN resolution and of the forces we committed and yatada yatada yatada. Just suppose that you don't get to be President of the Harvard Law Review if you're unable to think clearly.

But ,you say, the goal of the UN resolution ,was to protect Libyan civilians.

Yup.

But Obama has said that the goal is for Qaddafi to leave.

Where?

He said he'd like that not that it's the goal. If it were the goal then the assembled confusion moaners would be right.It would indeed be inconsistent with that goal that we're phasing out our role already with Qaddafi still lurking in a tent somewhere.. 

Well then why did Obama say he'd like Qaddafi to go?

Because he would. Wouldn't you?

Isn't that confusing the American People and, worst of all, the Speaker ? 

I doubt very much the Speaker is confused.

Well, he's at least confusing the American People  about our goal.

No.he's confused the arm- chair strategists and self-appointed viewers-with-alarm.That's not exactly  the same thing.

You say O was just indulging himself  by saying he'd like Q to go.

Sorry, I don't say that, you do  

OK ,OK  what was his purpose in saying it?

To get a freebe. O ,along with 95% of the earth's population- and 99% of Libya's-on Q's best day- would like Q to take a well earned rest from the rigors of statemanship and blowing up passenger planes. That happens not to be Obama's goal  nor that of the UN resolution.Therefore O's strategy has been to craft Odyssey Dawn to actually achieve the actual goal protecting civlians.But if at the same time, as a tactic,  O can motivate Q to take that holiday in Myanamar, hey what's not to like? Of maybe motivate some one else on some night of the long knives to do what you do with a long knife.

But why hasn't told the American People that's what he was doing?

Asked and answered. I'm  outta here.