<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><br><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="4" color="#000000" style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>From: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="4" style="font: 14.0px Helvetica">"Doug Rawlings" <<a href="mailto:rawlings@vfpmaine.org">rawlings@vfpmaine.org</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div> <span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt"><div class="Section1"> <div> <div style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"><hr align="center" width="100%" size="2" tabindex="-1"> </span><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"> </font><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman;"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000">a note from the author: </font></span></div></div></div></div></span></blockquote><br><blockquote type="cite"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt"><div class="Section1"><div><div style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman;">Friends</span><br> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div bgcolor="#ffffff"><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"> I know the Libyan attack has divided the peace movement, but now the situation is becoming clearer. What is really happening is starting to be reported. If you supported the no fly zone, I hope as you read the article below that you will reconsider. The facts are becoming more clear and it is evident this is not about democracy nor about a no fly zone. It is becoming a western intervention into <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> where there is a civil war between rebels and the Gadhafi Regime. It will not just be a few days, nor will it be limited to air strikes. There are reports that the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> has had troops on the ground since the end of February and now has 2,000 marines in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> -- and more to come. National Guard troops are getting ready to deploy to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> as well.<br> <br> Once again, lies and manipulations, playing on fears have led to another war. It is time for the peace movement to unite in opposition to this war.<br> <br> KZ<br> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></p> <table cellpadding="0" border="0" class="MsoNormalTable"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <table cellpadding="0" border="0" class="MsoNormalTable"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_blank" href="http://warisacrime.org/content/if-you-supported-no-fly-zone-time-reconsider">http://warisacrime.org/content/if-you-supported-no-fly-zone-time-reconsider</a></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">If You Supported the No Fly Zone, Time to Reconsider</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">The Attack on <st1:country-region w:st="on">Libya</st1:country-region> is Not Merely a No Fly Zone—But an Intervention Into <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">By Kevin Zeese</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">It was hard for some peace activists to look at the planned attack by Col. Gadhafi on Libyan rebels and oppose the no fly zone approved by the U.N. Col. Gadhafi is a vicious leader who promised to make the streets run red with blood so this was an issue that divided the peace community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">Regardless of how you felt about the original no fly zone, how you feel about the Gadhafi regime or the armed rebels fighting it, we should all recognize that the United States, United Kingdom and France are going further than a no fly zone and are intervening in a civil war for their own reasons that have nothing to do with defending democracy or other humanitarian goals. Already we are seeing evidence of the broader mission beyond a no fly zone and beyond what President Obama said would be a few days with no troops on the ground.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- While in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> this week Secretary Gates hinted that the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171384.html">war in Libya may be open-ended</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- There is confusion about the goals in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Does it include removal of Gadhafi as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1627735.php/Obama-says-Gaddafi-needs-to-go">President Obama</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theusdaily..com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=1407176&type=Politics">Secretary Clinton</a> have said? Putting <a target="_blank" href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/151191-white-house-suggests-regime-change-is-goal-of-libya-mission">in place a democracy</a>? Reaching those goals is beyond the UN mandate and will get the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> into another quagmire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- While President Obama promised no troops on the ground in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Libya</st1:country-region>, there are reports that there are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=1316884">already 2,000 marines on the ground in Libya</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/03/24/2057996/special-forces-may-have-role-in.html">Special Forces</a> are developing a role in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Even before the UN resolution there were reports of <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/63025/Britain_France_US_military_advisors_dispatched_to_Libya">“advisors” on the ground in Libya in early March</a> and Special Forces fighting with rebels in late February, a month before the mandate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- The <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> is planning on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Ill-Air-National-Guard-Unit-Deployed-to-Libya-118359004.html">sending National Guard troops to Libya</a>. Is a longer war planned than has been admitted?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- It is becoming more evident that this is a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.speroforum.com/a/50058/Red-Cross-Libya-in-39Civil-War39-France-Recognizes-Opposition-As-39Legitimate39-Voice-Of-People">foreign intervention into a civil war</a> and we've had enough experience with that to know that it will not end well. And, there is strong evidence that if this is not already one, it will <a target="_blank" href="http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/24/social_science_and_the_libyan_adventure">become a civil war</a> because of foreign intervention.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- Due to the expansion of the attack beyond a no fly zone, which the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12723554">Arab League originally called for</a>, the Arab League now opposes the intervention because it is not a legitimate “no fly zone.” <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/20/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110320">As the Arab League president said</a>, “What is happening in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12833196">“hidden agenda”</a> of oil is rearing its ugly head again. Would the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> be in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> if it produced asparagus? Why isn’t the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> opposing dictators in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Bahrain</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Yemen</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Saudi Arabia</st1:place></st1:country-region>? Now that the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rferl.org/content/libya_air_force_unable_to_fight/2348314.html">Libyan Air Force has been made unable to fight</a>, what is the purpose of the ongoing bombardment?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">- And, how many civilians will the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> kill to save civilians from being killed? Already there are reports of <a target="_blank" href="http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8227762/putin-condemns-civilian-deaths-in-libya">widespread civilian deaths</a> as well as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368633/Libya-war-US-chopper-shoots-6-villagers-welcomed-Air-Force-F-15-crash-pilots.html">mistaken civilian deaths</a>. Secretary <a target="_blank" href="http://mediascrape.com/all-posts/world-news/robert-gates-no-libya-civilian-deaths-russia-cease-fire-ndtv-newsx-pbs-itn-video/">Gates’ denial of civilian deaths</a> are hard to believe when nearly 200 missiles have been launched into <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">The Libyan attack raises a persistent issue in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> foreign policy. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/23/us_libya_arms_training">The U.S. trained the Libyan military and provided them with weapons</a>, including <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/reports/655_intro.html">$15 million in arms sales in FY 2009</a> alone. Now the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> military is destroying that same military and the weapons the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> sold them. Should the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/09/report-us-is-worlds-biggest-arms-seller-again/">largest arms merchant in the world</a> which sells nearly 70% of all weapons, be selling weapons to despots, dictators and royalists who do not have the support of their people? Doesn’t this ensure rebellions seeking democracy will be met with lethal force and the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> may need to intervene for “humanitarian” reasons? President Obama has produced record arms sales, in particular the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/13/us-saudi-arabia-arms-deal">largest arms sale in history to one country with $60 billion</a> in sales to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Saudi Arabia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, another unpopular regime among its people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, the Constitutional issue of unilateral military attacks on countries that are not a threat to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> was violated by the attack on <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> and needs to be faced up to. When he was running for office, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/CandidateQA/ObamaQA/">candidate Obama correctly said</a>: “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.” James Madison, the father of the U.S. Constitution <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ourrepubliconline.com/OurRepublic/Quote/163">wrote in 1795</a> that Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which put the power to declare war and fund war in the hands of the legislature, was the most important clause of the constitution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">“The Constitution expressly and exclusively vests in the Legislature the power of declaring a state of war [and] the power of raising armies. A delegation of such powers [to the president] would have struck, not only at the fabric of our Constitution, but at the foundation of all well organized and well checked governments. The separation of the power of declaring war from that of conducting it, is wisely contrived to exclude the danger of its being declared for the sake of its being conducted.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">The founders had seen monarchs unilaterally declare war resulting in mass deaths and economic ruin. Indeed, the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> with an already fragile economy and stretched thin military faces those risks with the Libyan war. Already the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> has used more than 150 Tomahawk Cruise missiles against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region>, each one costing $1.5 million. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alternet.org/story/150331/first_day_of_libya_strikes_cost_more_than_100_million__is_it_worth_it?page=2">On the first day the U.S. spent an estimated $100 million</a> on the Libyan attack. And, people are estimating that the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/23/libya-usa-costs-idUSN2220961820110323">U.S. will spend $1 billion</a> in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region> in a very short time. This will all be borrowed money and comes at a time when austerity measures are being put in place by state and federal governments cutting basic services.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;">Please call President Obama and give him your thoughts about <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Libya</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Tell him to avoid mission creep and another military quagmire. <strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">The White House switchboard is <a target="_blank" href="tel:202-456-1414">202-456-1414</a>.</span></strong></span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Kevin Zeese is co-founder of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.votersforpeace.us/">Voters For Peace</a> and directs <a target="_blank" href="http://www.comehomeamerica.us/">Come Home America</a> which brings people from across the political spectrum to oppose war and empire.</span></em>cal spectrum to oppose war and empire.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><div><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> </div></span> <br><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: tahoma;">____________________________________________ <br> </span> <span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: tahoma;">This listserv is primarily a listing of appropriate announcements of coming events and actions, and relevant articles directed to members and interested individuals of Maine Veterans for Peace. Its content is monitored and updated by a single administrator -- Doug Rawlings, Chapter Secretary. If you have an article or event that you would like posted to this listserv, you can email him at <a href="mailto:rawlings@vfpmaine.org">rawlings@vfpmaine.org</a> for consideration. This listserv is not a running log of events and personal insights with an online audience, or a blog. If you wish to be removed from this list, please email <a href="mailto:unsubscribe@vfpmaine.org">unsubscribe@vfpmaine.org</a></span></blockquote></div><br></body></html>