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[MetalSlimeHunt]

Having a gun doesn't do all that much for you if you aren't trained to use it and your primary opponents are.

[Shinziril]

Perhaps.  But the UN resolution says we'll defend unarmed civilians; once they pick up weapons they are responsible for their own defense.

Learning how to use said weapons to effectively defend yourself is likely recommended. 

[Aqizzar]

NATO and the US have realized that just keeping the Libyan rebels safe from airstrikes isn't going to win their revolution for them.  With the full-throated support of Senator John McCain of all people (who to his tremendous if perhaps grandstanding credit, actually went to Benghazi to meet the rebel leadership), President Obama has authorized American drone units to strike non-airforce targets to further cripple the Loyalist military.

The uniquely American alliance of bighearted conservatives and cruise-missile liberals have agreed to NATO commanders' requests to kick the Libyan intervention into the major league.  Hopefully it helps dislodge Qaddafi a little quicker, because this circus can't end soon enough.

[DJ]

Thank God, it was past time to get serious about this.

[Alexhans]

I might be wrong but, didn't the initial UN resolution state that they weren't trying to remove Ghadaffi?  Just protecting civilians?

Spoiler: "The Walking Dead is spot on, read the comic" (click to show/hide)

[Bouchart]

I might be wrong but, didn't the initial UN resolution state that they weren't trying to remove Ghadaffi?  Just protecting civilians?

Who knows.  The West has no consistent philosophy or policy on Libya.  I think the goal is just to keep refugees from flooding into Europe.

[Zangi]

Are we expecting a declaration of war now?  Cause you know, I think they started bombing for Gaddafi...
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/201142521716965313.html

Or is there some stupid legalise/willful ignoring that everyone is doing to make it happen?

Like Gaddafi's gov't not being recognized anymore and now it can't be a war.

[Phmcw]

Are we expecting a declaration of war now?  Cause you know, I think they started bombing for Gaddafi...
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/201142521716965313.html

Or is there some stupid legalise/willful ignoring that everyone is doing to make it happen?

Like Gaddafi's gov't not being recognized anymore and now it can't be a war.

Can you prove that building wasn't going to fly away? I think not! We're just enforcing the no flight zone, obviously.

[Earthquake Damage]

Are we expecting a declaration of war now?  Cause you know, I think they started bombing for Gaddafi...
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/201142521716965313.html

Or is there some stupid legalise/willful ignoring that everyone is doing to make it happen?

Like Gaddafi's gov't not being recognized anymore and now it can't be a war.

Supposedly (dubious sources are dubious) the US has not formally declared war since WWII.  Political convenience and all that.  The only justification I've heard, laughably weak as it is, is that declaring war on a country means declaring war on its people, or something equally retarded.

[RedKing]

To be fair, hardly anyone else has issued a formal decalaration of war since then either. In fact, throughout much of history, wars have occurred without a formal declaration.

[Aqizzar]

Over the weekend, the civil war continues in Libya.  NATO airstrikes are now targeting Qaddafi himself, but have been ineffective.  Rebel forces in Misrata claim to have pushed Loyalist forces away from the city, but only after it was pounded by indiscriminate artillery fire, with hundreds if not thousands of civilian deaths.

And a few days ago, some foreign photojournalists died while covering the rebel side of the war, including one of the journalists who made Restrepo.

[Leafsnail]

Supposedly (dubious sources are dubious) the US has not formally declared war since WWII.  Political convenience and all that.  The only justification I've heard, laughably weak as it is, is that declaring war on a country means declaring war on its people, or something equally retarded.

It kindof makes sense, I guess.  If you were to declare war on Libya in order to remove Gaddafi, you'd be implicitly acknowledging that the Gaddafi regime is the legitimate head of the country.

[Alexhans]

Sometimes I imagine what would an "Truth all day" day do to the world of politics and journo-propaganda (think liar liar around the globe).   

Another important point for not ever calling it a war relates to the whole "this is not a war" just a joint limited military operation, we don't need our citizen's approval.  Congress?  What's that?  We reserve those guys for crucial debates like closeted gay soldiers: yay or nay.

[Zangi]

I hope this is related to the thread.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/04/2011415181326266737.html
In short: Gov't crackdown on free speech and journalism in Iraq, while trying to establish its own state run media.

[RedKing]

I honestly think we don't issue formal declarations of war for the same reason that we don't send bewigged heralds with flutes and gaily-colored banners to parley with the enemy before their gates anymore. It's an anachronism.