The Time for United Action against Qadhaffi Is Now

As the world watches Qadhaffi, a trapped dictator, struggle to save himself, his conniving family and his regime, it is important to remember that whatever the media may say, his behavior this time around is not new. He has always been a violent and unpredictable man with questionable mental stability.

It may be tempting for political leaders in Europe and America to pretend that Qadhaffi has not always been the evil creature we are now seeing fire on his own people. But, if we think about Lockerbie and a plane full of innocents blown up because he was angry at the USA, or his 7-years of torture and detainment of the Bulgarian nurses who were merely trying to help Libyans suffering from AIDS, we must conclude that he is a mentally ill person who is capable of almost anything.

I point this out because Qadhaffi is now being encircled and trapped in Tripoli, with the members of his armed forces who are still loyal engaged around the city to protect him. Trapped animals will do anything to free themselves.

His army is using the cover of night to makes their rounds in the streets and neighborhoods of Tripoli, firing indiscriminately on civilians and aiming sniper fire at peaceful demonstrators.

The people of Benghazi and other areas in the east of Libya are afraid that Qadhaffi may send military airplanes to bombard them in an effort to reclaim the region.  

Foreign governments are scrambling to get their nationals out of Libya before Qadhaffi decides to use them as hostages in his end-game.

It is for these reasons that the UN and NATO must act soon, before there is a tragedy of epic proportions. Genocide is not unthinkable.

It is not easy to invade a country, especially one that has slipped into chaos, but it is also not easy to sit by, talking and debating, while an entire people are being used as pawns by a maniac. President Reagan knew where Qadhaffi was and sent the air force in to hit him with precision. With today's military technology, it would be possible to destroy Qadhaffi without wide loss of life.

America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the United Nations, NATO - WHERE ARE YOU? Tomorrow may be too late.