Barak Obama, Will Rogers and Libya

The Arab League called this weekend for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya, in an effort to protect civilians and help stop the growing civil war in which the freedom fighters are being pushed back toward Benghazi. During the meeting, demonstrators marched outside the Arab League headquarters in Cairo in support of the no-fly zone and international help for the freedom fighters.

The League also asked the UN to implement its request as it thought best, but warned that it wants no military intervention and that the no-fly zone must be lifted when the civil war ends. The request was made against the backdrop of advancing Qadhaffi forces that seem energized and determined to take Benghazi and end the pro-democracy insurrection.

The White House said that it was cheered by the Arab League request but will continue to prepare for all contingencies.

President Obama said Friday that he "won't take (the) decision lightly" about the use of military force, including helping to enforce a no-fly zone, saying it is critical to "balance costs versus benefits."

Meanwhile, France has already recognized the National Transitional Council as the sole representative of the Libyan people, but the European Union continues to be more restrained, with reports that it is Germany which is arguing against EU intervention."

When I consider Mr. Obama’s cold and heartless statement about cost-benefit analysis, I cannot help but think of Will Rogers, the unequaled American humorist of the early 20th century, who took on the American government as his favorite topic of ridicule.

While I do not mean to be flippant, and certainly do not want to belittle either America’s political institutions or the Libyan freedom fighters, sometimes, when all else has failed, seeing the humor in the “sick” political response to this despotism may be the only thing left. So, here are some of Will Rogers’ best comments. They seem to have been written with the Obama administration in mind:

- On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does.

- People's minds are changed through observation and not through argument.

- Chaotic action is preferable to orderly inaction.

- Liberty doesn't work as well in practice as it does in speeches.

Thank you, Will Rogers. Too bad you’re not with us now because we could really use your wisdom.