Should NATO invade Libya?

Royal Irish wrote: »

I hate to see civilian lives lost, but all these Dictators in the Maghreb and in the Middle East are doing us in the west a favor by staying in power. If or when they are kicked from power the likely replacements will be islamic extremists. I think its either Tunisia or Egypt that the previously banned group called the Muslim brotherhood are looking likely to take power. Also Iranian warships have passed through the Suez canal recently for the first time in about 30 years I think. The toppled Egyptian government never used to allow them pass through in the past. Could be some dark times ahead.

Maybe I'm crazy, but don't you think an Islamic democracy is better than any dictatorship? How many democratic countries (as compared to dictatorships) have waged war on their neighbours in the last 100 years?

Think about the last world war. 3 primary belligerants, all dictatorships. All of the primary Allies, democracies.

The thing is, when you let people vote for what they want, they very rarely vote for, "Yes, let's send our children to invade a foreign country and blow the ****e out of themselves because we want a bigger country". They usually vote for the, "We like our country as it is, just keep us safe and keep us healthy" option.

Dictatorships breed poverty, which breeds ignorance, which breeds religious extremism. It's no coincidence that Islamic fundamentalists tend to come from poor dictatorships. It's in much the same way that IRA sympathisers and supporters tend to come from working-class areas.

ejmaztec wrote: »

I'd hate for any peoples putting their lives on the line to get rid of their dodgy rulers, if like Ireland, they end up with a bigger bunch of **** than the ones that were forced out.

Hopefully that doesn't happen, and things are still up in the air, but I don't see people accepting anything less than a democracy at this point imho. Yes, things have the potential to go wrong, but there is just as much chance if not more so, that the protesters will get what they want.

its not in the role of NATO to invade unless there is a security risk to the west,[ireland is not a member of NATO] that would be the role of the UN,

fulhamfanincork wrote: »

I think we should nuke the place. Total non entity of a country.

When did we get nukes?

seamus wrote: »

Maybe I'm crazy, but don't you think an Islamic democracy is better than any dictatorship? How many democratic countries (as compared to dictatorships) have waged war on their neighbours in the last 100 years?

Think about the last world war. 3 primary belligerants, all dictatorships. All of the primary Allies, democracies.

The thing is, when you let people vote for what they want, they very rarely vote for, "Yes, let's send our children to invade a foreign country and blow the ****e out of themselves because we want a bigger country". They usually vote for the, "We like our country as it is, just keep us safe and keep us healthy" option.

Dictatorships breed poverty, which breeds ignorance, which breeds religious extremism. It's no coincidence that Islamic fundamentalists tend to come from poor dictatorships. It's in much the same way that IRA sympathisers and supporters tend to come from working-class areas.

Some very good points there.

If fair and transparent elections are held in these countries, the likes of the muslim brotherhood will get into power, so the current agreements Egypt or whatever other country in the Maghreb have with Israel will be null and void. Already we have seen Iranian warships pass through the Suez canal, which hasnt happened in over 30 years I think. It wouldnt of happened if Mubarak was still in charge.

But worse still the likes of the muslim brotherhood will introduce Sharia Law, which in my opinion is just medieval savagery. They have already been quoted as saying that they will introduce it and people will still vote for it. I'd rather live under a dictatorship than live with the possibility of one of my sisters being stoned to death because she came home from a night out with a 1.5 inch scrape on her bum. If they even go as far as very strict Sharia Law that the Pashto Taliban live under, that would mean that young girls wont be allowed an education. Stuff like that just shouldnt happen in the 21st century and its where those countries a heading.

Royal Irish wrote: »

If fair and transparent elections are held in these countries, the likes of the muslim brotherhood will get into power, so the current agreements Egypt or whatever other country in the Maghreb have with Israel will be null and void.

There is no guarantee that they would win an election firstly, and secondly even if they did, there is no guarantee they would rip up any agreement with Israel either btw.

Royal Irish wrote: »

Already we have seen Iranian warships pass through the Suez canal, which hasnt happened in over 30 years I think. It wouldnt of happened if Mubarak was still in charge.

Except that Egpytian policy has been to allow such ships through the canal, as long as they are not at war with Egypt. So, as per the previous policy, nothing has changed in that regard.

Royal Irish wrote: »

But worse still the likes of the muslim brotherhood will introduce Sharia Law, which in my opinion is just medieval savagery. They have already been quoted as saying that they will introduce it and people will still vote for it. I'd rather live under a dictatorship than live with the possibility of one of my sisters being stoned to death because she came home from a night out with a 1.5 inch scrape on her bum. If they even go as far as very strict Sharia Law that the Pashto Taliban live under, that would mean that young girls wont be allowed an education. Stuff like that just shouldnt happen in the 21st century and its where those countries a heading.

There are already elements of Sharia law in Egypt, which most people seem to be unaware of.

Secondly, this all depends on firstly the Muslim brotherhood getting into power, and then for them to introduce the kind of laws that your are suggesting. Finally, Libya and Egypt are 2 different countries, and from what I can see the Muslim Brotherhood, don't have the same organization in Libya, so in the context of the thread, everything you have said is largely irrelevant.