Rebels in Libya enter Tripoli, Gaddafi rule to be over soon

Rebels have entered Tripoli

Celebrations break out around Libya 

Two of Gaddafi’s sons captured 

Where is Gaddafi?   At this hour although he’s made several radio broadcasts but it is believed that Gaddafi is on the run and making the broadcasts via satellite phone.  There are a number of reports that suggest that he’s leaving for one of a number of African nations.

Some of the most interesting TV going on right now is what is happening with the journalists in the hotel where they’ve been contained it Tripoli.  It appears their minders have split but perhaps not, there is some significant tension.

However I think the best source for news and information is the live link to Al Jazeera English.

 

Gadhafi’s son killed in NATO airstrike

It is being reported that Gadhafi’s son Sair al Arab Gadhafi was killed in a NATO airstrike and that Gadhafi was in the house when the hit took place:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/74114/gaddafi’s-son-killed-in-airstrike-libyan-government

More details:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/30/saif-al-arab-gaddafi-libya-killed_n_855920.html

Fun Friday: Babies talking and my nephew takes care of Gadhafi

Hello Everyone, hope you are having a great Friday it’s sunny and warm here and feel’s spring.

First my nephew has figured out how to take down Gadhafi, he’s 7 and recently told his grandmother, “you know grandma, I watch a lot of John Wayne movies, so what you do, is you go up on his roof and throw a blanket over the chimney and smoke him out.”  God I love kid logic.

Secondly today a video tha has been flying over the web and I just can’t stop watching it, two twin babies seemingly having a totally nonsensical conversation, maybe it’s telepathy who knows:

Reality Check: On Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan and America’s Military

The following is taken from a Marine Corps. Blog written by Sgt. Priscilla Sneden.  It’s a poignant piece about the reality of our world and the fact that folks seem to care more about celebrities than American War dead.   Thanks to my friend Jax for turning me on to this piece and to all the men and women who have served our country.

In the past few weeks, Charlie Sheen’s public antics have created yet another Hollywood media frenzy. Every major news organization has covered the star’s breakdown. He has more than 2.8 million followers on Twitter and his Good Morning America Interview has more than 7.8 million views on YouTube.

While I love entertainment news, as much as the next 23-year-old, it disturbs me that Americans seem to be more intrigued by Hollywood happenings than the fact that OUR service members are still engaged in two wars and humanitarian operations across the globe.

There are currently more than 42,000 soldiers in Iraq. As our combat role in the nation draws to a close, the U.S. Army continues to advise, train, and equip Iraqi Security Forces, enabling them to provide for internal security while building a foundation to defend against external threats.

According to the International Security Assistance Force there are 90,000 U.S. service members supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. About 24,000 are Marines, conducting counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the government to protect the Afghan people, develop the Afghan National Security Force capabilities, and support improved governance and economic development.

We have thousands more Marines and Sailors embarked on Navy vessels guarding the seas – equipped and ready to respond to threats any place in the world.

Now, let’s put things into perspective. More than 130,000 Americans are in combat zones right now – they are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters- yet we are concerned with why Lindsay Lohan is back in court?

Prior to becoming a Marine, someone told me “only military appreciates military.”  While I think the statement is a bit harsh, it’s partly based on truth.  The fact that America would rather know about the next tinsel town scandal supports the idea.

It is no secret that the civil unrest in the North African nation of Libya is worsening, as forces loyal to Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi and Libyan rebels clash violently. Marines with the 26^th Expeditionary Marine Unit were directed by the Department of Defense to help evacuate Egyptians, who fled to the Tunisian border from Libya.

In an American Forces Press article released last week, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO strongly condemned the use of force against the Libyan people. What NATO will decide from this point and what our role will be in Libya is way above my pay grade. But as a sergeant of Marines I can say I’d rather know about what is going on in the daily lives of my fellow service members than where the cast of Jersey Shore is headed next.

There is nothing real about reality television. You want reality? Ask a Marine, Sailor, solider or airman.

From the New York Times, a list of some of the brave Americans who have given their life in the service of their country during this year.  Please take a moment and think about their sacrifice and the impact of their deaths on their family.  It would be a good moment to also appreciate your own family.

HINKLE, Michael J. II, 24, Senior Airman, Air Force; Corona, Calif.; 28th Communications Squadron.

ACOSTA, Rudy A., 19, Pfc., Army; Canyon Country, Calif.; Fourth Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry.

McDANIEL, Mecolus C., 33, Staff Sgt., Army; Fort Hood, Tex.; First Infantry Division.

MEIS, Christopher S., 20, Lance Cpl. Marines; Bennett, Colo.; Second Marine Division.

MICKLER, Donald R. Jr., 29, Cpl., Army; Bucyrus, Ohio; Fourth Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry.

RODRIGUEZ, Arturo E., 19 Pfc., Army; Bellflower, Calif; 101^st Airborne Division

TOMPKINS, Travis M., 31, Staff Sgt., Army; Lawton, Okla.; 10th Mountain Division.

ALDEN, Nicholas J., 25, Senior Airman, Air Force; Williamston, S.C.; 48th Security Forces Squadron.

STANTON, Jordan R., 20, Cpl., Marines; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; Second Marine Division.

WEAVER, Jason M., 22, Specialist, Army; Anaheim, Calif.; 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade.

WELLS, Mark C., 31, Staff Sgt., Army; San Jose, CA.; 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.

The world attacks Libya

Much to my surprise it seems the world has decided to do something about Gadhafi and Libya after all.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-19-libya_N.htm

In a recent post I predicted they would let the rebels fall to protect oil profits in Libya, you can read that post here: 
http://zdeaconblue.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/why-the-military-industrial-complex-commanded-we-abandon-libya/

So the question is what has changed, my best guess is that with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen all stepping up violence in the wake of no action on Libya, that the military industrial complex has decided that maybe the risk from rewarding a violent response to protests has the potential to cause more chaos, not less.  And although war is good for business, chaos is not.