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Secretary Gates: Libya Not A “Vital National Interest” To The U.S. But Still An Interest

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» 56 comments

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates spoke with Jake Tapper on This Week and told him he doesn’t think Libya posed an actual or imminent threat to the U.S. before military operations began. Furthermore, Gates rather bluntly said “it was not a vital national interest to the United States, but it was an interest.”

Secretary of State Clinton, who more forcefully stressed the need for American involvement in the country, sat next to Gates during the interview. Gates also admitted that another consideration that needed to be taken into account were the recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. If action had not been taken, then an out of control Libya could have had the effect of destabilizing Tunisia and Egypt as well.

Watch the clip from ABC below:

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  • The Lantern of Truth

    Hill big-footed Gates . Gates not toeing the party line .
    This won’t end well .

    http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2011/03/27/meet-press-hillary-big-foots-bob-gates

  • illusive man

    Secretary Gates: Libya Not A “Vital National Interest” To The U.S. But Still An Interest

    Gates was right to not show up on FOX NEWS SUNDAY because Chris Wallace would not let him get away with a bullshit statement like that.

  • Garth

    illusive man said:
    Secretary Gates: Libya Not A “Vital National Interest” To The U.S. But Still An Interest

    Gates was right to not show up on FOX NEWS SUNDAY because Chris Wallace would not let him get away with a bullshit statement like that.

    No one will ever accuse you idiots of understanding nuance. LMAO!!

  • Nacho

    illusive man said:
    Secretary Gates: Libya Not A “Vital National Interest” To The U.S. But Still An Interest

    Gates was right to not show up on FOX NEWS SUNDAY because Chris Wallace would not let him get away with a bullshit statement like that.

    Wallace would have called him “Lame” for using bunny ear quote signs with his hands when saying “Vital National Interest.”

  • BatBoy

    This is the results of electing a Community Organizer President.

  • Alz

    I’m wondering what Obama’s endgame is. Removing Gadhafi does what? What are the alternatives?
    I read that some of the rebels are actually members of Al Qaeda.

    Are we going to help the Libyans set up a a republic? Or will the Muslim Brotherhood get in there??

    My guess is Obama wants the Muslim Brotherhood in there – and in Egypt.

  • Davo

    At the risk of drawing the ire of my compatriots on the Right, this may be the first statement from Gates I agree with.

    I see no reason for US involvement in Libya………………..it’s not an act of national security. If we simply wanted Gaddafi out, Reagan showed us how simple a task it should be. The fact that the rebels are admitting to having ties to Al Qaida is another reason to give pause.

    So far, I can see no benefit to America if Gaddafi doesn’t see tomorrow, and I can see no threat to America if he does. WTF are we doing?

  • Nacho

    Alz said:
    I’m wondering what Obama’s endgame is. Removing Gadhafi does what? What are the alternatives?
    I read that some of the rebels are actually members of Al Qaeda.

    Are we going to help the Libyans set up a a republic? Or will the Muslim Brotherhood get in there??

    My guess is Obama wants the Muslim Brotherhood in there – and in Egypt.

    It is not America’s or Obama’s “war”

    It is a United Nations security council resolution. America is just one of the players in this unanimous resolution.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1973

  • http://www.storminsmorningjava.blogspot.com/ stormin1961

    Why does what he said remind me of John Kerry’s “I voted for it before I voted against it” line?

  • Davo

    Alz said:
    I’m wondering what Obama’s endgame is. Removing Gadhafi does what? What are the alternatives?
    I read that some of the rebels are actually members of Al Qaeda.

    Are we going to help the Libyans set up a a republic? Or will the Muslim Brotherhood get in there??

    My guess is Obama wants the Muslim Brotherhood in there – and in Egypt.

    Sorry Alz, we posted close to the same time. Didn’t mean to sound like I was mirroring yours.

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    “It is not America’s or Obama’s “war””

    Who started it?

  • Garth

    stormin1961 said:
    Why does what he said remind me of John Kerry’s “I voted for it before I voted against it” line?

    Or Newts line about being a good idea then a bad idea. I understand what you are talking about – to the extent I can understand an idiot.

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    Garth said:
    Or Newts line about being a good idea then a bad idea. I understand what you are talking about – to the extent I can understand an idiot.

    Blue steel.

  • Garth

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    Blue steel.

    LMAO.

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    Garth said:
    LMAO.

    Plastered again, huh?

  • Garth

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    Plastered again, huh?

    Stupid again, huh? LMAO!

  • Garth

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    Plastered again, huh?

    Maybe it’s more accurate to say, still stupid. Either way, you are a joke, nonetheless entertaining. Keep em coming Robert Stephenson blha, blah, blah, LAMO!!!

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    Calling yourself stupid, now? Wow didn’t see that coming. Must be some good stuff.

  • the real john t

    Davo said:
    If we simply wanted Gaddafi out, Reagan showed us how simple a task it should be.

    That’s funny, I don’t remember Reagan taking Gaddafi OUT. Why is he still in power today?

  • Garth

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    Calling yourself stupid, now? Wow didn’t see that coming. Must be some good stuff.

    Hey, you’re far more clever than I give you credit for. LMAO!!

  • Davo

    the real john t said:
    That’s funny, I don’t remember Reagan taking Gaddafi OUT. Why is he still in power today?

    S’funny you don’t. Gaddafi has been harmless for nearly 35 years after Reagan sent a squadron of jet fighters armed with missiles to smack his palace. Gaddafi suddenly “came to Jesus” ever since. Reagan showed the simple and effective way to neutralize Gaddafi, but Hussein apparently has no taste for solutions. That Hussein might have ulterior motives for helping Al Qaida and the rebels might be the difference.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    Looks like Hillary’s testicle lockbox is getting fuller:

    It was a stunning power play. On Meet The Press this morning, after Defense Secretary Bob Gates conceded that Libya is not a “vital interest” of the United States–but before he could complete his comments–Hillary cut him off. She launched into a minute-and-forty-second monologue seeking to justify US military involvement in Libya.

    Gates had to sit and take it . . . and never got to say another word.

  • cjd ohio 1

    Davo said:
    S’funny you don’t. Gaddafi has been harmless for nearly 35 years after Reagan sent a squadron of jet fighters armed with missiles to smack his palace. Gaddafi suddenly “came to Jesus” ever since. Reagan showed the simple and effective way to neutralize Gaddafi, but Hussein apparently has no taste for solutions. That Hussein might have ulterior motives for helping Al Qaida and the rebels might be the difference.

    sorry but can’t agree here, he plotted the pan am bombing after that and still sponsored terrorist

  • the real john t

    Davo said:
    Reagan showed the simple and effective way to neutralize Gaddafi,

    Gaddafi is still in power and he is killing his own people. What don’t you understand about that?

  • the real john t

    cjd ohio 1 said:
    sorry but can’t agree here, he plotted the pan am bombing after that and still sponsored terrorist

    Yes, the reason was to get back at Reagan.

  • cjd ohio 1

    the real john t said:
    Yes, the reason was to get back at Reagan.

    he had others reasons, you cant say that for sure, he bombed the disco in germany before the attack

  • the real john t

    cjd ohio 1 said:
    he had others reasons, you cant say that for sure, he bombed the disco in germany before the attack

    No, I can’t say it for sure. But anyone that says Reagan neutralized him are crazy.

  • Nacho

    Liberal Tormentor said:
    Cut and Paste

    You’re much more entertaining when you chose to use your own words about your own observations.

  • cjd ohio 1

    the real john t said:
    No, I can’t say it for sure. But anyone that says Reagan neutralized him are crazy.

    i do agree on that

  • Davo

    cjd ohio 1 said:
    sorry but can’t agree here, he plotted the pan am bombing after that and still sponsored terrorist

    That’s true. But in today’s world there are many, many more threatening situations that demand attention if we are to survive them. Getting revenge for crimes of 35 years ago shouldn’t be at the top of the priority list, and I suspect other motives of this President.

  • the real john t

    Davo said:
    Getting revenge for crimes of 35 years ago shouldn’t be at the top of the priority list,

    What about George W Bush going after Saddam becuse he threatened to kill his daddy. Look at the mess he made.

  • The Lantern of Truth

    SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM

    Come and sing a simple song of freedom
    Sing it like you’ve never sung before
    Let it fill the air
    Tell the people everywhere
    We, the people here, don’t want a war

    Hey there, Mister Black Man can you hear me?
    I don’t want your diamonds or your game
    I do want to be someone known to you as me
    and I will bet my life you want the same

    Come and sing a simple song of freedom
    Sing it like you’ve never sung before
    Let it fill the air
    Tell the people everywhere
    We, the people here, don’t want a war

    Seven hundred million are enlisted
    Most of what you read, most of what you read, is made of lies
    But speaking one to one, ain’t it everybody’s sun
    To wake to in the morning when we rise?

    Come and sing a simple song of freedom
    Sing it like you’ve never sung, never sung, before
    Let it fill the air
    Tell the people everywhere
    We, the people here, don’t want a war

    No doubt some folks enjoy doin’ battle
    Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
    So let’s all build them shelves so they can fight among themselves
    and leave us be those who want to sing

    Come and sing a simple song of freedom
    Sing it like you’ve never, ever, sung before
    Let it fill the air
    Tell the people everywhere
    We, the people here, don’t want a war

    Come and sing a simple song of freedom
    Sing it like you’ve never, ever, sung before
    Speaking one to one
    Ain’t it everybody’s sun
    To wake to in the morning when we rise
    Speaking one to one
    Ain’t it everybody’s sun
    To wake to in the morning when we rise

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ1ohsissjE

  • the real john t

    The Lantern of Truth said:
    Hey there, Mister Black Man can you hear me?

    That says everything to know about you.

  • Alz

    Davo said:
    Sorry Alz, we posted close to the same time. Didn’t mean to sound like I was mirroring yours.

    That’s okay, we each said some things the other didn’t.

    The more I think of this Libya issue, the more I wonder what Obama’s angle is.

  • Alz

    On the other hand, the word “Libya” starts with “Lib” so maybe he’s enamored with the name?

  • Pablo

    Why did they hire Amanpour and not give this show to Tapper? Because they’re stupid, that’s why.

    So, does anyone know what the hell we’re doing over there?

  • Pablo

    Alz said:
    That’s okay, we each said some things the other didn’t.

    The more I think of this Libya issue, the more I wonder what Obama’s angle is.

    I’m not sure he has one.

  • the real john t

    Pablo said:
    So, does anyone know what the hell we’re doing over there?

    Did you ever ask that when Bush went into Iraq?

  • Pablo

    the real john t said:
    Did you ever ask that when Bush went into Iraq?

    Didn’t have to. We had a stated mission. Congress voted on it and everything. Everybody discussed it for the better part of a year before it happened.

    john, are you defending Obama by trying to say that he’s just like George Bush? Is that what you voted for?

  • the real john t

    Pablo said:
    Everybody discussed it for the better part of a year before it happened.

    BS. What was Bush’s exit stradegy? OH! That’s right there was none.

  • Alz

    Pablo said:
    I’m not sure he has one.

    He does – and I’ll bet Soros is involved.

  • Alz

    the real john t said:
    BS. What was Bush’s exit stradegy? OH! That’s right there was none.

    We did good in Iraq, despite our worst enemy being liberals.

  • the real john t

    Alz said:
    We did good in Iraq, despite our worst enemy being liberals.

    HUH! Who’s the one that pulled all of the combat troops out of Iraq?

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    the real john t said:
    HUH! Who’s the one that pulled all of the combat troops out of Iraq?

    Bush got the ball rolling on getting the troops out.. Obama took credit for it, though. Btw, you think the remaining troops in Iraq don’t have guns? There are still combat troops there.

  • the real john t

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    Btw, you think the remaining troops in Iraq don’t have guns?

    Now just think of the stupidity you just wrote. Do you think any US military would be sent somewhere without any arms?

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    the real john t said:
    Now just think of the stupidity you just wrote. Do you think any US military would be sent somewhere without any arms?

    You’re the one that said “all combat troops are out” not me. Btw, nice selective response.

  • the real john t

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    You’re the one that said “all combat troops are out” not me.

    Tell me when any military personel was sent to a country without any guns. You’re the one that made the ignorant comment.

  • the real john t

    Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz said:
    You’re the one that said “all combat troops are out” not me.

    BTW, you probably didn’t know about it because Fox didn’t tell you.

  • Robert Stephenson Hearts Mark Schultz

    the real john t said:
    BTW, you probably didn’t know about it because Fox didn’t tell you.

    Yep, you got me.

  • Davo

    the real john t said:
    BS. What was Bush’s exit stradegy? OH! That’s right there was none.

    Has it ever occurred to you that “exit strategy” when entering a war is only a priority for cowards? The first priority is to accomplish the mission…………………….THEN, worry about exiting the theater. That’s another reason Liberals should never be entrusted with leadership.

  • More Liberty5

    Can’t we all agree that these foreign adventures are getting old? Regardless of your party or leanings, can’t we agree that these politicians are pretty much the same when it comes to these things, as well as other issues.

    The national media and political organizations only want us to think in terms of left or right. They’d rather we argue for one corrupt side over the other as opposed to question the whole damn system. They sure don’t want us to call it like it is. And that is that both parties have gotten us into:

    -Unconstitutional wars
    -Debt that this virtually non-repayable
    -Bailouts for corporations

    The fact is both establishment parties are as crooked as a two dollar bill. They want us to argue party politics and not discuss the fact that both parties have continued to circumvent the US Constitution for years.

    Something has to change.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bob-Hubble/100001340708758 caconservative

    Garth:

    The only nuance I see in this Obimbo butt-covering BS, is the depth of the BS cover up Obimbo apologizers will spread because, the only hope he has in covering up this pile of Whoopie dog-mess, is to make up some fictional scenario where Libya might have…at some time…been, or become a danger to the U.S. I hope you didn’t vote for this idiot….did you?

  • Alz

    the real john t said:
    Tell me when any military personel was sent to a country without any guns. You’re the one that made the ignorant comment.

    Wake up, you were waaaay off.

  • Alz

    Davo said:
    Has it ever occurred to you that “exit strategy” when entering a war is only a priority for cowards? The first priority is to accomplish the mission…………………….THEN, worry about exiting the theater. That’s another reason Liberals should never be entrusted with leadership.

    Yes. But Liberals ARE capable of doing this – except it’s against Americans. In other words, when trying to undermine our system, they can get very focused on the mission.

  • BOMBSHELL

    OK morons, listen up!

    GBR (whom the family lovingly refers to as “Goober-Brained Retard) put our son, BOMBSHELL JR. on a bus to Thule, Greenland. He told our boy there would be a kitten waiting for him when he got to Greenland, and you know how our son is ALWAYS asking everyone he meets to buy him a kitten.

    Well, the kid is sort of dimwitted just like his ol’ man, and so I’m stepping in until we get him back to provide moral support for my ol’ man, and you’d danged well better NOT mess with me! Just know that I am GBR’s ol’ lady, and give me the respect I demand.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bob-Hubble/100001340708758 caconservative

    Secretary Billerie Clinton, is now saying that the U.S. is demanding that Qaddafi must go. She has conveniently side-stepped the question of Obimbo’s Congressional authority, or lack of, to start a military action in Libya. This has become the standard practice of this government. Just ignore the Constitution, or anyone that protests Obimbo’s use of power he does not have!

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