21 March 2011 Bach to Basics

http://www.historyorb.co A long list of musician, actors, writers, politicians, and other notables may be found at the link cited here. I did not expect to find my name on the list and am, thus, not disappointed by its non-appearance. Two of my favorite composers are on the list of the famous who share this birth date with me.

1685 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Eisenach Germany

1839 - Modest Mussorgsky, composer (Boris Gudunov, Night on Bald Mt)





In the area of magical and unrealistic thought processes, we find the Arab League. The Arab League asked f or a UN resolution to establish a no fly zone interdicting the use of Kaddafi’s air power against the opposing rebel forces and Libyan civilians. The UN provided such and allowed all possible means to enforce the edict.

In the last three days the U.S., Great Britain, and France have launched cruise missile and attack aircraft strikes against the Libyan air force, some ground forces, and the Khadaffi compound. Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750

To implement a no fly zone it is necessary to remove all elements of anti-aircraft capability, from single barrel cannon to missile batteries. It is also necessary to eliminate the command and control facilities that direct anti-aircraft and other tactical operations. The U.S. provided its own cruise missile and Elint capabilities while Britain aided in cruise missile strikes from submarine platforms. France has provided attack aircraft to strike Libya, as has Great Britain.

Now the Arab League is dismayed at the extent of damage:

“Arab League criticises air strikes on Libya

Headlines Today Bureau
Cairo, March 21, 2011
Updated 10:52 IST

The Arab League on Sunday criticised military strikes on Libya by the US-led allied forces.



Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa, who had earlier supported the idea of a no-fly zone, on Monday criticised the severity of the bombardment.



"What has happened in Libya differs from the goal of imposing a no-fly zone and what we want is the protection of civilians and not bombing other civilians. From the start we requested only that a no-fly zone be set up to protect Libyan civilians and avert any other developments or additional measures," Moussa said.



His comments attained significance as the Arab League's backing was a key factor in getting the UN Security Council to authorise the move.

What did they expect?

The Arab League seems to be divorced from reality of modern politics and modern warfare. They apparently have no understanding of the fact that modern armies will not deploy their aircraft into territories where they will be fired upon by both hostile and “friendly” forces without taking every step to obliterate those forces in order to assure the safety of aircrews and the integrity of aircraft. Bombast is not a significant part of the arsenal of Western armies. When Western armies set out to eliminate aircraft from a geographic region they don’t stop until all aspects of the job are completed.

Somehow, the Arab league must have dreamed of a world in which the Libyan air force and army would simply throw down their weapons and cease making war upon Libyans after being commanded to do so by the UN. Historically Arab dictators have not relinquished power without being carried off in chains. Egypt and Tunisia are marked exceptions to the common practice.

After unanimously endorsing the need for a no fly zone, Arab states are now refusing to take part in implementing the resolution. Arab aircraft have flown no sorties, dropped no bombs, and launched no missiles against Libyan forces and facilities. Nor are they likely to do so, hiding behind their expressed desire to avoid killing Arab civilians. That is pretty much what I have expected from the beginning. Khadaffi is now screaming that this action is a Western attack upon Islam and upon Muslim nations. Before the week is over this will be echoed by multiple Arab states.

We, the U.S., British, Canadians, French, and any other Western nation currently protecting Libyan citizens by placing our troops and equipment between civilians and military should stand down immediately. The Arab states wanted this no fly zone. We’ve already done the hard and expensive work. Let the various Arab states pick up the shovel and complete the job they demanded of us. I doubt seriously it will happen. They can all fly their planes into the ground, or lose them to “friendly “fire.

As for the GOP/teavangelists who see this as an opportunity to force their religion on other people, I’m certain that Sarah Palin would be thrilled to lead them into Libya on the ground, as “prayer warriors.” She wants foreign policy credentials; let her earn them in Libya.