Posted 3/21/2011

IS ANYBODY IN CHARGE?

The way things have gone the past two weeks, it's hard to figure if anybody is in charge of things in Washington. Look at these sequential events:

• Libya explodes in rebellion.

• President Obama vacillates: Who to support?

• Libyan President Gaddafi begins attacking the rebels with planes, tanks and artillery.

• The rebels begin to retreat.

• Secretary of State Clinton strongly suggests a "no-fly zone."

• Secretary of Defense Gates warns that a no-fly zone is really an attack on Libya. (He mistakenly expects that everyone will understand that there will be serious civilian casualties.)

• President Obama sternly tells Gaddafi to step down.

• Gaddafi tells Obama, "I will fight to the death."

• The Arab League demands a "no-fly zone" over Libya.

• Britain and France ask the United States to participate in a "no-fly zone."

• German Chancellor Merkel, playing footsie with the Russians over gas, refuses to go along.

• The USA begins moving its ships closer to Libya.

• The UN Security Council votes (with Russia and China abstaining) to allow the no-fly zone.

• Senate Democrats and Republicans demand that President Obama lead on settling the deficit and budget.

• President Obama, totally confused by foreign policy setbacks and unable to understand the budget problem, flees to Brazil with his wife and children.

• British, French and American forces attack Libyan airfields, artillery and tanks.

• The Arab League criticizes the allies for causing civilian casualties in Libya.

• Russia criticizes, claiming the allies are going "too far."

• President Obama frolics on the beach with his family.

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