Curious, do you think it's even in the interest of Americans to get involved?

Well, the King does have the money to fund such an investment. And if it means preserving public support, with the shit hitting the fan and all, then why not, right?

I think it's amost always in America's best interest to get involved.

I mean, Mommar isn't exacly the most pro-western dictator... but even pro western pocket dictators have their issues.

1) Libya as far as I know is full of tribes... so if this drags out, and unity splits before he's defeated... it could just devolve into another portracted civil war, or a military dictatorship by a few of the strongest tribes banding together and persecuting the smaller ones. 

2) They can be erratic and jump off script.  See Saddam.  A group of people is easier to predict, though harder to control.

3) They hold their countries back in development and also in innovation.   Democracies where more people prosper and the countries wealth grows means there will be better utilization of smart people, which means more scientists, inventors and doctors whose knowledge will spread among the international community in positive ways.

You look at democracies... and really, all the honest ones get along.  There are some issues with countries like Russia who have corrupt rigged processes but it's in everyones interest to have well running democracies.

You may still see SOME issues at a local level like Egypt and Israel or Indian and Pakistan (though Pakistan's proccess is also corrupt.)

Hoever it's for the best overall.

The best situation for America would be if every country in the world was a fair democracy with "1st world" standards... because we would be using as much human potential as we could, would have the biggest consumer base, and technology would be moving faster then in all other circumstances... pushing us towards a "needs free" society sooner, increasing world value and wealth sooner... and in general improving everyones lives.

Sure there won't be many people being able to strut around and say stuff like "Our nation is the best by far" but... who really cares? 

I mean, I'd rather have a better life, then be number 1 for sure.   I mean, which is better? 

Being number 1 at  100,000 points.

Or being number 40 in the same game with 500,000 points?

Agreed with just about all your points. Sadly, I still don't think this will end conflicts around the world, without one power wanting to stuff a wrench in a country's plans if it develops too far.

Btw, did you hear? Ghaddafi is now planning on blowing up the oil wells, much like what Saddam did in the Gulf War.

Not specifically, but I figured that would be the case after he gave the speech where he stated that the protesters were all kids turned against him via drugs and that they didn't represent 1% of the Libyian people, and that he was going to make sure everything burned to the ground rather then be removed... because... I guess he wants the >99% of people who support him to suffer....

So yeah...

Apparently Obama is FINALLY supposed to talk about Libya today in real terms.  Apparently they are saying he didn't say anything ealier because he was afraid if he did Ghaddafi would invade the US embassy and kill everyone, or bomb it or whatever.

Which, fair enough I guess.  So long as he's willing to speak extra hard to make up for it now.  Apparently one option is going to be to set up a no fly zone over Libya so anymore bombers targeting protesters will be shot down.

i heard it was all the BBC's fault -_-

@kaz

nice ideals but i don't think religion is going to let this happen in the middle east,its holding everything back in my opinion

what i don't understand about places like lybia if they have so much oil,how does this not benefit its people

it seems a shame

Fixed.

what do you mean? expand

I don't see why.  I mean, there isn't really anything in Islam that prevents democracys.  Thanks to some of the new interpretations they may end up with laws that we western people might not agree with, however the fact that those laws would be enacted by their own people would at least be a step foward.

Because usually, leaders (ab)use religion as an excuse to try and justify their agenda.