by Simon Assaf
The Western military assault on Muammar Gaddafi has been welcomed by millions of people horrified by the cruelty he is unleashing on the Libyan people. This war is being sold as a “humanitarian intervention” with strict guarantees that there will be no ground invasion.
by Sarah E.
As a general rule, I tend to avoid Facebook fights, but recently I had to make an exception. A large number of the anti-war activists whom I have stood side by side with at many a protest have shocked me with their statements condemning all foreign intervention in Libya and even shaming the rebels for asking for help. This hypocrisy confounds me. It was my understanding that leftist activists were supposed to support the people against those who oppress the people, and in this case, it is obvious that the only one oppressing the people of Libya is their dictator, Gaddafi.
by Hadeel K.
I am not a writer. At this very moment, I am the embodiment of emotion. I am rage, anticipation, and intense sadness.
In my encounters with politics I am told not to argue emotionally, but only logically. But I wonder if it is this exact advice that compels man to slaughter those who have not yet had the mental capacity to sin or to wrong. I wonder if it is this same advice that has allowed people to turn a blind eye to the bloodbaths in the desecrated streets of Libya. Or is it that it is easier to continue with our daily routines and muffle the desperate cries for help? Or is it that we have just forgotten? My strong emotion is due to the fact that my identity transcends beyond Palestinian and beyond American. The death of Mohammed Nabbous triggered in me such grief, yet it brought me to a great realization. I had been awake the morning before his death past 3am with my heart pounding. I watched the videos he had posted of the bullet-ridden homes, blood-splattered pillows, and skeletons of cars that had been hit by missiles. I had fallen asleep to the audio of him yelling to the driver to drive away and heard loud gunshots in the background. And I awoke the next morning, less than 6 hours later, to learn of his tragic death. I returned to the link to hear the quivering voice of his wife, announcing his death. And at that moment, the struggle became personal.
by Shirien D.
To all the people who keep saying that the recent Arab revolutions are Facebook or Twitter revolutions, I couldn’t disagree more. The people who are on the ground struggling and dying for their rights are the revolutionaries and the true heroes. That being said, social networking has undoubtedly changed the way we mobilize and communicate. It has helped people to spread news, engage in critical debates, and expose war crimes in dictatorship regimes with media that is otherwise controlled and censored. This is the case in Libya. Continue reading
by Ramsey Judah
Dear fascist pig,
In fact, I feel like I’m insulting the dirtiest animal in the animal kingdom by relating it to you. Therefore, I fully apologize to the pig population. Gaddafi, you have proven yourself as one of the most disastrous, self-destructing tyrants of Arab history.
Instead of listening to your people and going out like a man, you bomb them into oblivion in order to add the whip cream on your horrid rule. As the blood spill in the streets on your orders, your name has carried with it a type of scorn not seen on your continent in decades. You are now in competition with Israel for the most brutal government in the known world. Congratulations on that title.
by Khaled M.
This is a message to everyone reading this. I am PLEADING for your help. I don’t want just your solidarity, or moral support, although I appreciate all of that as well as your prayers. There are tangible actions that each and every one of you can take to help the mass slaughter of hundreds of innocent civilians in Libya.
The people of Libya have begun mass protests for the first time in the history of Gaddafi’s 42 year dictatorship. Members of the international press have been shut out of Libya. The only news coming out is from cell phone videos, pictures, and phone calls from brave souls inside that are risking their lives. Gaddafi has closed off the country, and literally hired mercenaries from other countries to kill anyone protesting, anyone with cell phones, and anyone that looks suspicious in the street. Continue reading
by Shirien D.
The Arab world is fired up right now. Paving the way, the people of Tunisia and Egypt have successfully removed their dictators and are in the process of rebuilding their countries. The revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt have sparked anti-government movements across the entire Arab world, after decades of stagnation. And there is no turning back now.
Furious protests are happening now in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. Governments are scrambling to do everything they can to stop them, by any means necessary. Still, hundreds of thousands of people are out in the streets protesting with no fear, ready to die in the name of freedom.
Libya is in one of the most dire situations right now. Libyans have suffered under Gaddafi’s tyranny for 42 years. As the longest running dictator in the Arab world, Gaddafi has ruled the nation with an iron fist. Don’t be fooled by his perceived harmless, flamboyant dress or eccentric behavior. And Arabs, please don’t be bamboozled by his supposed anti-imperialist rhetoric and criticisms of Israel. His actions speak louder than his words.
Continue reading
