Wrong Side Of History?

So here I am watching liberal pundits (conservatives of the neo kind never met an attack they didn't like) defend the U.S decision to take part in intervening in Libya with the Arab League and Security Council. An important country also decided to go along with the plan. Libya is a former colony of Italy who is backing the alliance.

Two reasons they use for the attack. To protect civilians from a "monster" and that Khaddafi is on the "wrong side of history."

Interesting. The first part I get, the second one is a little messier.

Bush II used similar rhetoric in selling his invasion of Iraq (leaving aside the WMD thing which was a little overblown in my view). After all, Hussein was far more psychotic and murderous and it was time to change the tides of history in the Middle-East.

Do you remember the reaction especially from liberals and progressives?

Granted, America is not leading the alliance (to th extent they don't want to appear they are anyway) and are not invading Libya but it is an interventionist decision with no Congressional authority.

Why Libya and not Iran? Why pick and choose which countries to "help?" The "just cause" war theory is a little confusing these days.

The other delicate issue that often gets overlooked is the hypocrisy of the world towards the United States. We're familiar with American indiscretions and transgressions because it's the most scrutinized political and cultural entity on the planet. But what about other nations? What about the fact they always look to America to lead even in places America wishes not to intervene? Americans are asked to partake sometimes (as is the case with the Arab league in Libya) and often take critcism for the way they handle things.

Is there such a thing as "global responsibilities" for the United States? Will a different form of American "exceptionalism" take root? In my view, despite the oil dependency and globalized trade, if there's one nation that can play on its "exceptional" position free of global restrictions and acting, it's the Americans. To me, the coming Chinese "great" power is somewhat overplayed. Not because the U.S. is so perfect, but because the imperfections and problems in the nations expected to challenge the U.S. are too great to ignore thus concluding they're ready to mount any true substantial challenge.

I digress.

There's is no side of history here. Just geo-political calculations.



What surprises me is people still buy into Obama.

What also intrigues me is during the Bush II administration, Nader video's criticizing him were linked and posted among liberal sites. Now, you can  hear the crickets chirping as he takes Obama to task.

Attribution to SE.