Reply #26: Ok, let's look at this for a minute. [View All]

You are condemning the rebels for racist comments and bad behavior.

But what you left out of that article, which can be read in its entirety by googling for "Libya City Torn by Tribal Feud" is ..............
"Many Misratans are convinced that Tawerghans were responsible for some of the worst atrocities committed during their city's siege, including allegedly raping women in front of their relatives and helping Gadhafi forces identify and kidnap rebel sympathizers and their families."

So, basically you are saying that you can condemn the rebels for bad behavior but the rebels cannot condemn others for atrocities.

There was also this comment I read on the AJE blog, and which is included in one of my earlier posts:
"And those videos came from Al Bayda...a town in which recruited mercenaries were flown in by the hundreds, given guns, and ordered to kill everyone. The CITIZENS of the town responded to that rampage of rape and killing by taking the law into their own hands...because the "law"...the government of Gadaffi themselves...had sent these butchers upon them. They were not "FF's" at that time. They were simply trying to survive the butchery. Yes, they reacted violently...but everyone of those black mercenaries were sent there by the regime. Al Bayda had no immigrant laborers."

Yes, there are terrible things that have happened on both sides. But here is the difference:

a) In the case of the rebels, they were taking the law into their hands because of anger (see discussion in the South African context below)

b) It was not government decreed

c) After these events surfaced, the TNC issued guidelines about how to treat POWs.

d) Gaddafi has done no such thing. In fact, he and his sons have and continue to talk about cleaning out the rats (See SMS messages from this week)

e) While there has been some bad behavior from a few rebels recently (looting of the medicine of an unoccupied town, for which I can understand), they are few and far between. There are journalists and photographers with them all the time. They allow their POWs to be interviewed.

f) Human Rights Watch itself admits that they have been denied the ability to observe what is occurring in Gadaffi held areas...prisons, jails, hospitals, and even civilian areas.

g) You made a comment about shooting bound soldiers. Well, well - here is a video
"Civilians' Throats Cut by Gaddafi's Forces (Ajdabiyah, Libya) (2011)
War Crimes of Gaddafi and Sons: These dead civilians were found by some Libyan freedom fighters near the city of Ajdabiyah, Libya.
The scene is disturbing. The victims' wrists were tied behind their backs and their throats were cut by Gaddafi's forces."
http://youtu.be/ggn2o6YSUbU

I have some experience of the South African uprising. The bulk of the Black population are decent, good people - but there were some who committed atrocities, such as necklacing in anger at people who they thought were government spies. People who have lived under oppression for a long time, have a lot of pent up anger and for some people (statistically not all of the population) they cannot contain their anger. They should. But they cannot.

I had a good friendship with a Black woman in South Africa - she was always cheerful and happy. One would not think she had any issuess. But when it came to talk about the government, the anger was somewhat overwhelming.

Just because a few people committed atrocities such as necklacing and attacks on whites does not mean that Mandela, Tutu and all those who worked toward democracy in South Africa should be painted with the same brush.

Which is what you are doing. However, it has become apparent that you are not with the rebels and will extract from any news story (even if it is incorrect) narrow events to support your viewpoint. You are completely entitled to do that.

However, just as I supported the installation of democracy in South Africa so I support the installation of democracy in Libya - where all atrocities by all sides will be handled in a court of law.