Moammar Loves Condi

From the Huffington Post:

"Among the many bizarre items uncovered as Libyan rebels ransacked Muammar Gaddafi's Tripoli compound: an album filled with photos of former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.  The discovery was perhaps not surprising given Gaddafi's much-professed admiration of Rice, MSNBC is noting. "I support my darling black African woman," Gaddafi told al-Jazeera television in 2007, according to The Guardian. "I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders...Leezza, Leezza, Leezza. I love her very much. I admire her and I'm proud of her because she's a black woman of African origin."

In 2008, Rice historically became the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit Tripoli since 1953. She and Gaddafi are reported to have enjoyed a private dinner, during which a State Department report indicates the Libyan leader also showered his visitor with an estimated $212,000 worth of gifts -- including a diamond ring in a wooden box, a lute and an accompanying DVD, and a locket with Gaddafi's own picture inside.

Also included among the gifts: "Wonder-Womanesque wristbands" and an autographed copy of his revolutionary Green Book with an inscription that expressed his "respect and admiration," according to The New York Times.

There are, of course, strict rules about the acceptance of gifts by public officials but when it comes to foreign leaders, diplomatic concerns take priority, as "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and U.S. Government."

Though Rice praised the meeting with the Libyan leader as "a historic moment," her gift to Gaddafi was considerably less opulent: a plate with the U.S. seal, The Atlantic notes."  

How creepy is this?  Poor Condi, this may creep her out for the rest of her life. 

Give. Me. A. Break.

CNN's Personal No Fly Zone

Being the news and political junkie that I am, I have spent many hours glued to the television these last few weeks.  First it was Wisconsin and Egypt, then Japan and Libya.  From the beginning of the Libyan rebellion, when Muammar Qaddafi’s military started firing on civilians, broadcast media asked frequently and  fervently, " What  about a no fly zone?" and  "Some say that a o fly one is necessary for the Libyan people  (blah blah blah ). . ."   CNN  reporters and anchors were almost hysterical in their angst over the no fly zone, wanting, no, needing the president to establish the no fly zone.   I got so tired of hearing about it.  When UN announced the no fly zone, the press then started with the "too little, too late" questions.  It was irritating to hear them ask, "Why did it take so long?" and "Why didn't they do this last week?"   Hmmm . . . Let's give that one some thought.  Maybe they had to convince the other countries on the UN Security Council (China and Russia) to abstain rather than vote no to avoid a  possible subsequent Security Council veto?   Okay, perhaps the people asking these questions had never heard of the UN  or felt that the questions had to be asked.  (Although I note for the record, that the press asked Bush & Company NO Questions during the run-up to and prosecution of the Iraq war.)   

Then came the typical, "What is our exit strategy" questions. (Again, not asked by the mainstream media of Bush & Co. . . I'm just sayin'. )   The reporters and anchors appeared genuinely confused, as did the Republican politicians they interviewed, as to why the US was involved in the conflict.  They demanded to know if it is to protect the Libyan people or to get rid of Muammar Qaddafi?  Don't you think that's kind of a no brainer?  We're there for both reasons and we will be done when Qaddafi is done!  The president cannot just come out and say that because there are world-wide political consequences.  So CNN, keep your pants on.  Remember, you asked for this no fly zone.  Don't act so stupid when it happens.