Libya

[dbacks fan]

Some one told me they saw Fawn Hall buying paper shredders at Staples today.

[Townsend]

Reuters just tweeted that "Obama has signed secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces in Libya, officials tell Reuters"


It's just hitting the other major news sources.
 
Marine troops have also been mobilized from camp Lejune. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Embarks To Libya today With 2,200 Marines.

CIA's been there.  NYT posted that this morning.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/world/africa/31intel.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto

[Townsend]

 
Marine troops have also been mobilized from camp Lejune. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Embarks To Libya today With 2,200 Marines.

Where are you getting that info?  I can't find it on any reliable site.

They'll actually be on Libyan soil?  Fighting along side the rebels?

[Breadburner]

Where are you getting that info?  I can't find it on any reliable site.

They'll actually be on Libyan soil?  Fighting along side the rebels?

Why do you think that would be on any site.......

[Gaspar]

Where are you getting that info?  I can't find it on any reliable site.

They'll actually be on Libyan soil?  Fighting along side the rebels?

They will be doing what's called Sea-baseing where they launch strike missions, recon and support from landing craft and the air.  Because only a small T.A.R.P contingent will remain on the ground, they feel justified in claiming "no boots on the ground."

[we vs us]

OMG, Gaspar, can't you cite once in while?

http://www.wcti12.com/news/27310482/detail.html

The 22nd MEU, is deploying in April to relieve the 26th MEU, which is currently supporting the action in Libya.  

FYI:  "The 22nd MEU is a Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and the Command Element."

So, not so many boots on the ground included with this crew.  Reads pretty clearly like air assets.  

EDIT:  However, if you read Barry Secrest at the Charlotte Conservative Examiner from last week (March 23) you'd have read this:

http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-charlotte/biden-threatens-a-president-on-consentless-war-nc-marines-embarq-to-libya

"Meanwhile, reports today indicate that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, located in Camp Lejeune, NC, will be embarking to Libya in order to support and protect the Al Qaeda-member protesters who are at odds with Colonel Qaddafi, along with Libyan civilians located in the city of Ajdubiyah, Libya. The 26th MEU is comprised of about 2,200 Marines who are near the end of their current deployment. The press release from the 26th MEU contained a statement that read as follows:

"Protecting the innocent and conducting combined operations are what we are designed to do, our forces are doing both as part of the U.S commitment to protect Libyan citizens."

There was no clear indication from initial reports as to where the 26th MEU will be operating from in or near Libya. However, the 26th MEU typically operates from sea-based platforms and are wholly self-sufficient. A Marine Expeditionary Unit is typically comprised of ground combat, command, aviation combat, and logistics combat elements, which negates the need for other types of support units.

There are seven total US Marine Corps Expeditionary Units in existence, with three units located on each coast and one located in Japan."

[Red Arrow]

No boots but plenty of athletic shoes.  Special issue of course.

[Gaspar]

We will see. LOL!

[guido911]

I do not understand what "Al Qaeda-member protesters" are that the marines are going support/protect as discussed in the second article posted by wevsus.

[nathanm]

I do not understand what "Al Qaeda-member protesters" are that the marines are going support/protect as discussed in the second article posted by wevsus.

It's clearly nutjob code for "brown people." (The columnist clearly being a nutjob for using that phrasing)

[guido911]

It's clearly nutjob code for "brown people." (The columnist clearly being a nutjob for using that phrasing)

Good. So I wasn't apparently losing my mind. This columnist/news person isn't alone in suggesting al Qaeda needs protection. Matt Lauer made a similar statement to Bachmann (:30).

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=hdaGSU6U2G

I think Lauer may have misspoke, but the "Compassion of al Qaeda" response was funny.

[nathanm]

Hmm, it seems that there's a scheme afoot amongst the right wing nutjobs to claim that Obama is aiding al Qaeda with his choosing to participate in the intervention in Libya. How unsurprising..

[Red Arrow]

Hmm, it seems that there's a scheme afoot amongst the right wing nutjobs to claim that Obama is aiding al Qaeda with his choosing to participate in the intervention in Libya. How unsurprising..

With ever shifting loyalties in that part of the world, it wouldn't surprise me if there is an al Qaeda presence in the Libyan rebel ranks.  Hopefully their numbers are down in the noise level.  Hope is not a strategy though.

[guido911]

Hmm, it seems that there's a scheme afoot amongst the right wing nutjobs to claim that Obama is aiding al Qaeda with his choosing to participate in the intervention in Libya. How unsurprising..

I KNOW you are not claiming that Matt Lauer is a right wing nutjob... As for this often accused RWRE, count me out of being in that group part of that "scheme". I am still smarting over being part of Hillary's "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy".

[nathanm]

I KNOW you are not claiming that Matt Lauer is a right wing nutjob... As for this often accused RWRE, count me out of being in that group part of that "scheme". I am still smarting over being part of Hillary's "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy".

Bachmann and Secrest are the ones talking/writing about it as if it's a foregone conclusion that the rebels are largely or primarily composed of al Qaeda members, and then saying, as they do, "well, we don't really know who we're dealing with. We just don't know..[dramatic pause]". It's the same smile they pulled during the "mosque" furor. It worked pretty well then, so they're dragging the trope out of the closet and giving it another whirl.

Lauer seemed to be asking if her allegation matters to begin with, regardless of it being true or false.