Civil War in Libya

[Ice]

Why not? What really should make the state so special that we cannot interfere when they massacre their own people?

Yes, the US has problems but compared to the problems that the Libyans have, it seems pretty inconsequential. It's like refusing to feed a starving man outside because your iPod is having issues.

And while I think we should at least initially tread lightly in getting involved, if the rebels are ever on the ropes, we really should go in and rescue them and then let them deal with Gaddaffi in whatever means they please. Otherwise, it seems that the lesson for current dictators is that they should oppress their people harshly because they win if they do. Compared to some other dictators, Ben Ali and Mubarak weren't that bad. Gaddaffi on the other hand has massacred some of his own people and to see him get away with that seems like it would set a bad precedent.

Why are we the world's police men? If something needs done, let NATO as a whole do it, or the UN. China wants to be treated a world player... let them send in their military to deal with it. Why is it always us? What exactly do I gain from helping rebels in a country on the other side of the world? I'll be Frank; I don't care about Libya. I'd rather spend money here on education, roads, health care, high speed rail, etc rather than helping some "freedom figthers" that I know little about, in a conflict that isn't any of my business. When we meddle in the affairs of others, history has shown it tends to cost us a lot of money, lives, and ends up making us enemies we don't need.

Edit: By the way, this country has greater worries than your I POD comparison. That's a straw man if I've ever seen one.