Should the U.S. offer exile to Gadhafi?
Gadhafi is pictured earlier today arriving for a ceremony marking 34 years of "people power" in Tripoli. At the event, he vowed to fight an uprising against his 41 year rule. (PHOTO CREDIT: MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The United States said Wednesday it is weighing a possible military role to help the Libyan revolt against Moammar Gadhafi, after the Obama administration has repeatedly asked Gadhafi to step down from power and demanded accountability for the violence and bloodshed he has visited upon his own people.
But the White House has also said all options in dealing with the crisis in Libya are on the table. One of those options may be exile.
Visiting Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States might be willing to accept a deal in which the Libyan leader would voluntarily agree to exile in a third-party country.
Tuesday in a television interview, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice urged Gadhafi to end the violence and his reign of terror and consider exile.
Rice said she's worried the situation in Libya could quickly turn into a humanitarian catastrophe.
President Obama has not yet spoken publicly about Libya this week, but a spokesman said Monday that the president is holding firm on his stance that Gadhafi needs to step down immediately and that exile was one way to make that happen.
Meanwhile, Gadhafi remains in Libya. The violence continues, unrest grows, more refugees head for the borders and the stakes get higher for everyone.
Here’s my question to you: Should the United States offer exile to Gadhafi?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Wilmer:
Gadhafi should not be given exile status in any Western country. To do so sends the message to the Mid East countries that the West takes the side of the oppressors. Gadhafi should face his own people who will justly deal with him and give him his due.
Bob:
They should arrest and try the punk for the Lockerbie bombings. He should also be tried for committing crimes against Libyans and his role in arming the IRA.
D.K. in San Jose, California:
Jack, why are we once again acting like the holier-than-thou Police of the World? Shouldn't we let Libya, and the rest of the world, solve their own problems? I realize oil and gas prices are at stake here, but why would we "be willing to accept a deal" for Gadhafi? Why is he our business?
Leslie:
No let his people that he claims love him have him.
Bizz in Quarryville, Pennsylvania:
The answer to your question is no, absolutely no. We all know what happened when the Shah of Iran ended up in the United States for medical treatment and the reaction from Iran. When the protesters get their hands on Gadhafi, the only place he will be is in the ground.
Lou:
Yeah. Sure. He could ask Charlie Sheen if he has an extra bedroom. Our thinking is wide in scope and takes in all the crazies and makes them think they are smart. Jack, I am glad you thought about him coming to our great land. He wouldn't even have to come through Ellis Island. He is crazy enough to just slide right in. Sheen would have a super roommate.
Joe in Fort Walton Beach, Florida:
For his 30 billion dollars, I'll keep him in my own home.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
For God sake for once and all go for human rights not any other interest.
US should put UN Human Rights Declaration in front of deal with any country,any government not following ....no deal .
Do not play a game... Saudi government is worse than Ghadafi and rest.....
Where, Guantanamo bay in Cuba?
I guess exile is the lesser evil of the choices. If it gets him out with out the US sending ours troups into yet another muslim nation. We have spent the last 10 years complaining about wars, the muslim world gets more upset with us with each passing day, yet our leadership considers a third war on a third muslim nation with our military already over work. They need a break. They need to come home. We have complianed about the price of war and are finally trying to reduce spending. So lets fight another war, by our choice? Bad plan, we need to sit this one out. The libyan have not asked for our help. Let them run their own country. Its not our job or our right to change and fix ever other country. If giving exile to the scum bag will stop the blood shed fine. The last thing we need is another war. So don't send the troups.
Sure, why not. After all the Bush administration anointed him before he left office. He must be a great guy. Hmmm, sounds familiar? Wasn't Osama Bin Ladin and Saddam Hussain also friends of Mr. Bush at some point as well? I remember him walking hand in hand with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia as well. Seems to be something familiar going on there during his tenure. Disgusting. Why isn't he in jail?
As for the answer to your question? Sure, put him up at the Wadorf in New York City and feed him like a king while the modern day Rome; ie the U.S. of A. melts down.
No way!
If Gadhafi should put a foot on US soil, he should be arrested and prosecuted in whatever court has jurisdiction for crimes against humanity.
No! He should be tried for crimes against his country! We tried the leaders of Germany for crimes against Germa Jews. Is he any better?
I think he should be exiled to Venezuela where he can move in with crazy Hugo Chavez . Only "birds of a feather" could enjoy the spatial beliefs they share.
No way, Jack, especially since it's now believed he personally ordered the bombing of Pan Am 103.
Why are we the world's police? Let them handle the situation themselves. Genocide is a horrible thing, but at what cost do we intervene when the reprecussions are new acts of violence and it develops into a cycle that we'll forever be trapped in?
Would someone please explain to me why the U.S. insists on being in the middle of these situations when they have no ability to influence the outcome. The U.S. insists on being the worlds policeman while they are not appreciated and wanted. This is why we pay Billions every year to the U.N..
He'll no! Why we ever got cozy with this guy is beyond me. And to suggest we take this polluted piece of garbage into our midst is sheer insanity. It' like a lot of other bright ideas people have these days, so smart they're stupid.
You can't do wrong things and get a right result.
Take a lesson from 1979 with the Shah of Iran. NO WAY!!!!!
Jack,
We should definitely offer asylum to Gadhafi. I hear the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Suffolk County has a few rooms available.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
No, he has committed serious crimes against humanity. He should face two trials.
The first trial should be held in Libya, he should be held accountable for the crimes against the citizens of Libya for his atrocities.
The second trial should be held in the World Court for the terrorism that he supported against the world.
If he is exiled it will show to the world how weak our country is under our President.
Offcourse the US should give him exile. Exile straight to Guantanimo Bay
kidding right?? then again, there's always the dibious and nefarious associations witht eh US and most western countries, so why not, even better if you could make a buck off it, right?
No, the guy is engaging in genocide. We should locate him, send in a Tomahawk, and be done with him.
To the question: should we give Gadhafi refuge in the U.S.? Answer: Heck, NO! we don't want him in Lybia; we sure don't want him here. Maybe Syria or Palenstine.
Is there room at gitmo
no. He's involved in the Lockerbee bombing and has committed crimes of humanity against his unarmed citizens. He's never been a friend of the U.S. (revolting thought) We don't have to hate him; but, we don't have to love him either.
Should the US offer exile to Gadhafi?
If it gets him out of Libya offer him safe passage to whatever nation will take him. I'm sure some nations such as Venezuela would do it just to irritate Washington.
If the UN wants to charge him with anything in the future so be it.
Oh hell yes, we call it GITMO, that little resort we maintain in Cuba.
The only exile Gadhafi should get is the temporary exile in a qualified penal system before he is brought before a tribunal on charges of his numerous crimes against humanity. I understand the sentiment behind the offer, however this man has been responsible for uncounted deaths, both at home, and abroad. The only exile he deserves is one that ends with a rifle round firmly planted in his hateful skull.
Depends on what kind of 'exile' you're talking about. So far Gadhafi has tried to blame the uprisings on Bin Ladin, al-queda, on the U. S. spiking coffee with hallucinogens, and former Guantanamo prisoners. Can't wait for him to blame UFO's from Mars. So sure, let's offer him his own private little padded cell complete with Prozac cocktails for breakfast.
Jack, of course, get him the hell out of there!
Even if this was the best option in terms of saving lives the President could never do this since if he did, the Republicans would crucify him and so would their press. This is a non-starter, mostly because irrational Republican partisanship makes it a non-starter.
Jack,
Why is it the U.S. that has to be the world's policeman? We are constantly the target by 90% of the world. Very few nations support us, much less get involved. One only has to look to Afghanistan to see the role of NATO countries, minimal with few exceptions. Enough is enough, let somebody else fill the role and turn our energies inward. Our country has significant needs.
Sure...... and why not include Osama Bin Lauden, Mubarak and other Arab leaders. We certainly backed most of the regimes but the new world order is now underway big time and I'm afraid that, for these folks, their time is up.
Of course Jack, give him exile, let him come here, then we can lock him out for 40 years of crime!
Jack, that's a ridiculous proposition. Let him go and hang out with his buddy in Venezuela. Without "his" money, of course.
Curt Matern, Las Cruces, NM.
Exile in the United States is for those that are oppressed in their country not for the oppressor that is just about to be toppled. If we condemn the guilty only to protect them later, we are simply, hypocrites.
In the 80's?, US attacked one of Kaddaffi's palace trying to kill him. One of his sons, daughters?, died in that bombing, and, two of our airmen died there, also. Is United States of America continuing with its 'Flip-Flop" policies toward its international allieds and enemies? Hands Off, Uncle Sam, it's a Civil War!
Though those of us who know history, know that the Shah of Iran ended up in exile in Beverly Hills, given that there are people who still question Obama's heritage, it would be the death of Obama politically, to grant exile in this country for Gadhafi.
Jack are you kidding me? While we're at it why don't we offer that to Kim Jong il and Ahmadinejad. These men need to be held accountable for their actions against their people. So in short NO.
Why just exile? Why don't we offer Gadhafi and his son (with the LSE Ph.D.) university professorships, which I understand was (and probably continues to be) on the table for Gbagbo in the Ivory Coast. Gadhafi Sr. does, after all, have a self-published publication–his Green Book. Where do we find the people who're advising our administration? Is this even being considered as a possibility? Really?
Of course!you are funny!
We should not offer exile to the USA. I would support our efforts to offer help with exile to another African country for the good of the innocent Libyans.
The united states should Gadhafi to go into exile. it is the most peaceful way. if he doesnt it just means violence. the philosophy now should be minimize the drama!
Should the United States offer exile to Gadhafi?
I find this question unclear. Should Gadhafi be offered the option of exile? Or, Should Gadhafi be offered exile in America?
Why not? It has been the tradition and credo of the country that supposedly is home of the free and the land of the brave to install, support, train and arm despots, tyrants, rapacious, genocidal crooks around the world for the last 100 years. All in the name of "democracy" "national security" or the protect the insterests or "lives" of American citizens.
The least we can do is to provide them a shelter for "rendered services"
My greetings to you.
Yes we should bring him over here and start a comedy show and at the kick his but
Not a chance. That would no different than offering asylum to Saddam Hussein and the US deposed him and he was tried and executed for crimes against humanity.
While killing this loon would be the ultimate justice,Exile,if it means the safety of the Libyan people may be a realistic option. There must also be the freezing of assets,to be held and dispersed eventually to the Libyan peoples.Under NO circumstances should American blood be shed in that country, If the Senators want combat actions taken,let them put on a uniform and have at it.
Yes, ending this without a great deal of violence is a much better solution.
Absolutely NOT!!!!! Let the Libyan people decide what must happen to him. We need to keep our noses out of this situation. Lets offer help across the border and the Libyan people stand up for what they believe in.
Remember when the US didn't negotiate with terrorists?
Why should we offer Ghadafi exile? Don't the Libyan people deserve justice just as much as they deserve freedom? Giving Ghadafi exile would essentially be denying justice to the families of the Libyans who have been murdered. It is also overestimating Ghadafi's position. With defections occurring daily, his assets frozen by the international community, and what appears to be a determined and steadfast opposition, it is only a matter of time.
NO! Saudi Arabia seems to be the appropriate land of exile for despots. Put him in a tent compound in the desert. He would like that. Give him a reasonable allowance and keep him there. By force if necessary.
Sure... let's reopen Alcatraz first.
Exile Gadhafi? YES exile him to Benghazi! There are people there who would like to speak with him.
NOWAY! We have enough troubles here This man has broken God's laws and man's laws. We have no more use for law breakers. We need to be rid of what we have.. Amen.
Are you serious ? With the state of the United States right now, how can we even think of taking on something eles right now... Thats a catch 22 for the Us over , We are not the country we think we are anymore...
Sure.
Why not? If it keeps his butt out trouble, what possible harm could it do? As to the refugee problem there; I think that it would be honest to point out that these people are, for the most part,migrant workers. The people that have the most to gain or loose are the ones who are staying to fight. Go people!
Jack,
No, Gadhafi has committed crimes against his own people and other innocent people around the world. US and other countries must help the protesters in their quest for freedom and capturing Gadhafi. He must face justice! and by the way he must return all the money that he has stolen !
Well of course we should! I suggest we put him up in one of those luxurious little seaside condos we have at Guantanamo Bay. Sea air, sunshine, exercise, and three squares a day!
Jack: I would like to offer Quadifi assylum in Syracuse NY so the parents of the students on flight 103 can get to know him better.
And how long do you think it would be before the Libyans would seek to have him extradited ? Would the US protect him from the World Court in the Hague?
The US tried providing humanitarian asylum before with the Shah? Why does anyone think this would turn out much better, or there are any options that wouldn't further undermine US credibility.
First of all, the United States can't keep babysitting the world; People need to realize that we have United Nations. There will have to be other Leaders of the World to help us on this Gadhafi problem.
Definitely not. He has openly attacked the people of the U.S. and has never shown any remorse or pay for the crime. Chavez and he seem to get along well; let him go stay with his buddy.
Does it really matter? Gadhafi is going to stay until his people drag him out into the streets and give him the same treatment they gave his mercenaries. I'm sure he'll be convinced it's because they love him.
Tracy, CA
Libya is now in the throes of a genuine Civil War. The peaceful "non-violent" protests of days past have escalated into an armed rebellion. For outsiders, when it comes to a civil war, you either pick a side and let the chips fall where they may, or you stay the heck out of it. Choose wisely!
Two words Jack, hell no. If we think much of the Arab world doesn't like us now, how do you think they would feel if we harbored a brutal, delusional dictator that went as far as dropping bombs on his own people? Let him go anywhere but here. We have enough crazies on both side of the aisle in Washington, we certainly don't need another.
I think exile to Guantanamo Bay would probably be the most fitting, but the continental US wouldn't be the end of the world if it solves the problems peacefully. However, there must be are no agreements that the US would block or interfere with any international war crimes or crimes against humanity types of legal proceedings. Such an agreement would seriously undermine the US as an emerging voice in support of human rights and democracy above the interests of cheap petroleum products.
As long as he is not offered exile in the U.S. -why not? It would avoid more bloodshed & save countless lives He would be rendered powerless in his own country & that should be the ultimate goal. I do not want the U.S. involved in the death of another country's leader Enough already!
Yes, Jack, ................. Guantanamo.
Yes, Jack, we should. We have lovely accommodations for errant warriors on an island in the Caribbean. In fact, there are a couple of nuts on that very island, and one really near in South America. They could all discuss oil, sand, coconut trees and bad boys...
Yes.I believe with that Ghahafi would berest assured that he and family would live.Am sure he is not fighting for power as he has said he has nothing to give.The problem with this leaders they have done plenty and when it is time for them to go they. they fear and the only choice they have is to fight back.Let the international community try to talk to him and see what would happen.
Sure Jack. That worked out so well when we offered exile to the Shah of Iran.
If by offering exile, you mean dropping a bomb on him – as he's doing to his own people, then yes, we should definitely offer him exile.
Dave from York, PA
Most likely, Gadhafi is no longer the head of the snake, his sons are probably running things; so now that snake has at least four heads and the arrogance will not contemplate exile or anything short of death.
I feel to grant Gadhafi exile would be to succumb to the world's bully of moment and allow him to further his rule of cruelty and torture from the confines of our borders. To think we could control such a mad man is mad itself. This man belongs in jail- period. Adrienne Marks Philadelphia, PA
HELL NO, we should not give him exile here in the USA. This is a slap in the face to all the surviving relatives from the Lockerbie bombing. What should happen is we should to bring him here to stand trial for the bombing, which he has already been linked to by people in his own government.
No! Let him face his people like a real leader should.
If it would stop the loss of life and destruction of the Libyan nation then I would have to say unfortunately yes, let him leave in exile. The alternative appears to be civil war. I doubt very much he would accept exile in the USA, but then again it worked for Marcos.
sure jack, why not? we could put him up in hollywood, he would fit right in! heck maybe gadhafi and sheen could bunk up, match made in heaven!
If the governor of Wisconsin ordered the Wisconsin state guard to fire on the protestors outside his office, should he be allowed to hide out in Texas?
Sure, send him to Mexico
You want a comment hears you a comment After what he's done we need to do what ever we can to take advantage of his capture or demise .
No... and by that I mean Hell No. And don't forget... he isn't going to accept an offer of exile from anywhere because he still thinks all those people revolting against him actually "love" him, so why bother? Besides, what has he ever done to deserve help like that?
Well Jack, I saw a photo of President Obama and Kadaffy shaking hands, so it could be that the Obama's are clearing out a room for Kadaffy and his family in the White House.
No, we should not offer Gadhafi exile in the U.S.. Not only is this man an enemy to our country but added to this he has ties to terrorists and has back their activities against the U.S. and other nations. Why should we house him and his family. This man does need to be removed power in Libya but should he not also pay for his crimes against his own people as well as the international community?
Jack,
Gadhafi should not be given exile anywhere except held for trial in the Hague for crimes against humanity. President Obama should consider ( although now not politically or legally correct) use the military to what President Regan did after the Lockerbee incident and send a cruse missle calling card to get his attention. The more the President talks the talk and does not walk the walk, the US loses creditability. I do not think we should expend critical military resourses that we neither have, nor can afford, as any military action would last for years. I do think that we need to send massive amounts of food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance as quickly as possible both to the Lybians and to the Egyptian people already overwhelmed from their own circumstance.
Would we have offered Saddam Hussein exile? How about Hitler? Gadhafi is an evil man that has killed hundreds of innocent people through terrorism and now he kills his own people with airstrikes. The U.S. should only offer residents to Gadhafi and that is the SuperMax Federal Prison in Florence, CO.
Los Angeles, Ca
I hear Barrow, Alaska is nice over the winter.
No exile here for Gadhafi, even though we're so gluttonous and addicted to OPEC oil we'll do almost anything to keep the price down -even for the short term.
We bore the ill-will of the Iranians when we let the Shah in and couldn't do much against them, even though Jimmy Carter asked his cabinet ahead of time, "Then what do we do if they take our embassy employees hostage?"
If we do let him in, remember there's one American who professed admiration for Gadhafi and made Libya a "Most Favored Nation of the USA". So let him live with G W Bush is necessary.
Yes at Guantanamo Bay
Hi Jack............... I enjoy your show. Gadhafi is a crazy unpredictable man, stop him from killing his own people..... The answer is Yes we should exile Gadhafi, I recommend a one way ticket straight to Guantanamo Bay.
No! did we offer it to Sadam Hussain,or Hitler,or Stalin.We nead to stay out of this and let the Arab Leage handle this.We have our own problem's here to take care of
Mark
One side republicans shuttingdown the Governments,other side pushing Obama to go after gaddafi ,Britain France Italy draw oil from Libya they are not doing there job,then who will pay for this mess ?still we are trying to clean 8 year mess of bush.stay away from them,other wise we will loose our oil supply Arabs too,
Exile as an option = yes.........but not in our back yard!!!
Of course, lets welcome him with lots of hugs and kisses. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
the man used to live in a palace with a statue of a raised arm crushing a U.S. military plane in it's fist. should we give him sanctuary here in the states, the answer should not only be a no but a resounding HELL NO!!! he wants to die a "martyr" let him die fighting and as for his wasteful children, don't we have enough wasteful young adults in this country.
The better question would be is why should we even get involved? To the best of my knowledge we have no place in Libya's affairs just as we have no place in how other countries govern and act within their own boarders. The United States should let the Libyan people go through this phase of their history without any interferance whatsoever.
We could, but it would be a wasted effort. He won't leave. We know where he is. Send in the drones!
Yes, bring him as a roommate in my nursing home!
we been burned too many times, which part of NO do we not understand
Guess he could be appointed to the CEO of one of the oil companies.
Such a horrible, horrible, human being, to put it mildly. The only exile he deserves is the hell. But before he dies, he should be tortured like he tortured thousands of innocent people. He and his family have brought shame to the name of Islam. May they pay for their sins, Amen.
He should be offered exile, in a warm, Caribbean setting. How about Gitmo? With toilet privileges.
Please send hin to south africa
We can't even help our Military that has been and still is fighting a losing battle in Afghanistan. My son is a United States Marine who is currently there now serving his country wearing worn out gear and using broken equipment. Yet we somehow have the resources to help Libya with guns and take their ruler off their hands. Let me guess, we'll put him up in a 4 star living conditions while my son and his unit are sleeping in dirt unprotected. People need to know that there is no end in sight for what is still going on in Afghanistan. Whatever happened to 'Charity begins at home'?
No! He should be left in Libya so the Libyan people can tear him into hundreds of pieces while he's alive.
No! Saudi Arabia is the land of exiled despots. Put him in a heavily guarded tent compound in the middle of the desert and keep him there. If he does not like that then leave him to the tender mercies of his countrymen and women. That should be what happens to him anyway. If he came here we really could not protect him from the ire of Lockerbee relatives.
Are you kidding me. Like we don't have enough going on. Send him to Israel. Perhaps they can think of something to do with him!