FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates - who is refreshingly open and honest - said: "We haven't done something like this, kind of on the fly before."
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He was talking about the coalition attacks on Moammar Gadhafi's forces in Libya, why the United States was still in control, why tensions are rising among members of the coalition, why there's no plan for any group or nation to take the lead. The allies, you see, aren't getting along so well. In fact, there are reports today that the coalition is falling apart.
France yesterday suggested a committee be formed - outside of NATO - to oversee the military operations. It would be a political steering committee and would include members of the Arab League. See if a committee is running the war, no one has to take responsibility if things go to hell and everyone can take credit if they go well.
The French were early backers of the no-fly zone and were the first nation to launch airstrikes against Libya on Saturday.
The Italians have accused the French of not originally backing a NATO-run operation to be in a better position for oil contracts when a new government is established in Libya.
It's not just the French causing problems…
Russia's defense minister yesterday called for a cease-fire in Libya.
Germany today pulled its naval ships out of NATO operations in the Mediterranean over a disagreement over the Libyan campaign's direction. It's not pretty.
Foreign ministers from Western coalition partners will meet in London Tuesday along with members of the Arab League and the African Union to see what can be done.
Here’s my question to you: France wants a committee to run the war in Libya. Is that a good idea?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Bryan in Colorado:
Yes, I think it is a good idea. Handing command over to Allied forces shows solidarity. Let the allies figure this one out for a a change. Hopefully they will decide to drop a missile on Gadhafi himself so this thing will come to a swift end.
Hal:
A committee? You've got to be kidding. A camel is a horse designed by a committee. This won’t come out as good. We've done our part. We should tell the coalition they have 48 hrs to take over and then we're gone, whether they have something in place or not.
Norm:
This is the first conflict in recent memory where no one has a plan, everyone is passing the buck, no one knows the players and no one knows the end-game. All we know for certain is that we have wasted a vast amount of expensive cruise missiles. The replacement costs are extraordinarily high and this approach depletes our stockpile. Where is the sense in this approach? I'm all for propping up democracies, supporting freedom and liberty, but where is the plan?
P.M.:
Jack, how many people have to die before the coalition gets rid of the problem in Libya, whether accidentally or purposely? Gadhafi must go, hopefully sooner than later.
Maje in Vancouver, British Columbia:
It's a great idea if you want to see the Odyssey Dawn crew out-daffy Gadhafi! I can see it all now: Inspector Clouseau draws up the battle plans and Mr. Bean leads Larry, Moe and Curly in the charge. And the wacky Libyan colonel dies laughing.
Martin in West Virginia:
Wow! I worked with an American subsidiary of a French company for fifteen years, and this is so typical, not just of the French, but of the Europeans in general. This is a bad, bad, bad idea. Define the objective, put an American in charge, and Get'r done.
Dave in Phoenix:
As long as we get to move out and let others have control, with little to no involvement, sounds good to me... committee away!