U.S. Action Against Libya

Once again Ronald Reagan is “standing tall” against Libya. Once again the most powerful nation in the world has bravely asserted its rights against a tiny Third World country, this time invoking the sacred principle of “freedom of the seas.”

Never mind that there is no good reason why the U.S. Navy should want to sail into the Gulf of Sidra; never mind that there are peaceful ways to challenge Moammar Kadafi’s claim to the area; it’s our right and we’re not going to be pushed around.

I’ve done some sailing, and the rules of the sea are not much different from the rules of the road. Rule No. 1 is Drive Defensively. Asserting the right of way does you no good if it causes an accident. Unless--you deliberately want to provoke a confrontation.

Now there is no doubt that Kadafi is a ruthless, egocentric dictator who opposes what many consider to be the “U.S. interest” much of the time. Kadafi’s methods (i.e., terrorism) are abhorrent to all Americans. However, for the United States to use “gunboat diplomacy” in this way, to play such a sanctimonious bully, only increases Kadafi’s standing in the eyes of the rest of the world. They may not particularly like this “David,” but they all agree that the U.S. “Goliath” is being a bully. Rather than “standing tall,” Ronald Reagan is stooping to Kadafi’s level.

BRAD JONES

Santa Monica