Muammar Gaddafi. Are his days numbered?
It seems a long time coming, doesn’t it? If you were around in the 1980s, and actually old enough to remember the many conflicts in which Libya was involved–excluding the chase of Doc Brown for the stolen Plutonium in Back to the Future—you’re probably like me…surprised that Gaddafi has stayed in power for as long as he has.
Brass tacks–the guy has been in power since 1969. Working on his 42nd year. And it seems that his fall from power may be very similar to his staking claim. I think those of us raised in some form of democracy can all agree that 40-plus years is too long for anyone to sit in power over a nation, whether elected or placed in power by force.
The protests in Libya have gained momentum with every violent counter of the present Libyan regime. Various news outlets have recently reported that military helicopters have fired on protesters, and CNN’s live news blog has reported that two Libyan Air Force pilots have defected to Malta after being asked to bomb their fellow Libyan citizens.
Reports are streaming that Gaddafi is still in Libya…somewhere.
This sentiment is widespread throughout the region. Protests abound, and more are being organized throughout the Middle East and in Northern Africa. Sure, this is typical of the world region, but in decades past we’ve never enjoyed the Interwebs’ round-the-clock coverage. (Yeah, I just possessively pluralized the made-up word Interwebs. Skill.)
One new father in Egypt has named his daughter “Facebook,” to pay homage to the youth in revolt, and the great facilitator, a social networking site. This will seriously be a “I never imagined…” moment, when I read this in the history book of a grandchild. Wait–history book? I meant History Curriculum App on their take-home tablet.
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