Flushing history down the memory hole

Simon Tisdall, foreign affairs expert at The Guardian for over forty years, has a scary headline for you today; "The West ignores the growth of Islamic insurgents in Africa at its peril."

The article contains a single passing reference to Libya; "Sudan and Chad, both negatively affected by the Libyan war, are particularly vulnerable."

Huh? There's a war in Libya? I thought Libya was a thriving democracy after we got rid of their evil dictator for them... what went wrong?

Here's a clue; Gaddafi warned Blair his ouster would 'open door' to jihadis.

Nine years later, it's safe to say Gaddafi was right and we were wrong. Not only did we destroy the most prosperous society in all of Africa, we're now scratching our heads wondering what to do about the jihadist hordes free-ranging across Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.

And lest you think this disgraceful state of affairs has nothing to do with Canada, remember that almost a thousand brave men and women in Canadian Forces uniforms got medals for their contribution to this fiasco.

Libya continues to enjoy blessings of "Operation Unified Protector"

As you may recall, that was the code name for the eight month long NATO bombing campaign against the infrastructure and government of Libya.

The Nations of Virtue don't actually win many military encounters with those pesky terrorists who insist on resisting their good intentions. That's a fact. But, goddam, do they ever deserve a prize for coming up with bullshit names for their military operations.

Operation Pillar of Bullshit.

Operation Over the Edge.

Operation Valiant Guardian...

But back to Operation Unified Protector.

Canadians were particularly pleased with this operation, because it's simply not every day that they get to drop bombs on a country with no air force or air defenses. Their pride stems in part from the fact that a Canadian was in charge of the NATO air war.

In fact, Ottawa was so chuffed they even minted a new military medal to honour our heroes.

So how are things faring out for the Libyans since we liberated them from their leader...

Not that well, as it turns out. Three years after we dispatched the Monster of the Maghreb to his reward, Libya is disintegrating into complete chaos. Even the virtuous NATO liberators are shutting down their embassies and fleeing the scene of their crime.

Hell, even that sweet Libyan crude we fought so hard to liberate is slipping from our grasp...

Somebody needs to be held to account...

GADDAFI!!!...

Yes, it's all Gaddafi's fault!