Gunmen Rule Tripoli's Streets: Join the Live Chat
Tonight in Tripoli, Libya families are once again hiding in their homes as gunmen rule the streets. And the dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his sons continue to oversee the killing of unarmed protesters, and continue to lie about what they are doing. We'll take you inside the uprising with new video and new insight from our panel of experts. You'll hear from Gadhafi's former translator. He fled Libya after taking part in a failed plot to overthrow the Libyan leader in the late 1970s.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
|
|
Filed under: Live Blog |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Go behind the scenes: AC361°
Gumby celebrates Isha Sesay's birthday
Anderson Cooper's birthday surprise
You asked, Anderson answersForeman's Letters to the President
Popular Posts
Search the AC360 blog
The no-fly zone will prove to Ghadaffy that it is truly over. He thinks the world won't act. He's banking on that.
Amidst the chaos...maybe the insertion of a team or two wouldn't be a bad idea.
@Shawn Louisville Ky, "We should turn the 6th fleet around and redeploy to the area as some show of force."
In my opinion, the 6th fleet should have been in place a long time ago.
So true Janis,
Not everyone is happy about having their countries invaded by the US,
and millions more refugees having to flee. They've all seen what has happened to Iraq and its 8 years later.
Cumulative responsibilty. Each person on the planet needs to differentiate between needs and wants. People's thirst for oil, greed and consumerism are huge contributing factors here. China, US,EU, Japan, everyone, with the US as always being the leader with something like 96.7 million barrels a day. Why on earth? Everyone is responsible and this is why there is no quick resolution for them.Watch innocent people die.
@Nicole...we should have gotten serious about alternative energy in the mid-70s, when we were waiting in line for gas (in the U.S.). The fact that we just kept on with little or no change for another 30 years makes me very frustrated.
@Starr,
"i emailed the Pres. last night and emailed and called the State Dept."
Did you get any replies?
I think that it's very important that the Libyans (& others) earn their freedom, however, they should have the support of the world behind them.
A noflyzone must be established imeadiately, if we realy want to help the Lybian revolution.
I wonder if Gadhafi's inside group is telling him everyone thinks he's wonderful because they are too scared to give him any bad news. Maybe he believes everything he says in his speeches lately.
Why the wink to the world from his son? I think I could believe any wacky idea about this guy, anymore.
Qadhafi thrived under sanctions for decades. Sanctions are toothless.
@Carolyn We don't have money to rescue every country that lacks democracy (as we see it). Besides, see how the last one turned out.
i think a small force could be sent in and capure him and charge him with war crimes
@janis I would like to know the same. Why are the French opposed to a no fly zone in Libya?!
A no fly zone in Libya is a good start... but so much more is needed.
Khadhafi reminds me of Jim Jones and Jonestown. Long ago I tutored Libyan grad students at University. Khadhafi instilled such fear in his people that many will never be truly free of him. If Khadhafi commits suicide, he will not go alone.
@Nancy – i agree with your post re: Libians wanting to obtain freedom on their own.
However, the woman last night, pointly asked for "action"from the Western world. At least a "no fly zone".
This is something ibelieve we, in conjunction with the Europeans and the Arab League could do without robbing the Lybians of gaining their own freedom.
The weapons situation is too lopsided in Lybia right now.
Women and children are dying for their freedom across the globe. In Tripoli the tyrant Quaddafi is murdering his own innocent people as you read this. Yemen is about to explode. Bahrain is near to their own freedom and Iran I hope is close behind. I am asking you to join with me in prayer for their suffering, for their relief. Pray to my God, your God, all the Gods... please make a prayer for the suffering
Good Evening AC and Everyone Else
In order for the US or any other nation to put a No-Fly Zone into effect their existing anti-aircraft battries would have to be taken out which would require the use of either stealth aircraft or apache attack helicopters. then a no-fly zone could be put into effect. We should turn the 6th fleet around and redeploy to the area as some show of force.
Earlier today,I saw the report about basketball players from the U.S. being in Tripoli. They were 2 kil. from Gadhafi palace,. The one guy interviewed said they were in grave danger,as they could hear gun shots everywhere. Anybody know if they got out of the country?
@Nancy in Oregon, "What exactly is a sanction in these terms? Other than simply freezing funds, I mean."
Hi Nancy, It doesn't mean much if the European community doesn't back us up. British PM David Cameron has balked at sanctions as well as the no-fly zone suggested by France.
Why is the U.S. hesitating at imposing a no-fly zone?
Gaddafi should be tried in the Court of Human Rights in the Hague, so should George Bush Junior and Tony bLIAR, a million murdered in Iraq and before that Clinton killed half – a – million Iraqi kids with his ill – thought out sanctions. Yes, I will dance in the streets where I live, if all four end up in the Hague. Ohio State University? Ring a bell? When students were murdered by the National Guard while they protested about the Vietnam war?
It's so tricky...once again, how much and when do you intervene in others' lives? And are your motives 'pure'? What if you don't like the resulting situation either? I'm all for 'doing something' but not for simply manhandling the situation.
We invaded Iraq on the basis of Sadam having weapons of mass destruction. We can immediately initiate a no fly zone, without having the permisson of the French. During WWII the French turned their eyes to what Hitler was doing. Khadafi is as bad as Hitler
WHY would the French be Against a No-Fly Zone?!
France knows Libya well. They speak french there in Libya. It would be very interesting to see just what France has been doing for Libya (& Qaddafi) over the decades.
We need the media to tell the Libyian people we are with them, we care about them. We are hoping this is the begining of world piece through democracy and love for the human race!
We are doing everything we can but this revolt will not be resolved quickly-please hang on and work together to get through it.
Let's hope the US special forces can get the rest of the Americans/Canadians & Europeans out within the next 24-48 hours
why should we this big nation let the people of libya, die in the streets as so many have before,we go into there with our army, and put a stop to these people. we should be doing so much more for the people there we act as the big father of the world but have let the people there in libya down.we should be ashamed of ourselfs for letting it go this far.
Now that potential American hostages are out, it is time right now for a no-fly zone. That is what Libyans are asking for, that is our opportunity.
Hey we have set and watched for years while people in Darfur are being killed. We are watching "closely" as Libya is in major crisis. NATO will not intervene it is not close enough for them to care enough. Remember strikes over Serbia 1999! But Kosovo is in Europe's backyard Libya unfortunately isn't!
After everyone has been evacuated hopefully, why not exercise the ICC or our CIA?
Why would the French be opposed to a no fly zone?
During the American revolution, the colonies were a possession of Great Britian. When we revolted, we asked for help in the form of guns and a Navy, which the French was asked to provide.
Is there anyone of rank in Libya in the opposition who has asked for material help? And at what point do we get involved?
@ Casey, I know about ´the roots`.
Have known it for years, but the majority of the people have to demand change-.
Sadly a lot of politicians are opportunits. They serve their party or the government or region but are looking forward to other jobs afterwards. It's the only explanation why not every country or state has an investment program in solar and wind energy, and innovation in electric cars...
Just imagine 10 years ago the leaders of the world would have made that a -goal-. (!)
How many oil would we have needed at this moment?
Hitler committed suicide rather than give up; but he took a lot of people with him first.
God Bless the brave woman on the phone call... I Pray that she remains safe!!
@Ralph
If history is any indication, Saudia Arabia will take Qaddafi and his family. Just as they have taken other infamous dictators in the past.
I don't understand why the U.N. won't issue a 'no-fly zone'.
There's this wierd dichotomy that we see over and over elsewhere...a Middle East country with a lot of highly educated or just plain intelligent citizens that live under a dictator or rogue government.
Anderson, perhaps our actions as a nation would lead many in Libya to believe that we do not care, but I for one deeply care and hope for their freedom.
A trillion dollar military and we can't carry out a no fly mission over Lybia? Just doesn't ring true.
Professor Ajami is correct. This is exactly like the Spanish Civil War. No one came to help those valiant freedom fighters either. At the very, very least impose a no fly zone immediately. We are watching a massacre! It's not a movie! It's real. It's Kosovo all over again. Shame shame shame on the rest of the world for not helping these people in a real way.
US needs to take a decisive stance against this criminal regime. Start with NO FLY zone. sanctions on this dictator is not going to help the Libyan masses. It's shamwful that the Obama administration is very slow at taking concrete actions against crimes being committed by this criminal regime.
@cicly
"hey guys; do you think it possible the international community will actually do something in a timely manner for these innocent people?"
It's about time it did..but we don't see much happening, do we?
The Gadhafi regime is delusional in thinking it is Libya–like Mubarak in Egypt before his departure, only far more irrational and reckless.
Nina
Even China is imposing sanctions on Qaddafi and they receive oil from Libya!
Nina,
I agree with you..... Good point.
Libya wants to Liberate themselves, then let us help them... now!!
@Chris Clark
"Why do we not hear about Qaddafi's real cronies?"
I remember when Barbara Walters said that Qaddafi "saw himself has the new future ruler of the 'entire Mid-East'..." I don't think he wants anyone to see those that would be 'helping him' out, as he's seen as 'the ruler'.
I beleive African leaders should follow The Gambia,in calling for his departure. I happen to read a statement from the government of The Gambia. All noble Africans are asked to avoid being used in this conflict. Gambians are warned that their government will not help them if captured. The AU should step in now
I am not convinced we are civilized people. How long will we sit back and watch the slaughter of these people?
Belarus someone said would take Gaddafi.
I do not know.
I understand that Libyans must win especially since so many have died. Them doing it themselves keeps those deaths from being in vain and empowers the souls of the nation.
@ralph You will be surprised at how some dictators find countries to harbor them, indefinitely.
Good Evening Anderson and 360 Staffers,
Briefly...I wish the United States would take a tough stance on the crimes against humanity in Libya, Egypt, et al. Something other than sanctions are needed to cripple this regime. When dealing with an oil rich region, limiting funds and resources really means nothing. A decisive show of force is needed. The establishment of a no fly zone and a naval blockade of shipping ports is needed immediately. Any violations need to be delt with severely and swiftly to send a message to the rest of the world. The United States cannot put boots on the ground, unless we as a country are prepared for a full scale war. Any conventional military effort cannot be a "police action", as seen in Afghanistan and Iraq. These people need help, and right now!