New York Times Editorial: "Qaddafi's Final Hours"

From an editorial (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/opinion/qaddafis-final-hours.html?hp) in today's New York Times:

"For more than 40 years, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi has dominated and terrorized Libya — his image plastered on what seemed like every wall and his goons posted on every corner."

Now I ask you, is it appropriate for President Obama to extend a warm handshake to a person who has terrorized his own country and the world for almost half a century?

By the way, I was present when Obama greeted Qaddafi with a toothy grin at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on July 9, 2009, and I overheard Qaddafi whispering to the president: "You know, Barack, it's the clothes that make the man."

More from the Times editorial:

"There were times when the United States and Europe should have committed more assets. But Mr. Obama made the right decision to let Europe take the lead."

Translation: Obama made such a mess of Afghanistan - simultaneously announcing a surge and a withdrawal date - that he was again best off "leading from behind."

From the editorial's conclusion:

"It will be up to the Libyans to build their own future. The rebels’ victory — if followed by the democracy they promise — should inspire others to believe that the battle is worth fighting."

The "democracy they promise" in Libya? What have you folks been smoking in far away Manhattan? It's a tribal conflict, there will ultimately be winners and losers, and it's not going to be pretty. My expectation: One man, one AK-47.

Nevertheless, I wish to thank the editorial board of The New York Times for introducing a bit of comedy into my morning.