[Oswald2001]

Well, the Libyan people have clearly demonstrated exactly how much they love Gaddafi for all the supposed largesse he has supposedly bestowed.

They brutally slaughtered him and as many of his children that they could get hold of.

Very much like the Italian people loved Mussolini and the German people loved Hitler for the 'paradises' they supposedly provided for their countries.

[johnleeknoefler]

Originally Posted by MattyD ↗

What's more surprising is how johnleeknoefler has decided to finally put his hand into his pocket and contribute financially to the site, especially as he's such as skinflint and pauper to boot. Apart from that this post is a load of propaganda garbage from a similarly small and unintelligent mind.

Michael Savage


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Savage



Born

Michael Alan Weiner
March 31, 1942 (age 69)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.



Residence

San Francisco, California, U.S.



Nationality

American



Education

B.A., Biology (Queens College)
M.A., Anthropology and M.S., Ethnobotany (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa)
Ph.D., Nutritional Ethnomedicine (University of California, Berkeley)



Occupation

Radio talk show host
Commentator
Author

Spouse

Carol Ely (1964, divorced)
Janet Weiner (1967–present)

Children

Russell Weiner (born 1970)
Rebecca Lin Yops (born 1977)

www.michaelsavage.wnd.com

Michael Savage (born Michael Alan Weiner; March 31, 1942) is a conservative American radio host, author, and political commentator. He is the host of The Savage Nation, a nationally syndicated talk show that airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network. The Savage Nation has an audience of 8 to 10 million listeners on 400 stations across the United States, making it the 3rd most listened to radio talk show in the country. He holds master's degrees from the University of Hawaii in medical botany and medical anthropology and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in nutritional ethnomedicine. As Michael Weiner, he has written books on herbal medicine and homeopathy. As Michael Savage, he has written four New York Times-bestselling political books.

Savage has summarized his political philosophy in three words: borders, language, and culture. Some, including Savage himself, have characterized his views as conservative nationalism, while critics have characterized them as "fostering extremism or hatred." He outspokenly opposes illegal immigration to the United States, supports the English-only movement and argues that liberalism and progressivism are degrading American culture. Although his radio delivery is usually characterized as confrontational and politically themed, some of his show involves ruminating on topics such as medicine, nutrition, music, literature, history, theology, philosophy, sports, culture, and personal anecdotes.

Since 2009, Savage has been barred from entering the United Kingdom, for allegedly "seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred". The ban remains in effect.

Personal life

Savage was born Michael Alan Weiner in the Bronx, New York, one of three children of Benjamin and Rae Weiner; he comes from Russian Jewish heritage. He described his childhood as difficult. His father, the owner of an antique shop, died of a heart attack at age 57, and his mother died in 2003.

After graduating from Jamaica High School in 1958, Weiner attended Queens College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1963. After college Weiner taught high school for several years in New York City. His first marriage to Carol Ely in 1964 ended in divorce, and he remarried after meeting his current wife Janet in 1967. His first wife says that she became pregnant twice and aborted both pregnancies over Weiner's objections. During this time Weiner also worked for famous psychedelic drug advocate Timothy Leary as keeper of the stone gatehouse on Leary's Millbrook estate. Leary hired him to the post because Weiner did not use LSD himself. Weiner then earned two master's degrees in ethnobotany and anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He obtained a Ph.D. in 1978 from the University of California, Berkeley, in nutritional ethnomedicine. His thesis was titled Nutritional Ethnomedicine in Fiji.

While in the South Pacific, he became fascinated with the 19th-century sailor Charles Savage, who was believed to have been the first man to bring firearms to Fiji. That fascination led to Weiner's name change to Savage.

Savage and his second wife Janet have two children, a daughter and a son; his son, Russell Weiner, is the founder of the company that produces the Rockstar energy drink. Russell's mother, Janet, served as CFO of his company until July 2009. Daughter Rebecca Lin Yops has worked as an elementary school teacher. Savage has said that although he believes in God, he attends houses of worship only a few times a year. During the 1980s, Savage attended Friday night services at a Chabad house in Berkeley.

Shift in philosophy

Savage introduced himself to certain writers in the North Beach area of San Francisco in the early 1960s. He befriended and traveled with Beat poets Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Savage maintained a correspondence with Ginsberg consisting of ten letters and a trio of postcards across four years, which is maintained with Ginsberg's papers at Stanford University. One letter asked for Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti to come do a poetry reading, so others could "hear and see and know why I adore your public image." Another acquaintance was poet and author Neeli Cherkovski, who says Savage dreamed of becoming a stand-up comic in the mold of Lenny Bruce. On his radio show, Savage confirmed this desire but compared this with his desire, as a child, to become a cowboy.

Around 1980, an acquaintance, Robert Cathcart, says in his private conversations with Savage he knew him to have conservative political views. Schwartz stated Savage became alienated from the North Beach scene in the early 1980s. Savage had intense arguments with his liberal friends. When asked about his shift in politics and other views, Savage replied, "I was once a child; I am now a man." Savage has cited many occurrences in his life that helped shape his conservative views. Savage states that his opinions on welfare were partly shaped by his first job out of college as a social worker. He described one incident in which his supervisor had him deliver a check to a welfare client to furnish their apartment, while his own apartment was furnished with cardboard boxes. Another turning point occurred for him as a writer of health and nutrition books in the 1980s, when he experienced what he saw as "political opposition" after making the suggestion that the closure of homosexual bathhouses might be necessary in response to the emerging AIDS epidemic. In 1994 his final health and nutrition manuscript, Immigrants and Epidemics, was rejected by publishers for being inflammatory. In 1996, Savage applied to become the Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley. The University instead selected award-winning journalist and China scholar Orville Schell. Savage sued the University, contending he was discriminated against because he was a conservative. Savage later dropped the lawsuit

Radio show

The rejection of his 1994 manuscript prompted him to record a demo tape with a mock radio talk show about illegal immigrants and epidemics. He mailed this tape to 250 radio stations in an attempt to change careers and become a radio talk show host. On March 21, 1994, Savage began his radio career on KGO (a San Francisco news/talk radio station) as a fill-in host for the liberal Ray Taliaferro. Less than a year later, he began hosting his own show on KGO's sister station KSFO.

At the time, his slogan was "To the right of Rush and to the left of God." On January 1, 1995, he was given his own show during the drive-time hours. The show quickly became a local hit. During his time at KSFO, Savage reached #1 in Arbitron ratings among both adult men and women over 18 during afternoon drive-time in San Francisco and became top talk host in his timeslot in Northern California. In 1999, he came to the attention of the Talk Radio Network, based in Oregon, which currently syndicates his The Savage Nation radio program.

As of the fall of 2006, Savage has 8–10 million listeners per week, making his show the third most widely heard broadcast in the United States. Savage calls his listeners "literate callers with intelligence, wit, and energy." He says that he tries to make a show that has a "...hard edge combined with humor and education...Those who listen to me say they hear a bit of Plato, Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, Moses, Jesus, and Frankenstein." Mark de la Viña of the San Jose Mercury News wrote of Savage, "In contrast to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Schlessinger, Bay Area-based Savage mixes conservative diatribe and blunt observations with acerbic humor and a gift of gab. It has propelled him to the top of radio talk-show ratings as well as bestseller book lists."

On September 10, 2009, KNEW-AM (910 kHz) in Savage's home market of San Francisco announced that it was dropping his program and replacing him with John and Ken from sister station KFI-AM (640 kHz)/Los Angeles. John Scott, program director of KNEW said in an e-mail that the station was headed "...in a different philosophical and ideological direction, featuring more contemporary content and more local information." According to Arbitron monthly ratings, KNEW-AM dropped in the ratings since Savage was let go. San Francisco station KTRB picked up the program for the San Francisco market, and saw a ratings boost in the afternoon drive. However, the program was among the first casualties when KTRB went into receivership in September 2010.

Savage had asked his audience for their opinion prior to consenting to a profile interview by Kelefa Sanneh of The New Yorker; Savage eventually accepted that offer and the New Yorker profile, titled "Party of One", was published in the August 3, 2009 issue, which covered Savage's life and personality in great detail.

On January 22, 2010, Savage revealed to his audience that a writer for Playboy had contacted him via email to do a lengthy interview, and again asked his listeners if he should accept the offer. During the show, Savage read from personal emails between the Playboy writer and himself. The writer admitted to being a listener of the Savage Nation but a critic of the profile done by The New Yorker. The writer also stated that the purpose of the interview was to "rattle" Playboy's readers. On May 12, 2010, Savage revealed that he had granted the interview at his home. He read from a pre-publication copy of the 8,000 word Playboy interview, in which the writer expressed animosity for Savage and his views. Savage said that he was disappointed at the lack of journalistic objectivity, but did not harbor hatred for the writer. He referred back to the New Yorker interview by Kelefa Sanneh, and praised Sanneh as a "real writer" who had understood his subject.

On October 1, 2011, Michael Savage was ranked as the #2 for online streams according to the internet rankings report published by TalkStreamLive.com

Books and other writings

In total Savage has written 29 books. Under the name Michael Savage he has written eight books, including a #1 New York Times bestseller and three further books which made the best seller list. He has also reprinted two books with the name Savage, Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's and Healing Children Naturally.

His 1980 book Weiners's Herbal: The Guide to Herb Medicine advocated the medical benefits of marijuana. However, he has more recently stated that the chemicals in marijuana make it too dangerous to be used as medicine. On his program, he condemns the recreational use of marijuana, occasionally devoting his show to "marijuana horror stories." He has authored a number of other books on various herbal medicine topics under his given name.

Savage's recent books are political in nature and published by WND Books, a partnership between the conservative website WorldNetDaily and Thomas Nelson, a publisher of Christian books.

In 1991, Savage self-published The Death of the White Male, an argument against affirmative action. In the book, Savage, calls affirmative action "reverse discrimination", and demonstrates his emerging philosophy. This eventually led to his starting the Paul Revere Society and he continues to sell the book to raise money for this group.

In January 2003, Savage published The Savage Nation: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Borders, Language and Culture, his first major book under the pseudonym Michael Savage. The book quickly reached the top of the New York Times Best Seller list, earning Savage, as noted above, a commentary show on MSNBC. The book directs attacks at "liberal media bias," the "dominating culture of 'she-ocracy'", gay activists, and liberals.

In January 2004, Savage published his second political book The Enemy Within: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Schools, Faith, and Military. His next book, Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder, was released on April 12, 2005. Unlike The Savage Nation, both of these books cited sources for some of the more controversial claims made.

In April 2006, Savage released The Political Zoo. The book contains satirical profiles and cartoons of different public figures, most of whom are liberal political figures and celebrities, who are depicted in caricature as animals in the "Political Zoo", with Savage himself portrayed as the zoo keeper. Savage has remarked that the book is "easier to digest" than his previous political books.

In October 2010, Savage released Trickle Up Poverty: Stopping Obama’s Attack on Our Borders, Economy, and Security. Released through the HarperCollins imprint of William Morrow, the book argued: "Americans are boiling mad over the way Congress and this Marxist/Leninist-oriented President are manipulating the current economic crisis to nationalize businesses."

In November 2010, it was confirmed that Savage had signed a deal to write two thrillers for publisher St. Martin's Press. The first political thriller, "Abuse of Power," was released on 13 September 2011. The novel is based on "My fictionalized account of being banned from Britain and hunted by overbearing governments is set in the San Francisco only I know," said Savage. It is set in San Francisco, mainly in North Beach, as well as London, and Tel Aviv. It tells the story of a failed carjacking that reveals a government cover-up. A dark plot involving British officials and a terrorist group known as "the Hand of Allah." The publisher has described the novel by saying, "will make 9/11 look like child's play."

As for Michael Savages' radio broadcasts he is well known for going off on callers with opposing views and most especially for ranting on prank callers. Any liberal or like minded person who wishes to become famous has only to call up his show and make a personal attack. Michael Savage has rarely failed to deliver a verbal roasting. He's been fired, launched lawsuits, been boycotted, been sued in return and now banned in Britain.
But then he's not called a Shock Jock for nothing.
"Apart from that this post is a load of propaganda garbage from a similarly small and unintelligent mind" Whatever.

[johnleeknoefler]

Originally Posted by MattyD ↗

Thought I'd point out that if you think that by introducing democracy to places like Libya it will bring it to a higher level of civilisation, then you are seriously mistaken.

From a Muslim's perspective I'm sure they're sick of hearing the constant shite that comes from the West, not the other way round.

Read this and see how seemingly 'advanced' we are as a society:

"If you are rejoicing at the death of Gadaffi here are a few facts that you might find quite interesting...
1. There are no electricity bills in Libya; electricity is free for all of its citizens.
2. There is no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.
3. A home is considered a human right in Libya – Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home.... Gaddafi’s father died while him, his wife and his mother were still living in a tent.
4. All newlyweds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family.
5. Education and medical treatments are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. Today the figure is 83%.
6. Should Libyans want to take up a farming career, they would receive farming land, a farming house, equipments, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms – all for free.
7. If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funds them to go abroad for it – not only free but they get US$2,300/mth accommodation and car allowance.
8. In Libya, if a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized 50% of the price.
9. The price of petrol in Libya is $0.14 per liter.
10. Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – now frozen globally.
11. If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.
12. A portion of Libyan oil sale is, credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens.
13. A mother who gave birth to a child receive US$5,000
14. 40 loaves of bread in Libya costs $ 0.15
15. 25% of Libyans have a university degree 16. Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country." Makes you think, doesn't it?"

First off I am no fan of the former president of Libya but even more so am I not a fan of the new Libyan government considering their actions during and at the close of the conflict. I am not at all interested in Libyan politics unless it directly concerns me. I was not for our current US administration assisting the rebels or the former Libyan govenment. Any involvement on our part would never help us and on the contrary if the new government proves to be corrupt we will remember our assistance with regret. If the rebels had failed we would be many years trying to mend fences. On a final point I fail to see the connection between a Michael Savage rant and your off topic post. Shouldn't you post this on your own thread. I would be happy in that case to read in greater detail how wonderful the former Libyan regime was. Now you make me kinda wish we had bombed the rebels and then I would have a place to immigrate to. Would love to live where it was so cheap and easy.

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Oswald2001 ↗

Well, the Libyan people have clearly demonstrated exactly how much they love Gaddafi for all the supposed largesse he has supposedly bestowed.

They brutally slaughtered him and as many of his children that they could get hold of.

Very much like the Italian people loved Mussolini and the German people loved Hitler for the 'paradises' they supposedly provided for their countries.

If the Libyan people hated him so much, then why did it take a 6 month long bombing campaign by NATO to finally kill him? Right to the very fucking end, when NATO bombed his convoy as it was fleeing, these "Rebels" would have had no chance otherwise.
The really scary thing is Libya is a far bigger nation than Iraq, and far more tribal.... The chance of it staying together as a functioning democracy IMHO is 0.
So once again arises the possibility of a crazy islamic republic with billions in oil money to fund them, in part created by us.

[Oswald2001]

Originally Posted by rob666 ↗

If the Libyan people hated him so much, then why did it take a 6 month long bombing campaign by NATO to finally kill him? Right to the very fucking end, when NATO bombed his convoy as it was fleeing, these "Rebels" would have had no chance otherwise.
The really scary thing is Libya is a far bigger nation than Iraq, and far more tribal.... The chance of it staying together as a functioning democracy IMHO is 0.
So once again arises the possibility of a crazy islamic republic with billions in oil money to fund them, in part created by us.

The Libyan people have been enslaved for 42 years. Most of the population have had no experience with any other leadership than Gaddafi. It's like they were dropped on the moon. Completely out of their element.

Then, of course, there were the elements that benefited from the Gaddafi regime.

If NATO had gone full out, it would have taken 6 days. NATO's part was done, basically, 'in it's sleep'.

Anywhere the Moo Slum Dark Ages Death CULT is found, trouble will follow.

Gaddafi was bad, Moo Slums in control is bad, dictators are bad, etc.

Anywhere the Moo Slums are found, the 'cultures' are DYSFUNCTIONAL in the extreme.

We'll have to wait and see if the Libyan people want to change and be FUNCTIONAL.

Usually, DYSFUNCTIONAL 'cultures' will fight to the death to remain DYSFUNCTIONAL. That's why they still embrace the Dark Ages Death CULT. Because it has reinforced their DYSFUNCTIONAL state for 1,400 years.



Whether anyone likes it or not, things change. Even if it's from one DYSFUNCTIONAL regime to another.

Things have been changing in the Middle East. Perhaps you've noticed? And not because of NATO. The world is 'getting smaller', communications are better than they have ever been, it's impossible to completely propagandize a modern society. The younger people don't swallow the bunk that they've been fed by their dictator masters. They see unlimited 'evidence to the contrary' on the Net and through their own travels.

Things change. They always change. They have always changed. They will always change.

1.) Things change
2.) Change is not necessarily smooth
3.) Change cannot be stopped

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Oswald2001 ↗

The Libyan people have been enslaved for 42 years. Most of the population have had no experience with any other leadership than Gaddafi. It's like they were dropped on the moon. Completely out of their element.

Then, of course, there were the elements that benefited from the Gaddafi regime.

If NATO had gone full out, it would have taken 6 days. NATO's part was done, basically, 'in it's sleep'.

Anywhere the Moo Slum Dark Ages Death CULT is found, trouble will follow.

Gaddafi was bad, Moo Slums in control is bad, dictators are bad, etc.

Anywhere the Moo Slums are found, the 'cultures' are DYSFUNCTIONAL in the extreme.

We'll have to wait and see if the Libyan people want to change and be FUNCTIONAL.

Usually, DYSFUNCTIONAL 'cultures' will fight to the death to remain DYSFUNCTIONAL. That's why they still embrace the Dark Ages Death CULT. Because it has reinforced their DYSFUNCTIONAL state for 1,400 years.



Whether anyone likes it or not, things change. Even if it's from one DYSFUNCTIONAL regime to another.

Things have been changing in the Middle East. Perhaps you've noticed? And not because of NATO. The world is 'getting smaller', communications are better than they have ever been, it's impossible to completely propagandize a modern society. The younger people don't swallow the bunk that they've been fed by their dictator masters. They see unlimited 'evidence to the contrary' on the Net and through their own travels.

Things change. They always change. They have always changed. They will always change.

1.) Things change
2.) Change is not necessarily smooth
3.) Change cannot be stopped

Yeah, take NATO out of the picture and then what would have happened? Gadhafi had the "rebels" backed into a corner when NATO intervened, if you think this was anything less than 98% NATO you're a fucking idiot..... NATO destroyed his armour, communications & air power, the fucking rebels couldn't even stop his escape convoy without NATO intervention.
Your right it is and has been dysfunctional since time began, all the more reason to stay the fuck out and let them do their thing.

The transitional leader announced today that Libya will be a democracy based on moderate Islam, so I guess thats a good thing in your mind? Because thats where its headed, Afghanistan with a ton of oil.

[Oswald2001]

Originally Posted by rob666 ↗

Yeah, take NATO out of the picture and then what would have happened? Gadhafi had the "rebels" backed into a corner when NATO intervened, if you think this was anything less than 98% NATO you're a fucking idiot..... NATO destroyed his armour, communications & air power, the fucking rebels couldn't even stop his escape convoy without NATO intervention.
Your right it is and has been dysfunctional since time began, all the more reason to stay the fuck out and let them do their thing.

The transitional leader announced today that Libya will be a democracy based on moderate Islam, so I guess thats a good thing in your mind? Because thats where its headed, Afghanistan with a ton of oil.

Do you have a point?

Why do you think you know my mind, let alone what I think is a "good thing"?

If oil is so reprehensible to you, quit using it...and all it's byproducts. Show us the way.

[johnleeknoefler]

Originally Posted by MattyD ↗

Thought I'd point out that if you think that by introducing democracy to places like Libya it will bring it to a higher level of civilisation, then you are seriously mistaken.

From a Muslim's perspective I'm sure they're sick of hearing the constant shite that comes from the West, not the other way round.

Read this and see how seemingly 'advanced' we are as a society:

"If you are rejoicing at the death of Gadaffi here are a few facts that you might find quite interesting...
1. There are no electricity bills in Libya; electricity is free for all of its citizens.
2. There is no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.
3. A home is considered a human right in Libya – Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home.... Gaddafi’s father died while him, his wife and his mother were still living in a tent.
4. All newlyweds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family.
5. Education and medical treatments are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. Today the figure is 83%.
6. Should Libyans want to take up a farming career, they would receive farming land, a farming house, equipments, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms – all for free.
7. If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funds them to go abroad for it – not only free but they get US$2,300/mth accommodation and car allowance.
8. In Libya, if a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized 50% of the price.
9. The price of petrol in Libya is $0.14 per liter.
10. Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – now frozen globally.
11. If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.
12. A portion of Libyan oil sale is, credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens.
13. A mother who gave birth to a child receive US$5,000
14. 40 loaves of bread in Libya costs $ 0.15
15. 25% of Libyans have a university degree 16. Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country." Makes you think, doesn't it?"

Read this and see how 'seemingly' advanced we are as a society

Housing:

Many Libyan’s people live with extended family members and in single homes, because of the crowding. When the woman lived in these homes they got very little education, and still today it is the same way. Since they do not get very much education they have very little work force with about 10 percent of woman are working.

Libya’s large cities have high-rise office buildings and apartment buildings that fill the downtown areas, and suburban areas have more room for single family living. In rural areas most people live in stone or mud brick houses. Often families have a single room for all activities in their house and a shed for their animals.

Literary "Freedom":

In 1969, a military coup brought Muammar al-Gaddafi to power. In the mid-1970s, the new government set up a single publishing house, and authors were required to write in support of the authorities. Those who refused were imprisoned, emigrated, or ceased writing. Censorship laws were loosened, but not abolished, in the early 1990s, resulting in a literary renewal. Some measure of dissent is expressed in contemporary literature published within Libya, but books remain censored and self-censored to a significant extent.

Television:

Government control over the media has resulted in much of the population preferring to entertain itself by watching videos or foreign stations via satellite. Libyan television programmes are mostly in Arabic with a 30-minute news broadcast each evening in English and French. It is also possible to watch the occasional sports programme. However, the majority of programming is cultural and thus showcases more traditional Libyan music and entertainment. Libya's daily newspaper is Al-Fajr al-Jadid and is published in Tripoli. Foreign newspapers are available, but are often very out-of-date by the time they reach the shops.

On the plus side of the Gaddafi Regime:

Under Gaddafi's jamahiriya regime, the country's literacy rate rose to 90%, life expectancy rose to 77 years, equal rights were established for women and black people, employment opportunities were established for migrant workers, and welfare systems were introduced that allowed access to free education, free healthcare, and financial assistance for housing. The Great Manmade River was also built to allow free access to fresh water across large parts of the country. In addition, financial support was provided for university scholarships and employment programs, while the nation as a whole was largely debt-free. As a result, Libya's Human Development Index in 2010 was the highest in Africa and greater than that of Saudi Arabia.

Before Gaddafi:

The Kingdom of Libya, from 1951 to 1969, was marked by a feudal regime, where Libya had a low literacy rate of 10%, a low life expectancy of 57 years, and 40% of the population lived in shanties, tents, or caves. The history of Libya under Muammar al-Gaddafi, from 1969 to 2011, was marked by a new regime called jamahiriya ("state of the masses"), a direct democracy political system established by Muammar Gaddafi in 1977. Gaddafi officially stepped down from power in 1977, but continued to hold a symbolic role within the country's governance until 2011.

So Gaddafi did bring them out of the stone age.
Apparently some want the country to return to the stone age.

Cuisine:

Libyan cuisine derives much from the traditions of the Mediterranean and North Africa, with an Italian influence, a legacy from the days when Libya was an Italian colony. One of the most popular Libyan dishes is a thick highly-spiced soup, known simply as Sharba Libiya or Libyan soup. Sharba Libiya contains many of the ingredients of many other Libyan dishes, including onions, tomatoes, lamb (or chicken), chilies, cayenne pepper, saffron, chickpeas, mint, cilantro and parsley.

Bazin is perhaps the most recognizable Libyan food there is, made of a mixture of mainly barley flour, with a little plain flour. The flour is boiled in salted water to make a hard dough, and then formed into a rounded, smooth dome placed in the middle of the dish. The sauce around the dough is made by frying chopped onions with lamb meat, adding turmeric, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, fenugreek, sweet paprika, and tomato paste.Potatoes can also be added. Finally, eggs are boiled and arranged around the dome. The dish is then served with lemon and fresh or pickled chillies known as amsayar.

One of the most popular meals in the Libyan cuisine is Batatan mubatana (filled potato). It consists of fried potato pieces filled with spiced minced meat and covered with egg and breadcrumbs.

Apparently we need to bring a few Libyan cooks over here. Their food sounds great.

Killing opposition:

Gaddafi has posted bounties for killing of his critics around the world. As of 2004, Libya still provided bounties for critics, including 1 million dollars for Ashur Shamis, a Libyan-British journalist.

The regime has often executed opposition activists publicly and the executions are rebroadcast on state television channels.

Well damn, You just better watch what you say, huh?

Amnesty International has called for an independent inquiry into deaths that occurred there in Abu Salim maximum security prison in the 1996 riot, Human Rights Watch believes that 1,270 prisoners were killed

At least they are free now.

Torture:

Torture was used as part of Libya's security policy and to punish NTC after the rebellion hit north west Libya

UN General Assembly:

After an emergency meeting on 22 February, the Arab League suspended Libya from taking part in council meetings and Moussa issued a statement condemning the "crimes against the current peaceful popular protests and demonstrations in several Libyan cities." Libya was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council by a unanimous vote of the UN General Assembly, citing the Gaddafi government's use of violence against protesters. A number of governments, including Britain, Canada, Switzerland, the United States, Germany and Australia took action to freeze assets of Gaddafi and his associates. The move was criticised as double-standard as numerous similar human right abuses in Bahrain, Yemen or elsewhere produced no action at all

Apparently Libya is the only Middle Eastern nation not allowed to torture and kill it's citizens. For anybody else it's ok as long as you are in debt and taxing the crap out of your people to pay off your IMF load. Double standards are so convienent.


Libya may well be a Middle Eastern hell hole for decades to come. In a couple years they will be remembering Gaddafi with genuine nostalgia.

A blogger for Amnesty commented: “I get the impression that media attention is already fading fast with Libya. This is a pity and a worry. My understanding of history is that after a revolution you often get horrible reprisal attacks and score-settling. In Libya this is already happening. The uncomfortable truth is that NTC forces—or at least armed groups operating as anti-Gaddafi fighters—have been killing, abducting, and torturing people they identify as Gaddafi’s men.”

Journalist Arthur Chatora noted in Africa Confidential: “The mainstream media’s conspicuous silence about the racially motivated human rights abuses perpetrated against black Libyans and immigrants by the NATO-backed National Transitional Council (NTC) forces in Libya is disturbing. Similarly, the high civilian casualties of the current intense fighting in the city of Sirte seems, to a large extent, to be underplayed… Is it because the presence of widespread evidence of racially motivated human rights abuses committed by the NTC forces raises moral and ethical questions that challenge the validity of the notion of a ‘humanitarian war?”

In the Middle East you get two flavors of government. Despotic authoritarian rule where you take your chances and watch your back and perhaps make a good living. Or some sort of authoritarian theocratic despotism where you watch your back and take your chances and struggle to live from day to day.