Actions in Libya show it’s not humanitarian

The U.S. government has lied to the American people in saying that the efforts in Libya are purely humanitarian. Actually, the conflict is only justified as such, and the underlying drive is a lucrative business move to gain control of resources such as oil.

The humanitarian mission, launched three months ago, has now turned into a catastrophic, tyrannical conflict that resembles U.S. and NATO's past conflicts in Eastern Europe and Iraq.

As of June 15, the Libyan government has offered elections to be held and stated that if the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi loses, he would leave office - effectively stopping his rule. The United States and NATO are not interested in elections, however, and wish to continue the bombardment of Libya.

Why? If this was in fact a humanitarian mission, an election in which the end to the conflict can be obtained peacefully should be the preferred choice.

In the end, if Gaddafi is bluffing, a militaristic mission can always continue, but a chance to avoid innocent casualties, save millions of taxpayer dollars and help America's image abroad is a one-time chance.

The U.S. totalitarian policies hurt the U.S. economy, and therefore, the American people.

Every imperialistic power in the history of mankind has toppled. I suggest the American government try some new strategies to maintain its world “power status” and, more importantly, “protect us, the American people.”

Darjan Vujica

Iowa City