Victory Lap?

Libyan strongman Mohammar Gadhafi was captured today in his hometown, and then shot at close range as Libyan rebels were transporting him.   The President of the United States basically took credit for the demise of Gadhafi: "Without putting a single U.S. service member on the ground, we achieved our objectives, and our NATO mission will soon come to an end," Mr. Obama said.


"For the region, today's events prove once more that the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end. Across the Arab world, citizens have stood up to claim their rights," he added.

The president added that the U.S. will stand by Libya as it travels "a long and winding road to full democracy."


"There will be difficult days ahead but the United States, together with the international community, is committed to the Libyan people. You have won your revolution."   That sounds good, but who is in charge, and who will ultimately be in charge?   Is the U.S. committed to the Libyan rebels, who may be under the control of radical groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood?

Here's Jimmy DeYoung from March of this year.  (March 23)
But let's remember President Obama's position in March of this year:


"To brush aside America's responsibility as a leader and - more profoundly - our responsibilities to our fellow human beings under such circumstances would have been a betrayal of who we are. Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as President, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action," he said.

"I said that America's role would be limited; that we would not put ground troops into Libya; that we would focus our unique capabilities on the front end of the operation, and that we would transfer responsibility to our allies and partners.

Mr. Obama also said that NATO would take responsibility for protecting Libyan citizens, in addition to the no-fly zone, on Wednesday.

The U.S. will play more of a supporting role, "including intelligence, logistical support, search and rescue assistance, and capabilities to jam regime communications."

"As we have in Libya, our task is instead to mobilize the international community for collective action," Mr. Obama said. "Because contrary to the claims of some, American leadership is not simply a matter of going it alone and bearing all of the burden ourselves. Real leadership creates the conditions and coalitions for others to step up as well; to work with allies and partners so that they bear their share of the burden and pay their share of the costs; and to see that the principles of justice and human dignity are upheld by all."

Gadhafi was a brutal dictator, and he was essentially a mass murderer.   But, what can we expect now?   And, what about thousands of portable surface-to-air missiles that are missing from Libya.   Some of those missiles have been found near the border of the Gaza Strip.

But, just as in the case of Osama bin-Laden, I don't think as Christians that we rejoice in someone's death, especially someone who has shown no evidence of knowing Jesus Christ.   But, temporarily Libya is better off without Gadhafi, but how much better and for how long?   Pray for the Libyan people.