Consider the following:

- a crazy dictator who's military is starting to defect
- dedicated opposition but with no clear leadership
- huge oil reserve

Isn't this a prime opportunity for an invasion and take over?

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Listening to NPR on the way in to work this morning, one of his generals is organizing in the east to take Triopli, so no, I don't think there will be an invasion. The Lybians will take Lybia. Just hope the whack the whackjob this time. Pity Reagan missed him all those years ago. I always maintiained he should have persevered till they got him.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

This is where George Soros could begin his empire.....

They are trying to get rid of the crazy dictator.
The crazy dictator has taken care of any one who was any good in the opposition.
Just hope Iran doesnt show interest.
I think Exxon would like its oil reserves, they did much of the development only to be kicked out by the crazy dictator.
Heck why not let Israel have it?

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I'm afraid the people of Saudi Arabia will get the same idea eventually. We will one day look back on the "good old days" of $4/gallon gasoline.

__________________
Jim

I was thinking something similiar. Still relying on the middle east to escalate oil prices so much it'll crash Suburban prices even more and I'll manage to pick up a decent example for a couple of grand...

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

This maybe were Ben Laden comes out of his cave to try another run for Ruler of the Middle East.

We better start drillin' here!!

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

Libya is actually much more stable than you think.
You know what makes it unstable? Gaddafi!
He had set up Revolutionary Committees (REVCOMs) which are like administrative ministries or departments with another name. They run everything like any bureaucracy. The only thing that upsets them is when the Great Leader comes in and tells the electricity committee: Ya know, 220V is a lot of volts, can we just do like, 199-1/2?

Imagine how that ruins your day.....

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I read one of the news reports. Supposively, Libya was three serperate territories rules by three major clans before Kadhafi. The eastern clan has somewhat retaken its territory, or at least help stabilise it. It will be interesting as to who, how etc, comes of this. Does Libya continue as one country or divide? I think Kadhafi is done. Some Western Governments are trying to freeze and overseas assests from him and his family.
I don't think anyone is organized as of yet. It looks rather lawless. I do see some restraint on both sides, as far as Libyians not wanting to kill other Libyians. Still, it looks like outside forces (mercenaires) are shot when captured.
I wonder if this will spread to other regional countries, like Algiers and Morocco? Also, Bahrain, Yemen and others? So, I'd have to say Tunisia and Egypt have earned a lot of respect.
Tom

Everyone is always talking about how the US needs to shut down overseas bases and I agree with much of this. However, in this case, the US might be welcomed back to Wheeler AFB to help bring a stable presence to the area.

The only people I see not being welcome would be anyone from Italy since Libya was a colony of Italy for so long.

I don't know the unemployment rate there, but I do know there is plenty of work to do on the oil infrastructure.

I would imagine that a military strong man will step forward.

Hopefully this crap settles down so gas can drop below $3 a gallon again sometime soon.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

For what it is worth....

Some friends of mine worked there in the 1950's laying pipelines. They said that the construction right of way, which is known in the trade as a 'spread', was marked off an no one was allowed beyond the markers due to land mines from WW 2.

They said it was weird to see blown up tanks and such just beyond the limits of the spread and not be able to take a look at them. They said there were also some nice Roman ruins there that must have been major Roman cities at one time.

Before oil was discovered the major source of outside currency was scrap metal from the destroyed war machines. They said you could tell if someone had been there by the presence of machine guns on the tanks. That was the first thing salvaged since they were the easiest to sell.

If the place becomes safe to move around it it could become a major tourist trap. How many Roman cities are there that are still somewhat untouched?

Hummm..... I wonder what I could find on Google Earth about this?

Look at the shore line. Hundreds of miles of undeveloped Mediterranean water front!

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Libya only has about 6 million people compared to 80 million people in Egypt. Should be easier to govern.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13