Jim Moran: Death of Gaddafi Marks a “starting point” for Libya’s future

(Also, here’s the quote of the day, by Andrew Sullivan: “To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he’d be on Mount Rushmore by now.” – promoted by lowkell)

Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th, VA) comments on the death of Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi. My thoughts: another scumbag dictator with American blood, and the blood of many others, on his hands, bites the dust. Now, let’s hope that Libya moves forward towards a country based on rule of law, Democracy, human rights, and guaranteed freedoms of worship and thought. We’ll see what happens. Also, I’ve got to wonder what Bashar al-Asad is thinking right now…

The death of Moammar Gaddafi puts a grim end to the months-long struggle to eliminate his brutal hold over the Libyan people.

His demise, however, is not the end of the Libyan struggle for democracy. Rather, it serves as a starting point from which the people of Libya must peacefully transfer to the democratic government they have been calling for. It is ultimately the Libyan people who are responsible for the success of their country.

Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Tripoli this week was timely, and her announcement of a package of development assistance for the country demonstrates that U.S. remains fully engaged in the effort to create a new, democratic and free Libya. I congratulate the Obama Administration for its comprehensive and effective strategy of diplomatic and military support for the Transitional National Council, which has brought us to this day.