Another U.S. conflict? Is the United States a glutton for punishment?

The rebel uprising in Libya has been a roller coaster of ups and downs when it comes to success for either side in the fight for control of the government. The revolt against Colonel Qaddafi has taken a decisive turn in favor of the current regime. This has been the focus of the international community and especially the U.N. The United States has never been good at these situations and quite often makes the situation worse in the long run. The United States has taken a surprising stance in this conflict, being part of a multilateral effort to bring about a peaceful transistion. The Obama administration has let the U.N. com up with a resolution and then abided by it to create a no fly zone to protect libyan citizens. This new twist is refreshing considering the american history involving foreign countries internal affairs and american involvement. America has been directly involved with the overthrow of a multitude of nations at the expense of the people in that country and to the benefit usually of an american corporation. This refreshing feeling about the new american stance was short lived however, debate has begun in Congress about arming the libyan rebels with american weapons to turn the tide of the conflict and overthrow Colonel Qaddafi. This new turn of events is mind boggling, how can this even be up for debate? I personally hope that the rebels overthrow Qaddafi and create a free and fair government for themselves and I am sure I am not the only american with that thought process. This however needs to be accomplished by the Libyan people themselves with no interference from outside nations, especially the United States. Creating the no fly zone evens the odds and reduces the amount of collateral damage that occurs through off course bombs killing innocent civilians. That makes sense, that seems like a responsible direction of take this conflict in. Instead of leaving it at that and for once letting the United States come out of situation without deep seeded hatred from nations all over the world the U.S. opens this pandora's box once again. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that while the U.S. has not decided to arm the libyan rebels yet it is completely within the United States legal right to do so if they feel the need to. This blatant disreguard for mulitlateral decision making is what creates terrorism. Engaging in this decision would bury the United States in Libya for years. I am at a lost for words if this comes to light. President Obama has allowed CIA agents to collect more information on th rebels and at some point he will make a decision on whether or not to arm the rebels. That decision if it is made to arm the rebels will be another in a long list of bad security decisions that american administrations have made over the years. Let these two groups work out their differences maintain the no fly zone and monitor any civilian harm and respond accordingly. For the life of me I can not understand why the U.S. feels the need to stick its nose in matters that do not affect it. The people of Libya are responsible for Libya. The men and women who defend the United States are responsible to defend against nations that attack us. They are not to be used as international police at the whim on a marginal interest. We as american must love being hated around the world. Lets change that with the right decision in Libya. Citation: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-libya-cia-is-gathering-intelligence-on-rebels/2011/03/30/AFLyb25B_story.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/world/africa/30diplo.html?ref=todayspaper