For a few days, I’ve been struggling to understand precisely why the United States has taken a leading role in the internationally sanctioned attacks against Libya.  Muammar Gaddafi’s forces have killed some of the rebels who are attempting to overthrow his government, but similarly deadly force has been used by the governments of Yemen and Bahrain against their respective insurgencies. 

The killings perpetrated by Gaddafi are even arguably defensible; his semi-legitimate government is protecting itself from rebels who are openly and feverishly plotting a revolution.  The Libyans who are demanding an end to dictatorship and the implementation of democracy are surely justified, but when the Gaddafi government is legitimized by international organizations such as the United Nations, it seems odd for the international community to then tell Gaddafi that he can’t defend his government against a violent rebellion.  Additionally, Gaddafi doesn’t pose any sort of threat to the people of the United States.

President Obama’s statement this Friday illuminated exactly why it is so important that we use military force to stop Gaddafi’s attacks against the rebels.

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I decided to start a blog for a few reasons.  I get a lot of questions about what it’s like to be a professional poker player, undoubtedly a nontraditional profession.  I’m going to try to write things that will help illuminate what the lifestyle of a pro poker player entails for the outsiders of the poker world, and will also supply an interesting perspective for those familiar with the poker world as well.

I’m also often the source of information regarding the news and politics for my friends.  This website will also be a resource so you can see what I think is important around the world.  I spend more time during my day reading news sources and politics blogs than any sane person would admit to, so I’ll compile what I find most interesting and most important to know about, and occasionally offer my opinion on the matters of the day.  I might also choose to write about things that aren’t particularly important at all if that’s the type of mood I’m in.  Although I’m steering this ship, I’m not completely sure what direction it’s going to go.

The title of this blog is the name that I use as my online poker handle, as well as a derivative of my first and middle name.  Feel free to utilize the “Ask DCal Anything” link to ask me questions; I’ll answer virtually anything that you ask me to the best of my abilities.  I’m also on Twitter as @thedcalzone.  I’m not completely familiar with how Twitter works, but I’m going to try my best to get the hang of it.