Operation Odyssey Dawn: US strikes Gaddafi's defenses

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the strikes and US involvement in Lybia:
“I support the actions taken today by our allies, with the support of several Arab countries, to prevent the tyrant Moammar Qaddafi from perpetrating further atrocities on the people of Libya. And I support the President’s decision to deploy U.S. assets to help those allies to enforce a no-fly zone to protect Libyan civilians as laid out in the United Nations resolution. This U.S. military action was not taken lightly, and it was done in concert with a broad international coalition. Yesterday the President presented Qaddafi with the option of pursuing an immediate cease fire and other actions, and outlined the consequences if he refused. Qaddafi rejected the offer, and continued to launch attacks on the people of Libya. With our allies, it is crucial that we ensure the Libyan people do not suffer any more at Qaddafi’s hands.”