THE TOMAHAWK ATTACK – AT 7:12 P.M. ET:  The United States fired 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Libya today, acting as part of a coalition of nations.  CNN reports:

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Hours after French, British and American military forces unleashed cruise missiles and fighter jets, a defiant Moammar Gadhafi said Libya will fight back against undeserved "naked aggression."

A coalition that includes Canada and Italy made good Saturday on international warnings to Gadhafi, hammering Libyan military positions in the first phase of an operation that will include enforcement of a no-fly zone.

More than 110 Tomahawk missiles fired from American and British ships and submarines hit about 20 Libyan air and missile defense targets in western portions of the country, U.S. Vice Adm. William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing.

The U.S. will conduct a damage assessment of the sites, which include SA-5 missiles and communications facilities. A senior U.S. military official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the missiles landed near Misrata and Tripoli, the capital and Gadhafi's stronghold.

COMMENT:  Americans will differ on whether we should have participated.  There are strong arguments on both sides.  My own feeling is that we have acted correctly, even if others in his administration – and it appears to be true – had to drag the commander-in-chief along. 

We must play a role here, in part because our military leadership and technical skill is needed, and in part because we never want it said that in the face of a potential massacre, we let others do it.  No one can guarantee that this will work out, and no one can guarantee that the Libyan rebels will eventually turn out to be friendly.  We are taking risks, but, on balance, I think they're worth it.  If you disagree, please write and we'll run your dissent at our Forum.

March 19, 2011