Regime Change if Necessary But Not Necessarily Regime Change

I must say I was quite amused with John Tabin's assessment of President Obama, French President Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Cameron's efforts to "clarify" the mission in Libya. Tabin writes, "The military operation isn't designed to topple the dictator, but the military operation will continue until the dictator is toppled."

When I read that I was reminded of MacKenzie King. For those of you who are unfamiliar with King he was Canada's longest serving Prime Minister despite having a reputation for eccentricity which often involved seeking advice from his dead mother and dog. When King met with Adolf Hitler in 1937 he described the Fuhrer as "one who truly loves his fellow man and his country."

But I digress.

Canada was deeply divided over conscription of soldiers during the First World War. King was thus eager to avoid similar domestic discord during the Second World War. When King would be asked about conscription he would reply, "Conscription if necessary but not necessarily conscription."