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In reply to the discussion: Facts about Libya under Gaddafi that you probably did not know about ! [View all]PufPuf23
(8,954 posts)Explain this then:
Speaking of the breadth of Gaddafis record, that ought to resist simplistic, revisionist reduction, some might care to note that even now, the U.S. State Departments webpage on Libya still points to a Library of Congress Country Study on Libya that features some of the Gaddafi governments many social welfare achievements over the years in the areas of medical care, public housing, and education. In addition, Libyans have the highest literacy rate in Africa (see UNDP, p. 171) and Libya is the only continental African nation to rank high in the UNDPs Human Development Index. Even the BBC recognized these achievements:
Women in Libya are free to work and to dress as they like, subject to family constraints. Life expectancy is in the seventies. And per capita incomewhile not as high as could be expected given Libyas oil wealth and relatively small population of 6.5mis estimated at $12,000 (£9,000), according to the World Bank. Illiteracy has been almost wiped out, as has homelessnessa chronic problem in the pre-Gaddafi era, where corrugated iron shacks dotted many urban centres around the country.
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My post was to rattle a cage and is anti-intervention not pro-Gadaffi. There is a difference.
Good Democrats at DU have posted many links and opinions in this thread making the issue less black and white.
Aside because of your avatar:
I made a beagle post yesterday and do on occasion as I have had 5 beagles in my life.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7823087