This is How We SHOULD Do It

Over the weekend, newly elected Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took office in a country that doesn't even have running water in the capital. Backers of the former president Charles Taylor still roam the streets - and the legislature. Most of the folks who could, left the country during civil wars over the last decade. Those who remained were subjected to some of the most inhumane acts the world has ever seen.

The election saw Sirleaf running against the old regime's candidate George Weah. Weah was supported by the old-school warlords who are just plain thugs. Sirleaf's victory indicates that the general populace is fed up with folks who think that hacking a leg off is a good motivational tool.

The UN sent 15,000 troops to enforce Sirleaf's position and to help rebuild and reshape the Liberian society. Those who believe that force is the only way will be met with force - guys with blue helmets and big guns. The United States, for its part, sent a US Navy task force to sit off shore to "help celebrate" Sirleaf's victory. Uh huh. Welcome to the party.

Democratic victory by the "good guys", UN and US military support to show the "bad guys" that the world means to enforce playing nice - this is how it should be done. If only the rest of the world could work like this...