Libyan rebels fire at pro-Gadhafi forces (AP)

As the Libyan rebels continue to give ground to Moammer Gadhafi's loyalist forces, a Queens local fears for the lives of his nine brothers, two sisters, and numerous cousins who have all been cut off from their telephones and the Internet, the Daily News reports.

Ammar Elftesi, a gift shop owner, is glued to the news on his television and says he is "just waiting for any good news to come…Khadafy's soldiers are breaking into people's houses and taking people. And we don't know where they're taking them." Noting that "Khadafy is killing people who just want freedom," Elftesi favors increased U.S. intervention in the conflict, which appears to be on the way.

CIA agents, along with their British and French counterparts, have reportedly been assisting the rebels at the behest of President Obama in a presidential "finding" that was quietly signed weeks ago, and the rebels' request for weapons may be honored.

Though there have been a few encouraging signs since the coalition airstrikes began 10 days ago, Obama's deeming of this entire conflict as a "turd sandwich" seems to be spot-on; the president has announced that Gadhafi stepping down is a desirable outcome, though the U.S. couldn't take him down by force.

It's also unclear how the rebels will govern, and arming an insurgency in the Middle East famously has its drawbacks. Even Defense Secretary Robert Gates is opposed to sending arms. While we fight our third undeclared war, should Obama be allowed to keep his Nobel Peace Prize?