# Is Gaddafi worth Pitting? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 22, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237 "2011-02-22T16:24:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/1 "2011-02-22T16:24:25Z")
If so, I hereby Pit [Muammar al-Gaddafi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_al-Gaddafi) for using foreign mercenaries and helicopter gunships to shoot down his own rebellious people in the streets. And, while I’m at it, for his whole history as a silly tin-pot dictator of greater than usual brutality and quite extraordinary mental instability; and for supporting or even arranging terrorism (e.g., [Pan Am Flight 103](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103)); and for taking such a potentially rich country (all that oil! such a lovely Mediterranean location!) and making such a crazy shithole of it. And for having a name that no two media outlets can agree how to spell in Roman letters. I sometimes wonder if there is any standardized spelling of it even in Arabic letters. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/2 "2011-02-22T16:35:57Z")
On the other hand it is said that Gadaffi taught Berlusconi that little amusing party game whereby you sit on a chair in the middle of the room, and a bunch of young (with Berlusconi sometimes very young) and pretty and scantly clad girls circle around you. And then after a while you decide which one of them you want to spend the rest of the night with. And you have to admit that is a nice little way to spend your time if there’s noting on the telly. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/3 "2011-02-22T16:36:54Z")
Amen. TV sucks nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/4 "2011-02-22T16:38:44Z")
[This really works!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13452018&postcount=71)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/5 "2011-02-22T19:06:46Z")
And also for [being stubborn.](http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Libyas-Gadhafi-Vows-to-Not-to-Leave-116663264.html) > [@](#): > > Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says anti-government protests will not force him out, and that he expects to die a “martyr” in Libya. > > Gadhafi delivered a speech on Libyan state television for more than an hour Tuesday. It was his first detailed address to the country since the wave of protests began. > > Describing himself as a “revolutionary,” Mr. Gadhafi urged his supporters to help defend Libya those who are stirring the unrest - people he called “gangs” or “terrorists.” > > At one point, Mr. Gadhafi he raised a green book that appeared to be a guide to his political philosophy, a work that he wrote in the 1970s, soon after taking power in the north African nation. Clenching the book in one hand, he threatened the death penalty for anyone who takes up arms against Libya or engages in espionage. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/6 "2011-02-22T19:08:52Z")
Moammar is going to be _very very_ upset at this pitting. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/7 "2011-02-22T19:13:25Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Moammar is going to be _very very_ upset at this pitting. I agree. **BrainGlutton** , it might be wise not to travel to Libya anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/8 "2011-02-22T19:15:20Z")
It’s always nice when an unstable, brutal, terrorist dictator looks like an absolute fucking freak. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/9 "2011-02-22T20:07:26Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I agree. **BrainGlutton** , it might be wise not to travel to Libya anytime soon. :eek: But I already paid the sex-tour agency a deposit! ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/10 "2011-02-22T20:13:31Z")
While reading up on the latest Apple rumors this morning, I came across this [blog post](http://www.cringely.com/2011/02/major-jolloud/) by Bob Cringely, the technology writer. Back in the day, he was a Middle East correspondent, and he interviewed Qaddafi and Major Jollud, then his right-hand man. It’s an interesting perspective on what’s going on over there now. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/11 "2011-02-22T21:01:41Z")
Even some [members of his own military](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/libya-jets-in-malta-pilot_n_826110.html) think he’s nuts, apparently. Right now the news is reporting that Qadaffy is calling for his supporters to stand up and demonstrate in his defense. This is how I like to imagine it’s going: “Take to the streets, my loyal supporters! Fight and die for the cause!” _ **crickets** _ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/12 "2011-02-22T22:01:20Z")
Gotta say, though, there’s something about despotism that keeps you young. Note Mubarak over eighty, not a gray hair. Ghaddafi, Burlusconi, same thing. Obama? Turning to Granpa Simpson before our very eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/13 "2011-02-22T22:21:02Z")
I keep reading the thread title subject as Gandalf. I don’t think he’s worth pitting, so what if he smokes lot of weed and has an unnatural affection for Hobbits, he took on a Balrog and that makes him aces in my book. As for Gaddafi … meh. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/14 "2011-02-22T23:10:56Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And for having a name that no two media outlets can agree how to spell in Roman letters. I sometimes wonder if there is any standardized spelling of it even in Arabic letters. Cecil speaks: [How are you supposed to spell Muammar Gaddafi/Khadafy/Qadhafi?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/513/how-are-you-supposed-to-spell-muammar-gaddafi-khadafy-qadhafi) > [@](#): > > For the record, here’s the official Library of Congress rundown on how to spell ol’ whatsisname: (1) Muammar Qaddafi, (2) Mo’ammar Gadhafi, (3) Muammar Kaddafi, (4) Muammar Qadhafi, (5) Moammar El Kadhafi, (6) Muammar Gadafi, (7) Mu’ammar al-Qadafi, (8) Moamer El Kazzafi, (9) Moamar al-Gaddafi, (10) Mu’ammar Al Qathafi, (11) Muammar Al Qathafi, (12) Mo’ammar el-Gadhafi, (13) Moamar El Kadhafi, (14) Muammar al-Qadhafi, (15) Mu’ammar al-Qadhdhafi, (16) Mu’ammar Qadafi, (17) Moamar Gaddafi, (18) Mu’ammar Qadhdhafi, (19) Muammar Khaddafi, (20) Muammar al-Khaddafi, (21) Mu’amar al-Kadafi, (22) Muammar Ghaddafy, (23) Muammar Ghadafi, (24) Muammar Ghaddafi, (25) Muamar Kaddafi, (26) Muammar Quathafi, (27) Muammar Gheddafi, (28) Muamar Al-Kaddafi, (29) Moammar Khadafy, (30) Moammar Qudhafi, (31) Mu’ammar al-Qaddafi, (32) Mulazim Awwal Mu’ammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi. ---
**Author:** ![Agnostic\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/15 "2011-02-22T23:39:25Z")
No, he is not worth pitting, but he might be worth dipping into a vat of liquid nitrogen. **xtisme** and I have an [experiment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13492998&postcount=175) we would love to see [carried out](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13493466&postcount=180). ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/16 "2011-02-23T00:39:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And for having a name that no two media outlets can agree how to spell in Roman letters. I sometimes wonder if there is any standardized spelling of it even in Arabic letters. His own official sites don’t agree how to spell it in Roman letters (it does have a standard spelling in Arabic letters). I tend to go for Gaddafi myself, but find Qaddafi or Qaddhafi acceptable alternatives. Qadhdhafi would be the closest to a straight transliteration of the Arabic, but has its obvious problems. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/17 "2011-02-23T01:02:53Z")
When I was in the gym this morning, I saw that the Today Show included a quick graphic illustrating how many ways there are to spell his name. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/18 "2011-02-23T01:17:14Z")
I see a pit about 6 feet deep in the not to distant future. ---
**Author:** ![xoferew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/19 "2011-02-23T01:23:16Z")
> [@Agnostic\_Pagan](#): > > No, he is not worth pitting, but he might be worth dipping into a vat of liquid nitrogen. **xtisme** and I have an [experiment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13492998&postcount=175) we would love to see [carried out](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13493466&postcount=180). Can you pit a person like you pit an olive? The Japanese kappa is reputed to reach up its victim’s buttockular orifice and pull out the liver. If you dip someone in nitrogen, rather than shatter them, could you keep them on display like Han Solo? Or would they just eventually melt and make a mess? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237/20 "2011-02-23T01:30:19Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Cecil speaks: [How are you supposed to spell Muammar Gaddafi/Khadafy/Qadhafi?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/513/how-are-you-supposed-to-spell-muammar-gaddafi-khadafy-qadhafi) I still prefer Ga-daffy Duck [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gaddafi-worth-pitting/572237.md?page=2)