Since Libya has been in the news quite a bit this week, I thought it was interesting to run across this Nightline broadcast from November 1981 where the question was asked "Is The U.S. Running A War In Libya?". Since one of the points of concern being made the past few days about this conflict in the streets of Tripoli and Benghazi regard the presence of mercenaries, acting on behalf of the Gaddafi regime who are actively engaged in sniping and gunning down civilians. Seems the tradition of mercenaries working in Libya has been going on for some time, as was evidenced by this broadcast from thirty years ago. Edwin Wilson, a former CIA agent turned arms dealer who still had dealings with the CIA in the 1980's, was actively recruiting, training mercenaries and shipping weapons and ammunition to the Libyan government during the Libyan invasion of Chad. Somewhere along the line, Wilson ran afoul of the agency and, even though details are murky and few, Wilson was convicted of various charges and sentenced to 52 years in prison for conspiracy in attempting various murder-for-hire schemes as well as selling a huge amount of armaments to the Libyans. During the time these revelations surfaced, there was no end to speculative reporting and charges and counter-charges being tossed around.

We often wonder just how entangled our relationships are with various regimes and governments. Regimes supposedly regarded as our enemies have often benefited from our military equipment and personnel. Afghanistan is another one that rings a bell, as did Iraq for a while.

We have that funny habit. That funny habit has a habit of biting us eventually.

With the fast-breaking news this week of continued and intensified demonstrations against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo and throughout Egypt, I'm reminded of how Mubarak rose to power -- as the result of Sadat's assassination on October 7, 1981.

Virtually unknown, even in Egypt at the time, Hosni Mubarak was a General in the Egyptian Air Force when he was chosen by then-President Anwar Sadat to become vice-President. With Sadat's assassination by a group of military conspirators, Mubarak quickly assumed the role of President -- one which he's maintained the past 31 years, establishing a virtual monarchy in the process.

So as a refresher of where these dynasties get started and how, here is a Special Edition of All Things Considered, which aired on the evening of October 7,1981, a few hours after the assassination and the official announcement of Sadat's death. In the broadcast are several news reports, reactions and speculations on what the future had in store for Egypt. Whether or not it offers any insights as to goings on in the streets of Cairo today isn't quite clear. Although, a recent item citing support of the Mubarak regime by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce might produce a clue, at least in some circles and the recent release of Wikileaks cables on Egypt in recent years might be another.

Still, a story quickly unfolding. And like all stories, it has a history to go along with it.

A track I heard almost non-stop when it was first released in 1981. Robert Williams' Buy My Record was an instant anthem on a lot of the free-form/New Wave Radio stations around the country at the time.

Trouble was, it came and went in a flash and not much has been heard from him since. Well, not if you're concentrating on the mainstream. Williams, a former drummer with Captain Beefheart and an experimental musician in his own right, has been issuing material since that 1981 release - just not on A&M.

But tonight it's that signature track. And since it's off the original A&M EP, it slides effortlessly right into the next track, Black Yard, which may or may not be familiar with you.

The 80's.

The world spun oddly, this February 28th in 1981.

While Prime Minister Thatcher and President Reagan exchanged toasts and cordialities at a dinner hosted by the British Embassy in Washington, the rest of the world was going off on its own direction.

The Soviet newspaper Pravda labeled lies over reports from the State Department claiming Russia was sending arms to El Salvador. Had they known. . .

Meanwhile earlier, President Reagan asked for funds to reactivate two WW2 era Battleships, based on information the Soviet Navy was stepping up warship production. This, hot on the heels of Reagan presiding over additional government budget cuts to the tune of $10-13 Billion. A budget and Tax cut battle were heating up.

In the rest of the world - An Islamic Peace Mission landed in Tehran to try and settle the 6 month old Iran-Iraq War. Three British Missionaries were released from captivity by the Iranians. John and Audrey Coleman and Mrs. Gene Wadell were glad to be home. Still, there were more to worry about. Speaking of hostages, the Basque Separatists ETA released hostages snatched from the consuls of Austria, El Salvador and Uruguay after 8 days of captivity.

Domestically - violence was threatening to loom between Vietnamese and American Shrimp fishermen in the Texas Gulf Coast. The Vietnamese were reported to be stocking up on arms for protection and the Americans were seen at various KKK meetings, espousing the virtues of immigrant bashing. The Shrimp had no opinion one way or the other, and no doubt preferred they just went away.

And so went this rather skewed February 28, 1981 as reported on the CBS World News Roundup.

With the Solidarity Movement in Poland considered a government overthrow, the move towards more severe repression was underway. This time the target for Jaruzelski's wrath was the Catholic Church, with news of priests being targeted for a particular form of Police repression and beatings of Catholic Priests despite repeated calls from the Vatican and Pope John Paul II to end the brutal repression.

The hunt for kidnapped Brigadier General James Dozier was underway in Italy. Dozier was kidnapped by terrorists several weeks prior. The worst was feared but the relentless pursuit of freeing the General with a minimum of bloodshed would yield results a month later.

On top of everything else - two liquor stores in Beverly Hills, California removed all bottles of Polish and Russian Vodka from their shelves.

All that via CBS News 5:00 am hourly news reports.

December 19, 1981 and the news was almost entirely about the Solidarity protests in Warsaw and spreading throughout the country, prompting the Moscow backed government of Wojciech Jaruzelski to crack down on the dissidents and declare a state of martial law. Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was arrested and scores of protesters were killed in clashes with Polish troops.

The protests brought about outrage from many corners of the world, including the Vatican where Pope John Paul II sent emissaries to the strike torn country in an attempt at negotiation.

Here are three sets of newscasts all via CBS Radio's News On The Hour - 3,4 and 5:00 am (PST).

As an additional historic aside, there is a commercial for the diet pill Ayds which, needless to say, was pulled off the market by the mid-1980's.

Times have changed. Protests, not so much.

A lot of hijacking of airlines going on this day in 1981. Three Venezuelan planes alone were hijacked and had all landed in Havana. And if that weren't enough, a Libyan Airliner was hijacked and had landed in Tehran.

In other news, OPEC Ministers were meeting in Abu Dhabi on this day to discuss oil prices in the face of decreased demand. Saudi Arabia's Sheik Yamadi said he had a present for the U.S. but wouldn't let anyone know what it was until the appropriate time.

Sec. of State Alexander Haig landed in Brussels for a NATO meeting. A mine explosion in Tennessee took the lives of 13 miners. On Capitol Hill a vote would be underway later in the day to determine a change in the rules regarding the Alaska Pipeline. And the economy was still in recession, noting there was a $100 billion deficit to deal with.

All on this day via CBS Radio Hourly News for 3,4 and 5:00 am (PST), December 9, 1981.

The big news of this day in 1981 was the discovery of an alleged Libyan plot to assassinate President Reagan and key members of Reagan's White House team, including Caspar Weinberger and Philip Habib.

Libyan strongman Khadafy of course denied it, but the White House was adamant and precautions were put in place just in case the threats materialized.

In other news, a plane carrying 12 skydivers crashed in Pearl Harbor, killing all but one on board. As the newscasts progressed, rescue efforts were well underway.

Meanwhile, Casper Weinberger was applauding efforts of the Turkish government to suppress dissidents in that part of the world. Although the rest of the European community was not happy with Turkey's heavy handed handling of the situation, Weinberger saw it as a blow to Communism in that region.

And so it went, this December 6th in 1981 as reported by CBS Radio News on the Hour for 3,4 and 5:00 am (PST).

A significant day in history, but somewhat overshadowed by other events on December 1, 1981. First was news of a Yugoslavian airliner, crashing on landing approach in Corsica, killing all on board. At the time of the first broadcast (CBS Hourly News from 5:00 am EST) there were no confirmed reports, only the jet had gone missing. By the second broadcast, the details were becoming clearer.

In other news, the report of arms talks between the U.S. and the Soviet Union were beginning in Geneva. Just getting rolling with no significant developments. On the domestic front - the Economy was still front-and-center, with Pres. Reagan assuring an audience that there would be no cut in Veterans benefits. There was the upcoming vote on a huge new Defense Spending bill in Congress, which was expected to pass easily. J. Paul Getty was at the center of a controversy over taking care of a stroke-bound son, which he was refusing to do. And an Immigration bill in Texas preventing educational access to children of illegal aliens was being reviewed by the Supreme Court after being struck down in Texas State Legislature.

The significant, and probably most obscured news was a report from Warsaw of students at a Firefighting Academy going on strike and the initial pacification of the protesters by Military police.

Dress rehearsal for fast moving events in the coming days.

But for now that was the day unfolding, the morning of December 1, 1981 as viewed by CBS Radio's Hourly News for 5:00 am and 6:00 am.

So even though you may think nothing goes on during some days, there are those little buried seemingly insignificant events that suddenly blow up days later - and they all get started somewhere.

The 80's were also political. Heaven 17 were ample proof of that. Blazing the trails of Techno/Dance/Electronica, Heaven 17, a three piece from Sheffield, managed to get themselves tossed off the airwaves right at the starting gate.

Their debut single, and the one we're proudly featuring tonight, was a reaction in 1981 to the Thatcher government and the about-to-become Reagan Years. (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang was almost instantly banned from the BBC and turned what could have been a sizable commercial hit into an underground classic.

Given the events of the past couple of weeks, this track certainly sparks interest.

Protest you can dance your ass off to.

Has a nice ring to it.