Before going to war in 2003, Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. As its name suggests, it gave President George W. Bush authorization to invade Iraq.
Fast-forward to 2011. After years of saying, "the President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation," President Barack Obama did just that. The President used the United States navy to launch over a hundred missiles into Libya in order to cripple Dictator Maummar Gaddafi's air capabilities. Congress was not consulted in any way.
So the big question is: was President Obama's quote right? Is it unconstitutional, as President, to unilaterally authorize an attack? Or are his actions right? Is it constitutional, at least in the short term, to attack a country without permission from Congress?
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After dithering for weeks about Libya, Obama directed the use of military force, but never allowed Congress to debate the concerns most often expressed, and to consider a resolution. Given he began the whole process with the precondition that it would be a multi-lateral action; there was never a reason not to pursue discussions ending in parallel Congressional action. Unlike Grenada there was no emergency requiring the President to make war and not declare war. For Iraq which again had a significant timeline, every initiative authorizing military force began with a U.N. resolution, was pursued with concurrent Congressional action and was confirmed by Congressional authorization.
ReplyDeleteIt does not matter whether it is constitutional or not. Anything Obama does is OK with the party of Marxists, Traitors, and their sycophant media. Sieg Heil Obama--and Dr Goebbels.
ReplyDeletenot only is it unconstitutional but Obama is also a traitor because he is aiding and abetting the enemy(al-Quieda) in Libya.
ReplyDeleteSupport the Rebel Army by giving them old stock piled US weapons that we would not let your first class military use anyways.
ReplyDelete