Before he was CINC.... The terrorist threat is real. And precisely because it’s real--and we’ve got finite resources. We don’t have the capacity to just send our troops in anywhere we decide, without good intelligence, without a clear rationale. That’s the kind of leadership that we need from the next president of the US. That’s what I intend to provide.--Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic debate in Los Angeles before Super Tuesday Jan 31, 2008 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. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action. As for the specific question about bombing suspected nuclear sites, I recently introduced S.J.Res.23, which states in part that “any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iran must be explicitly authorized by Congress.”--Barack Obama, Boston Globe questionnaire on Executive Power Dec 20, 2007 And Now???.. President Obama decided he had the legal authority to continue the U.S. military campaign in Libya without congressional approval over the objections of Justice Department and Pentagon lawyers, according to The New York Times. Instead, the president sided with other senior administration lawyers who said that continuing U.S. participation in the air operations against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi did not constitute "hostilities," triggering the need for Congressional permission under the War Powers Resolution, the New York Times reported in its online edition Friday night. This is now approaching the level of an Abbott and Costello bit... Things mean something but not nothing, but if it was hostilities, it wouldn't be combat, just "kinetic action" which means that things are happening kinetically, and not potentially, and it is hostile, but not aggressive.... Anyone else have a head-ache? So, since now one else in the Old Dinosaur, Lame-stream Media will metaphorically put the screws to this President over his actions, I will, because as a taxpaying citizen, I want some answers... And since this particular CINC is an academician, you may complete this assignment in essay format; blue books are available is you need them.. 1) Mr. President; based upon your previous statements, explain the rationale for attacking Libya and what intelligence led you to believe that Libya, after admitting to having a WMD program and pledging to help America under the previous administration, constituted an "imminent threat" to America? 2) Mr. President, so if bombing Iran must be authorized by Congress, and the previous administration sought Congressional approval for moving against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and against Saddam Hussein in Iraq, shouldn't you do the same for Libya? If not, why not? 3) Mr. President, when can we expect you to meet definitively with Congressional leaders and make your case using the intelligence that led you to this decision and your rationale behind your actions and then seek a resolution authorizing "hostile action" against Libya? 4) Mr. President, what is the exit strategy and the end game for Libya? There, that ought to be a good start to getting some answers, but a better start is going to be during this Presidential campaign, culminating in a finishing move of seeing whether or not the American People believe that this President has shown "the kind of leadership" on matters that are important to them. Please submit your answers Mr. President at your leisure, as I am aware that you are uncomfortable with absolutes and deadlines.
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Posted
Jun 19 2011, 04:00 AM
by
BLACKFIVE