Panel calls for new war powers legislation.

[Efilroft Sul]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Former secretaries of state James Baker III and Warren Christopher say the next time the president goes to war, Congress should be required to say whether it agrees. The co-chairmen of a bipartisan study group have proposed legislation that would require the president to consult lawmakers before initiating combat lasting longer than a week, except in cases of emergencies. In turn, Congress would have to act within 30 days, either approving or disapproving of the action.

The plan, outlined by Baker and Christopher in an essay published Tuesday in The New York Times, would not necessarily prevent future debate on the so-called "war powers" issue. Instead, it would create a new consultative process between the White House and Congress to help prevent a potential constitutional showdown.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080708/ap_on_go_ot/war_powers_study;_ylt=ArnJZwyXZ6GU3x78Koagmxys0NUE

---

So, how would Bush define an "emergency?"

[HereSince1628]

1. Such legislation might matter if signing statements didn't exist.

Cheney has destroyed the notion of Congressional checks on the COTUS (Comander Of The United States). Without accountability (and criminal liability) for dictatorial actions the notion of checks and balances can never be restored.

[wuushew]

14. kick

:kick:

[fasttense]

2. That's funny cause according to the Constitution ONLY Congress

can declare War. When did the bush take over our Congress?

[Myrina]

3. Yeah, that caught my eye too ...

:wtf:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. *ding*

[Thothmes]

11. He followed LBJ's approach. Dont need no stinking

declaration of war. Just a Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. When did Bus use military force without Congress' approval?

:shrug:

[bullimiami]

4. it would be meaningless

bushco says his rights derive from the constitution as commander in chief

the constitution takes legal precedence over all laws so only an amendment would do and it would be all but impossible to pass.

[happyslug]

12. And if Congress vote to fund the war, even such an amendment is useless

The strongest power of Congress is only Congress can raise taxes. Congress can also refuse to fund anything Congress disagrees with. Congress has done neither in this case. This Congress agrees with what President Bush is doing. If the Constitution said no military movement without Congressional approval, Congress agreeing to fund it would be enough.

The proposed change is useless, Congress has the power NOW to de-fund the war (Which it did in 1974 forbidding the spending of any money in or over Vietnam). If Congress wanted this war to end Congress would attach a similar funding restriction, it has refused to do so.

[bemildred]

6. So then, all Presidents will only start wars they expect to last less than a week. nt

[Javaman]

7. morons on parade.

last time I checked this was already spelled out in the constitution. but then again, our "leaders*" really don't pay attention to that anymore.

Nothing more than polishing a turd to make it look like they are concerned.

[kpominville]

8. We need to clarify the "commander in chief's" powers.

It will probably have to be done through a constitutional amendment, but it needs to be done since the vagueness of the wording is currently being abused.

[Maineman]

9. What is this, a joke?

The problems are militarism, military-industrial complex, the fallacy that war solves problems, etc.

[Trillo]

10. Isn't that 'doctrine' about 250+ years old?

That only Congress may declare war?

[happydreams]

15. The rot of this civilization is exposed here in full glory.

Just think about it... Two sniveling asswipes starts yammering (both neo-liberal)about returning the war powers back to Congress. This shit happened after Julius Caesar took over and the Roman Empire. The Senate turned into a bunch of hand-wringing whiners unable to do anything. Ditto for the US.

Does anybody with one neuron synapsing in their brain believe for one fucking second that the gutless worthless WHORES in the Legislative branch will ever do anything??? Does anyone not believe that this kind of tripe from people like Baker is just PR garbage meant to get his fuckface back in circulation

James Fucking Baker!!!???. He is a Bush crony from a way back and has been instrumental in bringing us a fascist dictatorship.

The war powers issue pales in comparison to the blatant contempt these motherfuckers have for the rule of law. They have always had contempt for it, but now they can break whatever law they want in in full view and keep on keeping on with a Congress that enables them and places no restraints on their behavior

Remember this. Pelosi called Hugo Chavez a thug and Bush a nice guy. Is it any surprise that she is no enabling Rove to get away with his shit? I group her, along with the Clintons in the same camp as the Bush slime. Fuck it!

It is a world of gutless wonders, slimy, sleazy beneficiaries of what one author, I forgot his name call the post-human society. They are grinding up the people in the US and 99% of their victims haven't a clue. The people I meet have not changed one iota from what they were 20 years ago unless it is to become more conservative (read: brain dead). There are elements making noise hear and there but the braindead consumers of MSM, the lazy fat asses wowed by Survivor or Fear Factor are psychologically crippled; they will never be able to do anything but wallow in their circumscribed little worlds emotional and intellectual infants.

If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides of a question to worry him, give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing as war.... Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to popular songs or how much corn Iowa grew last year . Chock them so damned full of 'facts' and they'll feel stuffed, but absolutely 'brilliant' with information. And they'll be happy, for facts of that sort don't change. Then they'll feel their thinking. They'll get a sense of motion without moving. --Captain Beatty, --Ray Bradbury: "Fahrenheit 451"

Even after all of the warnings these pathetic fuckheads continue down their narrow little roads. Self-absorbed callous and crude, caked with make-up and cologne and bodies they starve themselves to get. I listen now and then to a conversation. Jesus Christ what a vaccuous void of inanity!!

[dipsydoodle]

16. Panel demands US war power reform

Source: BBC News

Two former US secretaries of state have called for a change in the way America goes to war.

James Baker and Warren Christopher want to introduce a new law which would force US presidents to consult Congress before launching military action.

The call is the main conclusion of a 12-month study of war-making powers carried out by a team of constitutional and legal experts.

Their plan will add fuel to the debate about the Iraq war.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7496587.stm

[stillcool]

17. well knock me down with a feather..

the Democrats must be coming to town..time to start getting those 'checks and balances' back in order.

[fascisthunter]

18. Oh Please....

Congress didn't do their fucking jobs. What's needed is for people with backbones to do the right thing when shit gets crazy, because the ones that were too afraid to do the right thing are still there fucking things up more.

Baker!!!???? Meh....

[Ian David]

19. Look at this...

Most have the cows have already left the barn.