Senator Lugar is concerned about the cost of the no-fly zone

[ProSense]

TPM: Strikes In Libya Divides GOP, Puts Boehner In A Bind

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Lugar was particularly concerned about the costs of going to war with Libya, considering the current budget impasse and deep concerns in the country over the ballooning deficit.

"Clearly, the United States should be engaged with allies on how to oppose the Qaddafi regime and support the aspirations of the Libyan people," Lugar said at the beginning of the panel's Thursday morning hearing on the Middle East. "But given the costs of a no-fly zone, the risks that our involvement would escalate, the uncertain reception in the Arab street of any American intervention in an Arab country, the potential for civilian deaths, the unpredictability of the endgame in a civil war, the strains on our military, and other factors, I am doubtful that U.S. interests would be served by imposing a no-fly zone over Libya."

While Kerry conceded that winning Congressional approval for military action is always more ideal, he said sometimes it isn't practical when time is of the essence. President Ronald Reagan didn't seek Congressional approval before sending missiles into Qaddafi's palace in 1986, he said, and there was no seal of approval from Congress before U.S. military action in Kosovo.

"I have always taken the position that it is better to proceed with the authorization of Congress...if we have time and the opportunity provides for it," Kerry said at the hearing. "But life doesn't always present us with circumstances that afford us the opportunity to do that."

The first Gulf war was launched in August 1990 and the AUMF approved January 1991.

The Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991), commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from thirty-four nations led by the United States, against Iraq.

A U.N. resolution is not a unilateral U.S. action.

FYI: 219 Arab Organizations Called For Libya No-fly Zone & A U.N. Investigation Into Atrocities

Human Rights Watch: Libya: Benghazi Civilians Face Grave Risk

If Lugar is so worried about the cost, why isn't he pushing to end the war in Afghanistan? After supporting the illegal Iraq war for eight years under Bush, any claim about the cost of war is a complete joke coming from any Republican.

[FSogol]

1. Senator Lugar is concerned about the cost making the tea baggers mad for his upcoming election

Since when did he care about costs of war? :shrug:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Didn't he accuse Obama of hypocrisy (re: Libya)

Is he on record having opposed Iraq? Did he vote in support of establishing a timetable for withdrawal four years later? I can't recall that he ever did- let alone express any concern what THAT cost us. :eyes: :shrug:

[damntexdem]

3. Why doesn't he support ending the tax cuts for the rich?

The Repukes deserve no credibility on deficits.

[displacedvermoter]

4. So Where is the Money Coming from for the NFZ?

I am not a Republican, so my concerns about this shouldn't be a joke, correct?

[ProSense]

5. Maybe

Lugar can divert it from the Afghanistan and Iraq war budget.

Surely, Congress can squeeze the funds out of the $159 billion to be spent on those two wars this year and the $117 billion requested for FY 2012.

In fact, Congress should demand it.

[displacedvermoter]

6. A good investment of money, you think?

[ProSense]

7. Frankly,

a better investment than Afghanistan, especially for humanitarian reasons and if the hypocrisy of opposing it on the basis of cost can be translated into action to speed the end of that war.