Obama Tries, Without Success, to Explain an Undeclared War

Better Believe It

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Tue Mar-29-11 10:24 PM
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Obama Tries, Without Success, to Explain an Undeclared War

Edited on Tue Mar-29-11 10:37 PM by Better Believe It

Obama Tries, Without Success, to Explain an Undeclared War
By John Nichols
March 28, 2011

President Obama finally got around to speaking to the American people about the fact that he has led the country into a third war.

The problem is that presidents are not supposed to start wars, especially wars of whim that are offensive rather than defensive in nature. That was the complaint against George W. Bush when he failed to obtain a declaration of war before ordering the invasion of Iraq, that is the ongoing complaint against Obama for maintaining the undeclared wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And that is the legitimate and necessary complaint against Obama now, a complaint that should come not just opponents of the military intervention but supporters who want that intervention to be lawful and legitimate.

The president did not address the fact that the Libyan adventure is an undeclared war. In fact, he barely mentioned the Congress that is supposed to declare wars, saying only: “And so nine days ago, after consulting the bipartisan leadership of Congress, I authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.”

But the Constitution does not discuss “consulting the bipartisan leadership.” It says that: “Congress shall have the power…to declare war, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water.”

Read the full article at:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/159526/obama-tries-without-success-explain-undeclared-war

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Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
On U.S. Military Action in Libya
March 28, 2011

“I oppose the current engagement of U.S. military forces in Libya. Our nation cannot afford a third war and Congress has not authorized it.

For a decade now, the U.S. has been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have spent nearly a trillion dollars of borrowed money and lost nearly 6,000 American lives. Thousands more servicemen and women have suffered serious, life-altering injuries.

Even as they support these wars with no clearly defined mission or exit strategy, House Republicans are seeking deep cuts in job creation efforts, veterans’ services, health care, education, and transportation. These are misguided priorities.

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war. Defense Secretary Gates has publicly stated that Libya is not a vital interest of the United States. Congress must debate and act on this new military engagement in Libya.

Our troops must be brought home safely and soon from Afghanistan and Iraq; and Congress must return its focus to creating jobs, educating our children, and ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”

http://tammybaldwin.house.gov/legislativeissues/foreign-policy/2011/03/statement-on-us-military-action-in-libya.shtml