There is a wonderful scene unfolding on Capitol Hill. In the past, President Barack Obama has insisted that he alone decides what constitutes a war and when he needs a congressional declaration. It was a claim that was challenged in federal court when I represented members of Congress. Now, however, England has refused to go along with the latest American-led military venture and there is heavy opposition in the public. Obama therefore is now saying that he wants to consult with Congress while his aides insist that he really does not need such consultation and, unless they agree with him, may just ignore them. Welcome to the new Imperil Presidency and what now constitutes checks and balances.
What is interesting is that Obama appears to be looking for an out after he painted himself in a corner by declaring a “red line” over the use of chemical weapons. According to some reports, that was not in the prepared comments for him to read but, once he said it, it became U.S. policy. He was clearly ready to go to war to show that he is not to be mocked but then the English balked at his latest military venture. It appears that he may be willing to blame Congress if there is a vote against the attacks, even though he continues to maintain that he does not need such approval. He is calling for a vote in direct conflict with his position in the Libyan war.
I have spoken to people at the Pentagon who have complained privately that there appears to be no adult supervision at the White House and that there is major opposition to this course in the military. The feeling is that Obama aides are drifting again into a war with wider implications and uncertain ends.
What is left is utter confusion. You have a President who claims unchecked powers who wants to attack another nation. You have an attack that has been steadily downgraded into “limited” and “brief” operations to try to get the world to just let Obama carry out his threat and leave. You have a Congress that it desperately trying to pretend that it is relevant in any respect to this country going to war while not making any substantive decision. This is what comes from departing from the clear language of the Constitution in requiring declarations of war before attacking another country.
Blouise, Great point. This administration has turned into a clusterf@ck.
Elaine, Thanks much for digging that up. My favorite is his take on the Scots. Although, as Gene points out from the Falklands War quote, he is not a fan of the French!
Now that Lindsay Graham and John McCain are Obama’s BFF war buddies I have a question for them and the other former deficit hawks.
Deficit reduction is very important to many of the Republicans I know. They see it from a moral standpoint as not leaving a burden on their children and grandchildren. So are they calling up their Republican Congress members and asking about where the money for this war will come from? I’m going to see if I can find that out. Yesterday I talked to a Republican and he thinks the war will be a very limited one, no big deal, so he’s not worried. That’s pure Obama propaganda at work.
However, when I called my extremely conservative, deficit hawk member of Congress I received a very hostile response when I asked where the money was coming from. This person runs a deficit counter on their website so I thought it would be a natural to ask about the money angle. The person who answered the phone seemed enraged that I would question the need to go to war and even more enraged that I would ask how to pay for it.
Mainstream Republicans in Congress run around saying they are all about the deficit. I suggest they start walking that talk. You can’t end the deficit if you’re only willing to take the widow’s mite.
“I have spoken to people at the Pentagon who have complained privately that there appears to be no adult supervision at the White House …” (JT)
When “people at the Pentagon” are willing to complain to a respected lawyer who is also an international blogger and media commentator that their boss, the Commander-in-Chief, has need of adult supervision, said Commander-in-Chief has a gigantic problem on his hands.
Monty Python’s John Cleese on Europe’s views on bombing Syria
http://thenewstalkers.com/forum/topics/monty-python-s-john-cleese-on-europe-s-views-on-bombing-syria
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.”
Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”
The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be right.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.
A final thought – ” Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 BC”.
To paraphrase John Cleese upon being asked about the U.K. and the Falkland Islands:
“I mean it’s rather silly for us to be involved in a war over an island full of sheep half way around the world, isn’t it? If we’re going to be at war, it should be with our natural enemy who is, of course, the French.”
P.S.
Nick,
I don’t do FB either… Too revealing of oneself to an annonomous audience, ie prospective employers, CIA, local police, etc.
Jill,
Yes, HIS little green army men!
Nick,
Ok. Thanks.
I’ll keep checking. FB isn’t like twitter where what you type is copied to your account, thus the John Cleese FB page didn’t have it recorded. I’ll keep looking. Do you remember the date of his post? That’ll help some.
Actually, LITERALLY, I AM Proud to be British.
Max-1,
I loved your images! Did you hear Obama say: “my military”? OMG! And yes, Obama choose his advisers and he is responsible for those actions and any other actions he takes.
Max-1 I don’t have Facebook. There are several close ones, but it is on, exactly, “I’m Proud to be British” Facebook. I read it on my bride’s I-Pad, and she’s gone w/ it.
Max my apologies. I had my dates wrong with Bush and Obama.
(And I agree totally about congress)
Kind of confusing and scary at the same time. It is time for Congress to grow a pair and put the onus on Pres. Obama. If Congress complies, they are as wrong headed as he is on the need for an attack just by the US.
Nick spinelli,
There are several “I’m Proud to be British” face book style pages. Have a direct link to John Cleese comment?
Do you think those fools @ Nobel have any shame..probably not.
Will this make Assad a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize now?
Mike Spindell,
Tyrants always welcome “yes men” to approve their tyranny.
Why else did the King parade naked in his new clothes?
We all need a good laugh. I am not a member of Facebook Nation, but my wife is. Please go to the “I’m Proud to be British” Facebook page and look @ the post by the great, John Cleese on this topic. I can just hearing saying those hilarious comments on Europe.
Jill,
Imagine MLK Jr with an AK47…
… Rosa Parks with a Smith and Wesson.
Peace and Justice… Or the “American way”?
Peace