I just completed a two-city debate with former Bush official John Yoo on executive power with a focus on undeclared wars. It appears Yoo won the debate . . . at least with President Obama. Indeed, Yoo appears to have had Obama at “hello” to quote Jerry Maguire. Without any declaration of war, Obama has launched attacks against targets in Syria — an act of war by any measure and a violation of international law.
We have been discussing the growing concerns over President Barack Obama’s series of unilateral actions in ordering agencies not to enforce law, effectively rewriting laws, and moving hundreds of millions of dollars from appropriated purposes to areas of his choosing. One of the greatest concerns has been his unchecked authority asserted in the national security area.
The most serious acts of unilateral presidential action falls within war powers — powers that the Framers expressly and carefully limited to prevent precisely this type of attack. Of course, the Administration does not use the word “war.” I previously represented members of Congress in challenging Obama’s intervention in the Libyan civil war without a declaration from Congress. In the case, President Obama insisted that he alone determines what is a war and therefore when he needs a declaration. Since the court would not recognize standing to challenge the war, it left Obama free to engage in war operations in any country of his choosing.
The White House insisted that this was “military action” but that “[g]iven that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief.”
The Administration is now calling this a “sustained campaign” with no estimate on how long it will take. So we are again attacking another nation without a declaration or even a debate in Congress. Members are allowed to avoid their constitutional duties of clearly declaring a war while the President has been allowed, again, to jettison any limitations on his ability to wage war.
It is one thing to take out our own captured Humvees (with missiles costing $250,000 a shot) in Iraq with the permission of the country and hitting cities and targets in Syria against the express position of the government. That is clearly an act of war to prosecute a military campaign against the territory of a sovereign nation.
We are continuing an assault on basic principles of international war and returning the word to a state of nature. When another country elects to take our individuals or targets in the United States, what precisely will we claim as authority. We have assumed the role of Roper from “A Man For All Seasons“:
William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!
Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
William Roper: Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!
Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!
Source: ABC News
“you guys realize that it will take about a year to ramp up to a full-time draft.”
Yes. However, IF we are at war, and given that all males have to register now for the Selective Service,….we already have a jump on the system
“Almost all male U.S. citizens, and male immigrants living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It’s important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in sequence determined by random lottery number and year of birth. Then, they would be examined for mental, physical and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces. ”
Note: I’m not saying I want a draft. Only that if the country is really serious about going to war and not just throwing away some volunteer’s lives in a half way pretend war, then a draft will show if we are serious or if we are just playing around.
I’m guessing that Obama and Congress is not really serious, but to institute a draft is a huge thing. Psychologically as well as logistically.
War is a deadly, serious business and IF we are going to go to war…..then go in to WIN.
DBQ – I want a universal draft – men and women. No screwing around. Women want equal rights, they have an equal right to die for this country.
Paul Schulte wrote: “Women want equal rights, they have an equal right to die for this country.”
I think women make up just over 7% of Marines. At least on a voluntary basis, not many women are fighting for equal representation in the Marine Corp.
Perhaps we should all acknowledge that there really is such a thing as Gender Diversity, and it is a good thing not a bad thing.
Annie,
Bush used the UN to go around congress. Once it got going there was no choice but to go along with the terrorist bush and now wanted war criminal.
Yes Bush has such clean hands.
Well, between the two of them, I’m sure one will honor their oath; the other she voted for.
And she didn’t vote for Bush and did vote for Obama.
Daughter joined after 9/11 too. She’s still in. I’m proud of her and respect her service to this country.
The destination of this path is predictable.
The use of nuclear weapons is predictable.
OVERPOPULATION is the problem.
For America, the term is immigration.
Science demonstrates the fatal course of overpopulation for mankind.
John B. Calhoun –
“The conclusions drawn from this experiment were that when all available space is taken and all social roles filled, competition and the stresses experienced by the individuals will result in a total breakdown in complex social behaviors,
ultimately resulting in the demise of the population.”
Calhoun saw the fate of the population of mice as a metaphor for the potential fate of man. He characterized the social breakdown as a “second death”, with reference to the “second death” mentioned in the Biblical book of Revelation 2:11. His study has been cited by writers such as Bill Perkins as a warning of
the dangers of the living in an “increasingly crowded and impersonal world”.
John B. Calhoun (May 11, 1917 – September 7, 1995) was an American ethologist and behavioral researcher noted for his studies of population density and its effects on behavior. He claimed that the bleak effects of overpopulation on rodents were a grim model for the future of the human race. During his studies, Calhoun coined the term “behavioral sink” to describe aberrant behaviors in overcrowded population density situations and “beautiful ones” to describe passive individuals who withdrew from all social interaction.
The military will never want to go to war with a CinC that won’t go all in. They will of course follow the orders they are given but would prefer to do what they do best. I supported my son going into the service after 9/11 but would not support that now. This guy has done nothing that would instill confidence among the troops that he will trust his military commanders.
LeeJ, seriously, don’t let him bait you. Again, I don’t know why you give this person the time of day.
Anonymously yours, you have had two more comments deleted under the civility rule. I have looked at the other comments objected to in this thread and I do not see other clear violations.
Surprise!
How are the 4:21 and 4:27 comments in any way substantive and on topic with this blog post? They sound very much like very nasty ad hominem attacks.
leej, Getting testy. We are all PAINFULLY aware Obama is our President and an increasing majority don’t like it. Do we have to like it??? And come on, he’s your guy. Don’t be ashamed. Hell, I voted for him once. I have enough self esteem to admit I screwed up.
leej, Getting testy. We are all PAINFULLY aware Obama is our President and an increasing majority don’t like it. Do we have to like it??? And come on, he’s your guy. Don’t be ashamed. Hell, I voted for him once. I have enough self esteem to admit I screwed up.
I voted for him, not getting testy just was pointing out the obvious but what seems to be ignored by a lot of the right wing: President Obama is the President of the US, not just of those who voted for him or those who, while disliking a number of things he has done, actions he has taken, appreciate many of the things he has done like the ACA, auto industry back, recession ended, housing rebounded as a start.
I do not recall the people who disliked Bush saying “He is not my president” I see this all the time about Mr. Obama (not just here but thruout the internet.)
leejcaroll – if it makes you feel any better, I voted for John McCain the first two times he ran for office. Then I learned my lesson. Since then I have voted for Mickey Mouse who would be a much better Senator. I have also voted for Mickey for President. You have to admit that Minnie would make an exceptional First Lady. And where better to take a working vacation then Disneyland or Disneyworld.
A whole lot of blathering by the usual suspects.
http://youtu.be/asGttQF_0wk
DBQ, I love watching you swat the crazy flies buzzing around you. You are the sultan of swat! LOL! Some things never change do they, just the names, nothing else.
I’m agnostic Olly. I’m invoking him only on the chance he exists. Why should we pay for a war we don’t want? IF and thats a big IF, there was a REAL threat from that group we never heard of, then it’s warranted and like LeeJ, I reluctantly think the President made the correct choice in striking them. I don’t understand your concern about suggesting that the five ME partners share in the cost. What are you, their accountant? As for discussing climate change, huh? Why go off topic of this thread? I think we’re discussing something quite important here. What do YOU think about the air war on ISIS? No opinions to share?
There have been so many creative artists who were/are manic depressive, or bipolar. They do some of their best work during manic phases. Unfortunately, the vast majority of manic depressives aren’t creative, some are just dull/normal people who just spew drivel during their manic episodes. I had a coworker like that when I was a juvenile probation officer. Nobody wanted to be near him when he was in a manic phase. The problem is many don’t want to take their prescribed meds because they enjoy the rush of the manic cycles.
“What about those five ME ‘partners’ each footing 1/6 of the cost of this war? Especially if it lasts for years. They’re richer than God, they can afford it, we can’t.”
So there is a God when you want to justify spending other people’s money? And speaking of oil money; how does your position square with the whole climate change debate?
I think Hendrix’s Manic Depression was one of his underappreciated songs. The words and the melody just paired so well. I’ve read a couple books on Jimi. It never said he was diagnosed manic depressive but he certainly had many of the symptoms. Maybe he self diagnosed, he certainly self medicated.
Of course DBQ, I wouldn’t expect even you to be in favor of enacting a draft and a war tax without a declaration of war.
Putin should be up for a Nobel Peace Prize if they use the same criteria they did for Saint Barry.
What about those five ME ‘partners’ each footing 1/6 of the cost of this war? Especially if it lasts for years. They’re richer than God, they can afford it, we can’t.