Last night the President said it took one month to put together a response to the situation in Libya. During that time the President consulted with 28 member nations of NATO, 22 member nations of the Arab league and 15 members of the UN Security Council, ten of whom approved the resolution. There was also time for extensive coordination with France and Great Britain. The President had time to consult with the international community, but had no time to come to the United States Congress?
There is no question that the administration should have followed the Constitution and received the approval of Congress before starting a war. Consulting with a few members is not the same thing as following the Constitutional requirements of Article 1, Section 8.
Further complicating the administration's failure to come to Congress prior to ordering an attack is the fact that our primary partners in the war against Libya, France and Great Britain, had, according to a French military website, planned certain war games which now may have significance.
On November 2, 2010 France and Great Britain signed a mutual defense treaty, which paved the way for joint participation in a military exercise called 'Southern Mistral'. While war games are not uncommon, the similarities between 'Southern Mistral' and 'Operation Odyssey Dawn' highlight just how many unanswered questions remain regarding our own military planning for Libya.
The 'Southern Mistral' war games called for Great Britain-French air strikes against an unnamed dictator of a fictional country, "Southland." The pretend attack was authorized by a pretend United Nations Security Council Resolution. The 'Southern Mistral' war games were set for March 21-25, 2011.
On March 19, 2011, the United States joined France and Great Britain in an air attack against Muammar Gaddafi's Libya pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
Scheduling a joint military exercise that ends up resembling real military action could be seen as remarkable planning by the French and British, but it also highlights questions regarding the United States' role in planning for the war. We don't know how long the attack on Libya has been in preparation, but Congress must find out. We don't know who the rebels really represent and how they became armed, but Congress must find out.
With so many unknowns, Congress' only path to protect both the Constitution and the institution of government of the people is to cut off funds for the war in Libya. A cutoff of funds would require the president to follow the Constitutional process with respect to going to war. He would have to seek Congressional approval.
Otherwise, we will have given our tacit consent to a policy that undercuts Congress' constitutionally-mandated role as a coequal branch of government. Moreover, since the Founders established Congress under Article 1 and the Executive under Article 2, Congress is first among equals, unless we refuse to be.
That is why I will propose an amendment to the next continuing resolution or omnibus appropriations bill that would prevent any U.S. funds from being used for the war in Libya.
Follow Rep. Dennis Kucinich on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RepKucinich
And suggesting that Southern Mistral was somehow a dress rehearsal for no-fly zone operations is egregiously misleading. Southern Mistral was planned as a single long-range strike operation, not a long-term interdiction. The minor similarities are not nearly as important as the gigantic glaring difference.
Senate Resolution 85 on Mar. 1 (reported by Lawrence O'Donnell)
Not because he's a democrat.
Not because he's the coolest MF on the planet.
But because he's right and he's MY President. He's MY country !
I'm not a blind supporter. But some things are NOT up for political debate. Some things have no political texture or place. They simply demand leadership beyond politics.
JFK learned the hard way about the level of leadership the job requires. He got lucky and he traded key missle sites and military position in Turkey to prevent wholescale war with Russia but he never backed down.
Diplomacy combined with strength and righteousness is what America brings to the table in this situation. Thank God we elected Barack Obama. Thank 51% of the American citizens who elected this man and his family to lead the free world. We got it right this time.
Dennis YOU should be helping make this a proud moment for Americans and for our President in his time of need. Instead of firing political shots at him while the fascist GOP spam the media with any king of monkey feces they can sling hoping it will stick on the man's resume.
We need you Mr. Kucinich. Please help us build America back from the disgusting place GW Bush took us.
We need you.
God bless Barack Obama.
Fanned & Faved
Not because he's a democrat.
Not because he's the coolest MF on the planet.
But because he's right and he's MY President. He's MY country ! "
You're not a blind supporter? ROFL! If you were any more in love with obama they would have to surgically attach those kneepads!
We didn't elect his family to anything.
I hope you retain this level of patriotism for the republican who beats obama in 2012.
The Presidency is a package deal. If you don't realize that then go back in history and extract the First Lady from any decision or discussion or involvement in affairs of state and see the horrific changes that occurr our country.
I take issue with you and your alias. Truth is for God and small children. There is only perception and everyone has one. A wise adult would have thought this through more clearly.
What else ya got ?
1. Gaddafi's regime horde would have overwhelmed the rebel defense forces in two weeks or less.
2. We obviously had sufficient accurate intelligence to see this coming months ago.
3. There are significant energy resources in Libya that are 'at risk' which if destroyed could present a grave threat to U.S. interests.
4. If the President waited for Congress to agree he would have single handedly failed the American people in protecting our interests abroad along with our allies, and the rebel forces who are willing to and are dying for a democratic change to a dictatorship ruled by a creature of horror.
5. We did not violate the War Powers Act of 1973. Go back and read it again. It's not a black and white document devoid of Executive discretion as Commander in Chief.
If this military action is successful in assisting the rebel forces we can say Barack Obama did the following:
1. Acted with Presidential wisdom, speed and acuity under the worst duress.
2. Prevented wholescale genocide in Libya.
3. Took the first step in building a democratic ally with rebel factions in Libya.
4. Secured our energy interest both physical and financial
5. Upheld the greatest assets of America : Freedom and Democracy.
6. Helped remove a dictator from further atrocities against the world. He's a terrorist supporter.
7. Helped support the Nato alliance, and diplomacy worldwide acting as the Leader of Democracy in the world.
I want him to succeed. He's MY Country.
Somehow I doubt it.
☮
Minipax has spoken.
☮
I served and I can attest to the power of The Commander in Chief. Civilians tend to not fully grasp the full capacity of what it means to be "Commander" of the entire U.S. Armed Forces and leader of the free world.
War Powers was drafted to preclude extended conflict or combat involving whole countries assets not just a regime change that takes about 30 days.
I understand your concern. Everyone is sensitive about military commitment since the Bush years of committing treasonous acts against the country and violating international laws with beligerant disregard but Barack is not doing that and he's not GW Bush & Co.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Not at war?
Did I warp over to the comedy section?
☮
Which is more than can be said for the current Congress of cretins.
Captures on Land and Water;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress
Insurrections and repel Invasions;
Enough of this imperial Presidency, which the founders did not intent.
The Congress is not only the 1st branch among equals but is the preeminent branch.
It's time to remind the President and his ignorant and un-American supporters.
Nothing different than what your hero bush would have done, eh?
I whole heartily disagree with your observation that the President had time to consult Congress about his decision to participate in a international effort on Libya. Quit frankly between his busy schedule preparing for his next election to his trip to South America, not to mention having to keep up with his NCAA tournament bracket, there was no time for him to perform his duty under the War Powers Act-that is why he sent you a letter after the fact...
Warm regards,
Michael Winters
Warm regards,
Michael Winters