Posted on 09/01/2013 7:46:19 AM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
It's a potent sign of how low the American political bar is set that gratitude is expressed because a US president says he will ask Congress to vote before he starts bombing another country that is not attacking or threatening the US. That the US will not become involved in foreign wars of choice without the consent of the American people through their representatives Congress is a central mandate of the US Constitution. George Bush, of course, sought Congressional approval for the war in Iraq.
There is no reason to believe that a Congressional rejection of the war's authorization would constrain Obama in any way, other than perhaps politically. To the contrary, there is substantial evidence for the proposition that the White House sees the vote as purely advisory, i.e., meaningless.
Recall how the House of Representatives actually voted, overwhelmingly, against authorizing the US war in Libya, and yet Obama simply ignored the vote and proceeded to prosecute the war anyway (just as Clinton did when the House rejected the authorization he wanted to bomb Kosovo).
As Time reports:
To make matters more complicated, Obama's aides made clear that the President's search for affirmation from Congress would not be binding. He might still attack Syria even if Congress issues a rejection."
To declare ahead of time that the debate the President has invited and the Congressional vote he sought will matter only if the outcome is what the President wants it to be - is to display a fairly strong contempt for both democracy and the Constitution.
There are few things more bizarre than watching people advocate that another country be bombed even while acknowledging that it will achieve no good outcomes other than safeguarding the "credibility" of those doing the bombing.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Impeach him, now.
how do I loathe John Kerry
he is a traitor
Is this "right" as secure as my 2A right?
Congress will be used like toliet paper for blame,
either way.
It is the way of the First undocumented Moslem Tyrant.
If the JCS had any balls they would all resign. But, the DoD has been totally chickified and homo-genized, so I don’t expect any display of courage above the rank of colonel.
Sunday media seems to be betting on a strike and that Congress will acquiesce to that intention.
It will be sold as defense of Israel and other allies like Jordan, and the tragic photos will circulate, both until the votes in the House are there.
Was Kerry against the bombing before he was for it?
An idiot like Kerry could never hold a job in the private sector. But if an idiot like him hangs around in government long enough, they get promoted.
To realize this bastard holds any public office, is to realize how bad our government has actually gotten.
Kerry is a messenger. The main problem is a bad advisors to the White House. You have people with no practical and diplomatic skills that can do the job. For them it’s a game with no liability.
Obozo is already purchased. He will only do what his masters tell him to do. He will always act in the interest of Saudi Arabia.
FUBO!
Kerry was against it before he was...wait
It's way past time that they stop worrying about blame or the next election and vote against this disgusting warmongering. Same with all the other issues.
Then Zeros benevolent dictatorship does apply.
Good counsel.
Posturing, that’s all.
Trying the make the point he’s a big boy, well the King, in fact, and will make his own decision after letting the serfs prattle on bit, but no way he’ll go ahead if congress doesn’t back him. Not a chance.
If (and its a big “if”) Congress votes against Syrian involvement., he will go forward because the Muslim Bros and the Saudis are essentially blackmailing him.
“It will be sold as defense of Israel and other allies like Jordan, and the tragic photos will circulate, both until the votes in the House are there.”
Congress won’t move unless Americans want them to, not Obama. If Obama really wanted to do this, he’d just do it.
Then Zeros benevolent dictatorship does apply.
Well, he had “HIS” millitary check into things, and “HIS” millitary will do as he tells them, after all they are “HIS” so I guess the circle is complete and the US of A is his to do wirh as HE pleases after all
The Whips must be out against authorization.
It is interesting how strident Greenwald is in opposing a Democrat President's lust for war. Though a committed socialist, I think Greenwald has been thrown off his ideologic track by the Snowden affair.
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