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Panetta: Obama Can Unilaterally Use Military to Protect ‘National Interests’
CNSNews ^ | 6/13/11 | Matt Cover

Posted on 06/13/2011 8:01:10 AM PDT by CNSNews

(CNSNews.com) - CIA Director Leon Panetta, who President Barack Obama has nominated to be secretary of Defense, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that he believes the president can unilaterally use military force, without congressional authorization to “protect our national interests.”

Panetta’s claim of broad unilateral presidential power to initiate U.S. military action absent an attack or imminent threat to the United States came in response to a question from Sen. John McCain—who said he agreed with Panetta.

The U.S. is now involved militarily in Libya even though Congress has never authorized that involvement.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government
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To: CNSNews

The proper response that has anything to do with democrats is:

They can do anything they want.

The proper response that has anything to do with Obama is:

He can do anything he wants.


21 posted on 06/13/2011 8:14:15 AM PDT by Terry Mross (I'll only vote for a SECOND party.)
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To: CNSNews

Leon Panetta the political hack shows us how the old double standard works.

Iraq, bad. Libya, good.
Cheney, bad. Biden, good.
Bush, bad. Obama, good.

Twilight zone politics.


22 posted on 06/13/2011 8:15:39 AM PDT by Reagan Man ("In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.")
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To: BenLurkin
What are our national interests in Libya?

Where are all the discussions about:

WHAT ARE OUR EXIT PLANS?

WHAT GOVERNMENT DO WE INSTALL AFTER THE FALL?

MOVE TO WAR TO FAST?

Etc.?

23 posted on 06/13/2011 8:16:02 AM PDT by Lockbox (`)
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To: CNSNews
Panetta will be the SecDef when Obama decides to impose a blockade/no fly zone on Israel to protect the innocent Palestinians...
24 posted on 06/13/2011 8:16:16 AM PDT by Truth29
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To: CNSNews
THAT'S OK with me. When we finally get a Conservative in the WH, who actually knows what the f*&^ end is up, we will CERTAINLY remind these Liberals of the statement Panetta makes... the rest of the f&^%(*g world can be on notice TOO!!!

How's that?

25 posted on 06/13/2011 8:17:34 AM PDT by SMARTY (Conforming to non-conformity is conforming just the same.)
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To: Reagan Man
Gee that's funny. Pres can use unilateral force in natl interest.

I guess Panetta didn't cc Bush on that policy memo.

sarc /

26 posted on 06/13/2011 8:18:58 AM PDT by Col Frank Slade
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To: CNSNews

Ummmm no, what national interests do we have in Libya? If the president can do that, how did Castro take Cuba when sugar plantations where owned by american corporations. This guy is rube.


27 posted on 06/13/2011 8:19:17 AM PDT by sniper63 (Ever wonder why the call themselves Hamas, but don't eat pork?)
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To: BenLurkin

“What are our national interests in Libya?”

For this administration, the general political, material and financial support of whatever is the most extreme jihadist faction in any Moslem dog fight.

“Before the revolt, Hadn’t Bush cowed Qaddafi into behaving himself?”

Reagan initiated Qaddafi’s ‘reality check’. To their credit, both Bush administrations kept it up. In recent years, however reluctantly, Qaddafi had been assisting on the US efforts against jihadists. I am sure that Qaddafi’s recent cooperation is why the present occupation in Washington is working towards his death or overthrow.


28 posted on 06/13/2011 8:19:54 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans: Don't read their lips - watch their hands.)
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To: CNSNews
Name me the item of "National Interest" that we're fighting for in Libya? The oil was already flowing freely; it isn't now, thanks to Obama and Nato...

Mike

29 posted on 06/13/2011 8:20:38 AM PDT by MichaelP (The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools ~HS)
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To: rokkitapps

Ask him to give a lecture on the Wars Powers Act without a teleprompter. That ought to get him going...


30 posted on 06/13/2011 8:22:16 AM PDT by econjack (Some people are as dumb as soup.)
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To: CNSNews
And what, pray-tell, exactly ARE our interests in Libya? If that utter waste of real estate should get swallowed up by the earth today, how would it affect this country one little bit? Are those crickets I hear chirping? No Leo, the president just CAN'T do whatever the eff he wants without consulting Congress, when it comes to putting our troops in harm's way. If you would bother to READ THE CONSTITUTION, you would know that.

Panetta is as big a stupid, out of touch with reality, jackass as his queer loving predecessor.

31 posted on 06/13/2011 8:22:33 AM PDT by NWFLConservative (Game On!.................Saracuda 2012)
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To: CNSNews

Wasn’t Panetta’s party ready to draft articles of impeachment against Nixon for doing just that?


32 posted on 06/13/2011 8:24:11 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
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To: CNSNews

Our war with Oceania continues....War is Peace!


33 posted on 06/13/2011 8:24:11 AM PDT by expatpat
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To: CNSNews

No Blood For Oil!!!!

We Are Creating More Terrorists!!!!

where are all those people today???


34 posted on 06/13/2011 8:24:52 AM PDT by God luvs America (63.5million pay no federal income tax then vote demoKrat)
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To: CNSNews



35 posted on 06/13/2011 8:26:46 AM PDT by rollo tomasi (Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians)
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To: rokkitapps
Somebody please explain how Protect ‘National Interests’ apply to Libya?
36 posted on 06/13/2011 8:26:53 AM PDT by McGruff (Why do they fear her so?)
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To: CNSNews

In one more week, it will be three months since we started our war in Libya against a madman in a desert hellhole.

Some “kinetic military action”.

The Russians and Chinese must be laughing at us.

This war should have been over in a week.

Including a weekend off.


37 posted on 06/13/2011 8:31:11 AM PDT by exit82 (Democrats are the enemy of freedom. Sarah Palin is our Esther.)
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To: CNSNews

Posse Comitatus becomes Commie Pissesonallofus...


38 posted on 06/13/2011 8:37:49 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter (JMO but I reserve the right to be wrong...)
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To: Red Badger

[chirp... chirp... chirp... chirp...]

Well will you listen to that? The crickets are out early today...


39 posted on 06/13/2011 8:43:16 AM PDT by WayneS ("I hope you know this will go down on your PERMANENT record...")
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To: CNSNews

Proving once again that the Left has no problem with gunboat diplomacy as long as it’s THEIR gunboats.


40 posted on 06/13/2011 8:43:19 AM PDT by Pecos (Constitutionalist. Liberty and Honor will not die on my watch.)
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