Posted on 08/31/2013 12:38:55 AM PDT by Freedom of Speech Wins
Obama May Be Walking Into an Impeachment Trap
Posted on Aug 30, 2013
Beth Rankin (CC BY 2.0)
By Kevin Zeese, PopularResistance
This article originated with PopularResistance.org.
The irony of the Obama presidency may hinge on whether he attacks Syria. He began his presidency prematurely winning the Nobel Peace Prize and could end it being impeached for starting an illegal war without congressional or UN approval – violating both domestic and international law.
Yesterday 163 Members of Congress sent letters to President Obama telling him that under the US Constitution he is required to get congressional approval before beginning a military attack. The letter drafted by Rep. Scott Rigel (R-VA) had 140 signatures, 119 Republicans and 21 Dems. Rep. Barbara Lee also circulated a letter that had 53 signers, that calls on the president to seek congressional approval.
The Rigel letter warned Obama that engaging in military action “would violate the Separation of Powers Clause that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.” They also note that the justification for war in Libya also violated the Constitution. The Lee letter warns that “we all swore to uphold and defend” the Constitution; and that we should not engage in an “unwise war – especially without adhering to our own Constitutional requirements.” In their concluding paragraph they warn “Before weighing the use of military force, Congress must fully debate and consider the facts and every alternative . . .”
President Obama knows the limits of his powers. In fact, if there is an impeachment proceeding his own words will be quoted. When he was running for president, Obama told the Boston Globe: “The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Vice President Biden, in a 2007 campaign event in Iowa, went further, not only stating clearly that the president does not have unilateral power to conduct military attacks but threatening impeachment of President Bush if he did so.
The Green Shadow Cabinet of the United States was explicit calling on President Obama to seek congressional approval before going to war, noted that under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the US Constitution, it is the Congress that determines whether the United States goes to war. They also highlight the potential of impeachment writing: “If President Obama launches an attack without prior explicit authorization by Congress, he will have committed an offense worthy of impeachment.” [Disclosure, I serve as Attorney General in the alternative cabinet.]
If impeachment proceedings are held all of the doubts about the war will come out. People in the military have protected themselves by telling President Obama that they have serious doubts about a military attack. The have warned Obama about potential blowback, misusing the military to send a message with no clear strategy, drawing the US into a vexing war when they are already burdened by a complicated withdrawal from Afghanistan. Some have used words like “potentially devastating consequences” Reportedly, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, has warned in great detail about the risks and pitfalls of U.S. military intervention in Syria, warning “deeper involvement is hard to avoid.”
If the war goes wrong, and wars almost always go wrong, President Obama will see the memorandums of various members of the military who warned him. And, they will be called to testify and tell the world that President Obama was warned but went ahead anyway – without congressional approval in violation of the Constitution.
What could go wrong? Syria has the ability to defend itself and attack US military vessels. Iran and Russia have already indicated they will be drawn into the conflict. Threats of retaliation are already being made and troop movements are occurring. Russia is moving two additional naval ships, a missile cruiser and a large anti-submarine vessel, into the Mediterranean to strengthen its presence in case of a US attack. Russia and Saudi Arabia have exchanged threats over Syria. Russia threatening an attack on Saudi Arabia if the US attacks Syria with President Putin ordering a “massive military strike” against Saudi Arabia in the event that the West attacks Syria. Saudi Arabia is threatening Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia at the Olympics.
Iran, Syria and Hezbollah have threatened to retaliate against Israel and other US allies in the Middle East in the event of a US attack on Syria. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, told the Tasnim news website, that an attack on Syria “means the immediate destruction of Israel.”
Obama is Law-Less because Republican “leaders” are Ball-Less!!!
Kevin, I can assure you, that the GOP Congress is not going to impeach Barack the First. Not gonna happen. All he have to do, is threaten, not even do, just threaten to "shut down the government" and blame the GOP.
To the cowards in the GOP, that's all he's ever had to do.
If the House started impeachment hearings, they'd still be going on into the 2nd term of whoever follows Obama as President. The House GOP has accomplished nothing, the IG investigation, where Obama illegally fired Inspector Generals in the first 6 months of 2009 went no where. Fast and Furious, gun running to Mexican Drug Cartels, has gone nowhere. Benghazi, after almost a year has gone nowhere. Illegal appointments, making law, illegal enforcement and non-enforcement of law has gone nowhere.
Kevin, you think you're dealing with normal human beings in Congress, but these guys are a collection of invertebrate human blobs.
If Boehner were tossed out as Speaker and replaced with swine with a spine, impeachment proceedings could be initiated and actually even pass... in the House... but do we really think Harry Reid’s Senate would ever take this up, much less remove him from power?
We know the answer. This would amount to yet one more symbolic gesture.
Swine with a spine = SOMEONE with a spine!!!!
Effing auto-correct!
Wouldn't knowingly executing an unconstitutional order make the military officer(s) as guilty as the civilian issuing that unconstitutional order? At what point does it become duty of the military to tell Obama to go pound sand???
Obama can order strikes as long as he gets congressional authorization within 90 days.
Conservatives supported this for three decades.
Obama broke that covenant with Libya and he will do it again with Syria.
If Obama’s end-game is worldwide chaos, here is his opportunity. Strike Syria, thereby allowing Arab nations to attack Israel while Russia and China attack the US.
Once US servicemen die, Obama will get all the popular and congressional approval he needs. Total war could provide the cover required to restructure the western nations (North America and Europe) into a socialist utopia, shedding debt, shredding constitutions and ensuring 70 years of subjugation.
If Bambi had any brains he would take Congress at it’s word and present the case to them. It is an out for himself that he should be looking at. He does seem like the little sooky boy that just has to get his own way though come hell or high water.
The inane attack won’t be an impeachable offense. The unforeseen consequences may flip that.
And Bolton knows what he's talking about...or he wouldn't say it.
Leni
Impeachment for what? And over a piddling entity like Syria? Elmer Fudd has been been defying Congress and the courts while disregarding the Constitution since he swore a false oath on January 20, 2009.
What makes anyone think that he will allow an impeachment? He will simply disband the Congress, impose martial law and declare himself President for life. And his media butt buddies will all fall in line to kiss his a$$.
He is protected inside this country and out
Yep.
Bump!
Bowing to his Saudi masters.
Good luck with that.
The chances of The One ever being impeached are less than Zer0.
Here is a good analysis of the power of the President and committing the military without Congressional approval. And the avoidance of the court in clarifying the issue as far as the Constitution is concerned.
http://www.daveross.com/war.html
It is clear that the President has the power to defend the nation if attacked without a prior Congressional approval.
It is also clear that the Constitution states the only Congress can “declare War”.
The Fed Gov has set some horrible precedents concerning this. Most, but not all under Dem administrations.
Especially since it would be a black perp attacking and killing white victims. Nothing to see here, just a random act of violence.
This is a real question. Is there anyone in the military that can tell the president NO? I know he is the commander in chief, but if the military knows what he’s doing is unconstitutional and plain old insane...the military is sworn to uphold the Constitution, and they should especially when they are given unconstitutional orders.
Whistlin’ Dixie! There are far too many political @$$hol$s with the cajones to get it done.
Other than the loss of oil, I'm trying to find something bad about that. Exempt Israel and they can bomb the rest of the middle east for all I care.
It's just that simple.
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