Posted on 03/25/2003 12:41:57 PM PST by ReleaseTheHounds
I am extremely concerned about the shameful, almost total passivity of Congress during the period of preparations for our military attack on Iraq. (I recognize as exceptions Sen. Robert C. Byrd's noble statement in the Senate [In Brief, March 20] and the belated but vigorous statements of Sen. Thomas A. Daschle [news story, March 18].)
Congress's inaction is dangerous precedent in executive-legislative relations. In light of this precedent, future presidents will be tempted to seize virtually dictatorial powers under the title of commander in chief, and nothing in our history rules out the possibility of their yielding to that temptation. This seems to be the meaning of the recent crisis.
GEORGE KENNAN
Princeton, NJ
This saddens me... I assume this is the same George F. Kennan who shaped the containment policy for the Soviets starting in the Truman Administration. Here's a link to a Freep posting on the Kennan Doctrine: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/533032/posts.
He was a stalwart back then... Now he seems to have adopted the shameful appeasement of the Democrats in congress -- reminds me of other leaders who "folded" in their final years. Sort of like Jimmy Carter's frantic bidding for Nobel Peace Prize winner -- selling out his country and all commonsense.
There is absolutely no equivalency between the Clinton actions and this. Clinton consulted with no one, not the congress, no the UN. NOONE!!!!.
911 changed everything. We were struck on the American mainland. In spite of this, seems to me President Bush has consulted with both the UN and Congressional leaders. The outreach from this President has been unprecedented in my lifetime. Get your blinders off
On one hand, he decries "this precedent", but on the other points out that our history suggests this to be dangerous. Is it a new precedent or isn't it?
The only thing I can think to explain the dichotomy is that he's afraid to use Abe Lincoln as an example of the danger. Does that make sense to anybody but me?
1) in '98 Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act; a Democratic Congress voted to pass such act and Daschle at the time said it was obvious diplomacy had failed and it was time for military force;
2) a Democratic Congress passed a resolution in October 2002 which authorized President Bush full use of force in Iraq.
Congress overwhelmingly passed a resolution authorizing force under very specific conditions. Those conditions were met. In the event Congress actually had serious objections to the war, there are a number of constitutional remedies available. And Congress has availed itself of none of them.
In light of this precedent, future presidents will be tempted to seize virtually dictatorial powers under the title of commander in chief, and nothing in our history rules out the possibility of their yielding to that temptation.
Ridiculous. Our history from its very beginning has been one of circumspection with regards to the exercise of special powers by the commander in chief, starting with Washington's refusal to be coronated, and his voluntary surrender of power after only two terms.
George Kennan's gray-matter has gone soft (and I suppose "dim") with this kind of "praise Daschle" crappola. By the way, what did Daschle say about Iraq back in those glorious old Clinton days?
I was in some disbelief when I read the letter, too. I was also struck that the writer didn't use his middle initial ("F") -- everything I ever read by or about George F. Kennan had the middle initial. The Wash. Post made no mention of Kennan's background (which also surprised me), so that adds to the mystery. I don't know if the Post does any "fact checking" to verify the identity of a notable "letter writer".
Regardless, if this is THE George F. Kennan, it is a remarkably stupid letter and thought process. As someone said: anyone who would praise Robert Byrd on just about anything needs to get a mental check-up. JMHO.
Even if Keenan missed this point because he was drooling in his milktoast, the Washington Post should have noticed this action by Congress. It was in all the papers, even the Post. Ah, well, stupid is as stupid publishes.
Congressman Billybob
Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "The A-MAA-zing War Wizard"
Some lefty college student hired to change his diapers? (A dubious theory, I admitt, as it would presume a leftist with a sufficient knowledge of history to know who this was.)
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