|
DarkSteven -> RE: Old school republicans spank neo-con "isolationism" on Libya. (6/20/2011 5:26:51 AM)
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
We are seeing a surge of bipartisanship, aren't we Steve?
I don't like that term. It has recently referred to times when the Administration has stampeded disastrous stuff through a buffaloed Congress like the invasion of Iraq and TARP, through misrepresentation. What ew have now is nonpartisanship, which I like. quote:
Here is an interesting press release, from the Chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Keep in mind, McKeon was one of those who accused the President of doing nothing in Libya.
We are told that ‘U.S. military operations in Libya…do not require further congressional authorization, because U.S. military operations are distinct from the kind of ‘hostilities’ contemplated by the [War Power] Resolution’s 60 day termination provision.’ The Administration seems to further suggest that military forces are not engaged in hostilities if the operation is sanctioned by the United Nations or if our forces are not subject to sustained hostile fire. But even after NATO assumed the lead for operations, the United States has fired Tomahawks at regime targets and we continue to use drone strikes, both hostile actions that take lives and increase the risk of U.S. casualties. In fact, at a House Armed Services Committee briefing less than two weeks ago, the Defense Department confirmed to members of the Committee that the United States continues to be engaged in hostilities. Congress intended the term ‘hostilities’ to be broader in scope than “armed conflict” and stated as much in the House report accompanying the War Powers bill. Unfortunately, it sounds as if the White House is playing word games, instead of simply asking Congress for authorization to engage in military action.
“Therefore, I would support Congressional action to ensure the U.S. military’s role is limited to combat support and that we no longer engage in hostilities without Congressional authorization.
http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=808af8f4-4318-4c9f-95a7-e95db2e65fbb
Time for Congress to take an active role for a change, and sit down with the White House and hammer out terms of WHAT KINDS of action they do support, and what they will not support, and pass legislation along those lines. Right now, they're using vague terms and letting the White House define those terms. They've reduced themselves to bystanders who kibotz.
|
|
|
|
