Thursday, June 16, 2011

Libya and the War Powers Act

President Obama says it does not apply.
In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in which United States Armed Forces are introduced—
(1) into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances;
(2) into the territory, airspace or waters of a foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate solely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces. ~ US Code Title 50, Chapter 33,  Section 1543
Dropping bombs with the intention destroying military assets as we side with the rebels in a civil war qualifies as hostilities by any definition. Troops do not need to be on the ground. Sending armed drones fits the wording of the law.

A Joint Resolution should have been introduced authorizing the Libyan intervention in April. By law, unless Congress authorizes continuing action military action must cease on June 19. There is no wiggle room here. If US military action over Libyan airspace continues after that date President Obama is in violation of the law and the Constitution.

Yes, I was willing to support the Libyan rebels and still do. But only under the rule of law and if the President cannot make his case to Congress and/or the American people (and up to now he hasn't bothered) then we need to quit the conflict. Now!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

By my count, we are involved in hostilities in at least five different countries. Enough is enough. I hate the republicans who only now oppose this crap when two years back they were agitating to get into Iran. And I hate the democrats for doing the opposite of what they said we would do and expanding involvement. I am tired of over a century of American imperialism.