WH says they don't need Congress' authorization on Libya

[farmerpat]

"WASHINGTON -- The White House finally made its case to Congress on why it doesn't need lawmakers' approval to forge ahead with military operations in Libya: Because we're not at war.

Senior administration officials said Wednesday that the fact that the U.S. is only playing a support role in the NATO-led military effort in Libya -- that is, no U.S. troops on the ground and no potential for casualties -- and only plans to be involved for a short time means Obama doesn't need congressional authorization per the War Powers Act to proceed.

"But the White House is sending a clear signal that they don't believe they need that authorization. During the conference call, the administration official ticked off numerous reasons why U.S. involvement in Libya doesn't constitute a violation of the War Powers resolution.

"We're not engaged in any of the activities that typically over the years in war powers analysis is considered to constitute hostilities within the meaning of the statute," said the official. "We're not engaged in sustained fighting. There's been no exchange of fire with hostile forces. We don't have troops on the ground. We don't risk casualties to those troops. None of the factors … has risked the sort of escalation that Congress was concerned would impinge on its war-making power.

Instead, the U.S. is only providing intelligence and refueling capabilities, said the official. And while that role brings "a set of unique capabilities" to the international effort, it is a far cry from the responsibility that NATO has for enforcing the no-fly zone and protecting civilians militarily. "



OH REALLY? Last thing I saw on TV, bombs were being dropped by us.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_877736.html

[Old Vet]

This says they do have to have permission.
TITLE 50 > CHAPTER 33 > § 1541 § 1542. Consultation; initial and regular consultations
How Current is This?
The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and after every such introduction shall consult regularly with the Congress until United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or have been removed from such situations.

[EDDIE BUCK]

I agree,but it really makes no difference.He's "The One"what he does either lawfully or illegally,he's not held accountable for it.He is holding the office of president illegally and with congresses approval,so why does anything else matter?Who are they to say he's wrong about Libya?

How about all the other wrongs they let him get by with?All Washington is,is one great big soap opera.Wonder whos gunna do what next.Whether its Clinton's stains,O's fraudulent BC's,or Wiener's weenie pictures posted all over the web.

With the exception of a very few,The whole crowd are a bunch of immoral crooked thugs,and we the people are fool enough to be footing the bill,and anxiously waiting for the next episode to see WHO done What... COME ON RAPTURE.

[therunbunch]

Constitution Schmonstitution

[Sonshine]

I caught Dennis Kuchinic (sp) on tv today saying there was a lawsuit against Obama and Gates for this whole mess and it has bi-partisan support, so maybe someone will finally try to hold them accountable for something.

[seedspreader]

Don't you all understand that GLENN BECK IS GETTING MONEY FROM FREEDOM WORKS! They PAY him to talk about them. DO you understand that???

Why are you all focusing on this trivial stuff?

[seedspreader]

Originally Posted by Sonshine

I caught Dennis Kuchinic (sp) on tv today saying there was a lawsuit against Obama and Gates for this whole mess and it has bi-partisan support, so maybe someone will finally try to hold them accountable for something.

You can be pretty sure that if Kucinich supports/promotes it (the lawsuit) that it's not going anywhere.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

Don't you all understand that GLENN BECK IS GETTING MONEY FROM FREEDOM WORKS! They PAY him to talk about them. DO you understand that???

Why are you all focusing on this trivial stuff?

Um.... HAHAHAHAHAHA.

[Sonshine]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

You can be pretty sure that if Kucinich supports/promotes it (the lawsuit) that it's not going anywhere.

One can hope.

[lonelytree]

Impeachment is inevitable.

[Pops2]

last i heard under the war powers act the president CAN commit U.S. forces entirely on his own judgement, w/o a declaration of war, and w/o congressional approval for upto 90 days. when did we first get involved in Libya?

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Pops2

last i heard under the war powers act the president CAN commit U.S. forces entirely on his own judgement, w/o a declaration of war, and w/o congressional approval for upto 90 days.

If there is a threat to to US security, yes. Though we are past the 90 day mark anyway.

[Pops2]

yeah but what is a threat to national security within those 90 days is entirely up to the president's discretion. after 90 days he better have a good story for congress.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Pops2

yeah but what is a threat to national security within those 90 days is entirely up to the president's discretion. after 90 days he better have a good story for congress.

True, but we are past the 90 days and so far the story has been he doesn't need a story he can do it because he wants to.

[lonelytree]

It only takes 1 missile to be at war. How many did we shoot?

[Energy Rebel]

Read the War Powers Act.
I do not adhere to its constitutionality, but that's another topic.
The limit is 60 days. The extension for another 30 days is for the troops to withdraw. That's why the media falsely reported yesterday that the POTUS had 90 days, because they have failed to do their job as well.
For Obama to claim that he doesn't even need to abide by this law, which clearly circumvents the constitution, is the blatant act of a dictator.
And since dictators don't abide by the law, impeachment isn't a viable option, elections are rarely the solution either.
The wise ones can read between the lines on this.

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

You can be pretty sure that if Kucinich supports/promotes it (the lawsuit) that it's not going anywhere.

True,also if a lawsuit is brought aganis't Obama,neither will it go anywhere either.Why you recon that is??

[farmerpat]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

Don't you all understand that GLENN BECK IS GETTING MONEY FROM FREEDOM WORKS! They PAY him to talk about them. DO you understand that???

Why are you all focusing on this trivial stuff?

[farmerpat]

Originally Posted by lonelytree

It only takes 1 missile to be at war. How many did we shoot?

As of March 20th:


At least 110 Tomahawk missiles fired at Libya: US

WASHINGTON: US and British forces have fired at least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Libya against Moamer Kadhafi’s air defense sites, a top US military officer said Saturday.

A US warship fired Tomahawk cruise missiles into Libya on Saturday, targeting Moamer Kadhafi’s air defense sites, a senior US military official said.

The US engaged with “command and control logistics (and) cruise missiles” in its first strikes near Libya’s coast, “because that’s where the integrated missile defense systems are and of course te other air defense related facilities,” notably around Tripoli and Misrata, the official said.

The US operation — named “Odyssey Dawn” — followed initial missions by French warplanes, which carried out four air strikes Saturday, destroying several armoured vehicles of Kadhafi forces.

Two US Navy destroyers and three US submarines were positioned in the Meditteranean near Libya, all of which are equipped with Tomahawk missiles.

No US ground troops will be sent into Libya, US President Barack Obama said Saturday after announcing he authorized the cruise missile strikes launched minutes earlier against strongman Moamer Kadhafi’s forces.

“Today, I authorized the armed forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya,” said Obama, who is in Brazil on an official visit.

http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/20/at-le...-libya-us.html

[Tricky Grama]

Originally Posted by Energy Rebel

Read the War Powers Act.
I do not adhere to its constitutionality, but that's another topic.
The limit is 60 days. The extension for another 30 days is for the troops to withdraw. That's why the media falsely reported yesterday that the POTUS had 90 days, because they have failed to do their job as well.
For Obama to claim that he doesn't even need to abide by this law, which clearly circumvents the constitution, is the blatant act of a dictator.
And since dictators don't abide by the law, impeachment isn't a viable option, elections are rarely the solution either.
The wise ones can read between the lines on this.

I know this is late, but I was partying...



Along w/this-and a Becca "Spew Alert" here too.

Originally Posted by seedspreader
Don't you all understand that GLENN BECK IS GETTING MONEY FROM FREEDOM WORKS! They PAY him to talk about them. DO you understand that???

Why are you all focusing on this trivial stuff?