Earler in the week, this headline appeared "Panel calls for new war powers legislation" Full story here with yet another whine about how Congress is not consulted before the President takes military action, blah, blah.
So, here's my question, since our current President, in fact had extensive debate and a Congressional vote before launching Operation Iraqi Freedom (here) and before launching Operation Enduring Freedom (here) what exactly am I missing?
After all, didn't Senators Clinton, Kerry and Obama make known their views on this issue? (except for maybe Obama, since he was not a Senator in either 2001 or 2003, he was too busy listening to Rev. Wright)
I find it particularly distasteful to watch the political preening on this issues. This issue has long been settled. If Congress does not want military action to take place, then cut off the funds for the war. The Democrats have been talking out of both sides of their mouths on this issue. Either they have the political guts to end the "unpopular" Iraq War or they don't. After all, the Constitution is pretty clear, and I don't think we really want 545 or so "co-generals" deciding how we fight our wars do we?
Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States;
Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
Anyway, at least some good news today. Actual American fighting generals have been promoted to take key leadership positions in CENTCOM. Of course we had to have more preening by the Democrats in the Senate, but in the end, there is no substitute for victory.
(I mean seriously, LGEN Raymond T. Odierno looks like he could personally whip the ENITRE Democratic Senate delegation in a bar fight, doesn't he...I mean can you imagine him in a dark alley with Osama? They would have to identify Osama to his mama by dental records)
It's good to see the U.S. military can still recognize the Grants and Shermans among our top commanders and weed out the McClellans and Burnsides who could kiss butt, but can't really win battles. (Kosovo doesn't really count, in my estimation, since a real general would have won that war with a lot less effort)
So, here's my question, since our current President, in fact had extensive debate and a Congressional vote before launching Operation Iraqi Freedom (here) and before launching Operation Enduring Freedom (here) what exactly am I missing?
After all, didn't Senators Clinton, Kerry and Obama make known their views on this issue? (except for maybe Obama, since he was not a Senator in either 2001 or 2003, he was too busy listening to Rev. Wright)
I find it particularly distasteful to watch the political preening on this issues. This issue has long been settled. If Congress does not want military action to take place, then cut off the funds for the war. The Democrats have been talking out of both sides of their mouths on this issue. Either they have the political guts to end the "unpopular" Iraq War or they don't. After all, the Constitution is pretty clear, and I don't think we really want 545 or so "co-generals" deciding how we fight our wars do we?
Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States;
Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
Anyway, at least some good news today. Actual American fighting generals have been promoted to take key leadership positions in CENTCOM. Of course we had to have more preening by the Democrats in the Senate, but in the end, there is no substitute for victory.
(I mean seriously, LGEN Raymond T. Odierno looks like he could personally whip the ENITRE Democratic Senate delegation in a bar fight, doesn't he...I mean can you imagine him in a dark alley with Osama? They would have to identify Osama to his mama by dental records)
It's good to see the U.S. military can still recognize the Grants and Shermans among our top commanders and weed out the McClellans and Burnsides who could kiss butt, but can't really win battles. (Kosovo doesn't really count, in my estimation, since a real general would have won that war with a lot less effort)
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