"The law is not subject to the whims of stubborn rulers"- Senator Obama

[Gaspar]

According to the War Powers act, President Obama must get congressional approval for continued bombing of Libya.

His own Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) along with Attorney General Eric Holder and Defense Department General Counsel Jeh Johnson, told Obama he needed congressional permission to continue participating in NATO operations against Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi's forces or withdraw.

Even though the advice of the OLC is binding upon the executive branch, the president is not bound to follow this advice.

As you may remember, President Bush went before congress and they voted approval for the war in Iraq (before they were against it  ).

Regular procedure would be to have  the OLC solicit opinions from different departments and determine which best comported with the law, and then follow the opinion. 

However, taking a page from the Clinton play book, President Obama has engaged the White House Counsel Robert Bauer and State Department  legal adviser Harold Koh, to provide a "re-definition" of the mission.  By Friday we will be offered a new term such as "support services" or "humanitarian tactical coordination" to define the bombings, cruise missile attacks and drone strikes.

At this point we will no longer be able to refer to the "War in Libya" as a war.  From that point forward it will be considered a form of foreign aid, like providing food for starving villagers. . . except in this case the food explodes and stuff.

This should be a fun exchange to watch.  I am very curious as to how many of my liberal friends will interpret it. 

They have already crafted the language:

"U.S. operations do not involve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve the presence of U.S. ground troops, U.S. casualties or a serious threat thereof. . ."


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/06/16/us/politics/20110616_POWERS_DOC.html?ref=politics

[Gaspar]

Any reach around on this?

[Conan71]

CBS News was reporting this morning that AlQaeda could wind up with control of Libya if Uncle Moamar is deposed.

That's some cheery developments!

[Gaspar]

CBS News was reporting this morning that AlQaeda could wind up with control of Libya if Uncle Moamar is deposed.

That's some cheery developments!

We learned this lesson half a dozen times already. 

[guido911]

Any reach around on this?

Their hands are full dealing with Huntsman.

[RecycleMichael]

Any reach around on this?

You waited a whole three minutes for a comment, then tried calling out someone to argue with?

Are we sure you are not a City Councilor?

[Townsend]

You waited a whole three minutes for a comment, then tried calling out someone to argue with?

Are we sure you are not a City Councilor?

Look out...you're about to get pulled into a Gaspar political post.

[Gaspar]

You waited a whole three minutes for a comment, then tried calling out someone to argue with?

Are we sure you are not a City Councilor?

I just found it an interesting bit of legal wrangling, and thought it would be worthwhile to solicit responses from those who may be passionate on the subject.

Even Dick Durban is saying it can't pass the "straight-face test."

I think this would be a hard baby to deliver.

[carltonplace]

Where did all these "dovish" conservatives come from? Its the liberal tree hugging hippies that are against conflict. This new conservative isolationism is refreshing and I agree; lets finish President Bush's wars, bring the troops home and close the borders. If MK wants to kill civilians, well they are his civilians to kill and it is his right as a dictator to slaughter them.

[guido911]

Look out...you're about to get pulled into a Gaspar political post.

There's your reach around post you were looking for Gassy.

[Townsend]

There's your reach around post you were looking for Gassy.

Way to go G.  Your contributions are always a star.

[Breadburner]

There's your reach around post you were looking for Gassy.

A 2 hander no less......

[Townsend]

So far a 3 stooge thread.

Now we just need Kraut and you guys have a pick 4 going for you.

Congratulations.

[RecycleMichael]

Saying that anyone who disagrees with you is committing a sexual act?

Are you guys twelve year olds?

[Townsend]

Saying that anyone who disagrees with you is committing a sexual act?

Are you guys twelve year olds?

Larry, Curley and Shemp have nothing else RM.  They don't even rate a Moe.  If Kraut joined in he'd just be another Shemp.