I tend to agree with POTUS having sole control to authorize urgent strikes but Iraq, Libya, and now Syria were all cases where congressional approval should have been sought and for Libya it wasn't so I think he's making the ethical move to ask congress, even if it is obviously a political clever one too. Also I like making congress take formal stances on military action since otherwise they can claim whatever position is currently political advantageous down the road.
View original postHave to admit that was smooth, if duplicitous: Obama neatly defused GOP claims a strike without congressional assent impeachably exceeds presidential authority, and when they inevitably refuse consent he can say he did not break his hasty "red line" pledge—he is just constitutionally bound to accept Congress' decision. Total crap, but it gives him a face saving out and drops all negative consequences in Congress' lap. Small chance they grant approval, after all; even if much of the public did not oppose a strike the House GOP majority will not even approve Obama blowing his nose, only try to impeach him for such "unconstitutional power abuse."
They might, unless it just gets murdered a lot of republicans and Hawk-ish Dems will vote for it on general principle same as other won't. They don't always act strictly in accordance with whether they like or dislike POTUS.
View original postMeanwhile, of course, Assad will keep incidentally and indiscriminately slaughtering innocent civilians to target rebels, and Al Qaeda will keep using that to recruit more rebels. Hey, but the good news for Al Qaeda is: Ya'll wanted the West to stay the Hell out of ya'lls business, and we are doing just that. Enjoy! 
Not all the Syrian rebels, or even likely most of them, are Al-Qaeda, anymore than those pissed at Mubarak were Muslim Brotherhood.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
So... a limited strike on Syria ?
- 29/08/2013 04:31:07 PM
1098 Views
Re: So... a limited strike on Syria ?
- 29/08/2013 10:43:15 PM
638 Views
I think you're wrong.
- 30/08/2013 04:44:53 AM
617 Views
I don't really care
- 30/08/2013 10:35:55 AM
618 Views
You can't effectively bomb Chemical and biological weapons stockpiles without using a nuke.
- 30/08/2013 02:01:38 PM
657 Views
Looks like the buck inexplicably stops at Congress
- 31/08/2013 11:23:20 PM
574 Views
Well it sets a good precedent anyway
- 01/09/2013 12:13:05 AM
548 Views
Unsure; I like the War Powers Resolution approach, though I am unsure of its constitutionality.
- 01/09/2013 01:49:15 AM
727 Views
Nice theory, to bad it is crap
- 01/09/2013 06:23:31 PM
551 Views
Again, Rand Paul is loony left now?
- 01/09/2013 10:15:17 PM
764 Views
Again you seem to have read most the words but completely missed the point
- 02/09/2013 06:48:26 PM
698 Views
Rand Paul=/=MSNBC
- 02/09/2013 09:30:50 PM
558 Views
No... not quite. Youre really are quite skilled at missing the point aren't you?
- 02/09/2013 11:20:02 PM
602 Views
Oh, no, I got the point.
- 03/09/2013 01:48:01 AM
603 Views
The only "point" you have is the talking points, and you hit them all, facts be damned. *NM*
- 03/09/2013 02:56:06 AM
241 Views
Considering the WPRs constitutionality and agreeing Obama is being cowardly are not talking points.
- 03/09/2013 03:52:44 AM
703 Views
Re: Considering the WPRs ... talking points. (had to snip it due to length)
- 03/09/2013 05:49:08 PM
633 Views
"The only 'point' you have is the talking points...;" clearly those were not the sole points,
- 03/09/2013 10:08:43 PM
658 Views
Nah, I'm good, I've said what I wanted. I'm sure we'll get the opportunity to disagree again
- 04/09/2013 05:58:47 AM
693 Views
- 04/09/2013 05:58:47 AM
693 Views
Fox and Joe Lieberman=/=MSNBC either.
- 02/09/2013 10:21:16 PM
703 Views
Again you seem to have read most the words but completely missed the point
- 03/09/2013 01:17:29 AM
524 Views
Paul is saying what he always has: The commander-in-chief needs Congress' permission to command
- 03/09/2013 02:08:34 AM
538 Views
I see what the problem is
- 04/09/2013 01:07:08 PM
558 Views
More like the left hive does not know what the right hive is doing; Republicans are NOT cat herders.
- 04/09/2013 09:57:07 PM
634 Views
Yeah, I don't like any of it.
- 01/09/2013 12:40:35 AM
582 Views
Glad to hear you think he should more like Bush and asked congrees first
- 01/09/2013 06:27:03 PM
519 Views
How about no strike per the American people? Period. Fucking idiots in Washington.
- 01/09/2013 05:01:13 AM
608 Views
Re: How about no strike per the American people? Period. Fucking idiots in Washington.
- 01/09/2013 04:06:13 PM
652 Views
To be fair, that was what the American people said in 1940
- 02/09/2013 05:19:46 AM
562 Views
That comparison is not valid.
- 05/09/2013 09:25:38 PM
584 Views
Again, "I am not saying this situation is remotely like that one."
- 05/09/2013 10:48:39 PM
549 Views