According to news sources and the White House the US is on the verge of launching a military attack on Syrian forces. There has been no appeal to the people, or explanation, from the Oval Office. Secretary of Defense Hagel has said that the US will only attack with the support of our allies. What about Congress Mr. Secretary? Obama drew his red line last year and Assad crossed it....months ago. Now it appears (there is no solild evidence) that Assad has used chemical weapons on his own people again. You know like Hussein used chemical weapons on his people in the early 90s.
What do you think?
Iran has said that if the US goes after Syria then Israel will pay the price. Russia and China have warned about the fallout of military actions.
What do you think?
Some people like John McCain have said that if the US strikes then it should not be a pinprick to assauge Obama's ego but a game changer in the strategic balance. Other comments:
From the Boston Globe;
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/...ateQA/ObamaQA/
2. In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb (Syria) without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress? (Specifically, what about the strategic bombing of suspected nuclear sites -- a situation that does not involve stopping an IMMINENT threat?)
The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.
As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.
As for the specific question about bombing suspected nuclear sites, I recently introduced S.J. Res. 23, which states in part that “any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iran must be explicitly authorized by Congress.” The recent NIE tells us that Iran in 2003 halted its effort to design a nuclear weapon. While this does not mean that Iran is no longer a threat to the United States or its allies, it does give us time to conduct aggressive and principled personal diplomacy aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
This answer was given by Senator Barack Obama in 2007. Joe Biden echoed these sentiments in the same year.
What do you think?
I know some of you will not want to answer or more likely deflect by wanting to say Bush, Bush, Bush but that is not the question. This is here and now. Your leader, his words on the topic, and your condemations.
What do you think?