I hope this is a step toward returning to Congress the war making and war declaring authority

[Douglas Carpenter]

established clearly and unambiguously by the Constitution of the United States. For far too long the Constitution has been ignored on this matter by administrations from both parties with the acquiescence of both parties in Congress.

I congratulate President Obama for taking this bold step. I hope the U.S. Congress disapproves military action against Syria. But I will be somewhat surprised if they do not approve military strikes. But equally or perhaps even more importantly, I hope this establishes a precedent that the Constitutional authority of Congress will be restored to its rightful position and never again will military action be taken except in the most extreme of bona fide emergencies without the approval of Congress as required by the U.S. Constitution.

[shenmue]

1. Me too

It's simple and maybe it will slow down things in the future. Leading to, maybe even, some more attempts to bring peace before we go into a war.

[Dawson Leery]

2. k/r

[snappyturtle]

3. I think this could become one of his best acheivements. nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. if it established a precedent - this will be perhaps his greatest achievement

[morningfog]

9. He only went there as a last resort. Only

After he failed to get NATO or the UN did he go to congress. He didn't go to congress for Libya, or Yemen, or Somalia, or Pakistan. The last three he relied on the AUMF. The first, NATO.

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. that may be - but even if so - if it reestablishes a precedent - this is a still a very good thing

I never trust in the benevolence of politicians to do the right thing. They will usually do the right thing only when all else fails.

[JoePhilly]

26. The search for the shadow continues.

[valerief]

4. They fund war with no problem, whether they have the money or not. nt

[pinto]

5. And, I hope Congress steps up to the plate one way or the other. The House, especially. They've

wasted countless legislative hours with little to show for it, except on the floor grandstanding. Pointless bills repeatedly rewritten and reintroduced that they know full well are pointless. The House today is an embarrassment to a constitutional, tri-cameral democracy.

[pasto76]

22. so if the same clowns you mention vote against force in syria, you are now applauding them?

thats really weird.

they are an embarrassment, and that is the reason that, on this issue, the President should consult with his cabinet and the joint chiefs, not Congress. Any bets on if the house votes no or yes, that it willalso include a rider repealing the affordable care act?

[pinto]

24. Obama has consulted w/cabinet, joint chiefs. Numerous times I assume. I applaud his acknowledgment

that Congress has a role in all of this. And I applaud his call to Congress to have their say, on record.

Whether they vote for or against a military strike to disable Assad's capabilities to use chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war is another issue. No clue to what the Obama Administration will do if Congress says no or simply bails.

Yet, he was clear today, imo. We'll see what Congress has to say. (aside) I think this one might be beyond the ACA grandstanding.

[gopiscrap]

6. I do too!

[libdem4life]

8. At least it gives the fig leaf of time and the potential exercise of public response

to our Representatives. Acting/bombing without support of an allied Coalition of the Willing or a comprehensive review and report by UN Inspectors, or the authority of the US Congress ... thankfully he did not go there. History would not have been kind.

[jwirr]

10. Yes, if so it will be one of the changes we voted for. We were sick of bushie making his wars.

[MisterP]

15. like in Libya?

[jwirr]

16. I am talking about the Constitutional responsibility of Congress to vote for wars.

[Catherina]

11. Blitzer was just asking Newt if this isn't "orrisome erosion of presidential powers". WTF lol n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. Blitz and the whole CNN crew have been beating the war drums all week - I almost feel embarrassed

for them. They are so out of step with the country. It's pretty bad when you can hear more voices of restraint on bombing the Middle East on Fox News than on CNN.

[pasto76]

21. cause fox news is anti war, not anti obama

please. Fox has been criticizing the administration for like a year about NOT doing anything. Now that he is leaning that way, they are suddenly against it. thats not restraint, its just the same old bullshit.

[Skittles]

14. they are all war mongering tools

[Douglas Carpenter]

17. it is rather horrifying to see both "journalist" and some members of Congress not wanting

the Constitution to be applied to matters as serious as war

[winter is coming]

18. That's probably fresh off the fax machine. We'll be hearing that a lot. n/t

[pasto76]

20. Have you all forgotten that Bush 43 also had 'congressional approval'?

all the constitution says is that Congress shall declare war. Nothing more on that. The president has had in modern times the authority to launch military operations for 90 days, no?

but lets bring up one of those pesky caveats; Article 1, section 8 may be outdated. Back in those days, it took _months_ for an army to march, and an army was required to focus enough firepower on targets to make a difference. To defend against invasion, to invade, to repel another army. These days, we can do the same damage with a handful of troops and a dozen weapons. Hmm. Reminds me of that pesky second amendment.

In this modern world, with the speed and accuracy or modern weapons, even the kind that Assad is using, days matter. How many more neighborhoods can he gas out? who knows.

Im not offering answers on what effect, how much good can be done, _should_ 'we' even be involved(whats this 'we' shit anyway, didnt run into most of you in iraq) blah blah. I do feel an obligation to stop the use of chemical weapons if we can. they are the weapons of lunatics and the insane.

Lastly, are the denizens of DU REALLY going to support the tea party controlled house when they vote against the president? I mean, are you fucking SERIOUS?

there is a difference between my speculation and ponderings and most of yours. I lived the nightmare that was the iraq war. I am still in uniform and in a combat unit. Im on the hook. The rest of you, attack syria or not, your daily routines will not be affected, your lattes will still come to you on time, all that stuff.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. "History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians. Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn't be wise." Mark Twain

[Douglas Carpenter]

25. another kick for another day