General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumswhen was the last time congress failed to approve military action when given the chance?
personally i think they're incapable of it, and likely have been at least as far back as december 8, 1941.
congress will likely express itself by limiting the scope of military action, but they will authorize some military action.
as much as republicans love saying no to obama, they can't say no to the defense industry.
the authorization for military action against syria will pass, mark my words.
David__77
(23,421 posts)We came close with the Persian Gulf War. If Republicans and progressive anti-war Democrats join together, it can be defeated.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)He wouldn't have went to them if he wouldn't get the vote.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)However, there is a small victory for the people in the sense that the symbolism of the, even if it is all fake behind the scenes, Balance of Powers.
It is a small thing but an important one. It's stunning to me how outraged the 'left' was when Bush claimed these powers, and now who a few on the 'left' appear to have developed amnesia about it.
So, the acknowledgement that this is most definitely the business of Congress is something. And I am so proud of all the American people who made it necessary to acknowledge that we DO have a Congress. I was beginning to think they had all left the country.
devils chaplain
(602 posts)onehandle
(51,122 posts)...it could fail.
devils chaplain
(602 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)foreign adventures, remain true to their principles of opposing wars based on what we will later be told was, 'faulty intelligence' maybe, although I doubt it, we can stop this insane idea. Because it is 'faulty' to say the least as the British Parliament established without a doubt this past week.
I know nothing about tea-baggers i don't follow their antics. You appear to be more knowledgeable about that faction than the average DUer.
Btw, did you support Bush's wars? I'm trying to get a sense of why there is anyone here on DU where you could not find a single supporter of these ME invasions? I know it is a small minority but what changed their minds?
reformist2
(9,841 posts)gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)that's why I think we need to keep the heat on our elected reps and be out in the streets protesting
Recursion
(56,582 posts)But, yeah.
unblock
(52,253 posts)the president, and often congress, are in many cases effectively powerless to prevent certain things from happening.
piss off enough important people and you get impeached, voted out, primaried, scandalized, or killed.
often all a president can do is delay something for 4 or 8 years.
often congress is merely a conduit for the real power, most of which lies in heavily concentrated pockets of wealth these days.
hearst knew he and private war profiteers could make it happen.
and we see how little has changed.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)We wouldn't be having a public debate if there were a real political debate. We live in a warmongering age...the who, what, when, where and why are illusions we create to justify our pre-determined actions.
Catherina
(35,568 posts)Interesting possibility that a Left-Libertarian alliance in Congress could defeat Syria resolution
https://twitter.com/jricole/status/373872836273639424
I think it's up in the air.
Edit, There were worldwide protests today that are only going to gain momentum and look at this from Markpkessinger's thread
"I didn't join the Navy to . . ."
We spent years teaching people to fight Al-Qaeda. This isn't going to go over well with the military.
All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting. ― George Orwell
Catherina
(35,568 posts)Just two examples up on my first page right now
@repjustinamash Navy vet, served in Iraq. Fight to keep my friends from fighting another war
https://twitter.com/listeningdev/status/374017677158658048
@repjustinamash Marine vet, OIF IV-V here. Please vote no! Friends and I are calling it "the Amash coalition."
Another one:
@repjustinamash 5 year vet. The Army sent me to Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Say no to Syria, please. It's a lose-lose situation.
kenny blankenship
(15,689 posts)Not with this gang of turd lickers, though.
JaneQPublic
(7,113 posts)At least that's what some military expert said today on TV
Clinton asked for a resolution after the fact and Congress refused. It definitely was not for principled reasons, though they could have highlighted the fact the entire Kosovo affair was blatantly unconstitutional since he conducted a war without congressional approval. He claimed the NATO pact was sufficient for authorization, but failed to explain how a treaty outweighs the constitution. Truman did the same in Korea. He claimed the UN resolution was sufficient and never got a resolution from Congress.
unblock
(52,253 posts)does this not constitute authorization?
MFrohike
(1,980 posts)The War Powers Act specifically disallows authorization via appropriations unless such authorization is explicitly allowed. Reno's DOJ argued against this, on the basic principle that Congress can't bind its own hands, but that reasoning is a bit weak. After all, Congress has the power to change federal law via statute. The failure to do so is indicative that it did not seek to indirectly amend the WPA through appropriations. I'll link the memo from the DOJ on this issue, so you can form your own opinion.
http://www.justice.gov/olc/final.htm
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)The only thing they're consistent on is their obstructionism.