Obama, Through His Own Words, Hemmed Himself In On The US-Libyan War
6/16/2011 | Laissez-Faire Capitalist
Posted on June 16, 2011 10:24:12 PM EDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
At UPI.com there is a 3/21/2011 news article entitled "Obama Sends War Powers Notification."
In the article, Obama notified Congress of his decision to deploy U.S. forces against Gadhfi. Obama said that the strikes against Libya's air defense systems and military airfields to establish no-fly zones were authorized under U.N. security Resolution 1973.
Obama said "These strikes will be limited in their nature, duration and scope. Their purpose is to support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce U.N. Security Resolution 1973. These limited U.S. actions will set the stage for further action by other coalition partners."
Based upon this and based upon Obama administration officials recent comments that we are not at war presently there...
A.) We were never at war, and Obama misled us when he cited the WPR. (Which I do not believe to be the case).
B.) Obama considers us to not prsently be at war with Libya, though we once were since he cited the WPR, and since there are no boots on the ground - which raises the following:
1.) Obama cited the WPR as justification for striking Libya. Given that, strikes against them are warfare. How could they be warfare earlier but not warfare now? If air strikes aren't warfare then why cite the WPR. Given that Obama cited the WPR, strikes then and now are apparently warfare - so Obama is presently under the authority of WPR, and Congress as well.
2.) Obama no longer believes himself to be under the WPR, but is now operating under UN Security Resolution 1973. If so, then air strikes/predator drone strikes would be putting him at odds with his own words and he has ezceeded the "limited nature, duration and scope" of these strikes under the WPR and thus his own words "These limited U.S. actions will set the stage for further action by OTHER COALITION PARTNERS." Hence, other coalition partners will now have to engage in air strikes, not the U.S.
If Obama didn't want to be hemmed in, he shouldn't have cited the WPR initially as justification for his actions and asked Congress to nullify the WPR through new legislation that he could have signed into law. He should have done these and not try to wiggle his way out now.
Boom. Time to impeach.