President Obama continues to commit high crimes and misdemeanors by ignoring the rule of law while making a mockery of the U.S. Constitution.
The president’s latest impeachable offense involves his unilateral decision and order to fire more than 150 Tomahawk missiles into Libya in his failed attempt to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The initial missile attack was executed on March 18, more than 60 days ago.
Apparently, the President with the Law degree from Harvard overlooked (chose to ignore?) the provisions of the War Powers Resolution summarized below.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 (50 U.S.C. 1541-1548) is a federal law intended to check the power of the President in committing the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress. The resolution was adopted in the form of a United States Congress joint resolution; this provides that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or in case of "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."
The War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war. The resolution was passed by two-thirds of Congress, overriding a presidential veto.
In ordering the missile attack, Obama was quoted as saying,
"I want the American people to know that the use of force is not our first choice and it's not a choice I make lightly," Obama said. "But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy.”
The obvious question: What about Iran and Syria, sir?
Back to Obama’s most recent impeachable offense.
As reported at the reference, Obama has decided to treat the War Powers Resolution with the same disdain he has shown for border security, enforcement of immigration laws, health care legislation, and other important issues:
In an effort to satisfy those arguing he needs to seek congressional authorization to continue US military activity in accordance with the War Powers Resolution, President Obama wrote a letter to congressional leaders this afternoon suggesting that the role is now so “limited” he does not need to seek congressional approval.Obama’s latest transgression makes clear his cynical mindset.
“Since April 4,” the president wrote, “U.S. participation has consisted of: (1) non-kinetic support to the NATO-led operation, including intelligence, logistical support, and search and rescue assistance; (2) aircraft that have assisted in the suppression and destruction of air defenses in support of the no-fly zone; and (3) since April 23, precision strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles against a limited set of clearly defined targets in support of the NATO-led coalition's efforts.”
A senior administration official told ABC News that the letter is intended to describe “a narrow US effort that is intermittent and principally an effort to support to support the ongoing NATO-led and UN-authorized civilian support mission and no fly zone.”
Namely, If the law or resolution conflicts with Obama’s leftist agenda or reelection strategy, he simply ignores the offending law or resolution.
How much longer will congress allow this renegade community organizer to ignore the law and our democratic values?
Reference:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/05/white-house-on-war-powers-deadline-limited-us-role-in-libya-means-no-need-to-get-coingressional-autho.html
Obama Disdain for Rule of Law Extends to War Powers Resolution
