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John Kerry: ‘We Are Not Going to Lose’ Vote Authorizing Syria Military Action'

At first I wanted this vote to be a no because going into Syria would be stupid. Now I want it to be a no vote so that Kerry can have egg on his stupid face.

While I agree with you in hoping that Congress will reject an attack on Syria (because it would be a mistake), I disagree with your wish to turn this into a partisan fight. The issues are too important.
 
140 bipartisan signatures and counting from congress? Why demand Obama get congressional approval if they aren't going to approve it?

Anyway, Obama doesnt' need their authority to do a limited strike. There is too much precedent going back to Truman for presidents to conduct limited miltary action.

But if congress does vote no, then Obama will have an out not to strike Syria and save face. The decision might also depend on what the French and UK Parliments vote as well. I think the UK will be making a second vote now that the UN report is out.

60 years of extra-constitutional precedent doesn't make it right. And the 1973 War Powers Act is designed to allow a president to act immediately if the US is under attack or threatened with imminent attack. And then he has 60 days to bring it before congress. Using it to attack a country that is not threatening us is an abuse, and for a president to attack a country when such strong opposition exists amongst the American people, and without congressional approval and in defiance of the UN is belligerent, at least.
 
I would urge we not piss of Putin simply because he is nuts.
 
A black and white statement that falls flat on its face. The series of strikes aimed at Al Qaeda in both Yemen and Pakistan in particular come to mind, as does the assassination of Al Awlaki.


Why Targeted Assassinations Violate US and International Law
by DENNIS BERNSTEIN
Marjorie Cohn is a Professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and former President of the National Lawyers Guild. She is also the editor of “The United States and Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and Abuse.”

DB: You say the recent memo coming out of the Justice Department on the administration’s plans to keep up its targeted assassinations and expand the program runs afoul of international and US law. Please explain.

Read the answer here:

http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/02/08/why-targeted-assassinations-violate-us-and-international-law/
 
The important question here is whether or not he will remember Poland this time.
 
A black and white statement that falls flat on its face. The series of strikes aimed at Al Qaeda in both Yemen and Pakistan in particular come to mind, as does the assassination of Al Awlaki.
Then why his reluctance despite his personal red line being crossed?
Why not call congress back a week early if he truly believes it is urgent?
Why no plan in place after a year to prepare?
Why no coalition built in anticipation of this happening.

He is passing the buck and washing his hands.
 
Then why his reluctance despite his personal red line being crossed?
Why not call congress back a week early if he truly believes it is urgent?
Why no plan in place after a year to prepare?
Why no coalition built in anticipation of this happening.

He is passing the buck and washing his hands.

Whatever it takes to avoid folly in Syria works.
 
:Oopsie.....Looks like Kerry might have spoken to soon. Kinda like he did with Egypt before he became the SOS. :shock: Which was a major mistake going forward and once turned to the Annuals of our History. ;)

Obama and aides confront skeptical Congress on Syria strike.....

President Barack Obama and his top aides launched a full-scale political offensive on Sunday to persuade a skeptical Congress to approve a military strike against Syria, but faced a struggle to win over lawmakers from both parties and a war-weary American public.

2013-09-02T021940Z_2_CBRE9801PIS00_RTROPTP_2_SYRIA-CRISIS-USA.JPG


Obama made calls to members of the House of Representatives and Senate, with more scheduled for Monday, underscoring the task confronting the administration before it can go ahead with using force in response to a deadly chemical attack blamed on the Syrian government.

Dozens of lawmakers, some in tennis shirts or shirtsleeves, cut short their vacations and streamed into the corridors of the Capitol building for a Sunday afternoon intelligence briefing on Syria with Obama's national security team.

When they emerged nearly three hours later, there was no immediate sign that the many skeptics in Congress had changed their minds. Many questioned the broad nature of the measure Obama is seeking, suggesting it needed to be narrowed.

"I am very concerned about taking America into another war against a country that hasn't attacked us," said Representative Janice Hahn, a California Democrat. On the way out of the briefing, she said the participants appeared "evenly divided" on whether to give Obama approval.

Lawmakers questioned the effectiveness of limited strikes, the possible unintended consequence of dragging the United States into another open-ended Middle East conflict, the wisdom of acting without broader international backing to share the burden, and the war fatigue of the American public.

Polls show the public is largely opposed to U.S. military action.

While Kerry predicted Obama would win the endorsement he wants, a growing cacophony of congressional critics - ranging from liberal Democratic doves to Republican Tea Party conservatives - illustrated just how hard that will be.....snip~

Obama and aides confront skeptical Congress on Syria strike
 
Why Targeted Assassinations Violate US and International Law
by DENNIS BERNSTEIN
Marjorie Cohn is a Professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and former President of the National Lawyers Guild. She is also the editor of “The United States and Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration, and Abuse.”

DB: You say the recent memo coming out of the Justice Department on the administration’s plans to keep up its targeted assassinations and expand the program runs afoul of international and US law. Please explain.

Read the answer here:

Why Targeted Assassinations Violate US and International Law » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Then why his reluctance despite his personal red line being crossed?
Why not call congress back a week early if he truly believes it is urgent?
Why no plan in place after a year to prepare?
Why no coalition built in anticipation of this happening.

He is passing the buck and washing his hands.

The supposed appropriateness or legality of the actions mentioned are largely irrelevant. The claim that Obama's foreign policy to this point has been entirely reactive was simply incorrect. It happens to the best of us :shrug:
 
The arrogance of this administration knows no bounds. How stupid do you have to be to pull back on your rabid talk of military action because you "want the approval of the representatives of the American people in congress" and out of the other side of your mouth claim that even if congress says no, you may go ahead with a strike anyway?

If I was in congress, I'd tell the President and the Secretary to go **** themselves and grow some balls - if you think my vote is irrelevant, then don't waste my time - act if you think it's right and suffer the consequences if not - don't seek the cover of congress just because you don't have the backbone to do it yourself.
 
The arrogance of this administration knows no bounds. How stupid do you have to be to pull back on your rabid talk of military action because you "want the approval of the representatives of the American people in congress" and out of the other side of your mouth claim that even if congress says no, you may go ahead with a strike anyway?

If I was in congress, I'd tell the President and the Secretary to go **** themselves and grow some balls - if you think my vote is irrelevant, then don't waste my time - act if you think it's right and suffer the consequences if not - don't seek the cover of congress just because you don't have the backbone to do it yourself.

Mornin CJ :2wave: .....it would appear Obama is going thru the formality. I think sending the Nimitz and it's Entire Strike Group to the Red Sea. May put things into perspective.


OBAMA'S DILEMMA

This is squarely now in the hands of Congress," Kerry told CNN, saying he had confidence lawmakers "will do what is right because they understand the stakes."

In a round of television appearances, Kerry declined to say whether Obama would proceed with military action if Congress rejects his request, as Britain's parliament did last week.

He echoed Obama's comments in the White House Rose Garden on Saturday, insisting the president had the right to act on his own if he chooses that course.

Obama is taking a gamble by putting the brakes on the military assault he considers essential to maintain U.S. credibility after he had said the use of chemical weapons would constitute a "red line" for the United States.

U.S. military officials are using the delay to reassess which ships will be used for a strike, and which sites in Syria to target. One change was a decision to send the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and its entire strike group toward the Red Sea to help support the Syria strike, if needed.

Underscoring a sense of wariness even from Obama's traditional allies, many Democrats joined Republicans in saying the use-of-force resolution offered by the White House is too broad and that new language will be written for consideration.

Several said they wanted it to include strict time limits, guarantee that no U.S. troops would be sent into Syria, and tie authorization for any further military action to additional chemical weapons use by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"The president said this is going to be limited. Yet that's an open-ended authorization to just about do anything he wants," said Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.

"The resolution as it is right now is so open-ended that it gives a blanket authority with no time limits. You can't accept it just on its face," said Republican Representative Dennis Ross. "Now we have to look at what is the exit strategy if we do a strike, and I don't know if we're going to do that.".....snip~

Obama and aides confront skeptical Congress on Syria strike

I think some of Obamas Democrats and what they are saying with Republicans about not giving Obama an Open Commitment would be the Smart way to go. Also I would echo those that have stated.....why should we go when there really is no International Support.

Myself.....I say since the French are all skippy and fresh to jump. Then let them Jump alone. Let them pay for things on their own. Just like the rest of the Big Boys, when they feelin' their Wheaties.
 
The supposed appropriateness or legality of the actions mentioned are largely irrelevant. The claim that Obama's foreign policy to this point has been entirely reactive was simply incorrect. It happens to the best of us :shrug:

Can you speak more directly to my quote, I really don't know how to respond to your statement in its present form?
 
Great material there MMC!
 
Congress intervenes on Sept. 9. Debates and delivers "no" vote on Sept. 10. Obama issues strike order on Sept. 11. Is this a doable scenario? What are the pros and cons of striking on Sept. 11?
 
Congress intervenes on Sept. 9. Debates and delivers "no" vote on Sept. 10. Obama issues strike order on Sept. 11. Is this a doable scenario? What are the pros and cons of striking on Sept. 11?

Heya Mizmo. :2wave: If we strike on 911.....well wont we be the Wicked Necromongers then. ;)

 
Congress intervenes on Sept. 9. Debates and delivers "no" vote on Sept. 10. Obama issues strike order on Sept. 11. Is this a doable scenario? What are the pros and cons of striking on Sept. 11?


What are the "pros" to striking without the American people's support, on a "no" vote from congress and no authorization from the UN?
 
What are the "pros" to striking without the American people's support, on a "no" vote from congress and no authorization from the UN?

For a liberal and or progressive? That would be.....that the Pro is. There is a legal way to get round the Law. Just sayin. ;)
 
For a liberal and or progressive? That would be.....that the Pro is. There is a legal way to get round the Law. Just sayin. ;)


I see how that violates domestic and international law, but how does it get around it?
 
I ain't lettin him off on no technicality.
 
"At this point, what difference does it make". Well the difference is that the damage hasn't yet been done, there's still time to avoid folly!
 
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