[andy58-in-nh]

I agree with you completely. The War Powers Act was enacted by a Democrat-dominated 93rd Congress to hamstring future Chief Executives from the lawful exercise of their constitutional authority to commit US forces in defensive actions short of a declaration of war (an enumerated Congressional power). Presidents of both parties have ignored it as an unconstitutional usurpation of Executive authority and one not textually supportable under a rational interpretation of the "necessary and proper" clause that was used to justify it.

President Obama's predilection for expanding Executive power in other respects notwithstanding, I think the correct course for Congress would be to defund the military effort, should they decide that our involvement in Libya does not serve the national interest. In my view, the United States has an insufficient national interest there to justify a direct military presence. But Congress must act to pull the plug by denying funding after a given date.

[NonValueAdded]

But Andy, what exactly is “defensive” about the Libyan excursion? Answer: NOTHING.

[wideawake]

Good analysis.

The problem is that Congress wants to have their cake and eat it too.

They want to have the benefits of UN and NATO without any of the drawbacks. They want to have the benefits of military pork without any of its drawbacks, either.

So, rather than do the difficult yet legal, Constitutional thing and terminate treaties or hold up spending, they prefer instead the illegal, unconstitutional yet easy route of picking and choosing when the President is allowed to be the executive and how.

[politicianslie]

In my view, the United States has an insufficient national interest there to justify a direct military presence

It's never been about US interests, it's always been about Obama's interest.

Obama gave $Billions to Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood for their takeover of that country.

Obama is using the US Military to put Al Qaeda in a position to take over Libya.

Obama coincidentally wants Israel to go to pre-1967 borders so the country cannot be defended.

QUESTION: Do YOU think this is just a coincidence OR is Barry really a Muslim plant here in the US to do as much damage as he can before we try him for treason?

Before you answer take into consideration that Barry embraces every policy that will hurt the US from minimizing US oil drilling, open borders, a health care bill from hell etc.

Can you find anything this clown has done to help the US? Since he is doing everything he can at the EPA to hurt America, do you think he might be doing it on purpose?