Posted on 03/28/2011 11:49:31 AM PDT by logician2u
Any decision involving the commitment of American military personnel and combat resources is never easy. It requires as much personal reflection as it does strategic evaluation, all with the understanding of what is at stake and what is at risk. With Libya, it is improbable to think that the decision to create and enforce a no-fly zone was treated any differently.
The president and his administration were confronted with a tough choice. Either avoid the fight altogether and watch a humanitarian crisis unfold, or stand with the international community to protect others and assist rebel elements that are outnumbered and outmatched.
In this case, President Barack Obama made a decision that is consistent with his role as commander-in-chief – in fact, a judgment that conformed to calls from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Part of the criticism against the administration is that Congress was never properly notified nor was the Libya operation put to a vote. Such a critique is seemingly based more on feelings of frustration because of the administration’s previous dealings with Congress and the public than whether it is an unlawful or perhaps even intentional oversight.
The War Powers Resolution provides the president with the authority to conduct limited operations absent a declaration of war or use of force resolution from Congress. The reason for this authority is simple. Imagine for a second that a president is confronted with a situation requiring limited military involvement but, rather than having the ability to act quickly, an open consultation process with Congress must first occur. Under that scenario, the element of surprise is lost while strategic intent and operational planning are broadcast worldwide, risking the mission at hand, combat resources and the lives of America’s military men and women.
Open deliberation or any formal pronouncement to Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi would only have provided more time and opportunity to reposition personnel and tactical resources, such as artillery and anti-aircraft weapons. Now, due in large part to the advantage of superior air power, a line has been drawn between the rebels and Gadhafi’s troops, while civilian populations are under far less threat of attack than before.
All of this is not to say that the president is relieved of conveying to Congress and the American people the exact parameters of the Libyan mission and continuing an informational exchange on day-to-day operations. Depending on the duration of the military activity, there is also the likelihood that Congress will consider some type of measure pertaining to the operation. Unknown, of course, is whether the measure would halt, continue or redefine the scope of the mission as it goes along.
What is important to distinguish is that the War Powers Resolution does not provide the president with an unrestricted authorization or blank check. It does, however, give the president the authority to take particular action that is viewed within the national interest. Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton all acted in this arena and there surely will be future presidents who exercise this prerogative, too. Attempting to abolish the War Powers Resolution, as some have suggested, is not the solution, but rather a knee-jerk reaction to the idea that any military response, regardless of its significance, is an act of war.
All things considered, the speed and efficiency of the Libya operation is a testament to the strength of America’s military and our allies. A no-fly zone has been established and attacks against civilian populations have decreased markedly. Other countries will soon collectively accept the primary leadership role as we keep our eye on winning in Afghanistan – our nation’s paramount priority in the global fight against terrorism.
Regardless of how things turn out in Libya, there is absolutely no reason to commit American ground troops to the region, either now or at any time in the future. This option does not appear to be on the table and rightly so. Assisting with air capability is one thing. However, combat operations with ground troops is another. Putting American troops in the cross-hairs of enemy fighters and ensuring a continued regional presence for some time to come is not the answer.
The president does have an obligation to Congress and the American people to define the mission in Libya, including plans to transition full mission responsibility to our coalition partners. This must happen soon; otherwise, Congress is entirely within its constitutional authority to take such action on itself. For the time being, at least, a major humanitarian crisis has been avoided and coalition aircraft now control the skies over Libya.
“far more likely to vote for an absolute fraud than a wise man.”
I second that! We have endured, thus far, 5o years of liberal indoctrination and now we see the gross fruit of this come to fruition. I am just amazed at how many of the younger generation are on board with this marxist agenda. It’s a sad time for America and I don’t see anything changing much until we eradicate those who usurp our constitution.
On this matter, Mark Levin hasn't a leg to stand on.
Tom Woods is right now demolishing Levin's ridiculous justification for 0bama's aggression.
Good old Iran-Iraq war. best war ever if there is such a thing.
I wonder is that what we are attempting again? Duncan Hunter I always thought of him as one of the only true conservatives in congress. He must have his reasons that are not public information.
I might have to re-think this war.
Thank you.
Where in the Constitution does it say our military can be volunteered by others??
He sounds like Mcstain to me
Establishing the no-fly zone was a piece of work, it was. They shot down one jet on takeoff, after which the remaining 5 pilots returned home to milk the camels.
Now the allies' air foces are enforcing the no-fly zone by going after the wingless, wheeled & armored aircraft which in some circles are known as tanks.
The whole place is a comedy of errors on everyone's part such as when the rebels stole a government jet, their inept pilot wanting to show off flew it over the crowd of armed rebels who in celebration were all firing their weapons in the air AND...........you guessed it, shot the damn thing down............Who needs Saturday cartoons, just tune in to the latest Obama war for your laughs
Except pissant got the zot!
Nuff said.
Yep. True colors.
It is better NOT to attack the mission while we have troops engaged.
It's actually worse than bunk.
It's bad enough to pick sides in a civil war that does not concern us, but we have picked the wrong side.
If Gaddafi wins, I doubt very much if he will try to set up a caliphate.
On the other hand, if the rebels win...
How hard is it to say,
“I probably can support this military action substantively, but procedurally, there was no good reason for the President NOT to consult Congress first. (Especially THIS President, who rose to power in part by sharply criticizing his predecessor for supposedly rushing into pre-emptive wars.)”
Everyone’s a RINO. God’s a RINO. No one is True Blue except me and you.
They’re all out to get us. Sarah’s a RINO, Mother Angelica’s a RINO. Pat Buchanan’s a RINO, Ronald Reagan’s a RINO.
RINO here, RINO there, everyone’s a RINO. Let’s hate ‘em all, shoot ‘em all, tirade ‘em all. It’s the FR way.
“Except pissant got the zot!”
again?
I looked real hard hoping it was “Duncan ‘B’unter” or something, but alas it wasn’t.
Man this was a terrible call on Duncan’s part.
It is so demoralizing to be a Conservative today. You almost feel as if you’re being gamed when people act like they agree with you one moment, then dive off the deep end the next.
There’s no excuse for the U. S. attacking Libya. Why should we expend hundreds of millions of dollars to do the Muslim Brotherhood or Al Qaeda’s dirty work?
Just damn, Duncan. Buy a friggen clue.
It’s kind of sad that our electoral choices are limited to Democrats who want to do social work at home and Republicans who want to use the military to do social work abroad.
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