U.S. Declares War on Libya! Good Idea?

I didn't catch any articles in the media about the U.S. Congress convening and voting in favor of an official declaration of war against Libya as stipulated by the U.S. Constitution, but I'm sure this must have happened and I just missed it.

 

Even IF it is a good idea ( I have reservations) as far as I'm concerned we can't afford it.

 

+1

The Europeans & the Arab League can handle this without the US.

 

The War Powers Act of 1973 gives the President some time before he MUST get Congressional approval. Of course, it has never been tested in the courts.
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/29/world/how-war-powers-act-works.html

But, even liberal Democrats are hopping mad that Obama didn't even consult them about the Libya action. They've even bandied about the "I" word. Even Bush gave Congress a 'heads-up' before taking military action.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51595.html

 

What is the legal rationale for declaring war without Congressional approval?

Edit - ok pspr, thanks. But if that law violates the constitution, then it doesn't apply. Surely it has to be challenged and tested?

 

I'm just shedding a little light on what law is related to Obams's action and what Congress has stipulated. Discussion of the legalities of Congressional action is left to those more informed (or willing to opine) on this subject than I am.

Just as Congress has delegated its money creation powers to the FED is it possible that the War Powers Act also transfers limited war powers to the President?

 

Terribly terrible idea, France is next door, Germany is one block up the street, let them address this.

 

Whatever we may think about the Gaddafi regime, we must recognize that this is a coup d’etat in a foreign country. What moral right do we have to initiate military action against Libya? Libya has not attacked the United States. Neither the coup leaders nor the regime pose an imminent threat to the United States and therefore, as much as we abhor violence and loss of life, this is simply none of our business.

In the 1990s we established “no fly” zones and all manner of sanctions against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq in attempt to force him from power. When that did not work — at a high cost in Iraqi lives — the US ultimately went to war to achieve these ends.

As many in the administration, Congress, and elsewhere clamor for the president to initiate military action to support those seeking to overthrow the Libyan regime, Congress sits by, as usual, pretending that Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution does not exist. According to this long-ignored section, ‘‘The Congress shall have Power To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water.”

This is black letter law, not some aspirational statement by our Founders. Their intent was indisputably clear: Congress alone, not the Executive Branch, has the authority and the obligation to declare war if hostilities are to be initiated against a foreign state that has not attacked the United States.

Let us be clear about one thing: for the US to take action to establish a “no fly” zone over all or part of Libya would constitute an act of war against Libya. For the US to establish any kind of military presence on the sovereign territory, waters, or over the airspace of Libya is to engage in a hostile action that requires Congressional authorization.

- Ron Paul (Paraphrased)

 

this was a rather interesting watch....

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Farrakhan warns Obama on Libya

 

America is in its present mess abroad while becoming a Communist-like SHITHOLE because the Executive Branch and Congress refuse to conform to the US Constitution.

The MAJOR reason America is what it is (or was) is because of Constitutionally guaranteed individual freedoms and Constitutionally LIMITED powers granted to the Feds.

Of course, a law ain't worth a shit if it's not obeyed nor are their consequences for not obeying it.

Stated another way... by The Executive Branch and the Congress continually ignoring the US Constitution, we are pissing away that which made us great... and in the process are becoming like all of the other governments and economies throughout history... Monarchy, Oligarchy, Dictatorship.