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The Spectacle Blog
President Barack Obama has gone to war in Libya without requesting a declaration of war from Congress. But he said he would abide by the War Powers Resolution. However, his 60 day grace period for bombing ended on Friday.
No worries, the president decided that the war was so small, so tiny, so itty-bitty that it didn’t even count. He told Congress not to worry. Libya didn’t even matter any more. Reported ABC News:
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.
“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.”
But then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went to Europe ahead of the president to lobby other nations to do more in Libya. When questioned about America’s contribution, she emphasized how big it was. America still conducts a quarter of the raids! Reports the Associated Press:
Clinton also defended the contribution of the U.S. - which handed control of the mission to NATO in late March - following questions over Obama’s commitment.
“Even today, the United States continues to fly 25 percent of all sorties, we continue to provide the majority of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets,” Clinton said.
Well, which is it?
If I was in a more negative mood I would suggest that either the president or the secretary of state was lying. But that is such a harsh word. It appears one of them is, er, “misinformed.” But which one?
View all comments (8) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Doug Bandow
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/05/24/lying-about-libya
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Michael Hawke | 5.24.11 @ 10:07AM
The Constitution carefully set up checks and balances with regard to War Power and the military. It is vitally important for Congress to exercise it's Constitutional check on the President. By abdicating its role, Congress is putting us further down the slippery slope towards an unaccountable executive with unchecked miliray power.
Sean| 5.24.11 @ 11:29AM
Also what in the heck is NATO doing in Libya? How has Libya's civil war a threat to NATO nations. Why are we allied with Al Queda in Libya?
Mike Walsh| 5.24.11 @ 11:46AM
Um, well, for . . . Oh! I remember: humanitarian reasons! Yes, that's it: we're kinetic-ing Libya (with regrettable instances of "collateral damage") for humanitarian reasons. As for the aforesaid collaterals, the point is the *targets* are well-defined. Cruise missiles (like the feller says, they don't call them "hit-iles") are like gifts: it's the thought that counts. And humanitarians (like Obama) do things for humanitarian reasons, ipso facto. Or QED. Well, something Latin, anyway.
ggoblue| 5.24.11 @ 11:41AM
don't sell them short...my guess is we fly 12% of the missions and they are both lying.
Make| 5.24.11 @ 12:01PM
What is this crap? What's the point? There is no conflict between those statements; clearly the role is supportive if you carry 25% not 75% of strikes. I believe you understand by yourself that clintons's aim was to defend against european demands that usa should show more commitment
Ranger1| 5.24.11 @ 12:07PM
Sir:
"For a Great Nation, there is no such Thing as a Little War". The Duke of Wellington.
Too Many Tims| 5.24.11 @ 3:01PM
Does the war powers act apply to robots? Seriously we are reaching the point where automated systems will soon be able to do most of our fighting.
Joseph Zrnchik, MAJ (Ret.) | 5.26.11 @ 7:32AM
The U.S. and NATO are bombing Libya to stop Gaddafi’s development of Africa without IMF or World Bank money and control.
Gaddafi has built a 25-year and $20 billion project to take water out of the Libyan aquifer that has 150,000 km3 of water. This is enough to irrigate Libya for 500 years and turn desert into farmland and allow Libya to be the breadbasket of Africa. But, because it was done independent of any IMF and World Bank loans, the financial elite have decided to crush Gaddafi and Libya.
When the U.S. demanded $500 million initial fee and a yearly lease of $500 million to put a telecommunications satellite in space, Gaddafi began his plan to put a satellite into space for a one-time fee of $400 million with no annual fee. His plan was to provide Africa with internet, cell phones and television broadcasts to “wire’ the continent.
When the IMF and World Bank brought Africa to its knees with loans of only $150 billion across the continent, Gaddafi bailed out governments to prevent economic colonialism and theft of oil, gold and diamonds and other minerals, products and infrastructure. As the previous loans placed countries in the position of being forced to sell infrastructure and implement draconian austerity measures, Gaddafi began organizing the African Monetary Fund and an African central bank. All this was done without one penny from the West.
Currently, the U.S. and NATO fund an illegal military in Libya with no leadership, no uniforms, insignia, or rank. The force could be outfitted for one half the cost of a single cruise missile. Yet, the force hides behind civilians in cities, has no ability to govern and no popular support. As the force is made up of significant numbers of al Qaeda, the U.S. refuses to arm it with heavy weapons while the U.S. and NATO promise to continue to obliterate Libya to support this illegal force. The rationale for war has laughingly become the excuse that we need to smash Libya to save it in order to save civilians Gaddafi MIGHT kill. Meanwhile, there is no mention made of the slaughter of civilians by NATO as it reduces inhabited cities to rubble.
This war needs to be ended now, and if not, then American official should be impeached and made to stand trial at the Hague.
Please read this link and discover the truth about our fascist imperialism being disguised as the export of democracy.
http://beforeitsnews.com/story.....pment.html