Obama Threatens Action in Libya

[klein]

When was the last time a war was approved by congress ?

The answer is WWII !!!

Vietnam, Korea, Yugoslavia, Iraq x 2, Afghanistan, and whatever else was done without congress. (just a reminder).

Atleast this time, Obama is not going in alone, and with approval of the UN, Nato, and even the Arab league, unlike the previous president.

 

[trplnkl]

When was the last time a war was approved by congress ?

The answer is WWII !!!

Vietnam, Korea, Yugoslavia, Iraq x 2, Afghanistan, and whatever else was done without congress. (just a reminder).

Atleast this time, Obama is not going in alone, and with approval of the UN, Nato, and even the Arab league, unlike the previous president.

Better go back and check you facts canuck , Bush had congressional approval to go into Iraq...the number of other countries supporting Bush was larger than is supporting 0.

 

[trplnkl]

Why don't you go back and read the posts where that person states that she, indeed, has had limited experience. I did not say no experience, as you falsely claim.

I have attempted to demean no one. If your or someone else's self-esteem has been affected by anything I have posted, perhaps it's time for you to conduct a personal inventory and reassess your beliefs. Your own arrogance regarding my posts is a poor attempt to defend yourself. Then go find something original to post because you are doing the exact thing that you are accusing me of. In the meantime, I encourage you to place me on ignore.

Nice spin, dizzy yet? I didn't say anyone was feeling demeaned, I said your words were meant to be demeaning, not exactly the same thing. What I find amusing is that you are applying the same yard stick to everyone, it was plain that your words were intended for all "right wingers, conservatives, repubs, GOPs". It's ok if you want to do that, just understand there will be rebuttal. Don't flatter yourself, my arrogance keeps my self-esteem firmly intact.
Why would I put you on ignore? I have read that laughter is good for the heart.

 

[wkmac]

Better go back and check you facts canuck , Bush had congressional approval to go into Iraq...the number of other countries supporting Bush was larger than is supporting 0.

Interesting there is a flicker of flame here over the War Powers authority in light that currently there rages a War Powers debate between radio talkshow host Mark Levin and historian Thomas Woods on the subject.

Like here, it seems to me that neither side will win the day as everyone will just fold up and hold right where they already are on the matter. When you look at all the times when US military forces were in fact used, very few followed an actual declaration of War by the Congress. The vast majority were on the direct authority of the President and if anything, Congress just approved any extra funding that might be needed or in otherwords, a rubber stamp if you will. I believe Woods to be correct that no one advocated for this type approach during the Constitutional debates but it's very clear, once signed and declared as law, before the ink could even dry, that ideal was already seriously violated and by some who had advocated against such over reaching authority. The lips moving he's lying politician ideal was as much in play back then as it ever was now.

 

[hubrat]

That was excellent. What a strong speech from a good man who cares.

 

[moreluck]

I thought he was kind of bragging on himself....yet no clear exit and no clear mission......does Gadaffy stay or go or what. Do not pass go do not collect $200.

Well written, well delivered.....clarified ZIP !!

 

[klein]

I thought he was kind of bragging on himself....yet no clear exit and no clear mission......does Gadaffy stay or go or what. Do not pass go do not collect $200.

The way I see it, Obama is off the hook. Nato took over command today (Canadian in charge, too).
He will follow, just as the others, what Nato decides to do. (more or less - even though, we all know the US has a damn big say in going forward, but atleast not on paper).

 

[Babagounj]

the USA is the largest military part of NATO

 

[Babagounj]

Shortage of RAF pilots for Libya as defence budget cuts bite

The RAF risks running short of pilots for operations over Libya as cuts to the defence budget threaten to undermine front-line operations, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

However, a shortage of qualified fighter pilots means the RAF may not have enough to replace all of them when the squadron has to rotate in a few weeks. The situation is so serious that the RAF has halted the teaching of trainee Typhoon pilots so instructors can be drafted on to the front line, according to air force sources. The handful of pilots used for air shows will also be withdrawn from displays this summer. There are also fewer newly qualified pilots coming through after the RAF.
The Government’s decision to decommission HMS Ark Royal, Harrier jump jets and the Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft — all of which could have played a role in the Libya conflict — has exacerbated the problem. Serving RAF pilots contacted The Daily Telegraph to warn of the risks to the Libya operation. “We have a declining pool of pilots,” one said. “There’s less people to do twice as much work. If we are not training any more we are going to run out of personnel very soon.”

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

That was excellent. What a strong speech from a good man who cares.

I agree. I thought the speech clearly outlined the reasons for our involvement and what could have happened had we not intervened. Contrary to what others have stated, there is a clear exit plan in place as we will be turning over control of the operation to NATO on Wednesday. Excellent speech and I was still able to watch House.

 

[trplnkl]

Turning over the operation to NATO isn't an exit strategy, it's just taking the monkey off 0's back. The exit will be decided by NATO at some point in the future.

 

[moreluck]

I agree. I thought the speech clearly outlined the reasons for our involvement and what could have happened had we not intervened. Contrary to what others have stated, there is a clear exit plan in place as we will be turning over control of the operation to NATO on Wednesday. Excellent speech and I was still able to watch House.

Oops ! O was apparently wrong about Weds.....just a confused out of sync mess !!

 

[Babagounj]

WASHINGTON (AP)
THE FACTS: As by far the pre-eminent player in NATO, and a nation historically reluctant to put its forces under operational foreign command, the United States will not be taking a back seat in the campaign even as its profile diminishes for public consumption.
NATO partners are bringing more into the fight. But the same “unique capabilities” that made the U.S. the inevitable leader out of the gate will continue to be in demand. They include a range of attack aircraft, refueling tankers that can keep aircraft airborne for lengthy periods, surveillance aircraft that can detect when Libyans even try to get a plane airborne, and, as Obama said, planes loaded with electronic gear that can gather intelligence or jam enemy communications and radars.
The United States supplies 22 percent of NATO’s budget, almost as much as the next largest contributors — Britain and France — combined. A Canadian three-star general was selected to be in charge of all NATO operations in Libya. His boss, the commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples, is an American admiral, and the admiral’s boss is the supreme allied commander Europe, a post always held by an American.
THE FACTS: Even as the U.S. steps back as the nominal leader, reduces some assets and fires a declining number of cruise missiles, the scope of the mission appears to be expanding and the end game remains unclear.
Despite insistences that the operation is only to protect civilians, the airstrikes now are undeniably helping the rebels to advance. U.S. officials acknowledge that the effect of air attacks on Gadhafi’s forces — and on the supply and communications links that support them — is useful if not crucial to the rebels. “Clearly they’re achieving a benefit from the actions that we’re taking,” Navy Vice Adm. William Gortney, staff director for the Joint Chiefs, said Monday.
The Pentagon has been turning to air power of a kind more useful than high-flying bombers in engaging Libyan ground forces. So far these have included low-flying Air Force AC-130 and A-10 attack aircraft, and the Pentagon is considering adding armed drones and helicopters.

 

[Babagounj]

WASHINGTON (AP)

THE FACTS: Mass violence against civilians has also been escalating elsewhere, without any U.S. military intervention anticipated.
More than 1 million people have fled the Ivory Coast, where the U.N. says forces loyal to the incumbent leader, Laurent Gbagbo, have used heavy weapons against the population and more than 460 killings have been confirmed of supporters of the internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara.
The Obama administration says Gbagbo and Gadhafi have both lost their legitimacy to rule. But only one is under attack from the U.S.
Presidents typically pick their fights according to the crisis and circumstances at hand, not any consistent doctrine about when to use force in one place and not another. They have been criticized for doing so — by Obama himself.
In his pre-presidential book “The Audacity of Hope,” Obama said the U.S. will lack international legitimacy if it intervenes militarily “without a well-articulated strategy that the public supports and the world understands.”
He questioned: “Why invade Iraq and not North Korea or Burma? Why intervene in Bosnia and not Darfur?”

 

[wkmac]

That was excellent. What a strong speech from a good man who cares.

Instead of a GOP response, I suggest we let Radiohead do it! 2+2=5 Winston, you do see 5 don't you?

The real purpose of being in Libya is not the alltruistic reasons of higher morality but is really about containment!

When birds of a feather begin to flock together.

 

[moreluck]

Gee, I just heard Alan Colmes say that Obama didn't have any exit strategy.......

 

[Babagounj]

(FP)- In the rush to curtail Muammar al-Qaddafi’s military capacity to attack civilians in Libya, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on February 26 to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Libya. But the measure also unwittingly impeded the effort of the Western-backed rebels to fight Qaddafi’s forces.
Paragraph 9 of Resolution 1970 required all U.N. members to “immediately take the necessary measures” to bar the sale, supply or transfer of weapons, mercenaries, or other supplies to Libya. The arms embargo, which was adopted before the rebels had emerged as a potential threat to the regime, included no exemptions for Qaddafi’s foes.
​

 

[hubrat]

Y'all are definitely among the more extreme ppl I have met. To the point of being hateful.

I though Brown Cafe was a better group than this. It sure has declined. I dont feel comfortable here anymore.

I know! Me and any other ppl you've ostracized can leave and y'all can all sit around and agree with each other!

Most extremes are unhealthy. Including liberal extremes. Y'all r scary. Glad we got some space between us.

 

[moreluck]

BOO !!

 

[hubrat]

BOO !!

Thank you for the demonstration.