Pres. Obama breaking the law with U.S. role in Libya?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Several members of the House of Representatives are accusing President Barack Obama of violating the war powers act by continuing to allow U.S. participation in allied attacks on Libya. Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indiana, accused the president of playing "king." While Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, said this whole ordeal is "shredding the U.S. Constitution."
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Friday marked the 60th day since the president told Congress the U.S. was joining allied forces in the attacks against Col. Moammar Gadhafi in Libya. Told Congress, as opposed to asking for approval. The 60-day mark is significant because under the War Powers Resolution, congressional authorization is required in significant military activity by then or the operation must be stopped. Neither has happened.
Instead, as the deadline approached, the president sent a letter to congressional leaders asking for a resolution of support. Obama did not mention the War Powers Resolution or ask explicitly for authorization in his letter.
He may get that resolution of support from the Senate. Sens. John Kerry and John McCain have introduced a bipartisan resolution that expresses Congress' support for U.S. military involvement in Libya. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the vote would not happen before the week-long Memorial Day recess.
And over in the House, it's a much different story. Neither party has any plans to bring a resolution of support to the floor.
The War Powers Resolution dates back to 1973 and came out of the Vietnam War. It was passed as an effort to restore the role of Congress in deciding whether the U.S. military becomes involved in significant conflicts. President Richard Nixon at the time vetoed the act. Congress overrode it.
And it has pretty much been ignored by presidents ever since.
Here’s my question to you: Is President Obama breaking the law with the United States’ role in Libya?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
As Memorial Day approaches, how do you feel about your country?
An Army colonel places a flag at the foot of a military member's gravestone in Arlington National Cemetery. Placing of flags is part of the traditions celebrated for the Memorial Day national holiday. (PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, I got to wondering what those who gave their life for this country would think if they could see us now.
We don't remember those folks like we probably should. There will be parades here and there… but many of us will head for the malls, the beaches, and the barbecues. Little more than a passing thought will be given to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can continue to do those things.
As we head into another summer, the nation is broke and fighting three wars.
The federal government is broken, maybe beyond repair.
We passed the debt ceiling and nothing has been done. When we approach default in August, will anything be done then?
Another election campaign is starting. More empty promises and mud slinging designed to suck us in one more time to the belief that this time, somehow, it's going to be better.
It isn't and it probably won't be, but when you look around, it's still the last, best chance on earth.
At least for awhile longer.
Here’s my question to you: As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, how do you feel about your country?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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