Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June, 2011

'Hope' for 'Change'? Try "Business as Usual"

President Obama   rejected the views of top lawyers at the Pentagon and the Justice Department when he decided that he had the legal authority to continue American military participation in the air war in   Libya   without Congressional authorization.  Obama's view is that the Libya campaign is not covered by a provision of the War Powers Resolution that requires presidents to halt unauthorized hostilities after 60 days. With drone attacks and spending in excess of $10M per day, the   Office of Legal Counsel  disagrees. Only the President or Attorney General can override OLC decisions.  "From the outset of this operation, Members of the House have demonstrated respect for the authority granted to the Commander-in-Chief," John Boehner said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the President has not exhibited a similar appreciation for Congress' important job of providing oversight and accountability. Even worse, he has failed to communicate to the American people wh