Wednesday, September 4, 2013

A Vital U.S. Interest?

The Executive Branch has become increasingly powerful over the past century, simply because Congress has not successfully checked the president whenever a power overreach occurred.  So now, more from fear of being mocked than dismay over 1,429 dead, including 400 children, Obama has placed himself in a politically precarious position, and the U.S. in a dangerous military venture, over his "red line" comment and the use of weapons of mass destruction.  He is poised to intervene in Syria through cruise missile strikes, with or without congressional approval, since he has not let that stop him in the past in foreign or domestic policy.
The War Powers Act (WPA) is very clear on this matter.  A U.S. president can act in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces and engage an enemy of our nation only when an attack has already occurred or is imminent against the U.S. or one of our allies, or when a vital U.S. interest is under a heavy threat.

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