Comments on: Congressional Hearings on Iran Lethal Support Claims?

By: LJD

LJD — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:16:30 +0000

I never thought I'd see the day when Americans knowingly and willingly run away from a grave threat to our national security. We are all screwed.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:52:06 +0000

Beldar,

True enough, although that's simply because it hasn't been adjudicated. I think almost everyone agrees that there's an unconstitutional legislative veto provision but it's explicitly severable. You think the act as a whole is unconstitutional?

By: Beldar

Beldar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:04:26 +0000

You're assuming the War Powers Act is constitutional, i.e., that it effectively and constitutionally circumscribes the President's power as commander in chief. That's fine for purposes of discussion. It's not necessarily the case, and emphatically has not been judicially held to be the case, as a matter of constitutional law.

By: JT

JT — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:27:37 +0000

It's also a question of what merits a "national emergency." As difficult as 9/11 was for many Americans to deal with, it was in no way a "national" emergency and yet here we are 6 years and a war later.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:48:57 +0000

Ok, since when did we start to consider giving weapons and logistical support to one side of a conflict an action that would warrant, let alone demand, an immediate military response by the other side?

How many times in the past, and even currently, has the US provided one side of a conflict with arms and logistics? Should we then be considered a direct participant in these conflicts, and should our interests be a fair target to the other party?

This is what major powers do, they have other people fight their wars for them. The problem isn't that Iran is funding and arming Iraqis to fight us, the problem is that Iran is now a major power in the middle east and beyond. If our foreign policy does not recognize that they are no longer an isolated third world country, we'll suffer in more than just Iraq.

By: Barry

Barry — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:44:00 +0000

The way I see it, France did *us* a favor. 'Us' being, of course, the American people. They don't owe the Bush administration, or its liars, jack. Those who feel that France let them down are really confessing that they themselves are traitors to the American people.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:44:26 +0000

>I would point out that we’ve had more luck in recent years getting France to take decisive action.

If you are refering to France's refusal to participate in Bushs' splended little war in Iraq, I would argue that they did take decisive action. They refused to follow Bush off the cliff, and in the process saved their country from unnecessary loss of life and national treasure.

By: Dean's World

Dean's World — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:43:57 +0000

Is Iran Making War On Our Soldiers in Iraq?...

Jim Henley of Unqualified Offers has proposed that Congress should investigate the Bush Administration's claims that Iran is providing direct support of the......

By: The Glittering Eye

The Glittering Eye — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:20:53 +0000

Is Iran making war on our soldiers in Iraq?...

Jim Henley of Unqualified Offers has proposed that Congress should investigate the Bush Administration’s claims that Iran is providing direct support of the Iraqi insurgency. If Congress can then verify the Administration’s claims independ...

By: Cernig

Cernig — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:37:22 +0000

Hi James, Imagine how pleased I was when Jim linked to my recent imaginings of what Bush would say if he cared what Occam's Razor was. Regards, C

By: ken

ken — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:01:26 +0000

The US military must get out of Iraq. That has already been decided by the American people. We will not support a war based upon lies.

That said it makes no sense to attack another country just for attacking our soldiers where they do not belong. The solution is to do the right thing and leave ASAP.

The consequences of doing the right thing, and withdrawing, are far easier to deal with than are the consequences of starting another illegal, immoral and unjust war, this time on Iran.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:42:22 +0000

BTW, M1EK, the investigation would cut both ways. If the Congress were to find incontestable evidence that Iran is, in fact, waging war against us in Iraq, it would make a very strong case for armed intervention (something I've opposed) to stop it, especially if the UNSC either fails to act or acts ineffectively.,

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:38:37 +0000

I think Henley's proposal is extremely solid and, consequently, I don't think there's any chance that the Congress will do it. It's more fun making hay at the expense of your political opponents than proving something that alienates your base.

By: M1EK

M1EK — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:11:22 +0000

"I would demur slightly and change “nothing but opposition” to “scrutiny.”"

Uh, no. The Congress should impeach the President if he tries to go to war on false evidence again. Period.

By: Moderate Voters.org - An Alternative to the Far Right and Far Left.

Moderate Voters.org - An Alternative to the Far Right and Far Left. — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

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