New Authorization of Worldwide War Without End?

http://www.aclu.org/new-authorization-worldwide-war-without-end

New Authorization of Worldwide War Without End?

May 18, 2011

Congress may soon vote on a new declaration of worldwide war without end, and without clear enemies. A “sleeper provision” deep inside defense bills pending before Congress could become the single biggest hand-over of unchecked war authority from Congress to the executive branch in modern American history.

President Obama has not sought new war authority. In fact, his administration has made clear that it believes it already has all of the authority that it needs to fight terrorism.

But Congress is considering monumental new legislation that would grant the president – and all presidents after him – sweeping new power to make war almost anywhere and everywhere. Unlike previous grants of authority for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the proposed legislation would allow a president to use military force wherever terrorism suspects are present in the world, regardless of whether there has been any harm to U.S. citizens, or any attack on the United States, or any imminent threat of an attack. The legislation is broad enough to permit a president to use military force within the United States and against American citizens. The legislation contains no expiration date, and no criteria to determine when a president’s authority to use military force would end.

Of all of the powers that the Constitution assigns to Congress, no power is more fundamental or important than the power “to declare War.” That is why, in 2002, when Congress was considering whether to authorize war in Iraq, it held fifteen hearings, and passed legislation that cited specific harms, set limits, and defined a clear objective. Now, Congress is poised to give unchecked authority to the executive branch to use military force worldwide, with profoundly negative consequences for our fundamental democratic system of checks and balances. Once Congress expands the president’s war power, it will be nearly impossible to rein it back in. The ACLU strongly opposes a wholesale turnover of war power from Congress to the president – and all of his successors.

loves it - great profits for all. Sick.

Congress giving up power? Is the money that good?

Thanks for the heads-up, G_j. Seeing how few people, including Congress, actually see, let alone read, bills before they're passed, the notice is very much appreciated.

I used to think these guys have no idea what they are doing. I realize now I held the stupid default perspective. They know exactly what they're doing.

Oh well. Too bad. So sad. Change channels to American Idyll please...

is actually regarded with contempt by nearly everyone of them, for it limits their powers.

The way they see it, there should be no limits placed on those with superior wisdom.

THAT good!

RIP US Constitution...

..and any shred of justice

USA! USA! USA!

whether it takes a year or 30, we need to change to a more peaceful people-- and the sooner the better. For so many reasons.

though I remember supporting Eugene McCarthy and in recent times Dennis Kucinich.
:shrug:

for the DU hawks...