Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s (D – OH) bill demanding an end to the war in Libya was blocked earlier this week over fears that it might pass, but after the Sherman Amendment on defunding the war narrowly failed, the House leadership seems a bit more bold, and is setting up a battle.
Now, in addition to Kucinich’s bill, House Speeaker John Boehner (R – OH) is also offering a hugely watered-down alternative bill. Instead of demanding an end to the war, Boehner’s bill will express annoyance that President Obama did not seek authorization and gives the president an additional 14 day grace period to do so.
The Sherman vote was seen as a trial for Congressional opinion on the war, but a 208-213 defeat (with both parties split virtually down the middle) suggests a dead heat, and it is certainly conceivable that 3 representatives could jump ship when Kucinich’s vote comes up, mandating the end to the war.
Which has led the administration to angrily condemn Kucinich, with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warning Kucinich’s call for a “unilateral” end to US involvement in the war was “dangerous” and showed a lack of unity. The White House inssited the war was going well and opposed the vote, saying they were confident Congress already agrees with it.
But since the May 20 deadline for authorization slipped (and requests for authorization only came on the evening of the 20th) the war is already illegal. Though some of the usual pro-war Senators are pushing an authorization bill in the Senate it seems unlikely that support exists in the House to actually authorize a third war. The real question is if there is enough support in the House to end it.
All this posturing… They really want to approve it, as they never saw a war they did not like. But they are all at pains to actually have to EXPOSE themselves through voting for this silly war. Nobody forced NATO do step in, they volunteered. It is not US business to get involved in every civil war in the world.
Let's see the vote.
John "bullshit" Boehner is so full of it, and himself, that I'm surprised he'd offer anything as an alternative. Here again is a man, along with the other criminals in congress, who had his foot on the gas pedal of empire all these years.
Well.., it seams that as long as the killings taking place in Libya and as long as is the people who pay for the war then the corporations, or let say, capitalism government dont care how many people are killed or what kind of damages is done to Libya or Afghanistan or for that matter upcoming wars.., yet there is this $53 billion dollars Libyan peoples money that US, China and EU – government banks are withholding…, perhaps they are trying to come up with a plan to use that money to continue this war but they have ran into problem how to share the costs.., so the bullshit in new bill and another bill and later perhaps another one is just dragging the time. Meanwhile people are killed by US/NATO militarism regime where the leaders in democratic and republican party have shown that they are part of that regime.
Go Kucinich!
Finally the American People will findout if the (honourable) Members of Congress have the balls to call a "spade a spade"aND censure this President who continues to thumb his nose at the American Constitution WHICH HE SWORE TO UPHOLD.
iF THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THE bILL TO END THIS ILLEGAL WAR – THEN THEY TOO ARE GUILTY OF FAILING TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND ARE TRAITORS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
This illegal, unneccesary war needs to stop. A frightening shame, a war of choice against a weak African country – – – how low can the US and Nazi-Nato sink?
Are there ANY morals, any shred of decency left amongst these so-called "civilized" nations?
It is a travesty. A new low in farce.
The best though is the phony grandstanding – sometimes illegal war is good, when its our guy prosecuting it, other times it is EVIL, when its the opposition.
Everyone is so full of sh*t its sickening.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS PERPETUAL STATE OF AGGRESSION
And if one more person tells me they don't understand why I believe Obama is just like Bush I will smack them.
Interesting that AntiWar has a story today from Ted Galen Carpenter who supports the Obama war in Libya. There has not been any explanation from him about his war mongering in Libya and he studiously avoids any mention of it in his windy article published today at AntiWar. Why is a pro war writer given space at AntiWar?
As usual, total BS from Congress.
Kucinich doesn't have the guts to file the motion that's really required …. that is to start the process of impeaching President Obama for fighting an illegal war.
The Republicans will only fake an opposition to a war. Thus the BS Boner bill about its 'strong disapproval' while simultaneously approving the war for another two weeks.
We need a real congress that takes its oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States seriously. Seriously enough to impeach a President who tries to grab imperial powers to unilaterally declare wars. We don't have one now, but we can always elect a new Congress in 2012. It would be easy to get an honest Congress. Just don't vote for any candidate with lots of money.
The Sherman Amendment and the Kucinich bill are all just show for the sheeple. Let us assume the Kucinich bill passes the House. Is anyone here so stupid as to think such a bill would end US involvement in the civil war in Libya? With cowards like Boehner and Ried in charge of the House and Senate does anyone think Congress will do anything in earnest (such as impeaching the warmongering creep and throwing him out of office) to prevent Obomba from waging his cruddy litlle war? Congress will continue to let this president and future presidents usurp its power to declare and end wars. This whole charade about the Sherman amendment and the Kucinich bill is much ado about nothing. The traitors in congress have abdicated thier constitutional duty and given presidents a blank check to wage war on thier own authority.