Monday, May 23, 2011

Thom Hartmann: Can expect more of these "limited" - and unapproved - wars in the future?

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The 60-day deadline in the War Powers Act has come and gone - meaning President Obama is required to seek Congressional approval for ongoing military action in Libya. Although on Friday - the President wrote a letter to Congressional leaders saying he has no intention of doing that. Arguing that the US military's role in Libya is "limited" to just supporting NATO - President Obama said approval from Congress is unnecessary.

Of course - Obama is the 5th straight President to begin a war with no formal authorization from Congress; the last president not to have an unconstitutional war during his administration was Jimmy Carter. And given that the House is one the verge of passing a Defense Authorization Act with a provision that gives the President war powers until every single terrorist on Earth is dead - we can expect more of these "limited" - and unapproved - wars in the future.

-Thom

(Should Obama seek approval? Tell us here.)

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