by Ron Paul
Last week I joined six Republican and three Democrat colleagues to file a lawsuit against the Obama administration over its illegal war against Libya. Now that more than 90 days have passed since the president began bombing Libya, no one can seriously claim that the administration has complied with the clear requirements of the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
In a remarkable act of chutzpah, the administration sent to Congress its response to the growing concern over its abuse of war powers. Its argument, in a nutshell, is that the War Powers Resolution is not relevant because US armed forces are not actually engaged in hostilities because Libya is so militarily weak it cannot fight back! This explanation would be laughable if not so horrific. The administration wants us to believe that there is no real violence because the victim cannot fight back? Imagine if this standard was applied to criminal law in the United States! I am sure Libyans on the receiving end of US and NATO bombs feel hostilities are quite definitely taking place.
We must recall the origins of these attacks on Libya. The Obama administration made no claim that Libyan leader Gaddafi was killing his civilian population. Rather, the claim was that Libya might begin killing its civilians in the future. One need not defend Gaddafi’s regime — and I most certainly do not — to object to this flimsy and dangerous rationale for violating the sovereignty of another country. Imagine a scenario where the UN approves military action against the United States as a preventative humanitarian measure over US enforcement of its immigration laws, for example!
Now in Libya we see the possible use of depleted uranium shells, we see infrastructure destroyed, we see universities bombed, we see all the “collateral damage.” Yet, this is a “humanitarian intervention”?
In our lawsuit against the administration, among other critical issues we are demanding that the courts provide relief and protection to the country from the administration’s policy that a president may commit the United States to a war under the authority of the United Nations and NATO without authorization from Congress, and that previously appropriated funds by Congress may be used for an unconstitutional and unauthorized war in Libya or other countries. These are fundamental Constitutional issues and I expect the judicial branch to treat our challenge with the same level of gravity as we do in the legislative branch.
Remember, we were told that this attack would last “days, not weeks” and we are already three months and likely nearly a billion dollars into it. As the bombings obviously target Gaddafi’s houses, even killing some of his family members, we can see that the real goal is regime change rather than protection of civilians. Do we know much about the rebels whose side we have taken in what is, in fact, a civil war?
Although it is a bit late, I am pleased to see that congressional leadership has started to listen to our constituents, who are solidly against this war on Libya. I commend Speaker Boehner’s expressions of dissatisfaction with the administration over this war and I sincerely hope he will use the full constitutional authority granted to the legislative branch to bring into check an administration clearly out of control.
Polls show that the American people increasingly favor a truly conservative foreign policy: one that rejects the leftist, utopian doctrines of nation building and preemptive war, and one that is NOT funded by debt. Forcing the Obama administration to obey the clear letter of the law is one step towards restoring a traditional, patriotic foreign policy that serves American interests.
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I’m 16. I have convinced 8 people to vote for him. There’s still time! Spread the word. I don’t agree on everything he says, but he is what we need.
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keep it up RonPaul!
We support you x)
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TELL THEM ABOUT BEING JESUS FOLLOWERS AND VOTING TO BE IN WARS…WHY NOT VOTE AGAINST WARS?
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I’ve noticed an increase in bloggers and people on the street parroting Ron Paul’s viewpoints without outright saying they support him. It’s as if people are beginning to admit that he was right all along.
I just wish that some of his supporters weren’t so cult-like, because it plays right into the MSM’s hand.. The average voter doesn’t want to put up with people getting in their face either, and in turn Paul loses both votes and credibility.
Let’s get it right this time!
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End Debt-Funded Nationbuilding and Preemptive Wars? More like End Ron Paul’s mouth!!
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Keep trolling. The more trolls the more scared we know the status quo are.
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Thanks for caring
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No no no…
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Many Canadians are watching the Ron Paul Campaign. For many of us he is a beacon of hope.
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I’m a PINKO Canadian,but I would VOTE for Ron Paul. I don’t agree with alot of his policies,but he Stands by his beliefs and lets you know where he STANDS. I have much Respect for Paul. A great Ethical STATESMAN. Wish we had Conservatives like him here instead of the BUSH RepubliCON Retreads. Hope the PEOPLE Stand with Paul,he’ll make a great President if the OWNERS Let Him. All the Best USA.
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The ridiculous propaganda backing this operation in Libya is one of the most blatant loads of bullshit we’ve ever seen. It’s no different than saying something like; “Oh I’m not “fighting” this quadriplegic man, that would require a defense of some sort on his part to call it a “fight”…. I’m clearly PUNCHING him, but to call this a “fight” would be a silly mistake on your part.” C’mon… How the hell are more people not at least insulted by this kind of crap?!?!
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the only reason america is in Libya is because china invested in Libyan oil…and china is going to be the biggest economy in a decade the american corporate monopolies wan to stop that….
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US wants to change the regime in Libya by getting Al Quaida in power for they always proved to be reliable friends !
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End the disgrace of the Libyan war Ron !
Vote the warlord out of office ! Ron Paul 2012 !!!!
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Man! You are the man! Is it true that you will return the Negroes back to Ghana, or any other Western African Country?
I WILL NOT ONLY VOTE FOR YOU, I WILL CAMPAIGN FOR YOU IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY!! YES!
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What a dispicable comment from a true coward, hiding behind a false pseudonym. Put your name to your comment or are you chicken?
P.S.- You clearly are working for the traitor Republicans by mis-representing Ron Paul, who doesn’t hate black people like you clearly do!
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Right on Ron Paul! Ron Paul 2012 baby!
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2012 will be a great year. I can feel it!
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Man binds Libyan to a chair
Man proceeds to beat the face of Libyan, tied to the chair
Libyan has no means to defend/fight back, and does not resist beating
Obama defends Man citing the Libyan’s inability to fight back as not resisting, and therefore, further defining the Man’s actions as “non-violent” activity.
I’m no constitutional scholar, but that sounds awfully odd to me…
Ron Paul – to end the dictatorship in 2012!
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Let’s see… When a man attacks defenseless civilians in this country we call it terrorism. When we bomb civilians in another country we call it ‘not war’. So we should call it terrorism then, and indict the whitehouse on terrorism charges.
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TRUTH LIBERTY FREEDOM = RON PAUL
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America, this is your LAST chance to vote the right man in!
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You are wasting your time and our money on an unnecessary lawsuit against the administration. You should know that the court’s have historically granted the President full authority in issues of foreign policy and it will certainly not get between the administration and congress over foreign intervention in Libya.
So what have you accomplished other than waste our money to promote your own politcal agenda?
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It’s got people thinking is what it’s done.
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Nothing I can disagree with there.
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Nation-building is not a leftist doctrine, Mr. Paul, but I agree with you that it is very destructive.
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Americans UNITE in PEACE, LOVE and LIGHT WORLDWIDE.
Respect and HONOR Earth in GEO THERMAL, HYDRO KINETIC, SOLAR , MAGNETIC and WIND TURBINE Power Systems.
Watch GASLAND and END the FRACKING of our PRECIOUS WATER.
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I have never been political (age 60) but I am supporting Ron, I have registered and will vote! Ron Paul 2012!!!!
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thank you Ron Paul
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This is the one man who could unite both sides. Reps would fully support him if he had more swagger and that is where RP lacks. His charisma is non-existent which worries me for the future. Obama, like it or not, knew how to speak a flowery speech and give away nothing at all.
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How can rational americans listen to this man and not be excited his candidacy? Apparenty there’s not that many rational ones left, all hypnotized by wothless paper money, that alows up to live beyoned our means temporaly. End the FED, it’s caused too many to lose rationality
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How can you possibly be serious about a US president committing illegal acts. Don’t you know the US President is abouve the law? How comes youse guys keep talin about weird old fashioned stuff like da consteetushun and da declarashunn uv yindypindense? That’s soooo fifteen-minutes-ago.
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Use English please.
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demand to get rid of the electoral vote and vote he will win if thats the case even if he left the Rep party and went independent do to lack of electoral he would still win based on OUR votes with the electoral OUR votes don’t matter at all we could all vote for one person as long as those in power don’t like it they won’t let it happen you have the freedom to vote but your vote does not matter
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Ohh my, can we actually do it?? Can he get the nomination?? I sure as hell hope so. If not, we are all screwed…
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let everyone you know KNOW about ron paul
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Looking on from Oz he looks to be doing really really well. Keep up the amazing work Ron Paul supporters. It’s clear you’re doing the right thing so ACCELERATE your work rate and FINNISH THEM! Ron Paul to save USA! P.S I will say it again, if Ron wins I will make it my lifes work to become an American. Under the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States of America. Lots of love and goodwishes to the Ron Paul supporters and RON PAUL!! Ron Paul for President 2012!
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I’m listening to my President
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Ron Paul 2012
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2012
i smell victory
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