Day748 Saturday 09/15/12

ran 3.1 miles

This is the sort of stuff you are not going to hear about on your television or within the pages of your local newspaper. This story, "Obama Covers Posterior, Suddenly Complies With War Powers Resolution", was written by Ben Shapiro at Breitbart.com. 

Do you remember Libya and Egypt, back when the Arab Spring was blossoming? The birds were chirping, tyrants were being thrown out of power, free elections were setting the way for democracy, and unicorns were trotting all across the Middle East leaving a trail of peace behind every step. Well, one thing I remember posting about on this blog at that time was the unconstitutional use of power our president exhibited by usurping Congress in his decision to work solely with the UN to resolve the unrest in those two countries. I remember Leon Panetta sitting in front of Congress and blatantly telling them that decisions regarding Libya from that point forward would move through United Nations and not the 112th Congress. I recall the jaw on the congressman Panetta was addressing being dropped to an unnatural depth of disbelief. 

This is the sort of behavior that the founders of this nation did everything in their power to prevent when they laid out the guidelines for how it ought to be run. And they have done a remarkable job of laying the foundation for a long legacy of freedom and success. We are nearly 250 years into the independence of America and we still hold with conviction and passion the words those brave men wrote almost two and one-half centuries ago. But now, as will happen from time to time, someone like Barack Hussein Obama comes along and tests American values. They have been tested before and they will be tested again. It falls upon us to stand up to these ideals and to keep America on its righteous path. 

Back to the article, our president decided this time around that it would be a good idea to comply with the War Powers Resolution in order to cover his own ass, or posterior. At this point, leading up to the election, if anything goes dreadfully wrong with whatever military action our government decides to take it will not be President Obama's sole decision but his decision with the consent of Congress. I believe this sort of behavior is what many often refer to as being a "weasel". Sly, cunning, tricky---one who elevates their circumstances by picking and choosing and then contradicting with no regard for principle or honesty.

Here is the nice letter President Obama drafted for Congress, which he saw fit to forgo during the Arab Spring:

September 14, 2012

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

On September 12, 2012, in response to an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four U.S. citizens, including U.S. Ambassador John Christopher Stevens, a security force from the U.S. Africa Command deployed to Libya to support the security of U.S. personnel in Libya. Further, on September 13, an additional security force arrived in Yemen in response to security threats there.

Although these security forces are equipped for combat, these movements have been undertaken solely for the purpose of protecting American citizens and property. These security forces will remain in Libya and in Yemen until the security situation becomes such that they are no longer needed.

These actions have been directed consistent with my responsibility to protect U.S. citizens both at home and abroad, and in furtherance of U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions.

Sincerely, BARACK OBAMA

2,080 miles from Lafayette, LA to Washington D.C. and back + 264.7

Here is what happened one year ago on Day383.

Here is what happened two years ago on Day17.