Attention Dr. Nan Hayworth (R-NY-19)

Hiya Nan,

In case you miss this weekend's newsbites, I figure I'll "double post" this particular newsbite where hopefully it'll get your attention via you or a staffer searching the web for your name.

HERE WE GO...

In an effort to satisfy those arguing he needs to seek congressional authorization to continue US military activity in accordance with the War Powers Resolution, President Obama wrote a letter to congressional leaders this afternoon suggesting that the role is now so “limited” he does not need to seek congressional approval.

* IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, FOLKS, THE MAN SHOULD BE IMPEACHED. HE WON'T BE OF COURSE, BUT HE SHOULD BE. BASICALLY WHETHER ONE REVERES - AND ABIDES BY - THE CONSTITUTION, OR, WHETHER ONE (PARTICULARLY THOSE ON THE LEFT - AT LEAST IN THEORY... AT LEAST WHEN A REPUBLICAN IS PRESIDENT) TAKES THE POSITION THAT ABIDING BY THE WAR POWERS ACT IS THE "FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT" OF ABIDING BY THE CONSTITUTION WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES OF WAR AND PEACE... (*SIGH*) (*PAUSE*)... THIS PRESIDENT IS EITHER IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OR IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE WAR POWERS ACT. THERE'S SIMPLY NO WAY AROUND THIS!

From the beginning of the U.S. military intervention in Libya, the Obama administration has cited the 1973 War Powers Act as the legal basis of its ability to conduct military activities for 60 days without first seeking a declaration of war from Congress. The military intervention started on March 19; Congress was notified on March 21. Those 60 days [expired yesterday].

* FOLKS... THE REPUBLIC IS DEAD. THE CONSTITUTION IS DEAD. THE RULE OF LAW IS DEAD. THE FACT THAT CONGRESS AND THE JUDICIARY ALLOW THE PRESIDENT TO TRAMPLE ON THE RULE OF LAW DOES NOT IN ANY WAY MITIGATE THIS REALITY.

The president thanked the congressional leaders - House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky - for the support that they have “demonstrated for this mission and for our brave service members, as well as your strong condemnation of the Qaddafi regime.”

* FOLKS... FOR GOD'S SAKE... LEGAL AUTHORIZATION REQUIRES A FORMAL VOTE! THERE'S BEEN NONE! NOR HAS THERE EVEN BEEN THE FIG LEAF OF SPECIFIC FINANCING! (THE PRESIDENT HAS SIMPLY SHIFTED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED GENERAL FUNDS TO THIS LIBYAN OPERATION.)

The president voiced support for a bipartisan resolution drafted by Senators John Kerry, D-Mass., John McCain, R-Ariz., Carl Levin, D-Mich., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., stating that Congress “supports the U.S. mission in Libya and that both branches are united in their commitment to supporting the aspirations of the Libyan people for political reform and self-government…Congressional action in support of the mission would underline the U.S. commitment to this remarkable international effort.”

* FOLKS... (*SIGH*)... THIS SO-CALLED "RESOLUTION" HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR... HASN'T BEEN ACTED UPON... DOES NOT HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW!

Earlier this month, Kerry - who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - described his resolution as “in limbo.”

(*SNORT*) FOLKS... AS I WAS SAYING... (*JUST SHAKING MY HEAD*)