Finally, something patriots of all color, stripe, and persuasion should embrace--that is, except for the White House and Congress: A sensible approach to waging war. In the upcoming Atlantic Magazine, Leslie Gelb and Anne-Marie Slaughter did something really naive--they looked at the history of America's botched wars from Eisenhower's ill-fated decision to take over from the French in Vietnam(although they rightly note that Kennedy & Johnson turned it into a war) to the Messopotamia (with thanks to John Stewart.)
And then they really showed how unsophisticated they are--they went back to the Constitution. You know, that document that lays out which branch of government has the power to do what.
How quaint. Congress that once great deliberative body that has turned into a cauldron of partisan bickering, intolerance, incivility, and complete lack of accountability. Now, to be fair, they understand the dilemma.
The problem is that Congress wants power without responsibility. Most legislators fear the political costs of bucking the commander in chief when the nation appears under threat. Others worry that the president's control of vital intelligence places him in a far better position to judge the need for war. The obvious answer is to demand that the information be shared, but here the president can claim that a debate risks spilling secrets to the enemy.
As a result, Congress has often preferred form over substance.
Vietnam, Reagan & Lebanon & Grenada(that was a good one...we really walloped those Cuban janitors armed with brooms), Clinton & Somalia, and Baby Bush & Iraq.
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - Rich Powers
I am also a firm believer of Congressional responsibility in regards to these matters. The president has far too much power, more than he was ever supposed to have.
To illustrate my point, I'll paraphrase John Kerry from an interview I saw last year.
"Congress [by authorizing the Iraq invasion] gave the president a loaded gun; it was his choice to use it."
Now this is not so much a partisan attack as it is an illustration of the flawed mentality the permeates Congress. Mr. Kerry, if you look to the constitution you’ll see that it’s Congress’ job to declare war or, as you put it, fire the gun.
2 - WTF
George Washington told us that we shouldn't become entangled in foreign affairs.
Food for thought.
3 - MSchannon
Washington lived at a time when Europe was constantly at war with itself. But his isolationist leanings were a powerful force even through the mid 20th century.
I don't think we can avoid entanglement--but I'm sure we can do it better.