Trump's Act of War is Unconstitutional...

[AntiFascist]

https://www.thenation.com/article/trump-launched-missile-strikes-on-syria-without-congressional-authorization/

The reference to a “vital national security interest” was an attempt to justify the presidential action.

But Congresswoman Barbara Lee argued Thursday night that “this is an act of war. Congress needs to come back into session and hold a debate. Anything less is an abdication of our responsibility.”

...

 Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2016, bluntly declared that Trump’s action was “unconstitutional.”

 “Assad is a brutal dictator who must be held to account for atrocities,” argued Kaine. “But the president’s failure to seek congressional approval is unlawful.”

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a 2016 Republican presidential contender, agreed.

[struggle4progress]

1. I wish Nixon had also been impeached for Cambodia

[Initech]

10. I wixh we could start arresting prominent members of the MIC.

Let's start with Erik Prince. Then we can start arresting the whole lot of 'em. They're the real criminals in all of this.

[Jonny Appleseed]

2. "Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a 2016 Republican presidential contender, agreed"

Rand Paul needs some mood stabilizers.

[Kentonio]

3. Not a good line of reasoning to go down

Considering Democratic presidents have also used these kinds of attacks without asking congress first.

[AntiFascist]

6. Not in the case of Obama...

he understood that taking unilateral action against Syria was not legal and sought approval from Congress. Even Bush was granted authorization for the use of force against terrorists by Congress, although Americans were mislead about Iraq.

[EX500rider]

7. Please, Obama dropped plenty of munitions on countries we are not at war with.

[AntiFascist]

9. You seem to forget...

the President is authorized to take action against terrorists for defense purposes. This has been ongoing since 9-11.

[jmg257]

4. So air stirkes good, missle strikes bad?

[Jose Garcia]

5. Who was the last time that a US President who didn't do this?

[AntiFascist]

8. As recently as the Obama Administration...

and Obama happens to be a consitutional law professor:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/middleeast/syria.html

“But having made my decision as commander in chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interests, I’m also mindful that I’m the president of the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.”

[Solly Mack]

11. While I agree that Congress has long neglected its role in war, the tragic fact

remains that Congress gave up that role willingly (with things such as the WPA), and all too often will make excuses for allowing a president to act unilateral.

And never discount the shocking amount of power the war on terror has given the office of president - with the majority of Congress signing off on it. (before or after any actions)

Congress needs to clean its own houses. Then it can once again be the body it was intended to be. And we, the people, need to help them clean those houses.

Oddly enough, the War Powers Act was intended as a check on presidential powers to enact war - but presidents have stilled used it to to justify strikes and such. Congress passed that law - they need to revisit it and seriously strengthen it against the power of a president. They need to act as the co-equal branch that they are instead of serving themselves and that of a co-party president. The country and its people first, actually. Not in the Trump way...in the true way.

I'm a cynic. My government allowed war criminals to walk free, attacked and obstructed a President for his skin hue (and his discretion), and now Trump is going to get away with his actions, no matter what.

If anyone in government would like to prove me wrong - PLEASE - have at it.

I'll happily eat crow.

[AntiFascist]

12. Again...

the strike against Syria has nothing to do with the "war on terror" which was intended to defend against terrorists who posed a threat against the US. In fact, Trump is being criticized by the opposition for helping out ISIS. If ISIS becomes emboldened by this, then it could turn into a real clusterfuck within Syria.

[Solly Mack]

13. I'm not saying it is. Merely saying a president such as Trump isn't above using it

as an excuse.

[AntiFascist]

14. Trump is like a spoiled child...

testing his parents to see how much he can get away with on his own. I'm sure he envies Putin's authoritarian power.

[Solly Mack]

15. Absolutely!

Let's hope his "parents" - all of them - come down hard.

Sadly, some of his parents would rather stroke his ego, as it serves them best.

[malaise]

16. That simple

It's also a violation of international law

[L. Coyote]

17. Exactly.

Authorization for Military Force Against Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons

And the Dumpster was a big part of the problem then:

Link to tweet