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Barbara Lee said presidents have been hiding behind the 2001 war authorization to engage in unilateral action.
Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee
By Laura Barrón-López
04/08/2017 04:13 pm ET | Updated 13 hours ago
WASHINGTON ― Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said she received death threats after she cast her vote against launching the war on terror. She was the only member of Congress to do it.
Lee cast the only vote against the 2001 bill that would give President George W. Bush the Authorization for the Use of Military Force, also known as the AUMF, that he needed to start the war against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
But 16 years later, the California Democrat would do it again. The airstrikes launched by President Donald Trump on Syria this week only further convince her that her vote was the right one.
I knew such a broad authorization could be used for any action, anywhere in the world in perpetuity, Lee told the Huffington Post on Friday. Its really shocking to me that we havent had any debate and vote on a new authorization.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/only-member-of-congress-to-vote-against-war-on-terror-says-shed-do-it-again_us_58e8eb1de4b058f0a02f9ac7
KG
(28,751 posts)BlueMTexpat
(15,365 posts)Kentonio
(4,377 posts)luvMIdog
(2,533 posts)malaise
(268,724 posts)ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)Against her. I remember her at the SF anti war rallies, speaking the truth despite the death threats.
malaise
(268,724 posts)and she's right now.
Apparently some folks believe that making America great means killing people in their homelands and imposing rulers who support the looting and plunder of sovereign states - the quintessential schoolyard bully on steroids.
Of course many don't see the contradictions between that approach and Putin's machinations re America.
littlemissmartypants
(22,594 posts)llmart
(15,534 posts)and I still believe she and I were right (and any others who thought the war mongering in the US was despicable).
wryter2000
(46,023 posts)❤️Barbara Lee
Auggie
(31,133 posts)Her Oakland District is not a wealthy one.
StrictlyRockers
(3,855 posts)I love her! She used to be my Congresswoman. I have personally lobbied her, spoken with her and handed documents over to her.
rug
(82,333 posts)If one's principle are there three days after 9/11, they will always be there.
StrictlyRockers
(3,855 posts)Barbara Lee for President!
KPN
(15,638 posts)HeartachesNhangovers
(814 posts)I'm torn about her. On the one hand, she pretty much always votes against any military action or funding bill, and also opposes the death penalty - and I agree with her on those points. On the other hand, she seems to be completely without influence in Congress. Being the lone dissenting vote is pretty much the story of her career.
So is it enough to be right, even if you are ineffective in getting the right thing done? It's hard to say, but I think I'd rather have an effective legislator that's right most of the time.
Presidential material? I'm sorry, but even though her heart's in the right place, she hasn't shown the ability to get things done.
rug
(82,333 posts)The question is why are they less willing than her to get the right things done.
HeartachesNhangovers
(814 posts)Yep
zentrum
(9,865 posts)...of Viet Nam. "Barbara Lee speaks for me!"
Wish she was a Senator from California.