Biden letter to the lying weasel (Dec). Press release on Jan. 24

[livvy]

Of course the lying weasel has not responded. The letter is excellent, and clearly defines how the lying weasel is once again violating our Constitution. At least it's nice to know that somebody is still doing their job.


Here's a bit of the press release issued on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008:

I expect that your Administration is using the same Executive Branch definition of “security commitments” in the Declaration of Principles with Iraq as was used in the aforementioned 1992 report. Yet, General Lute’s comments suggest that the Administration will not seek Congressional authorization or even Congressional consultations in negotiating such a commitment. The Constitution and our past practice clearly require that the executive and legislative branches act together in order to provide a legitimate security commitment to another country.

At the core of this issue is, of course, the war power of Congress. A careful study of the Constitution and the intent of the framers as reflected, for example, in statements made at the Constitutional Convention, leave no doubt that, except for repelling sudden attacks on the United States, the Founding Fathers intended decisions to initiate either general or limited hostilities against foreign countries to be made by the Congress and not the Executive. The President is to direct and lead the Armed Forces and put them to any use specified by Congress.

Over the years Administrations that have taken a particularly expansive view of the presidential power to repel sudden attacks have encroached on this original understanding of the war power of Congress. This theory of executive power has frequently been justified on the basis of expediency and practical necessity in view of the nature of modern conflict. But no prior Administration has suggested that the Executive’s power in this area is unlimited or that it applies to ex ante agreements where there is ample time for Congress to participate. Moreover, in my view, the division of war powers specified in the Constitution is both compatible with modern warfare and essential to constitutional government.

A commitment that the United States will act to assist Iraq, potentially through the use of our Armed Forces in the event of an attack on Iraq, could effectively commit the nation to engage in hostilities. Such a commitment cannot be made by the Executive Branch on its own under our Constitution. Congress must participate in formulating, and ultimately authorizing, such a commitment. As stated in the report of the Committee on Foreign Relations that accompanied the National Commitments Resolution in 1969, “he means of a democracy are its ends; when we set aside democratic procedures in making our foreign policy, we are undermining the purpose of that policy.”

I expect that the Committee will review this issue in hearings next year, and look forward to close consultation with your Administration. In advance of such hearings, I would welcome a clarification from you on the scope of the agreement you are considering, and the specific security assurances and commitments that it might entail. I would also appreciate a definitive statement from you affirming that Congress must authorize or approve any “security commitments” the United States negotiates with Iraq.

Sincerely,


Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Chairman





http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=291041&

[gateley]

1. From the release:

**FYI: Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) sent the following letter in December 2007 to the President regarding a White House plan for a new, long-term security agreement with the Iraqi government. To date, Sen. Biden has not received a response.

This administration doesn't acknowledge ANYBODY except those in its own inner circle. It totally ignores legal demands, and lives in its own world.

We have GOT to get a Dem in the WH!

And WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH IRAQ?? DO something!

[gateley]

2. PS -- No need to ask who "the weasel" is.... nt

[livvy]

3. I'm not trying to promote my own post, ...

but doesn't anyone have anything to say about this? Have we all forgotten about the real battle? Are we really so easily distracted by silly bantering between maybe future presidents that we can't concentrate on the things that are really important?

[kelligesq]

4. OK. it's up to our spineless democratic congress to stop him and since

17 of our majority of 51 in the senate vote with the weasels, and Harry and Nancy refuse to impeach for HIGH CRIMES , what woul dyou suggest we comment?

Pelosi and Reid need to be removed, and the 17 either need to be voted out, removed from committee heads, or given the heave ho so they can be replaced by
real democrats. But most of the democratic congress arent real democrats anymore anyway. Seems to me all they do is agree with the rethuglicans or stage a show to make it look like they're arguing but let rethuglicans wishes move ahead.

Yah, that Harry is some fighter. not

[livvy]

5. Placing blame does not solve the problem.

I am in full agreement with you as far as what our Congress Critters have accomplished. I too am frustrated by what seems like a lack of advancement in our goals. I frequently have to remind myself, however, how much worse things might be without them. Imagine what things might be like if their presence was not there, however weak we might perceive them.
Things are not good, but they could be much worse. Imagine what things would be like if the lying weasel and his merry band of traitors had no one even questioning their path. What if they were allowed to proceed with their agenda without any barriers?
Things could be much worse. Things may become much worse. We may not even have any comprehension of how bad it could be.
I do feel a little bit better knowing someone like Biden is in the Senate, still trying to keep things going in the right direction. I'd feel a whole lot better if he was the Commander in Chief, but that is not to be.

He can't do it alone, and that is where you and I come in. We support and fight for anyone that is willing to fight and support us. We are the people and We the People are what is important. Without us, there is nothing.