George Will (!?) tells Congress to find its backbone to prevent Iran war

[Newsjock]

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_7366799

Backbone is all Congress needs to stop war with Iran
By George Will
Article Launched: 11/04/2007 01:43:41 AM PDT

Americans are wondering, with the lassitude of uninvolved spectators, whether the president will initiate a war with Iran. Some Democratic presidential candidates worry, or purport to, that he might claim an authorization for war in a Senate resolution labeling an Iranian Revolutionary Guard unit a terrorist organization. Some Democratic representatives oppose the president's request for $88 million to equip B-2 stealth bombers to carry huge "bunker-buster" bombs, hoping to thereby impede a presidential decision to attack Iran's hardened nuclear facilities.

While legislators try to leash a president by tinkering with a weapon, a sufficient leash - the Constitution - is being ignored by them. They are derelict in their sworn duty to uphold it. Regarding the most momentous thing government does, make war, the constitutional system of checks and balances is broken.

Congress can, however, put the Constitution's bridle back on the presidency. Congress can end unfettered executive war-making by deciding to. That might not require, but would be facilitated by, enacting the Constitutional War Powers Resolution. Introduced last week by Rep. Walter Jones, a North Carolina Republican, it technically amends, but essentially would supplant, the existing War Powers Resolution, which has been a nullity ever since it was passed in 1973 over President Nixon's veto.

... Unless and until Congress stops prattling about presidential "usurpation" of power and asserts its own, it will remain derelict regarding its duty of mutual participation in war-making. And it will merit its current marginalization.

[tom_paine]

1. If even Loyal Toady George Will is now willing to admit part of the truth

we must be close to an "event horizon", a triggering event which will allow the Bushies to fufill their Penultimate and Final Solutions to the Liberal Problem.

Will the Bushies give us a "rest" between bouts of Bushie Vampirism, time to heal and refill the coffers for later plunder, or will they go straight to it, appoint 9/11ani Emperor and keep on their relentless trek to fully seize America and destroy the Old Republic that they may remain in powr forever and ever?

Stay tuned.

Oh, and to the Loyal Toady George Will: you are still in denial. It is not just the warmaking aspect of the System of Checks and Balances that is broken, but all of it.

And YOU helped, you sonovabitch. You helped quite a bit and I certainly hope there is a nice warm spot in hell next to Hitler's more moderate scribes, for you to compare notes with those who are so much like you.

[Bitwit1234]

2. I have come to the conclusion the Democrats have caved

They want to win overwhelmingly (they think) in 2008. They are letting bush and the republicans run wild with no check to try to assure this.

BUT I think this will do the opposite. People will be upset that this congress, although they don't have a big majority in the senate, could reign in a lot of the actions of this administration. I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO. How about you all.

[OHdem10]

3. The DLC/Blue Dogs have the influence in these matters.

They need to go home and talk to their GOP consituents. Talk
truth that is. No avoidance. There will always be afew dyed in
the wool Bush supporters but others can have their minds changed.

Iam originally from NC--many long years ago. Still when I would
go back to visit---Permanent Signs everywhere including billboards
"Bush Country". It was assumed everyone would vote GOP and Bush.
This was year round--not some campaign show.


Yet Congressman Walter Jones Republican was willing to face his
people and speak truth to the people. He has been against
this mistake for a long time. Before a lot of spineless Dems, I
am sorry to say.

Look, Jones still holds his seat in "Bush Country .

It is now past time to be concerned about keeping this Bush"s
War. I understand the Dems believed it best not to assume mantle
of the war. That time has passed--The Media and everyone else
expected the Dems to begin the ending of War in Iraq. They
have been awol. At least Rhetoric would help. If they do
not intervene where Iran is concerned and stop Bush, they
will deserve to be replaced in the Next Election. DLC/BlueDogs
step up to the plate. You run things in Democratic Party.
Show us what you are made of.

[marmar]

4. Well slap my face and call me Susan.....

When George Will makes more sense that a fair number of our Democratic reps, things are truly bollocksed up.

[Demeter]

5. We Need More Representative Representatives!

Try saying that fast three times.

[Jade Fox]

6. Every once in awhile George does something so right....

and I'm grateful for it. This is not the first time he has come out of left field (right field?) with an excellent editorial.

[lame54]

7. were through the looking glass now people