Congressional Leaders Fire Warning Shot At President (re: Iran attack)

[sabra]

http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/186811.php?contentType=4&contentId=292238

Congressional Leaders Fire Warning Shot At President

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic leaders in Congress lobbed a warning shot Friday at the White House not to launch an attack against Iran without first seeking approval from lawmakers.

``The president does not have the authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization,'' Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told the National Press Club.

The administration has accused Iran of meddling in Iraqi affairs and contributing technology and bomb-making materials for insurgents to use against U.S. and Iraqi security forces.

President Bush said last week the U.S. will ``seek out and destroy'' networks providing that support. While top administration officials have said they have no plans to attack Iran itself, they have declined to rule it out.

[leveymg]

1. Good. Now put that into writing as a binding resolution. eom

[Greeby]

2. The flaw in that thinking is

giving Congress the authority won't necessarily stop it. There are still plenty of congresscritters who will vote for war with Iran

[Buzz Clik]

5. You're damned tootin' they will! Both Dems and Repubs.

[The Stranger]

3. No more lines in the sand, IMPEACH.

[pat_k]

6. Hear, Hear! (nt)

[Buzz Clik]

4. bfd.

Bush is playing with Congress, and they know it:

• Bush claims to end his phone-tapping crap, and they get giddy. Then we find out he already had a work-around in place.
  
• Congress is working on a number of nonbinding resolutions about Iraq. Big deal.
  
• Congressional Dems have their excuses already lined up about being unable to unfund the war.
  

This is bullshit. If Bush makes even a hostile comment about Iran, he should be impeached, but the Dems in Congress don't have the guts for it. Our only hope is that Bush is playing a game of chicken with both Iran and the Congress.

[MaineDem]

7. Although I don't care for the headline...

(I don't think people should be writing about shots being taken at the Prez, even if metaphorical)... I like the concept. But, of course, the Prez won't care.

[rodeodance]

15. I agree, that headline sucks

[Judi Lynn]

8. Democrats warn Bush on attacking Iran

Democrats warn Bush on attacking Iran
Jan 19, 2007, 17:40 GMT

Washington - Congressional Democrats are seeking to influence US foreign policy on Iran, saying Friday that US President George W Bush must get congressional approval before launching any military strike.

Bush has previously said he has no intention of using military force in the dispute over Iran's nuclear activities, but has not ruled out the option. There has been growing speculation that Bush has been considering an attack to punish Iran for alleged meddling in Iraq, speculation the White House dismisses as a 'rumour' and 'urban legend.'

Democrats have been trying to assert themselves over foreign policy since taking control of Congress from Bush's Republicans earlier this month and want to make clear that the authorization for the war in Iraq cannot be used to justify an attack against Iran.

'Much has been made about President Bush's recent sabre-rattling toward Iran,' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday. 'The president does not have the authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization.'
(snip/...)

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1248842.php/Democrats_warn_Bush_on_attacking_Iran

[Megahurtz]

9. Dems Seek to Bar U.S. Attacks on Iran

WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders in Congress lobbed a warning shot Friday at the White House not to launch an attack against
Iran without first seeking approval from lawmakers.

"The president does not have the authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., told the National Press Club.

The administration has accused Iran of meddling in Iraqi affairs and contributing technology and bomb-making materials for insurgents to use against U.S. and Iraqi security forces.

More:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_go_co/us_iran

[neoblues]

10. It's what's right...

But considering Bush's almost child-like attitude of resistance to any kind of limits, restraint or authority, it seems like telling him he can't do something... is liable to make him do it just to spite those who are telling Him what he can or cannot do.

It's scary how mentally unstable I suspect the holder of our Office of the President really is.

[bdamomma]

11. a defying man/child, if he considers doing this, IMPEACHMENT

SHOULD BE PUT ON THE TABLE OR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

12. impeach that motherfucker you spineless cowards

warning shots don't count

[formercia]

13. Close only counts in horseshoes and Nukes.

Posturing for public consumption then pulling an Arlen Specter doesn't.

[indepat]

14. And Iraq would be attacked only as the last option

[AnneD]

16. I love the headline...

at least DEM's give warning. Cheney just peppers you with bird shot....sorry the title was too juicy to resist. Sorry MaineDem-I thought it was funny, considering our cowboy wannabe Prez.

[Dover]

17. Democrats warn Bush not to attack Iran

Democrats warn Bush not to attack Iran

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jan 19, 3:27 PM ET



WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders in Congress lobbed a warning shot Friday at the White House not to launch an attack against Iran without first seeking approval from lawmakers.


"The president does not have the authority to launch military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., told the National Press Club.

The administration has accused Iran of meddling in Iraqi affairs and contributing technology and bomb-making materials for insurgents to use against U.S. and Iraqi security forces.

President Bush said last week the U.S. will "seek out and destroy" networks providing that support. While top administration officials have said they have no plans to attack Iran itself, they have declined to rule it out...cont'd

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_go_co/us_iran

___________________

Bush: "Ah geee whiz. I don't wanna take my soldier toys and go home! Ha.......but you didn't include Syria, or Venezuela, or N. Korea or......"

[tularetom]

18. They need to express this in terms that contain the implicit message

that the "I" word will be employed if these warnings are not heeded. * won't understand it but some in his inner circle will. Poppy bush will understand it too and it will fuckin devastate him not least because all of HIS crimes may be revealed in the ensuing hearings and trials.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

19. or else what?

[Peace Patriot]

20. I like the sound of this: "The President does not have the authority to...."

This is definitely the way Congress needs to be thinking. It's Magna Carta time!

Early on, they said, "Impeachment is off the table." I think they may be realizing that there is no table. The table has to be re-hewn, around which to hold discussions of these EQUAL branches of government. I hope it's not all noise. But I do hear a rather sharp change of tone in this statement of AUTHORITY.

[Toots]

21. But he apparently does have authority to bomb Somalia and the Philippines

We have US forces killing people in both of those countries right now. How is that allowed?

[lonestarnot]

22. And don't think for one nanosecond that this fuckwad would give a

good damn not to attack any place in the entire world just because he feels like it. Commanders will follow his orders.