This page was last updated on September 15, 2013.
President doesn’t have the power; William Dickson; Beaver County Times; September 15, 2013.
Mr. Dickson has written at least 18 letters since 2005. The only one of those letters I critiqued was “Losing freedom.”
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“Politicians, with the exception of Rand Paul, falsely claim that the president has the authority to attack Syria under the War Powers Resolution of 1973; without Congressional consent.
“They hang their hats on the Resolution requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action, forbids armed forces remaining more than 60 days, and a 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war.
“However, the Resolution clearly prohibits the president from committing the United States to an armed conflict; stating the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by declaration of war by Congress, statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories, possessions, or armed forces; whereas none applies to Syria.
“The power to conduct war has falsely been given to the President because Congress refused to act on the impeachable offenses committed by Ford when attacking Cambodia, Carter in Afghanistan, Regan [sic] in Nicaragua, H.W. Bush in Panama, Clinton in Kosovo; and Obama on Libya. Illegally transferring power from the Legislative to Executive Branch has trampled the War Powers Resolution; including our Constitution.”
[RWC] Though the above is a popular refrain by some folks, it’s misleading at best. Please read my critique of the BCT editorial “Dangerous trend.”
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