How remarkable to suddenly discover that we are involved in another Middle Eastern conflict. This one is billed as mere no-fly zone and protection, though that’s a tune we’ve heard before.
This action in Libya comes with the imprimatur of the U.N., and apparently was asked-for help. It may aid or hinder America’s demolished reputation in the Middle East, depending on whom you ask.
Regardless, it’s yet another example of presidential powers that ought not be. Obama doesn’t deserve a free ride on this one, no matter how much of a tradition the sudden appearance of a somber-faced president telling us he’s decided to bomb the hell out of somebody has become. And he remains the lesser hawk next to McCain–thank heavens for the small victories.
War used to be a decision Congress weighed in on, and it ought to be that way. Shouldn’t we mere citizens have some sort of voice in deciding when to ask people to risk their lives in yet another conflict? The centralization of authority into one “decider” just ain’t a good trend, no matter who’s in charge.
UPDATE: Sorry to disappoint our partisan friends. The problem, as laid out many, many times before in this very blog, is not that Republican=bad and Democrat=good. Political problems are, rather, issue-based, regardless of party.
Most of the time, the way I see our politics, it’s more like Republican=reliably wrong, Democrat=reliably wrong with a slim hope of (probably accidental) right. I vote for slim hope vs. none. If you’re looking for partisan defense of all things Democratic, try Daily Kos instead.
