What Did Congress Authorize In Libya ?

We seem to be at war in Libya.  The news tells us that we are no longer providing air support, but various news sources are reporting that we now have Marine boots on the gound there (google "Marines in Libya" for further details).  But how did we get there?  Should we be there?  I honestly don't have the answer to the second question.  I have the opinion that a new government may not be our friend, even if we help establish it, but I really don't know.  But I think the question of how we got there is interesting.

According to a press release put out by Senator John Ensign:

"...While Secretary Clinton has continued to refer to S. Res. 85 as a Senate endorsement of the President's establishment of a no-fly zone, I'd like to point out to the American people that this talking point is very misleading.

 

"Senate Resolution 85 received the same amount of consideration as a bill to rename a post office; it was 'hotlined' and there was no debate allowed on this issue and no legislative language provided to consider.  There was no vote.

 

"S. Res. 85 described a no-fly zone as a "possible" course of action for the U.N. Security Council's consideration.  It did not instruct the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to take action, let alone authorize a military operation.

 

"Using the hotline process for S. Res. 85 as a congressional endorsement for the President's policy is simply not an adequate use of Congress' role in authorizing military action.

 

"The Administration unilaterally developed, planned and executed its no-fly zone policy. President Obama consulted the UN, NATO and Arab League, but did not consult what is mandated under our laws and Constitution. There was no Congressional approval or oversight of this military commitment.

 

"S. Res. 85 simply does not authorize or endorse the use of force.  It urges a multilateral body to consider a no-fly zone as a possible course of action.

 

• That is not the legal equivalent of an authorization to use force.
• That is not the political equivalent of an authorization to use force.

 

"So what is S.Res. 85?  It is a disrespectful checking of the box by this Administration for congressional approval of its unilateral military decision."

 

Andrew McCarthy posted an article on Congress' role in our involvement in Libya at The Corner at National Review Online.  This is not a casual adventure--it is a war.  People will get killed.  If Gadaffi stays in power, there will be a slaughter of those who opposed him so that he can remain in power.  At this stage of the game, the best thing we can do is send in a sniper.  There will be a short period of chaos that will follow the death of Gadaffi, but I think that action will save the maximum number of lives.