Tag: constitution

War Without Representation

“The Congress shall have power to … declare war.” – United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8 In America, 2011, history is given yet another example of a nation in which one person, in this case called “the president,” can launch all of his subjects into war merely on his whim. Granted, if one reads … Continue reading “War Without Representation”

High Costs May Not Be the Worst Aspects of the Attack on Libya

As if getting enmeshed in a third simultaneous war—with costs soaring in a time of economic peril, yawning budget deficits, and national debt—when no vital national interest was at stake wasn’t bad enough, that is not the worst of it. As in George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq, analysis of the stated reasons for President … Continue reading “High Costs May Not Be the Worst Aspects of the Attack on Libya”

New START Is Worthy, but Let’s Not Violate the Constitution to Save It

Since the Cold War ended, arms control treaties don’t get much attention – unless they get into trouble. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) appears to fall into that category. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), designated as the Republican point man for the treaty, is blocking it. Kyl, conservative on such issues but usually responsible, … Continue reading “New START Is Worthy, but Let’s Not Violate the Constitution to Save It”

Marked Imam Tests Lawn-Chair Constitutionalists

“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” – Thomas Paine The Constitution is being tested in the most extreme way imaginable: does the federal government really have the right to pursue the … Continue reading “Marked Imam Tests Lawn-Chair Constitutionalists”

The Trouble With Unconstitutional Wars

Listen to Ron Paul deliver these remarks here. Our foreign policy was in the spotlight last week, which is exactly where it should be. Almost two years ago many voters elected someone they thought would lead us to a more peaceful, rational co-existence with other countries. However, while attention has been focused on the administration’s … Continue reading “The Trouble With Unconstitutional Wars”

Death by Remote

As the Barack Obama administration continues to roll out justifications for its policy of targeting U.S. citizens and others thought to be attacking U.S. troops, legal and national security experts are pondering a central question: What if there’s a mistake and the wrong person gets killed? There are no do-overs. It is a death sentence. … Continue reading “Death by Remote”

Return Our Weekend Warriors

If George W. Bush – notorious for skipping his Texas Air National Guard drills during the Vietnam War – were in the Guard today, he’d be up in the air without a propeller. That’s because today’s National Guard has become virtually indistinguishable from the nation’s active-duty forces in the war zone. The majority of these … Continue reading “Return Our Weekend Warriors”

CPAC Sends Founding Fathers Spinning

Everywhere you looked at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington this year, there was Lady Liberty, an eagle soaring, a patriot with fife and drum and a tri-cornered hat. Freedom – everyone and everything declared – was under assault. According to the three-day schedule, it was under attack by socialists, unions, the taxman, … Continue reading “CPAC Sends Founding Fathers Spinning”

US: Guantanamo Prisoners Not ‘Persons’

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal Monday to review a lower court’s dismissal of a case brought by four British former Guantanamo prisoners against former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the detainees’ lawyers charged Tuesday that the country’s highest court evidently believes that "torture and religious humiliation are permissible tools for a government … Continue reading “US: Guantanamo Prisoners Not ‘Persons’”

Civilian Trials for 9/11 Suspects Aren’t Enough

The Obama administration’s decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-described mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and four alleged co-conspirators in civilian court is a laudable return to the rule of law from the Bush administration’s kangaroo military commissions, which convened offshore in Guantanamo to avoid giving defendants full legal rights under domestic or … Continue reading “Civilian Trials for 9/11 Suspects Aren’t Enough”