FIrst I would be greatful if someone would explain to me how a US president could (almost ) unilaterally order the bombing raids ?
Stephan,
Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, and Haiti are all additional examples of where US troops were committed to short to long term military actions, which the first two "conflicts" occuring prior to the War Power Act.
The War Powers act was one of the primary reasons that Bush went to Congress for approval to commence military action against Iraq. Many democrats voted against Desert Storm claiming we were going to war over oil, yet are falling over themselves to support recent actions.
Basically the War Powers Act of 1973 provides the President 60 days of free reign to conduct military actions before being forced to get the permission of congress to continue. It can be extended for 30 days by the President to a maximum of 90 days total military commitment time.
As for a broader base of support for these actions in Iraq, there is not doubt that the military has been itching to let 'em fly against Hussein for several years. However, unless there was some more urgent reason, that remains classified, for launching these attacks now, the military basically stepped into Clinton's political ploy of distraction. I just can't figure out an alternative rationale for limiting strikes to 4-5 days when they could have waited until after Ramadan.
But most of all, remember that the military has been severely abused by this president, both culturally and financially. By bailing him out, they can strike a deal that he will leave them alone while boosting expenditures for all of those whiz-bang weapons of such convenient political expedience.
Btw, I'm not a peacenik. I also believe that Hussein has been begging for it for some time. I just wish I wasn't forced into second guessing the timing and lack of commitment that has left US Mid East policy playing right into the hands of Saddam Hussein and other anti-US elements. This may prove to be a paradigm of decreasing US power in the region.
Regards,
Ron
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