Imperial Presidency

‘King Would’ve Marched on Obama’

"Executive Director of the Black Agenda Report, Glen Ford, sits down with us to revisit Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic March on Washington August 28, 1963, and how the Obama administration addresses its 50th anniversary. Marching in the streets for the right to vote, protestors were greeted by police with tear gas and dogs. That demonstration, led by Doctor Martin Luther King, happened fifty years ago this week. Its most famous moment came with the delivery of MLK's 'I Have a Dream Speech.'" Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘King Would’ve Marched on Obama’

A Message to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney From a Dying Veteran

"I write this letter, my last letter, to you, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. I write not because I think you grasp the terrible human and moral consequences of your lies, manipulation and thirst for wealth and power. I write this letter because, before my own death, I want to make it clear that I, and hundreds of thousands of my fellow veterans, along with millions of my fellow citizens, along with hundreds of millions more in Iraq and the Middle East, know fully who you are and what you have done. You may evade justice but in our eyes you are each guilty of egregious war crimes, of plunder and, finally, of murder, including the murder of thousands of young Americans—my fellow veterans—whose future you stole." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Message to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney From a Dying Veteran

Making the World the ‘Enemy’

"After 9/11, President George W. Bush turned to Civil War precedents to create military tribunals for trying alleged 'terrorists.' But in applying those draconian rules to a worldwide battlefield, he created the nightmarish potential for a global totalitarianism, as retired U.S. Army JAG officer Todd E. Pierce explains." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMaking the World the ‘Enemy’

The Dictatorial Power to Punish a Dictator

"Americans often forget the Constitution is the law that we the people have imposed on President Obama (and the rest of the federal government). The president expects us to obey his laws and punishes us severely when we don’t. Just ask any of the thousands of people serving long prison terms for violating federal drug laws. Why shouldn’t the president be required to obey our law, the law of the Constitution? Why should Obama be entitled to exercise dictatorial powers, even if it’s just to punish another dictator?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Dictatorial Power to Punish a Dictator

Chemical Weapons in Syria? Who Cares!

"It does not matter whether or not Obama gets Congressional approval for the strike. It does not matter whether 50 percent plus one in Congress vote in favor of an attack on Syria. It does not matter whether some form of chemical weapons were used in the war in Syria. It does not matter who used them if they were indeed used. it does not matter whether the Saudis are demanding that we overthrow Assad. It does not matter whether the Turks are demanding we overthrow Assad. It does not matter whether the Israelis demand that we overthrow Assad. What matters is that there is no grounds for the US to make war on Syria. It has not attacked us; it does not threaten us. On the contrary..." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChemical Weapons in Syria? Who Cares!

How Will White House Find Legal Grounds to Bomb Syria?

"Obama is already breaking the UN charter by shipping arms to rebels, by training them, and by introducing covert CIA and mercenary operatives into Syria. He has already made the US an outlaw nation. Perhaps having already crossed the Rubicon of illegality, he doesn’t care if he advances further into that territory. Perhaps he feels that he can sell an aggressive attack on Syria on the basis of its being defensive and his being in the right. But since America is not threatened, there is no such rationale on the basis of defense possible." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow Will White House Find Legal Grounds to Bomb Syria?

Rand Paul: Syria lacks security connection

"Sen. Rand Paul said the U.S. has 'no clear national security connection' to the war in Syria and called for a debate in Congress over possible military action in the country. The Kentucky Republican — who has been an outspoken advocate against military action in Syria — said in a statement the U.S. should 'condemn' the use of chemical weapons and determine who deployed them. But the decision of whether the conflict demands U.S. action should come from Congress, he added, not President Barack Obama. 'The war in Syria has no clear national security connection to the United States and victory by either side will not necessarily bring in to power people friendly to the United States,' Paul said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul: Syria lacks security connection

Obama promises mayors unilateral action on guns

"Stymied by Congress in his gun control efforts, President Obama told a group of big-city mayors Tuesday that he would take more executive actions to reduce gun violence. The closed-door meeting at the White House included Attorney GeneralEric H. Holder Jr., who discussed 'strategies to reduce youth violence,' the White House said in a statement. Mr. Obama 'vowed to continue doing everything in his power to combat gun violence through executive action and to press Congress to pass common-sense reforms like expanding the background check system and cracking down on gun trafficking,' the White House said in a statement." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama promises mayors unilateral action on guns

Glenn Beck Calls For Nationwide Anti-War Rallies

"Beck said he's not an anti-war protestor, but declared that 'we need anti-war rallies' to push back against this, and people need to just ignore politicians like John McCain and President Obama dismissing opposition to intervention as coming from 'extremists.' Beck reminded the audience Obama's anti-war stance was one of the major things that secured his election, and pointed out that he was highly critical of Bush for similar tactics. He instructed listeners to find common ground with liberals on this issue and stand united against intervention. He concluded, 'Don't screw around with this. This is WWIII in the making.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Beck Calls For Nationwide Anti-War Rallies

Obama And Biden Spoke Out Against Military Action Without Congress In 2008

"Barack Obama: 'The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation. As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama And Biden Spoke Out Against Military Action Without Congress In 2008