OLIVER NORTH AND THE DEATH OF IRONY…. There’s a reasonable debate to be had of a White House’s responsibilities, military action, and congressional authorization. I think talk about impeaching President Obama over intervention in Libya is silly, but criticism about Congress’ role (or lack thereof) is certainly not ridiculous.
But those raising concerns should at least try to have some credibility.
[Yesterday], Fox News’ Oliver North took to the airwaves to complain that President Obama didn’t seek congressional authorization before intervening in Libya.
“Quite frankly, it’s unparalleled in my entire experience in the military going all the way back to the 1960s,” North complained. “Every president has gone to the Congress to get a resolution to support whatever it is he wanted to do. And [Obama] doesn’t ask the Congress because he doesn’t know what he wants to do.”
First, Oliver North is still around? And Fox News is still paying him? How odd.
Second, “every president” has not gone to Congress to get a resolution to support military action. That’s precisely why Obama’s move wasn’t particularly scandalous — because there are modern, accepted norms related to the powers of the executive, and this president hasn’t done anything at all unusual.
And third, has Oliver North forgotten his own professional claim to fame? This guy illegally circumvented Congress to sell weapons to Iran, and then used the money to illegally finance a war in Nicaragua.
He wants to whine on national television about a Commander in Chief launching an offensive in Libya without Congress’ permission? Seriously?
