Surprise! Washington Post Sides With Hawks Over New War Powers

wash-postIt’s always amusing when one hears talk about The Washington Post being part of the liberal mainstream media conspiracy. The 136-year-old newspaper, known for its breaking of “Watergate” and subsequent downfall of President Richard N. Nixon in the 1970’s, is hardly “liberal,” nor “progressive” today, but straight down-the-middle establishment, and its editorial page baldly hawkish. There are zillions of examples, and today’s endorsement of new presidential powers to execute an ongoing global war on terror, is no exception.

In today’s lead editorial, the paper came out in favor of a Lawfare.com-generated proposal to turn the Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) into an a la carte kill list hand-picked by the Executive Branch, “in consultation” with congress. Just think of the State Department’s list of state sponsored terrorists, only instead of sanctions and frozen assets, members of the new AUMF fraternity would be “targeted for termination,” the predator drones and U.S special forces taking the place of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cyborg assassin, anywhere they operate, across the globe. As I wrote in a recent Antiwar.com piece:

Here is what the current State Department list of designated terrorist organizations looks like today. The first thing that comes to mind when suggesting a similar template for the use of military force is the politics, which would be inevitable when you are inviting various levels of bureaucracy and congress to participate in designating targets. Take the recent State Department de-listing of the Mujahedin e-Khalq (MEK), which came after an audacious public relations blitz that involved millions in shadowy money, A-list campaigners and spokespersons, and a guerilla media war. Is this the kind of theater we are to expect as new terror groups cross the radar of competing Washington interests, or will groups pop on and off with little notice (until of course, their “associates” are flattened one day by a hellfire missile from the sky)?

As John Glaser pointed out in an earlier post, the Lawfare gang is a collection of Bush-era types who are enjoying a bit of popularity with hawks on the Hill, like Sens. John McCain and Carl Levin, who also want to “update” the AUMF. Luckily, there are cooler heads at Lawfare.com who like the idea of letting the AUMF expire, and think the President’s inherent powers under Article II are enough to wage war on new enemies as they come along. That seemed to be President Obama’s gist (but with him we never know) when he suggested the AUMF would ultimately be repealed and that he “will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further.”

The Post, on the other hand, is not happy. “…there’s a danger that dropping the AUMF — as opposed to tailoring it to the new conditions Mr. Obama described — will result in less restraint on presidential power, not more,” the paper argued, relying on a brief by Lawfare’s Jack Goldsmith, who said that using Article II to wage the war on terror “would be an unprecedented expansion of [presidential] authority.”

Sounds to me that it would be an exploitation of his powers rather than an expansion, since he already has the authority. Plus, other legal scholars argue that if Article II were his only authority for waging war, the Executive would be more wary of abusing it. From Georgetown’s Rosa Brooks:

With or without the 2001 AUMF, no one seriously doubts that the president has inherent constitutional authority (and international law authority) to use force when necessary to prevent imminent and grave harm to the United States. But the key concepts there are “necessary,” “imminent,” and “grave,” which means that unilateral, non-congressionally authorized uses of force should be reserved for rare and unusual circumstances — as indeed they have been, for most of U.S. history…

That doesn’t seem enough for The Post, which actually argues that despite it’s own support for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison facility, a repeal of the AUMF might  “complicate the future military detention of terror suspects — such as the Obama administration’s holding of a Somali militant on a U.S. warship prior to his transfer to the civilian justice system [what? No more torturing in international waters?]

“While Mr. Obama insists that he prefers capturing to killing terror suspects, there have been few such arrests on his watch,” the paper adds. “A modifed military detention system with appropriate checks and balances could make them more possible.”

Like the Lawfare gang, The Post’s arguments for a new AUMF all depend on some transparent, effective, honest government system that does not exist. They’ve had 11 years to engage the levers of “checks and balances,” to “modify” methods and policies that don’t work. Time to face reality.

But it sounds, unlike much of America outside the Beltway Bubble, The Post is loathe to let the GWOT go, and has taken up the pretzel-logical torch of McCain and Levin and others on the Hill.  They are trying to say  that expiring the AUMF would be an “expansion” of powers, while creating a new one would amount to a “restriction” or “limitation” on runaway presidential authority. Good lord.

The truly scary thing is that the paper is an establishment canary that doesn’t sing unless it’s got some sense of back-up among the power elite in Washington. This will be an interesting debate to follow, for sure.

63 thoughts on “Surprise! Washington Post Sides With Hawks Over New War Powers”

  1. What legal acronym authorizes the use of mercenary terrorists? What's the purpose of killing a few terrorists here and there via drone strikes (assuming such strikes are 'successful' in the first place), when the US is openly backing mercenary terrorists in Syrian who are literally pumping out car bombs, Youtube videos of terrorist acts, along with proclamations of allegiance with US identified and listed terrorists organisations on a daily basis?

    The US allegedly refused to 'leave' Afghanistan citing concerns that, among other things, Karzai's supposedly 'democratically elected' "regime" needed over 10 years of US "boots on the ground", with night raids and drones strikes included, as the Afghan central state simply would not/could not stand on its own without all of this…and if the Afghan state fell, the power vacuum would create a breading ground for terrorists….as the 'story' goes…

    However, on the other hand, the Obama Administration is openly threatening to start bombing Syria–which is currently an inclusive pluralistic society (and has been for decades without 'issue')–because the Syrian state, led by Assad, simply will not "fall" by way of mercenary terrorists who have unprecedented direct and indirect international: financial, political, and military 'support' by the US and it's so-called "allies"???

    The Syrian state can't/won't "fall", so it is apparently necessary to create mini cesspools of terrorism…and if that doesn't work, start bombing Syria directly and employing other more 'direct' means to create even more terrorists–all the while arm and train the terrorists the US is knowingly and intentionally creating–by the US's own logic of: No state = Terrorist Cesspool–at the same time?

    And it's not like all of this is exactly taking place "undercover" either, as it's hard to keep Youtube videos of cannibalism 'under-wraps'–even for the stooge lame-stream media..

    Where is the endless inane so-called 'legal debate' on all of this?

  2. I remember when the Washington Post used to be a real newspaper, with serious news items on the front page. Now it is more like a daily magazine, with soft, human-interest stories above the fold. Last week the war propaganda moved to the Style section, with an article on the failure of the liberal hawks to be more aggressive on Syria. Compete with two large photos, one of a Syrian rebel with a flower in his gun barrel ("flower power') and one of Syrian government forces shooting a couple of big, serious guns ("fire power"). The only other newspaper in town is the Washington Times, which is even worse.

  3. Pingback: Antiwar.com Newsletter | May 31, 2013 « Antiwar.com Blog

  4. Part of the Balearic archipelago which also has the islands of Minorca and Ibiza among its components, yacht charter Mallorca is by far the largest and the most popular, because of its fine weather, the beaches and recently, the infrastructure.

  5. Well, the commodity is in fact the sweetest affair on this accompanying issue. I fit in with your abstracts and will thirstily attending advanced to your accessible updates. business finance

  6. The Enter is quarrels for a unfamiliar AUMF sum hang on few plain, efficient, veracious rule computer that does nay live. They’ve had 11 years to interlock the crowbars of “checks also weighs,to “modify procedures furthermore policies that don’t process. Span to countenance being.

  7. That seemed to be President Obama’s gist (but with him we never know) when he suggested the AUMF would ultimately be repealed and that he “will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further.

  8. An interesting talk is intent review. I emblem that you should write promote on this topic, it might rarely be a verboten subordinate alongsides typically fellows are not fullness to converse on such handbooks.

  12. Gucci Shoes UK, http://www.guccishoesfactories.com/
    Polo Outlet Online, http://www.ralphvlaurenpolo.com/
    Ralph Lauren Outlet Online, http://www.ralphlaurenuker.com/
    Ralph Lauren UK, http://www.polo-outletstore.com/
    Beats by Dre, http://www.discountbeatsbydresale.com/
    Sacs Longchamp Pairs, http://www.saclongchamppairs.com/
    Canada Goose Outlet, http://www.canadagooser.com/
    Hollister UK Shops, http://www.cheaphollistersale.co.uk/
    Michael Kors Outlet Online, http://www.michaelkors.so/
    Marc Jacobs Outlet, http://www.marcjacobsonsale.com/
    Michael Kors Outlet, http://www.michaelkorstates.com/
    North Jackets Clearance, http://www.north-faceoutletonlines.net/
    Burberry Outlet Online, http://www.burbagssale2013.com/
    North Clearance Outlet Online, http://www.north-clearance.com/
    Coach Factory, http://www.coach-factoryy.com/
    Coach Outlet Online, http://www.coach-purseonsale.com/ Coach Outlet USA, http://www.coach-outletusa.com/

  13. Prosecutors face challenges in proving that the defendant was the one responsible for the posts or tweets, as well as deciphering the tone or criminal intent of messages. Many gang members use aliases, making it difficult to prove the identity of a person online.

  15. Here is what the current State Department list of designated terrorist organizations looks like today. The first thing that comes to mind when suggesting a similar template for the use of military force is the politics

  16. They usually only become involved in a criminal case once a suspect has been identified and charges need to be filed. They are typically employed by an office of the government, with safeguards in place to ensure such an office can successfully pursue the prosecution of government officials.

  17. I would sweetheart to admit you for the labors you occupy made in piece this intelligence. I am hoping the regular improve background from you in the hell as well.

  18. Works very well, plug computer speakers into my projector for family entertainment. Please don't waste your money. I highly recommend this juicer and Amazon. Will Milk Thistle Increase Breast Size Lots of squats on and off the Bosu, stepping/jumping up and over, basically simple step aerobic moves done on the Bosu. Installed this the other day in my pontoon boat. I got a lemon today and it is already back in the box to be sent back. Milk Supply Blessed Thistle Silybum Milk Thistle For Imha click here

  21. That seemed to be President Obama’s gist (but with him we never know) when he suggested the AUMF would ultimately be repealed and that he “will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further.”That seemed to be President Obama’s gist (but with him we never know) when he suggested the AUMF would ultimately be repealed and that he “will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further.”more

    1. All incidents have had congressional disapproval, but none has resulted in any successful legal actions being taken against the president for alleged violations.

  24. Department’s list of state sponsored terrorists, only instead of sanctions and frozen assets, members of the new AUMF fraternity would be “targeted for termination,” the predator drones and U.S special forces taking the place of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cyborg assassin, anywhere they operate, across the globe. As I wrote in a recent Antiwar.com piece:Eunice Miller

  25. Of which looked like there was Chief executive Obama’s gist (but along with him or her all of us never ever know) whenever he advised your AUMF would likely finally become repealed understanding that he “will not necessarily indicator legal guidelines designed to expand this kind of mandate more. ”That looked like there was Chief executive Obama’s gist (but along with him or her all of us never ever know) whenever he advised your AUMF would likely finally become repealed understanding that he “will not necessarily indicator legal guidelines designed to expand this kind of mandate more.

  26. A-list campaigners and spokespersons, and a guerilla media war. Is this the kind of theater we are to expect as new terror groups cross the radar of competing Washington interests, or will groups pop on and off with little notice (until of course, their “associates” are flattened one day by a hellfire missile from the sky)?social media in the workplace

  33. “I like to call in sick to work at places where I’ve never held a job. Then when the manager tells me I don’t work there, I tell them I’d like to. But not today, as I’m sick.”

  34. AUMF fraternity would be “targeted for termination,” the predator drones and U.S special forces taking the place of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cyborg assassin.
    this website

  36. Absolutely they will! Trucking is one of the few industries that prefers age to youth because they're counting on drivers to make safe, prudent decisions, which young people aren't exactly famous for! Go to any trucking school in the country and you'll find guys and gals in their 60's getting training and finding work. Your age is no concern in trucking – you're good to go in that regard. Outsourced IT Service Dallas

  37. “I do not think one can assess a writer’s motives without knowing something of his early development. His subject matter will be determined by the age he lives in … but before he ever begins to write he will have acquired an emotional attitude from which he will never completely escape.”
    clash of clans free gems no download

  38. Because Americans don't respect other nation's soveriegnty, someday other nations will interfere in our country all they want to and we won't be able to do a thing about it. grow taller 4 idiots book

  41. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day! article source

  42. This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post. fiverr backlinks

  45. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. http://injusticehack.com/

  47. Part of the Balearic archipelago which also has the islands of Minorca and Ibiza among its components, yacht charter Mallorca is by far the largest and the most popular, because of its fine weather, the beaches and recently, the infrastructure.

  49. I would sweetheart to admit you for the labors you occupy made in piece this intelligence. I am hoping the regular improve background from you in the hell as well. wedding band sets

Comments are closed.

viewpoint highlights
breaking news
© 2024 Antiwar.com. All rights reserved.
Antiwar.com Blog Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos