Obama Admin Cites 'Int'l Permission,' Not Congress, As 'Legal Basis' For Action In Syria

WASHINGTON, March 7—Under question from Sen. Sessions at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey indicated that "international permission," rather than Congressional approval, provided a 'legal basis' for military action by the United States.

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[AwohaliSagwu]

Well, that's about as in your face as you can get, it's official, our military now works for and is run by the "world government" aka the new world order. Our military is nolonger there to protect the ppl of the United States, now we have no president or military.

[Bigrig2020]

This is treason. Wake up America. Our Sons And Daughters are being used at Cannon Fodder for other countries.

[Neils Dahlberg]

Obama himself should also have been questioned about "legal basis" to conduct war and interventions.

[Mathenaut]

Most of these people don't really have a sense of what is in that document.  They just go on what they are told.

[spectral1]

Why do you think so?

NATO and the UN are only groups of countries who have made treaties and intend to keep diplomatic ties open. This gives them no rights as legal bodies, though the UN disagrees.

There is no "pure defense" limitation in the U.S. Constitution, nor should there be. The purpose of the military is defense, and should be used thus, but Congress has no restriction on who they are allowed to declare war on.

law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects­/ftrials/conlaw/warandtreaty.h­tm

[sozo45]

Coupled with the recent news that the administration may have let Chinese nationals have access to NASA, an impeachment case could hold up.

[carlaross445]

So the gist is, they do mot believe they need congress' permission. Sounds like a police state to me.

[CBSBASS]

CONGRESS has power to declare war via the United States Constitution, specifically : "To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;"

[Brian Bingham]

This is definitely a reason to impeach President Obama anyone else in his administration who continues to violate the constitution of the united States.

[cinnastax91]

According to the Constitution, only the Congress can Declare War Mr. Panetta. A high school student in U.S. Govt class can tell you that. It's very basic and educated Americans are easily able to answer this one. Panetta refuses to use the word "Congress" in his answers even when Senator Sessions tells him that it's Congress then the President. Panetta is clearly trying to undermine the rules of our most basic document without Amending the Constitution as required. Charges could be brought IMO.

[tuffman187]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the US Constitution states that the military can Not attack another country unless the US is attacked, they are only to Defend the US & it's people.If a country has a state of abuse by those in Power, it therefore falls to Nato & the UN (as that is there role & the reason the were formed) to use their Forces to defend the innocent, Not the US.

[mkelton19]

unbelievable. why haven't these traitors to our country and Constitution been forced from their positions? clearly they have no respect for US law.