Liberty Minute August 2 2013

New York Republican Congressman Peter King, a one-time fundraiser for the terrorist Irish Republican Army, has criticized Barack Obama?s decision to seek congressional approval of any military action against Syria. King lamented that Obama is ?undermining the authority of future presidents? by allowing Congress to have a say regarding a decision to commit the US government to a foreign war.

Speaking on Face the Nation, Arizona Republican Senator John McCain offered a similar criticism, claiming that Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad is ?euphoric? that Obama didn?t order a strike unilaterally. On Fox News, former Connecticut Senator and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman said that he is ?sure our enemies are cheering? because of Obama?s qualified concession to Congress?s constitutional authority in matters of war.

Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn?t commented publicly on the matter, Uri Ariel, who is a minister for housing in Netanyahu?s cabinet, complained that ?in Tehran, they?re opening the champagne, and switching into a higher gear en route to nuclear weapons? because of Obama?s decision to seek congressional support.

Obama, to be clear, still claims he has authority to act without Congressional sanction.  It is telling, however, that so many war-crazed figures ? both here and abroad -- embrace a dictatorial view of presidential war powers.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.