Bill Kristol offers solution: Yep, you guessed it
War.
Whatever the problem, the ever-eager Bill Kristol believes that other people dying can solve it. The ardent cheerleader of our invasion of Iraq, where more than 4,400 U.S. soldiers died for a cause yet to reveal itself, now champions that same “solution” for Iran, a much more difficult problem. And in a piece in the Weekly Standard, complete with requisite Churchill quote, he and co-author Jamie Fly argue that if President Obama doesn’t do it, Congress should intervene:
Bill Kristol
“President Obama says a nuclear Iran is unacceptable. The real and credible threat of force is probably the last hope of persuading the Iranian regime to back down. So: Isn’t it time for the president to ask Congress for an Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iran’s nuclear program?
Instead of running away from it, administration officials could be putting the military option front and center and ensuring it is seen as viable. And if the administration flinches, Congress could consider passing such an authorization anyway. While any commander in chief has the constitutional authority to take urgent action to protect Americans and their interests, such legislation would give weight to the president’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It would strengthen the president’s hand. It would show Tehran that America’s policy of preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon is a credible one. Bipartisan support for such an authorization would remove the issue as much as possible from the turmoil of election year politics. And the authorization could also make clear that the United States would come to Israel’s aid in the event that it decides it needs to take action….
We don’t expect the Obama administration to request an Authorization for Use of Military Force. But Congress can act without such a request. By doing so, it would serve the nation’s interest, and, indeed, the administration’s, if the administration means what it says.
Surely it is time for a concentration of congressional opinion and force capable of lifting our efforts to the level of emergency. The Obama administration may be committed to leading from behind, but Congress can choose to lead from the front.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,136 comments Add your comment
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
9:42 am
Righty — “Charles Krauthamer, a trusted journalist”
One of these things is not like the other.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
June 21st, 2012
9:42 am
Be back later as time permits…..
Peadawg
June 21st, 2012
9:45 am
“So, in your point of view, this president doesnt deserve the same executive power that the men before him had ?”
I never said that. But don’t say “but but they did it too” when I question Obama’s motives like it means something. B/c it doesn’t. I’m not playing your little political games.
Especially when Obama criticized Bush when he used it…now he just looks like a hypocrite.
Peadawg
June 21st, 2012
9:46 am
“Be back later as time permits…..”
Time for bingo!
Mighty Righty
June 21st, 2012
9:46 am
Granny Godzilla – Union Thugette
Some are blind and cannot see. Some are blinded by their beliefs and refuse to see. Can’t argue with the second as they are unable to reason.
larry
June 21st, 2012
9:47 am
It was the New York Times that asserted the white house leaked the information and the Obama brown shirts know it. That is why they are investigating themselves. More cover up!
Then the Times should be investigated then.
Why did you use the term ” brown shirts”? I’ve seen them only in white shirts.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 21st, 2012
9:49 am
This is from that “Liberal Rag”, The Navy Times…
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/06/ap-obama-security-record-gives-gop-few-openings-061912/
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
9:49 am
Adam — “If you think about it, perpetuating that system hurts the tribe. It’s beyond the point of diminishing returns, frankly.”
Personally, I find it curious that Bruno’s decided that he shouldn’t have children, which presumably includes adopting them — yet he’s advocating adoption as a responsive solution to abortion — yet we can reasonably infer that *he wouldn’t participate in it.*
Prescriptive behavior for me, but not for thee, eh, Bruno?
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 21st, 2012
9:52 am
larry
June 21st, 2012
9:47 am
In his fevered mind, old Righty seems to think President Obama is like Adolph Hitler and his gang of thugs…this is why I hang on every word he writes…
larry
June 21st, 2012
9:52 am
B/c it doesn’t. I’m not playing your little political games.
Especially when Obama criticized Bush when he used it…now he just looks like a hypocrite.
Im not playing games. Im just explaining to you that every president has used this before him. The power granted to him by the Constitution.
And Obama himself is now getting criticized. And dont think for a moment that if Romeny wins the election , that he doesnt use it.
Uh oh
June 21st, 2012
9:53 am
Let’s get this pillow fighting started right
larry
June 21st, 2012
9:54 am
Normal……… i know.
larry
June 21st, 2012
9:57 am
Let’s get this pillow fighting started right
I would like to stay, but i must run.
Everyone debate nicely now.
Peadawg
June 21st, 2012
9:58 am
“Im just explaining to you that every president has used this before him. The power granted to him by the Constitution.
And Obama himself is now getting criticized. And dont think for a moment that if Romeny wins the election , that he doesnt use it.”
I agree with and understand all of that. I’m still not seeing what any of that has to do w/ the current situation.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
9:58 am
Normal Free — “In his fevered mind, old Righty seems to think President Obama is like Adolph Hitler and his gang of thugs…this is why I hang on every word he writes…”
I’ve largely stopped responding to him, as he seems to think that he’s in possession of some sort of ‘revealed wisdom.’ He doesn’t seem as interested in discussing an issue as he is in lecturing about them, even though he’s often completely and spectacularly wrong on the facts.
I don’t begrudge him his opinion, but I’m not particularly interested in the opinions of those who are clearly hidebound ideologues. I can get that — coupled with a lot more crazed meltdowns to laugh at — over on Free Republic.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 21st, 2012
10:00 am
Here is another interesting read…
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20120621/US.Gay.Marriage.Illinois/?cid=hero_media
Soothsayer
June 21st, 2012
10:01 am
Romney Campaign Said to Ask [Florida Governor Rick] Scott to Downplay Job Gains
Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign asked Florida Governor Rick Scott to tone down his statements heralding improvements in the state’s economy because they clash with the presumptive Republican nominee’s message that the nation is suffering under President Barack Obama, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Just gotta “poor-mouth” it!
Paul
June 21st, 2012
10:03 am
Recon
“According to Napolitano the Supremes ruled that the only 3 conditions were Military, diplomatic and matters of national security. He also opined that Obama didn’t follow the correct procedure and that doing so based only on Holders request wasn’t a legal basis. I don’t know as I’m not a lawyer.”
I’ve found Naplitano to take some pretty…. interesting…. positions. Then again, most judges do. As far as his severe restrictions, that’s why I noted the number of claims of exec privilege since US v Nixon. Even regarding those that were withdrawn, I’d bet there are a number left that do not fit the criteria.
BTW – I’d argued the Bush Administration was not establishing itself above the law, as some claimed, but was rather reasserting the prerogatives of the Executive. It appears this is another area where Pres Obama has followed suit.
What gets lost in many of these discussions is it’s not always about the specifics of the case (”If he ah nothing to hide, why not obey and do Congress’s bidding? and “Obama’s claim of excutive priviledge is tantamount to a confession of his involvement in the Fast and Furious cover up.”). It’s about the principle.
sfd
They guy who beat his, what, four or five year old daughter’s rapist was not indicted. Was pretty apparent he didn’t intend to kill the guy.
To which some here ask “why not?”
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/19/4044890/texas-dad-wont-be-charge-in-slaying.html#storylink=misearch
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 21st, 2012
10:03 am
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
9:58 am
I don’t begrudge his opinion either, he has the right to say it. This is the thing about our great country….you have the right to make a fool of yourself verbally…
They BOTH suck
June 21st, 2012
10:05 am
“you have the right to make a fool of yourself verbally…”
Do not forget consistently and frequently as well
Peadawg
June 21st, 2012
10:06 am
http://news.yahoo.com/judge-throws-3-51-counts-against-sandusky-133915952–spt.html
I just have a really bad feeling that there’s going to be a hung jury. Sad.
Soothsayer
June 21st, 2012
10:07 am
Check out the new Quinnipiac poll showing Obama 46% to Romney 42%. Wasn’t Florida one of those states you Fright-Wingers were really counting on? It don’t look good.
godless heathen
June 21st, 2012
10:08 am
(Reuters) – A U.N. investigator has called on the Obama administration to justify its policy of assassinating rather than capturing al Qaeda or Taliban suspects, increasingly with the use of unmanned drone aircraft that also take civilian lives.
Effin UN can just mind it’s own damn beeswax. If the US wants to fry those that might be terrorists anywhere in the world with drones, who is the UN to question the policy? What do they expect us to do, round them up and send them to Gitmo where they get 3 hots, a cot, and a free prayer rug? Civilian lives = collateral damage = tough sh*t. Good grief.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
10:12 am
G. Heathen — “Effin UN can just mind it’s own damn beeswax. If the US wants to fry those that might be terrorists anywhere in the world with drones, who is the UN to question the policy? What do they expect us to do, round them up and send them to Gitmo where they get 3 hots, a cot, and a free prayer rug? Civilian lives = collateral damage = tough sh*t. Good grief.”
You’re here early today, Mr. Doom.
Mighty Righty
June 21st, 2012
10:16 am
Larry
Why did you use the term ” brown shirts”? I’ve seen them only in white shirts.
You are correct. Many of the Obama thugs are blue shirted SEIU thugs or red shirted ACORN thugs. I prefer the use of “brown shirts” to remind people of the NAZI system of ignoring laws and using law to forward their political aims. ie. The federal government suing a state for enforcing federal law because the current “regime”doesn’t like the law; or the use of government agencies to investigsate private citizens because they didn’t support the administration, or the unilateral non enforcement of federal laws the administration disagrees with, with or the dropping of charges against crimnal acts they desired, or ignoring enforcement of law with which the administration disagrees, or failure to appoint an independent investigator to investigate its own illegal activity, or threatening business with new regulations unless they comply with the administration desired policies, or threatening Media outlets with which it disagrees, or promising a foreign country head of state to be more cooperative (read inviolation of public trust) after being reelected, or unilaterally entering into treaties that violate our soverengnty, or paying off political donors with taxpayer money. Just a few of many dictator type decisions. Obama is a ruler, not a governor, hence my use of “brown shirts” to describe the tug like polices of this administration.
Oscar
June 21st, 2012
10:17 am
Everybody complains about executive priviledge but nobody does anything about it.
___ Mark Twain
TaxPayer
June 21st, 2012
10:17 am
If Republicans would actually do something other than just say no, we could even be doing better than fine right now. As it stands though, the Republicans have yet to do anything more with their “Jobs” campaigning than offer up more tax cuts for the wealthiest. Fortunately, the Democrats and President Obama are more than able to keep the economy going in spite of the Republican’s best efforts to sink us, again.
FenderMan
June 21st, 2012
10:17 am
“…where more than 4,400 U.S. soldiers died for a cause yet to reveal itself…”
How about a giant American boot in the heart of the Middle East. No terroists attacks since 9-11 is not a coincidence. Our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan has made life as a terroist much harder.
Adam
June 21st, 2012
10:22 am
Peadawg: It’s always suspect to me. If you’ve got nothing to hide or worry about, why weasel out of it?
Presumption of guilt is not ho our legal system is supposed to work.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
10:23 am
FenderMan — “No terroists attacks since 9-11 is not a coincidence.”
FAIL.
St Simons - beach philosopher
June 21st, 2012
10:25 am
by John Celock – ….a series of moves nationwide, including
a) a bullet-riddled outhouse with Obama birth certificate markings at last weekend’s OFFICIAL GOP Montana REPUBLICAN CONVENTION and
b) the GOP-controlled OFFICIAL Missouri House of Representatives adopting legislation to require presidential candidates to provide their birth certificates to state election officials.
c) The OFFICIAL Republican Arizona secretary of state told an OFFICIAL GOP CONVENTION audience near Phoenix that he believes President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, but claimed to be born in Kenya in order to get into college, and that’s why his college records are sealed.
these are not fringe nuts, this is OFFICIAL GOP in positions of responsibility acting in an OFFICIAL capacity of the OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN pahhty.
Stay classy, Republicans
Adam
June 21st, 2012
10:25 am
FenderMan: No terroists attacks since 9-11 is not a coincidence.
TBG, help me out on this one. No SUCCESSFUL attacks, right?
My implication here that I will now make whole is that having a “boot” in the middle east does nothing to deter crazy people from trying. It also doesn’t secure our own domestic territory, which arguably, assuming limited resources, is a capacity that is diminished by us spreading our resources around the world.
Soothsayer
June 21st, 2012
10:29 am
China Crude Imports From Iran Climb to Highest This Year
China’s imports of crude from Iran rose to the highest level this year even as Western nations stepped up pressure to cut purchases of the commodity from the Persian Gulf nation.
China, the world’s second-biggest crude consumer, bought 2.22 million tons of oil from Iran in May, according to a report e-mailed by the Beijing-based General Administration of Customs today. That’s equivalent to more than 524,000 barrels a day, up 35 percent from the 390,000 barrels a day purchased in April. It imported 2.27 million tons, or about 537,000 barrels a day, in May last year.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 21st, 2012
10:29 am
Adam — “It also doesn’t secure our own domestic territory, which arguably, assuming limited resources, is a capacity that is diminished by us spreading our resources around the world.”
It also ignores the fact that AQ was not known to be operating in Iraq before we invaded.
Besides, seriously, can you imagine a motivated Islamic terrorist having this internal discussion with himself?
‘Well, the Americans have come here and are displaying force. Now I can’t go to America and blow up a plane or shopping mall full of blonde infidel women.’
The whole notion of ‘we’re fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them over here’ was full of poop the moment it came ouf of President Bush’s mouth. NOTHING about our presence over there prevents them from coming here to do their dirty work.
stands for decibels
June 21st, 2012
11:45 am
I’m sorry, this is nuts–after an epic thread like this, no SHEETZ call?
You guys are fallin’ down on the job.
Adam
June 21st, 2012
12:17 pm
stands: I’m sorry, this is nuts–after an epic thread like this, no SHEETZ call?
You guys are fallin’ down on the job.
After 5 days I think people were looking constantly for new sheets, or getting bored with this thread