by Clifford F. Thies

The Obama Administration has now notified Congress that the President has begun a war in Libya. Under some interpretations of the War Powers Act, the President can begin a war anyplace in the world, for any reason he decides, as long as he notifies Congress within 48 hours.

The Congress then has 60 days to authorize the use of force which, if it doesn't, the President then has to withdraw within 30 days. How long, after withdrawing, he can re-commence the war Congress didn't authorize, as a fresh war, all on his own, isn't very clear. 1 day?

As to why President Obama has begun a war, he's not telling. Secretary of State Clinton says the U.N. resolution is very broad. I guess that means it could be for any reason. And, what is the purpose of the war, that's not very clear either. Possibly, it is to have a democratic government in Libya. After all, since we no longer live in a democracy in the United States, it's probably a good thing that there's a constitution someplace, somewhere in the world in which the President cannot just go and unilaterally declare war on other places, but has to get an authorization to use force from the representatives of the people.

There is, of course, another view has to whether the War Powers Act allows the President to initiate the use of force anyplace and anytime and for any purpose that he wants. I will cite the great constitutional scholar, Joe the Vice President Biden, back when he was just a Senator running for President. Speaking in Iowa, in 2007, he said,

"And I want to make it clear, and I’ll make it clear to the President: that if he takes this nation to war in Iran, without Congressional approval, I will make it my business to impeach him."

O.K., so Joe the Vice President got a little confused about who impeaches the President and who removes the President for violating the Constitution we used to have in this country. Under that relic, it's the House of Representatives that impeaches the President and it's the U.S. Senate removes him. But, you have to excuse Joe because, at the time, he was speaking on his own and not plagiarizing anybody who actually knows something about the Constitution.

Or, what about the great Constitutional scholar Barack H. Obama, who according to his supporters taught "Con Law" at the University of Chicago Law School? What does he say about Presidential war-making?

"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."

Well, that was when President Obama was running for President. Now that he is President, things are different.

About what about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was once discussed as a possible nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. What does she say?

"The President has the solemn duty to defend our Nation. If the country is under truly imminent threat of attack, of course the President must take appropriate action to defend us. At the same time, the Constitution requires Congress to authorize war. I do not believe that the President can take military action — including any kind of strategic bombing — against Iran without congressional authorization."

Again, I have to point out that this was back in the day when Clinton was merely a candidate for President. Now that Obama, The Promised One, Our Messiah, Our Eternal President, has been elected, the Constitution merely gets in the way.

I for one am hopeful there is democracy in Libya. It will restore balance to the universe. Plus 1 democratic country in northern Africa. Minus one democratic country in Northern America.