Bombs Away!

Every day I grow increasingly more frustrated with this administration. The American people should not have to deal with a waffle on the issues, soft on foreigners and foreign policy president. If you set a red line, you stick to it. You don't waffle and say that "Oh, we don't have conclusive evidence to attack so we're going to move the red line again, but we're watching you" and get back to your golf games, fancy dinners and ridiculous vacations. Then, when there's evidence that your supposed red line has been actually violated, you don't say that you're going to strike and then in the 11th hour back out and punt the ball to Congress, did it interfere with your tee time?

There's a thing called the Executive War Powers in which the President can send troops to war but within a certain time period, Congress must approve continuing action by declaring war or troops must be pulled from that zone. If the President had planned on let's say, a three day air strike, he could have fully authorized that without Congressional approval. Especially with Congress not currently in session, and the fact that this President has used more Executive Orders that bypass Congress than other Presidents makes me wonder. Actually, it doesn't because while discussing this with a friend over the weekend the fact is, he punted to Congress because of fear his approval rating would plummet even further. If Congress decides not to act, then he can say "Oh my hands are tied because Congress said no." Once again, we're back to the let someone else shoulder the blame so I still look good game. I hate this game, this game has been going on far too long, without the American public becoming outraged -- which is a pity in my opinion. It's ok, keep drinking the Kool-Aid.

I have stated before that I am very much against sending any military to Syria -- especially boots on the ground (which was said wouldn't happen but if we attack Syria it is only a matter of time before boots on the ground will be requested). However, by not sticking to his guns, the President has made a mockery of this country when it comes to foreign policy. Put all the conspiracies aside as to why he backed down, the fact is you cannot go into a situation about to pull the trigger and then back down. It shows weakness, it shows fear, it shows vulnerability which are the last things we need to be identified with. The President has basically invited our enemies (let me remind you that al-Qaeda is not on the run like some people have boldly declared) to come and attack us because we'll wait to respond to an attack. I know that the American people are sick of being at war in Afghanistan, that it has taken a hard toll on our people and economy over time (ask any Army or Marine family that has been through multiple deployments), and attacking a nation where you're not sure who your enemy is and then you might end up aiding your sworn enemy is definitely not a good scenario. However, because that red line was set a year ago, the President set up our nation to go to war. Now though, he's waffling to save any credibility he might have left with the American people. It would be nice if he had stuck to his red line, stuck to his threat, and actually followed through.

Unfortunately, we don't have a president willing to do that; how much longer must we suffer in limbo? How much longer until we are attacked on US soil again? Mr President, the move is yours and not that of Congress, please come off the golf course and do some good because it's your job and not because a camera and reporter are around and you're trying to get some good PR.