Opposing view: Another unnecessary war

USA Today

By Dennis Kucinich

U.S. intervention in Libya is a blunder. We intervene in support of an opposition that is unpredictable, at an expense that is unsupportable and with an endgame unknown. It will stretch an already overburdened military, undermining our national security.

The war in Libya is one of a series of dangerous missteps by U.S. administrations in a march of folly toward economic, diplomatic and spiritual disaster. The war in Iraq was based on lies, at a cost of as many as 1 million Iraqi lives, the deaths of 4,441 U.S. servicemen and women, and with a long-term expense of more than $3 trillion dollars.

The war in Afghanistan, based on a misreading of history, has come at the cost of countless lives, 1,511 deaths of our soldiers and the expenditure of half a trillion dollars.

The war in Libya is costing at least $100 million a day.

None of these wars was necessary. We do not know when they will truly end, and the "humanitarian" nature of war dies with increasing civilian casualties.

Individually and collectively, these wars undermine, not strengthen, U.S. security by abusing our power, attacking nations that did not attack us, endangering civilian populations, creating more refugees, destroying infrastructure, enlarging rather than limiting conflict and defining America as a crusader and an occupier. This is not the image of America I accept.

These wars represent an America that is intent on remaking the world in the image of a democracy that is distorted here at home. Distorted by unequal distribution of the wealth brought about by an unfair tax system, unregulated monopoly capitalism, unemployment, lack of access to health care, inadequate housing, poor educational prospects, instability of retirement programs — and the cost of war.

It is a sad truth that millions of people around the world suffer under tyrannical regimes. We can and must encourage non-violent resistance so that masses yearning to breathe free may eventually prevail as they may in Egypt and Tunisia. But when governments seek to use violence against their own people, as is happening in Yemen, Bahrain and other nations, America must not use its military to attempt regime change. If a United Nations response is ordered, our nation must first follow the Constitution.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, represents Ohio's 10th District in the U.S. House.

Nader, Kucinich call Libya action "impeachable"
Both say President Obama overstepped his constitutional authority by giving green light to intervention in Libya

Salon

By Peter Finocchiaro

Outspoken critics on the left are raising hell over the Obama administration's authorization of military force in Libya, calling it "unconstitutional." Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader recently rattled off a list of U.S. military and intelligence directives -- apparently including action in Libya -- that he views as egregious violations of international law and grounds for impeachment:

Why don't we say what's on the minds of many legal experts; that the Obama administration is committing war crimes and if Bush should have been impeached, Obama should be impeached.

Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich made a similar statement today. In particular, Kucinich castigated Obama for pursuing military intervention in Libya without congressional authorization:

President Obama moved forward without Congress approving. He didn't have Congressional authorization, he has gone against the Constitution, and that's got to be said. It's not even disputable, this isn't even a close question. Such an action ... is a grave decision that cannot be made by the president alone.

Kucinich's and Nader's arguments against the constitutionality of Obama's authorization of force are based on an interpretation of the War Power Act. Passed by Congress in 1973 -- after a decade-long quagmire in Vietnam -- the legislation requires the president to inform Congress within 48 hours of any U.S. military attack where national security is not at stake. President Obama submitted such a letter to House Speaker John Boehner today. Beyond that, the Act mandates that the commander in chief seek congressional approval after 60 days of military action.

Rep. Kucinich unable to visit accused WikiLeaks source

Raw Story

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has been unable to visit with Private Bradley Manning, the U.S. soldier accused of leaking State Department cables to WikiLeaks, despite being a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

"I put in a request to the secretary of defense, who referred me to the secretary of the army, who referred me to the secretary of the navy, who referred me to the secretary of defense, and still not an answer on whether or not I can visit Private Manning," Rep. Kucinich explained to Scott Horton of KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles on Friday.

He previously announced he would visit Manning to investigate reports that he had been subjected to abuse while in custody.

Manning attorney David Coombs revealed last week that for at least two nights in row, the Army private had been "stripped naked" for as long as seven hours at a time.

In the mornings, he was left without clothes and forced to stand at attention.

"No one held prisoner anywhere in America should be tortured," Rep. Kucinich told Horton. "And the fact that he’s awaiting trial and they’re doing this to him raises serious questions about our criminal justice process. And I’m going to continue my efforts to address the plight of Private Manning and to try to stop this outrageous treatment of him."...[Full Article]

Kucinich Sells Out After Riding In Air Force One

Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich has bowed to intense pressure, culminating in a jaunt onboard Air Force One with President Obama, and decided to to flip his vote on the pending health care bill to help ensure its passage.

The representative from Ohio has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the bill, calling it “a giveaway to the insurance industry”.

“The fact is that one out of every three health care dollars goes for corporate profits, stocks options, executive salaries, advertising, marketing, the cost of paperwork – this bill doesn’t change that.” he said.

Just last week, Kucinich told MSNBC’s Countdown that that even if it meant he had the deciding vote in the House, he would oppose the legislation, effectively signing its death warrant.

As recently as Sunday, Kucinich was still reiterating the same points. In an column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he wrote:

“Even with the few modest improvements in the bill, the insurance companies will still have dozens of loopholes to deny care and continue to find ways to leave Americans with the unpayable bill.”

Today, however, Kucinich announced at a Capitol news conference that he will vote yes on the latest version of the bill...

Kucinich in Obama's Crosshairs

For Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) -- who says he plans to vote no on the president's health-care bill -- it must have felt like a much longer flight.

Obama invited Kucinich and undecided Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to the ultimate pressure cooker as he tries to nail down a majority for his top domestic priority.

What was said at 35,000 feet is anyone's guess, and Kucinich is -- for once -- not talking. The president talked one on one with Kucinich aboard Air Force One on the flight, a White House spokesman said. But Obama's onetime presidential rival just smiled as he walked across the tarmac upon arrival in his home state...

Kucinich Will Vote To Kill Government Run Health Care

Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich has stated that he is willing to effectively kill the government run health care bill by voting against the party line and sticking to his own principles.

Kucinich explained his position on MSNBC’s Countdown last night, noting that the absence of a public option to provide competition to insurance companies is pivotal.

“This bill represents a giveaway to the insurance industry,” The representative from Ohio said. “$70 billion dollars a year, and no guarantees of any control over premiums, forcing people to buy private insurance, five consecutive years of double-digit premium increases.”...

Kucinich Shreds Democrats for Betraying the Promise of Change

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) on Wednesday said the Massachusetts election was a "wake up call" for Democrats and that his party had better change course or it could suffer devastating losses come November...