[Grovenet] A little funny for the day . . .

[David Morelli]

On Dec 2, 2007, at 10:00 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> One thing history has proven again and again and again, even recent  
> history over the past century, is that if you babble nonsense at  
> the public long enough and loud enough, a great many people will  
> believe it is absolutely true, no matter how absurd it may be.

Yes, the "news busters" web site I provided in my first positing was  
pro-Rove and it is beating the drum in that direction.  It uses the  
catch phrase, "that's not part of the conventional wisdom from  
today's press" to refer to comments by those who might remember history.

Rove quote from the pro-Rove editorial
<quote>
[O]ne of the untold stories about the war is why did the United  
States Congress, the United States Senate, vote on the war resolution  
in the fall of 2002...This administration was opposed to it...Because  
we didn`t think it belonged within the confines of the election.  
There was an election coming up within a matter of weeks. We thought  
it made it too political. We wanted it outside the confines of it. It  
seemed to make things move too fast. There were things that needed to  
be done to bring along allies and potential allies abroad, and  
yet...There was a vote, and I`m -- I`m...But it happened. We don`t  
determine when the Congress votes on things. The Congress does...It  
would have been better for the country had we been able to resolve  
that issue after the election -- maybe before the new Congress came  
in -- whatever. But instead -- and the story will be told later -- we  
didn`t.
</quote>
*******************************
Obviously, Rove ( and perhaps Bush ) never really read the War Powers  
Act
********************************
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) AUTHORIZATION. The President is authorized to use the Armed  
Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and  
appropriate in order to

(1) defend the national security of the United States against the  
continuing threat posed by Iraq; and

(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions  
regarding Iraq.


(b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION.
In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in  
subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such  
exercise or as soon there after as may be feasible, but no later than  
48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the  
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore  
of the Senate his determination that
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other  
peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the  
national security of the United States against the continuing threat  
posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all  
relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and
(2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United  
States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions  
against international terrorists and terrorist organizations,  
including those nations, organizations or persons who planned,  
authorized, committed or aided the terrorists attacks that occurred  
on September 11, 2001.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-2.html

If Bush & Co. needed to bring allies on board or any other diplomatic  
action prior to the start of the Iraq invasion, the Act of Congress  
required that he make that determination.  If they really needed more  
time, the Act gave them all the time they needed.

BTW, Iraq does not pose a threat to the United States and Iraq is  
honoring all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, so  
the War Powers granted by the Act are complete.  There is no current  
Congressional authorization for U.S. troop activity in Iraq.

David