Jews and Politics: Is Libya a Just War?
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” (Abraham Lincoln)
Over the past few weeks a dozen or so congressional leaders have sued the President in federal court for violating the War Powers Act. The War Powers Act allows the President to commit troops overseas for 90 days; should the President want a continued military presence, he would need a declaration of war from Congress.
The reason the United States attacked Libya in the first place was because of the brutality and injustice Col. Ghaddafi was committing to his own people. America did not want to repeat the mistakes it made in Rwanda and the Balkans – remaining silent as crimes against humanity were being committed. America decided to form a coalition of nations with the intention of stopping the atrocities in Libya.
Congress has, of late, become a battleground of ideology as to America’s role as a super power. Should America be an isolationist state or interventionist?
This debate has raged since the beginning of the 20th century. The question then was – should America become actively involved in World War One and then in World War Two? However, after World War Two the debate had generally subsided, with America taking the role as protector of liberty, justice and those being oppressed under tyranny.
Since World War Two, America has often intervened globally – wherever people’s voice, ability to enjoy religious freedom, free speech and freedom of the press were being compromised. Today, many Americans feel we have overstepped our responsibilities as the voice for those with no voice, and have become an occupying power. Many of those sharing these concerns are from Jewish members of Congress, and who are from both parties.
How is it that we as a people have become both the opposition as well as the supporters of these issues?
The Torah teaches about morals, ethics and the way one should live their life. Many Jews on the left have come to base their argument that it’s our job to repair the world (Tikkun Haolam), and to defend all forms of life. Conservatives believe that before we try to solve the world’s problems we need to first focus on more pressing problems at home. Issues such as education and religious tolerance are the basic moral fiber of the nation, which is ripping and is in desperate need of repair.
So, just as in the past Jews were the guardians and leaders in preserving life, as well as implementing a more moral and meaningful society, so too in today’s time Jews are at the forefront of this battle, and will hopefully continue to be.
The question congress should be asking is not ‘what are we doing in Libya?’ rather, ‘is it morally correct that we as a nation would stand silently as these atrocities are being committed?’
As Abraham Lincoln said, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”
Bill
Is this about the Just War (Bellum Iustum) tradition of St. Augustine or is this asking whether or not there is reason to intervene in Libya
declasse intellectual
The President has violated the Constitution and this is not only time that Obama has attacked the Constitution because it interferes with his verson of his agenda. he has attakced the Bill of rights, mocked the Supreme Court and tries to by pass legal regulations concerning immigrants and adoption of U.N>. principles which violate the law of the land.
TO NUMBER 2
Can you be more specific in your “Vagueness?”
Bill
If the same situation had come up with either Presidents Bush or President Reagan this would not be a question. The only reason this is an issue is that Obama is a democrat and he is black. The fact is this congress is more concerned with making sure that Obama is a one term president than doing what is right for our nation.
declasse intellectual
Ok #3: Let start with the state of the union speech attack on the Supreme Court for broadening the First Amendment. Then there is the push for the Fairness Doctrine–which by any one definition is an attempt to censor the opposition to the current administration. Then there is the proposal to nationalise and to control the internet in times of a national emergency; then there was the proposal for the Federal Government to finance all the newspapers in the United States so that it can control the content. Next down the line was an attack on the Second Amendment through the botched attempt to foster gun control by selling guns to the drug cartels and blaming it on American gun owners, then there was controls on hunting rifles by executive order in an effort to ban them in another violation of the Second Amendment, And, as far as immigration, he did think of an executive order to naturalize all illegal aliens in complete disregard of established laws–but the fallout would have been tremendous. and so forth
declasse intellectual
#4-no! and again no! Is is because he has abused his powers and advocated an agenda that conflicts with the supremacy of the Constitution
Avi
Written so beautifully