The Fok News DKOS Group publishes a diary summary of Keith's opinion blog Fok News.
Keith's special comment tonight is on VIDEO. It's great to see Keith in action again. I can't wait until he is doing the nightly news again on cable at the end of April.
Thecommentary tonight is about the five second rule. If food falls on the floor and you pick it up within five seconds, it is OK to eat. Keith talks about the five day rule granted to US presidents to kill people in our name, provided that it only takes a couple days.
I’m not defending this policy, I am simply stating that at some point in the last 60 years it has been established. And from the Bay of Pigs, to Reagan’s Trophy War in Granada, to President Clinton’s bombing of Iraq, to President Clinton’s bombing of Sudan, to President Clinton’s bombing of Libya — “the horse of undeclared war” has pretty much left the barn.... After that Imperial period of a few days, a President – this one included – is required to either call it off, or justify why it must continue, or maybe even follow the Constitution and get approval from Congress by explaining the threat to this country that rationalizes the continuing action.
Keith finds that Obama is not only neglecting to address the five day rule, his administration is giving out mixed messages.
The President said on Monday that "Qaddafi needs to go". but on Sunday the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff said, "it's not about Qaddafi going".
The President's letter to congress: "support of international efforts to protect civilians and prevent a humanitarian disaster".
The less crazy summary of this came from Congressman Markey: “We are in Libya because of oil.”
So. This is about making sure Qaddafi goes. Except, it’s not about making sure he goes. Except it’s about making sure he can’t attack his own civilians.
Keith delivers a clear summary of the confusion and reminds the President that the time for food on the floor is up.
The metaphorical five seconds has expired, Mr. President. We are not clear why we are fighting, who exactly we are fighting with, who the ‘rebels’ are that we’re fighting for, what a No-Fly Zone accomplishes with a dictator who has ground troops, how long we are to be there, to whom we are to “hand-off,” and why, Sir, if we are intervening on behalf of civilians at risk, why we did not do so in Egypt, why we are not doing so in places like Bahrain, and – if the local government were to somehow screw-up the containment at the Dai-Ichi nuclear plant, if this new doctrine would somehow permit us to go in and try to take over Japan.
Keith concludes by addressing the President with a challenge. It's time to put the US military actions in a legal and moral context that we can believe in.
Chairman Mullen said something else which kind of sums this quagmire up. Quoting again: “The goals are limited.” This is the fifth Administration for which that’s been true. Once again, it’s just too bad that we don’t really know…. what the goals are.
Mr. President, it’s time you made those goals clear… and then let us decide whether or not we agree with you.