Why are libs continually accusing Bush of "illegal war" when he had congressional approval?

Question

Congress approved our war with Iraq. Clinton's invasion of Kosovo however, was without congressional approval and WAS illegal:

http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press99/pr052699.htm

"Once again, though, President Clinton is demonstrating his utter disregard for the Constitution and laws of this nation. He apparently views himself as a king, rather than the president of a constitutional republic; he must believe that his will is the law, rather than the Constitution and acts of Congress," said Rep. Paul. "To say this president is anything but dangerous and reckless would be a gross understatement."

Let's update: Bush didn't lie to congress. He and congress BOTH had bad intel. and THAT is what they acted upon.

My apologies-I didn't proof read my own question. It should've read that CLINTON DID NOT HAVE UN SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVAL! (my mistake) However, the illegal bombing only served to accelerate and intensify the human suffering it was intended to avert. Clinton led the attack and greatly exagerated the death toll prior to launching HIS campaign of terror, and it was in clear violation of Nato's founding charter and was completely without request or approval of the security council......So, no...you can't HIDE Clinton behind a 'NATO" blanket. This was Clinton's charge.

Answer 1

Becaise he did not have UN approval.
America doers not own the world, and is not responsible for other countries activities.
It should keep its nose out of other people's business

Answer 2

Because, on a world stage, Bush is not complying with the UN at all. It's an illegal war on a world stage simply because Bush doesn't follow the rules on an International level as he should. Bush lovers would pull that crap about Clinton to take attention away on what is going on now. Fact is, more lives have been lost under Bush's administration than ever was in both terms that Clinton served. That is why Bush is being spotlighted, he has no regard whatsoever for other countries in which has actions may be affecting both on an economic and political level. It's not fair that one person solely makes the rules up as he goes, simply because his country is so powerful. It's a scary time for American right now; the more Bush does the more the world will come to resent the USA. Then we won't be dealing with just terrorists anymore. That is scary.

Answer 3

I don't know what I find more amusing. The fact that your evidence is a partisan press release or the fact that you are criticizing Clinton for doing what needed to be done. Bush supporters defend Iraq and warrant-less wiretapping because "It needs to be done". The hypocrisy of your question is unbelievable.
By the way, the Kosovo campaign ended about two weeks after the press release you cite. Bush's Iraq debacle soon will have gone on longer than World War 2. Kosovo helped stabilize that area or Europe and a stable Europe is in our national interests. Iraq, on the other hand, has destabilized the middle east and increased the threat from terrorists. That's not my opinion. It's the collective opinion of 16 US intelligence agencies.

Answer 4

Okay...First let's get your facts straight. We did not invade Kosovo. We were supporting NATO allies. Big differences. Therefore, Clinton did not need congressional approval to uphold military obligations that we were already involved in. And it was supported by the U.N. Clinton did not lie about why we stepped into the Kosovo conflict. We went in to stop a genocide.

Second, Bush lied and used very, very, very fuzzy logic to justify our invasion of Iraq. The invasion of Iraq is legal. U.N. resolutions gave us the justifications. As a liberal and as a servicemember, I've been there 3 times and have seen the before and after. The invasion of Iraq could have waited. We have to finish the job in Afghanistan and against Al Qaeda, which is something this administration hasn't done nor cares about.

Answer 5

When congress voted him the right to go to war they did this under the believe that he had a valid reason which he didn't he made up stuff to go to war which is illegal. Kosovo was legal because it was under the treaty we have with NATO which congress approved years ago. Besides is clinton still president is he the one who has gotten 2500 americans killed in a war he lied to get us into the answer is no and no.

Answer 6

The US Congress does not make international law.

Even if Congress had approved of war against Iraq based on something resembling facts rather than lies, war against Iraq would have been illegal under international law in the circumstances that existed at the time.

Answer 7

Your statement is the common spiel divvied out by most Bush supporters when criticism of the war is vocalized. In reality this statement is a bit misleading, as is much of the right wing propaganda that you probably imbibe from FOX news.

Both liberals and conservatives in Congress endowed the President with the necessary tools and funding to deal with Iraq, because they were duped into believing, by the Bush administration, that Saddam posed an imminent threat to national security. With that said, we need to offer a caveat to this fact. Though Congress gave him approval to deal with Iraq, under false pretext given to them by Bush’s spin doctors, that in no way implies that this fact alone signifies that the Congressional members meant Bush to deal with the problem with an all out invasion and occupation of the country.

To say that mere approval of something immediately signifies that the approver will consent to any manner of achieving his objectives is utter idiocy. Let’s use a simple analogy. Jesus commanded all Christians to cloth and feed the poor. Does that mean if I rob a bank in order to finance my charitable efforts towards the destitute that somehow Jesus accedes to my act of theft and considers it a noble deed? Of course not.

Well, in like manner, your logic is just as absurd. Just because Congress passed a resolution to equip the President with the necessary funds and military resources to accomplish the objective of neutralizing a alleged threat coming from Iraq, does not mean that Congress should be in agreement as to how he is to go about achieving that objective. Hence, they have every right to criticize the President for his colossal blunder.

By the way your comments concerning Clinton are a bit irrelevant, considering Clinton was using a portion of the US military as part of a broader UN peacekeeping effort. Hence, there was no declaration of war, and therefore there was no need to go to Congress. Furthermore, he did not mislead anyone under false pretenses the way our current Commander in Chief is.

Answer 8

If Bush was wrong , Democrats may look to themselves for why.....Bush did nothing illegal this Bush bashing started the second Kerry lost until then the Democrats were 100% behind him...

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." Ex-President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force if necessary to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

Answer 9

Hello. Your question is a valid albeit a rarely asked question. The reason (in my own opinion) is that the democratic party is attempting to weaken the Presidents political muscle and at the same time weaken the Republican party as a whole.
By accussing the President of using incorrect/missleading information (by their accounts purpouslly) on which his basis for war are founded. The fault in such an accusation is that the world community possessed the same intelligence as the US and the world body as a whole believed Saddam was guilty of what the President was arguing.
Hope my answer was intelligible enough for you. Take care and continue to ask questions.

Answer 10

Congress was miss-led and lied to. Cheney, Bush's chief liar, made numerous links to Iraq which never existed, over 2500 good loyal American service men and women dead over what? If this isn't illegal it should be.