[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1950
WAR IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY
(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Middle East is in turmoil.
Citizens are in revolt and are ousting their dictators. One of the
worst rulers is Muammar Qadhafi in Libya. Qadhafi is so bad, the
President has involved the United States military in support of the
rebels there.
However, Secretary of Defense Gates has stated our national security
interest is not at risk in Libya. So why are we there?
It seems to me this war is being waged under a new ``Doctrine of
Humanity.'' In other words, the United States will now decide when to
drop bombs on another country in the name of humanity when a ruler we
don't like acts against humanity. This fuzzy emotional doctrine
ultimately gives a President the unilateral ability to intervene
militarily anywhere the President doesn't like the way a foreign ruler
treats his people.
The President needs to clarify this doctrine of ``War in the Name of
Humanity.'' What constitutional authority gives the President the right
to enter another country's civil war when our national security is not
at risk? America needs some answers.
And that's just the way it is.
____________________