Conversations with the Living: The Haitian AIDS Crisis

Yesterday, Barack Obama called into out-going Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s call-in radio show, identifying himself as “Barry from D.C.” and saying that he wanted to complain about the traffic in northern Virginia. (Finally, something I agree with from the President.) He thanked Kaine for his public service though he should have apologized for setting up an electoral environment that allowed Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds to get trounced by his Republican opponent Bob McDonnell. Nevertheless, the Commander-in-Chief seemed content enough to prove himself Jokester-in-Chief.

My question is this. Was Barack Obama joking during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech when he proclaimed

I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land.

In other words, among his other powers, Barack Obama also wields the responsibility for declaring war, or in his words “the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle.”

Really Mr. President?

Last time I checked, Congress declared war and the President asked for the declaration. But don’t take my word for it. Take the U.S. Constitution’s, specifically Article 1 Section 8:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

More specifically,

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

Was Barack Obama joking when he made his declaration? Probably not.

Was Barack Obama ignorant of Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution? Definitely not. (Remember he’s the smart guy who was president of the Harvard Law Review?)

Was Barack Obama blatantly making the case for increasing the power of the Executive Branch? Absolutely.

If you recall, Obama’s predecessor and his predecessor’s Vice President attempted a similar power grab. Too many times, the Obama administration has represented an extension of the Bush administration. Guantanamo (still not closed). Iraq (we’re still in there). Afghanistan (8 years and counting). TARP aka the Bailout (started by Bush, increased by Obama). Don’t ask/Don’t tell (still the policy). Pre-emptive war (“…to defend ourselves and all nations from further attacks.” Also from Obama’s Nobel speech).

So is our President Barry from D.C. or Bush in blackface?

Here’s one place they differ. Through PEPFAR, the Bush administration provided ARVs to 500,000 new patients suffering from HIV/AIDS for the past few years. On Dec. 1, the Obama administration pledged to provide 320,000 new patients with ARVs. Great. That’s all we need. Let’s make less life-saving drugs available.

Where’s the hope?

Maybe with the Gedes.

Maybe with Ralph.

Finally and completely off the subject, why not be a Conversations with the Living patron?

- Marc L.

Visit our Conversations with the Living documentary website at http://www.conversationswiththeliving.org
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