If the Senate filibusters the resolution and House doesn't vote at all

[dsc]

then Obama should feel free to do what he wants to do in regards to Syria. Both houses of Congress have been given the ability to have a say here and they should do exactly that, but if they refuse to do so, then their say shouldn't be considered. I don't favor bombing Syria, I think if we do anything, it should be offering a reward for Assad dead or alive, but if the Congress won't do its job then it should be ignored.

[Bjorn Against]

1. If he bombs Syria without Congressional approval he should be impeached

I voted for the guy twice but I will actively work for his impeachment if he bombs without Congressional approval, the American people don't want his war and I sure as hell am not going to be making any excuses for him if he ignores the people, the Congress and the rest of the world and then goes in alone. This would not just be as bad as anything Bush did, it would actually be even worse. Even Bush got Congressional approval, I can't believe that some DUers are actually suggesting that Obama act even more arrogantly than Bush did.

[dsc]

2. I think Congress, the majority of Congress, should actually have to say no

not simply goof off and not say anything.

[Bjorn Against]

4. They are saying something, a near majority of them have already said they will vote No

Aside from a couple media reports which don't seem very credible I have seen no suggestion that there will not be a vote, there would not be such a huge effort from both sides to whip votes if there was not going to be a vote.

[HardTimes99]

6. In this context, Congress doing nothing is exactly the same as Congress explcitly

voting 'No.' Only an affirmative authorization to use force authorizes force. And it will still be a violation of international law even should it pass. (Only the U.N. Security Council can authorize preventative war.)

[Dems to Win]

3. +1

Now that Obama asked for Congressional authorization, he either gets a yes vote from both houses or does not strike Syria. Period.

If Obama strikes w/o Congress approval, I'll join the calls for impeachment.

[Igel]

5. If you don't have permission to do something you don't have permission to do it.

Silence is not permission. "President" is not another word for "autocrat". The President is only allowed to do what the Constitution allows him to do. All powers are enumerated. By saying "you only have the powers that are listed" all others are denied.