Respecting Tradition

Randy Barnett has been doing some writing on Libertarians and War. Most recently this Wall Street Journal piece. Which has spawned a lot of discussion with Randy at the Volokh Conspiracy.

A number of commenters have noted that the Iraq War started without a declaration of war, but instead Congress gave the President an authorization to use military force (AUMF) and gave him the money to back up that authorization. Not good enough for some Libertarians.

What ever resources (including judgment) Congress put in the President's hands with respect to our jihadi (a term from the American Colonial period) enemies can be rescinded if the Congress sees fit. In fact some Dems are trying to do just that.

This is not a usurpation of power. It is delegating to the executive the implementation of the wishes of Congress. Just as the executive enforces laws Congress passes. That is the traditional role of the executive. Don't Libertarians have any respect for tradition?

Sometimes, I think reality makes Libertarians crazy.

Cross Posted at Power and Control and at Classical Values

THE DEMOCRACY AND SECURITY CONFERENCE

Folks, I know that for those of us on the conservative/libertarian Right these are times that try men's souls. But there are still people in this world that care, that are fighting the good fight for the values that we hold dear.

In Prague, the Democracy and Security Conference is underway featuring a who's who of totalitarian dissidents: Jose Maria Aznar, Vaclav Havel, Natan Sharansky, and Garri Kasparov. Not surprisingly, it's getting very little attention in the MSM, but Gateway Pundit is there and he's all over the story...with pictures.

The "I Support Democracy In Iraq" Contest

Coyote Organics is offering a prize for the design of the logo for the I Support Democracy In Iraq campaign.

A. Jacksonian of Dumb Looks Still Free thinks it should include a purple finger.

So far the owner of Coyote Organics and I will judge the contest (I may add one or two other judges as I corral them). The decision of the judges is final. If the judges can't come to a decision, my decision is final.

The contest will extend for thirty days from the first submission. I may extend that deadline (it will be announced at Power and Control) if there are no suitable submissions.

I will post the submissions as they come in.

Update: I have added some Submission Guidelines.

I Support Democracy In Iraq

If any artist can turn this into a better graphic, I would be very grateful. As would the Iraqi democrats. Contact me at Power and Control, my e-mail is on the sidebar.

For those who wish to join the campaign leave me a comment at I Support Democracy In Iraq. I'll add you to my blog roll and put your url up on the front of this page at Power and Control.