Rep. Bartlett right on U.S. intervention in Libya

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and I would agree on very few political issues. But he is correct to sue over the war in Libya ("Bartlett, others sue over Libya," June 16).

While I have great empathy for the people of Libya who have lived for decades under a tyrant's rule, I have to question the U.S. government's role in Libya. There is a claim that this is a humanitarian intervention. However, President Obama is ignoring the use of diplomacy. And tyrants are spilling blood in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, yet the Obama administration, as far as I know, is not doing humanitarian intervention in these countries.

Of course, Yemen and Bahrain are ruled by U.S. clients. And the U.S. government has used Syria for the rendition and torture of Maher Arar.

It is sad to note that President Obama is following in the footsteps of Dick Cheney, George W. Bush and Richard M. Nixon in denying that his administration must adhere to the U.S. Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Regardless of the law, Mr. Obama should seek congressional approval for his military intervention against Moammar Gadhafi. Such an effort could possibly hasten the resolve of Congress to bring home all troops on foreign soil and use the money instead to better fund our communities.

Max Obuszewski, Baltimore