Posted by southernavenger on 02/14/09 3:18 PM   [Newer: Tom Woods Podcast for Taki] [Older: South Carolina Gov. Sanford: We're Moving Close to a "Savior-Based" Economy]

Via military.com, another fine example of why Ron Paul endorsed Walter Jones during the election:

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., has introduced legislation that would impose fines or prison time on presidents or executive-branch officials who "knowingly and willfully" mislead Congress to gain authorization to use U.S. military forces.

Jones, who has repeatedly and publicly regretted his vote to support the war in Iraq, said that he doesn't know how far the Executive Accountability Act of 2009 will get when it comes to gaining passage. But even if all the bill gets is a springtime hearing in the House Judiciary Committee, Jones says, he thinks that is progress.

"We're saying, 'Mr. President, be sure,'" Jones said in an interview. "Be sure that if you are going to ask us to commit our boys and girls to risk their lives, that all the facts are on the table. ... Make sure there are no questions. ... Mr. President, you better be sure."

Jones' 3rd District is dotted with military bases, including Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock and Camp Lejeune and New River in Jacksonville. He thinks of the young men and women serving on those bases and others, he said.

And he rejects the notion that a bill requiring the president to tell the truth about a potential war is an extreme measure.

"The Constitution says that the Congress shall declare war ... but the Congress has been neutered," he said.

Read the entire article

Posted 02/14/09 2:13 PM Fu Manchu Belleville, MI

I don't think we have enough room in our prisons... Unless we use the fema camps maybe?

Posted 02/14/09 3:27 PM lastdaysphotography Riverton, WY

There is an easy way to accomplish this. Simply require everyone appearing before Congress, including members of those legislative bodies, to testify under a legal oath with penalties for perjury. Of course that wouldn't go over very well with the 99.95% of the lying jerks in Congress, who lie to us every day they appear on the floor.

Posted 02/14/09 4:11 PM sbb4th Chesterfield, VA

There's an even easier way. Congress has to fund it. Just don't fund it. And restore to congress the responsibilty to declare war. This sham started in Korea and has been used ever since. They don't have to declare war if it's a 'police action' right?

Posted 02/14/09 4:57 PM Mike in Virginia Fredericksburg, VA

Good point, sbb4th. Congress hasn't been neutered so much as it has abdicated. The point of checks and balances as conceived by the founders is that if the executive tries to assume too much power, Congress can put a stop to it. Congress just hasn't had the intestinal fortitude to do that in the past couple of generations.

Posted 02/14/09 5:03 PM TruthSaga San Jose, CA

Even if the snake lost it's venom it still has it's teeth! When enough become involved and educated this is when we will see change.

Posted 02/14/09 5:56 PM charleydan Littleton, CO

Give me a break. This is congress acting as if they had no way of knowing and being disguised. Hog wash. Ron Paul seen it and if their was an open discussion and debate the facts would have come out more clear. If an interventionist policy attitude was not excepted and congress actually did their job of voting wars up and down. Thereby putting the blame or glory where it belongs. That would put an end to all of this when responsibility is actually considered their job. If U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C, was in office when the vote for Iraq was taken. He can blame himself for being inept and not searching out the facts and should march himself to jail under his own proposal.

Posted 02/14/09 7:16 PM Evan Frisco Sheppard AFB, TX

you're right charleydan, the states need a way of punishing wayward representatives who take risks with our money and think loyalty to a party and special interests is more important than loyalty to their constituents. Presidents are apparently now just considered the mouthpiece and figure head of the party they are from. When we bring these legislators in line, presidents may return to a less active role, instead of the abominable mixture of legislative and executive powers we have now.

Posted 02/14/09 7:58 PM Modern Day Patriot Danville, IA

I say hang the traitors. Or do what they do in Japan, throw them in prison, and unless their family members come and feed them, they starve to death.

Posted 02/14/09 9:24 PM Talbert Black Jr Lexington, SC

Regardless of all the above conversation, lets support this bill by calling our own congressmen and asking them to support it!

Posted 02/14/09 9:27 PM Talbert Black Jr Lexington, SC

The bill is H.R. 743 and it is currently in the Judiciary Committee.

Posted 02/15/09 09:23 AM AuthenticAuthor Canutillo, TX

I fully support this bill, but how is it going to be enforced? We're talking about the President here, who's the head of the Executive Branch, which is notoriously reluctant to arrest any of its own members for clear violations, especially members up the chain of command. If it includes an economic-penalty clause from Congress should a department fail to uphold to its duties, then perhaps this can work. Congress may be largely corrupt anyway, but I will admit that is is easier to hold Congress accountable for its actions from the People than the Executive Branch...so perhaps this suggestion may work after all.

Posted 02/15/09 12:40 PM freedomhawk37 Boulder, CO

wow this bill is complete bullocks. CONGRESS are the people who allow wars to happen (by their vote and their funding)! If anyone should go to jail it should be Mr. Jones and every other member of Congress who was stupid enough to be "deceived" by that country bumpkin of a President we used to have (W. Bush). All Congress members who failed in their duties and are directly liable for every single death in Iraq should be fired and jailed while the President who did the deceiving should be publicly executed for his crimes. This bill is more Congressional limp-dickedness. They have the power to stop the war, they have the power to impeach and remove the president -- to expunge Congress of their responsibilities via this bill is further destruction of the U.S. Constitution and our system of laws.

Posted 02/16/09 08:10 AM BruceKoerber Cedar Rapids, IA

I suggest that U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C. submit the name of George Bush to the international court that investigates war crimes. Just the act of requesting their investigation by a U.S. Congressman will send a strong signal that enough is enough. Immediately - when the criticism comes that we do not want an international body interfering with our affairs on the basis of national sovereignty - the heat will be transferred to the Congress to abide by its constitutional responsibilities.