Chattanooga Times Free Press - Sen. Corker Asks, "Why?'

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Should President Barack Obama have our military supporting international airstrikes on the North African nation of Libya to drive Moammar Gadhafi from power?

The fact that Gadhafi is a dictator is much to be deplored, and his departure from power would generally be celebrated. But he is only one of many international troublemakers. What justifies U.S. military action in his case?

There were two interesting Chattanooga-related views on that subject recently.

One came from Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the commander of the Navy's 6th Fleet, who visited the Times Free Press on Tuesday. Asked about the NATO-led attacks on Gadhafi, Harris said: "We can sustain what we're doing in supporting NATO today. ... It's a NATO operation and we're in NATO. I think we're doing exactly the right thing. Gadhafi was killing his people. If we care about that, we should probably do something about it." On the same topic, he said: "Should we do it? You're asking the wrong person." His duty as a Navy officer obviously is to follow presidential orders, not to make foreign policy.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Sen. Bob Corker, of Chattanooga, has been asking a question that other Americans are asking: Should the United States be involved in attacks on Libya when it poses no apparent threat to our interests?

Corker has noted that the president hasn't explained clearly the rationale for the U.S. military action, despite multiple requests that he do so.

All Americans deserve an explanation from the president. When U.S. forces engage in action against foreign targets, the president should explain what our national interest is, and he should seek congressional authorization for that action.

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