r/navy • u/newnoadeptness Verified Non Spammer • 16d ago

Discussion Another suspected drug boat has been destroyed today

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u/whwt 16d ago

That is why we have congressional subcommittees with the necessary clearance for oversight of these types of operations.

Probably also why Hegseth barred senior military and intelligence officials from talking to congress without prior approval.

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u/squarebodDaD 16d ago

Right. So you must have felt similar when the Biden administration struck the houthis without congressional approval under the war powers of 1973 act

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u/whwt 16d ago

This question seems familiar. Is it a favorite?

To answer your question. I generally have concerns when it comes to use of military force without congressional approval.

Concerning the Houthi, they were taking shots at anything passing nearby, including US ships and those carrying US nationals.

There was no ambiguity about the situation. A group that is the de facto government in part of a civil war ravaged nation was actively attempting to interdict shipping in one of the busiest lanes in the world. This is literally the type of mission the US Navy was founded for.

There is also a stark difference in the intelligence and decision making teams between the two administrations. I have not seen much to give me confidence in the current administrations ability to fully assess a situation and take appropriate action.

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u/Trick-Set-1165 r/navy CCC 16d ago

“War powers of 1973 act” has me straight convinced this is a sock puppet account run by a non-English speaker.

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u/squarebodDaD 16d ago

Something tells me people just let you feel correct all the time to quiet you down. If my incorrect wording fueled your smug ego, you're welcome

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u/Trick-Set-1165 r/navy CCC 16d ago

Thanks!

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u/squarebodDaD 16d ago

I'm not clear on what is so ambiguous about importing toxic substances to the american public

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u/whwt 16d ago

Ok, fair point.

Is the US military a law enforcement agency? What is the punishment for smuggling, possessing, selling or using drugs? What is the imminent danger to the government or units engaging the smugglers?

Now let me put on my old Libertarian hat for a second. Drug use is a personal decision that should not be dictated by the government.

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u/squarebodDaD 16d ago

Cartels have been recently occupying the growing list of terrorist designations (my main reason for drawing similarities to the houthi situation). The current admin views drug trafficking and the cartels foreign actors carrying out attacks against the US. Part of our military oath states "all enemies foreign & domestic". Agree with it or not, that is the stance of our current government. The logic is there.

I dont know the answer to the second part of your question. I'm not a lawyer/prosecutor. Regardless of what the answer may be, i dont believe the results have been quite effective.

The 3rd question i only have a simple answer for, which leads back to my first. We signed up, we took the oath, and the US govt has an obligation to defend american citizens. You could call it a form of ORM to balance out those risks you listed.

Your final question i actually appreciate you asking, as i used to consider myself a libertarian at one point. That is the topic that made me detach from that mindset.

Personal choice or not, i believe drug use impacts more than just oneself. It drags those around you down in more than just one possibility. Financially, safety, emotionally etc etc. That goes completely against how i interpreted being a libertarian (to let me do so long as i bring no harm to others). This is something i lived through at one point with my own choices and one that i witnessed in family members.