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Major Michael Brabish admitted that the 2002 Congressional Authorization for the Use of Military Force,  under which the Oregon Guard  is being sent to Iraq, is no longer valid. The Authorization was specifically for removing the Saddam Hussein regime  as a threat to the United States and that has been done. Thus, there is not a legal basis for deploying the guard.

Major Brabish brought up the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) as justification for the deployment. But that is an agreement between the Bush Administration and the Iraqi Government. Congress has not approved it and only Congress can Authorize force.

There are many moral and financial arguments against sending the Oregon National guard to continue the US occupation of Iraq. There is also a safety argument that the guard and their equipment are needed here at home.  Fortunately there is also a strong legal argument against their going.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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This deployment is a hardship for the men and women who are going. Many are going for the 2nd or 3rd time. Many might not come back or might come back disabled. This is a hardship for their families and communities. This is a hardship for Oregon. Taking half the army guard and all 12 search and rescue helicopters will leave us vulnerable to natural disasters like our recent floods, and Oregon taxpayers will have to pay for the long term care of the returning wounded. All this might be borne by Oregonians if they still believed in and supported this war, but they don't. The current Congressional Authorization for sending the guard was based on Saddam Hussein being a threat to the US and is no longer valid. The guard should not go without a valid authorization.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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