The usual Congressional suspects are beating the drums of war regarding the Ukraine. I have an absolutely absurd suggestion, which I nonetheless advance in all seriousness.
Were I Obama, I would point out that Article I, Section 8 of an obscure document called the United States Constitution vests the power to declare war in the United States Congress. You laugh, but it's true-look it up. So my suggestion is that Obama should tell Huckleberry and his cohorts that if they want him to start a war with Russia, they should exercise their Congressional authority to make him do it.
In other contexts this is called “calling their bluff”. It's easy enough to urge action in a situation where no conceivable action could be successful (at least no military action), when you know that you will never be blamed for the outcome. (After all, Huckleberry has not suffered for drumbeating Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran–have I missed any?) But if Congress demands a war, then it takes reponsibility for getting us into what will no doubt be a morass. Huckleberry and his cohorts can ride the crest of the non-existent wave of public sentiment for war with Russia. I'd give the chances for that war resolution passing Congress at exactly zero.
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