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Statesville Record & Landmark

By Jim McNally

Both of Iredell County’s U.S. representatives voiced opposition to the steps President Obama has taken regarding the de facto civil war in Libya.

Representatives Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry both said the brewing matter in Libya should be one that is thought out and deliberated upon before any further action is taken. Foxx said the U.S. should act only after thorough examination and debate, and has concerns that President Obama moved too swiftly in the action he has taken thus far.

“President Obama’s decision to take military action in Libya requires an immense amount of thought, planning, and preparation,” Foxx said in an email response to the R&L. “The uncertainty about the current operations and overall strategy leaves me wondering whether the proper deliberation was given to this decision.”

The 5th District representative said this is especially true when the U.S. military is already stretched as thin as it is by its involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This is especially pertinent while our military forces are already engaged in two other major conflicts. Any course of action must make the safety and well-being of our military members and their families a priority,” said Foxx, whose district takes in about two-thirds of Iredell County, including Statesville.

McHenry, whose 10th District includes southern Iredell County, said more clarity is needed in the operation.

“Even after nine days of military action in Libya, President Obama still hasn’t laid out a real benchmark for success,” he said. “It is the administration’s responsibility to define for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the goal of our military action is. We must have a clearly-defined mission.”