Serious problem with action in Iraq.

[Epidemic]

In the simplest of forms, I can not get a grip of why congress will not declare war.

They gave the power to the president for action but it would seem that congress needs to stand for what they believe.

Declare war Now or do not declare war now.

The only problem I have with a declaration of war in the modern era is the speed of events. Congress this lumbering giant may take months to declare war with Kennedy filibustering for the next six months. I do not know if the world events of today really work well with a formal declaration of war.

None the less, the constitution does say Congress shall declare war.

Timing is everything today. If we wait for action in Iraq we will be in the summer months. This risks our troops.

If we wait for congress it will no doubt be august before any formal declaration could be issued.

So was what Congress did in November a modern declaration of war??? Perhaps.

[swamp-fox]

I thought they already did. Well more or less. They authorized any and all action neccesary. Hmmmm we never stopped the Desert storm war just been on a cease fire for 12 years and since Saddam hasn't been complying with the cease fire agreement we have to go back.

[Epidemic]

Even in desert storm there was no declaration of war.

I am inclined to say that war was declared in novermber. I guess it is a symantic game. congress declared it but gave the president the ability to prosecute it or not.


I.E. a modern declaration of war. I think that congress should have had the gonads to actually write the word war in their declaration.

As far as I can see the President wants a consensus on declaring war. He won't do it alone. He wants the Congress to come right out and support him and explicitly decklare war.

That way he's protecting his backside should things go wrong.

[Epidemic]

I have not heard him requesting a formal declaration of war from congress.

Where did you hear about this?

Now on thinking about it Congress did (in a weasley way) declare war. I would like them to have been more forcefull with their beliefs though. Congress gave him the gun and cocked it, they gave the president permission to pull the trigger if required at his discression.

[swamp-fox]

What's he gonna say if something does go wrong "it's the congress's fault" I don't think so. If something goes wrong the congress isn't going to get blamed it will still all fall on President Bush. But if it goes all well then the congress can claim a little credit. They have nothing to lose, almost every news pundit will blame Bush no matter what. The ones that are against it are just covering their arse just in case. They can say I didn't want too but I had to support the president and my country. See they can cover both bases. But if all goes well, as it will, most people will forget all their babbling and they can say I was just concerned for the troops but I did support it.

I feel for the president. Think of all the "stuff" that has been dropped in his lap. 9/11, Iraq, Enron, Economy, North Korea, Venezeula and many others I can't think of right now. He wasn't in office 3 months when the economy started to crash and everyone was blaming him already.

On a side note.
Look at all the grey hair the presidents get in a few years. Even Clinton turned grey real quick. They hear things every morning that would make us all grey, nervous, paranoid etc.

[Mr. Goodbytes]

Actually, I believe it was October, but nonetheless, Congress approved the use of force against Saddam, twice if you count the resolution after 9/11/2001.

[Epidemic]

So the majority of people believe that the October use of force edict is the declaration of war called for by the constitution?

I do, but barely.

Congress should state clearly the intentions not just allow force.

Declaring war gives the president new powers? Why would they avoid the three little letters W A R.

Congress wants President to take full responsibility while tacitly backing him.

President wants Congress to share responsibility.

So the anti-war Liberals don't nail him if things go wrong. Which they shouldn't because most peeple here believe it will be a Wham-Bam 7 day war.

[M_Six]

They gave the power to the president for action

They may not have had the Constitutional right to do so. There is now a lawsuit afoot to stop the President from taking action without a formal declaration of war from Congress.