The One and Only scubamage wrote:
gbaji wrote:
There is one thing though that somewhat blows your whole conspiracy theory away. Bush most definately decalared "WAR" on Iraq. Bush most definately declared "WAR" on Afghanistan. How exactly can you claim that he didn't call those wars so he could get away with something?
I believe you, but I don't remember him petitioning congress for a declaration of war. When did he?
Without that, it's just a "conflict." Like Vietnam.
Nope. That's just one more misperception foisted upon a largely ignorant populace by our wonderfully Liberal Media.
Here's a copy of the
resolution passed jointly by Congress.
Note the following:
Quote:
(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
Let's analyze this, shall we? Section 8(a)(1) says this:
Quote:
SEC. 8. (a) Authority to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred--
(1) from any provision of law (whether or not in effect before the date of the enactment of this joint resolution), including any provision contained in any appropriation Act, unless such provision specifically authorizes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this joint resolution; or
So, they're saying that you can't just use the armed forces by provision of law *unless* such provision specifically authorizes it. In this case, and in the Joint Resolution above, Congress is saying that the resolution *does* consitute specific authorization under the War Powers Resolution.
Section 5(b), says the following:
Quote:
(b) Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 4(a)(1), whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress (1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces, (2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or (3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.
It's interesting that they don't narrow it down a bit, but you can see what they're getting at. Congress is saying that this represents specific authorization. 5(b) lists off a set of conditions underwhich Congress can hobble a Presidents ability to just use military force *unless* Congress has specifically authorized it. Thus, this counts as specific authorization and the president is removed from such hobbling.
You can argue that Congress "didn't declare war", but that's just a semantic issue. Congress did. In every real way. They just don't use the word "war", and instead us "authorization of the military under X/Y/Z of the War Powers Act". It's still declaring war folks.
Don't believe me? Ok. How about this. Did we "declare war" on Iraq during the Gulf War? I've never heard anyone try to claim that that was not a "War" in every meaning of the term. Let's see what that
resolution has to say:
Quote:
c) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS. --
(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION. -- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
Hey! Lookit that! It's the exact same wording. If the "Gulf War" was a war, then the Iraq war was one too...
The point is that the talking heads on TV know that the average Joe can be made to think that "authorizing force" isn't the same as "war". And they're right. Unless that force is specifically authorized under a specific set of sections of the War Powers Resolution. When that force is authorized in that manner, then it is in ever legal way "war".
Bush declared war on Iraq. Plain and simple. All the rules and requirements of war count. Um... And it's not like the GC rules don't apply just because you didn't declare war anyway. Once again, people are getting caught up in semantics. Just because we all them "Prisoners of
War" does not mean that the status is reserved only when the parties have formally declared war. The GC applied during Vietnam, but no official war was ever declared.
We're just seeing a whole set of bizaare innuendo used instead of fact. Kinda discouraging IMO.