Quote:
Originally posted by Sly_RJ
Technically, it's not war. But basically, it is war with various provisions. Time limits, etc. Came into play when Johnson wanted to blast that ship in the Bay of Tonka (older guys, is that what it was? I forget my history class.)
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Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Joint Resolution of Congress
H.J. RES 1145 August 7, 1964
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.
Section 2. The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.
Section 3. This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress.
This was passed in response to an alleged attack by North Vietnamese torpedo boats against an American destroyer providing intelligence support to a South Vietnamese/CIA operation against the NV coast further south. Great doubts exist as to whether the attack actually happened, but there is 55,000 names on a wall in Washington that attest to what followed - and who knows how many countless lives destroyed aside from them.
I think the President will and ought to get his resolution - but not a blank check like that one.