How is this War?

[candyflip]

I was always under the assumption that our Constitution states that only Congress has the power to declare war. I know that this isn't the case here...so why are we referring to this as a war?

[ZoiNk]

Because the US media won't call this "terrorism" or "Colonialism".
ZoiNk

[CDSmith]

As far as I know, congress did approve this action.


Can any learned 'Mericuns confirm whether this is true or not?

[Fletch XXX]

Originally posted by candyflip
I was always under the assumption that our Constitution states that only Congress has the power to declare war. I know that this isn't the case here...so why are we referring to this as a war?

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa082702a.htm

[The Truth Hurts]

he's got 60 days before going to congress.

[Fletch XXX]

'What the War Powers Act of 1973 Says: Passed by Congress over President Nixon's veto, the War Powers Act of 1973 requires the president to "consult" with Congress before "introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances," and to notify Congress within 48 hours of any U.S. troop commitment or deployment.

The Act also requires the president to end U.S. military participation in such hostilities within 60 days without a congressionally approved declaration of war or resolution extending the of use armed forces.'

[candyflip]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX


http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa082702a.htm

So Ash.hahahahaha has found him a few loopholes. Gotta love Lawyers

[candyflip]

Originally posted by CDSmith
As far as I know, congress did approve this action.

Not as far as I'm aware.

[UnseenWorld]

Originally posted by candyflip
I was always under the assumption that our Constitution states that only Congress has the power to declare war. I know that this isn't the case here...so why are we referring to this as a war?

Only Congress has the right to declare a "declared war." "Undeclared wars" are apparently within the powers of the President.

Another example of the "division of power" in the US Constitution.

[theking]

Originally posted by CDSmith
As far as I know, congress did approve this action.


Can any learned 'Mericuns confirm whether this is true or not?

The President cannot declare war, only congress can declare war, but the Congress can, and did, grant the President the power to use out military (several months ago), without Congress officially declaring war. So technically the US is not engaged in War, it is engaged in a conflict just as the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam conflict. In both of those cases the Congress did not declare War but just as in this instance with Iraq granted the power to the President to use our military.

[theking]

Originally posted by theking


The President cannot declare war, only congress can declare war, but the Congress can, and did, grant the President the power to use out military (several months ago), without Congress officially declaring war. So technically the US is not engaged in War, it is engaged in a conflict just as the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam conflict. In both of those cases the Congress did not declare War but just as in this instance with Iraq granted the power to the President to use our military.

Actually, if I remember correctly, Congress actually gave the power to President Clinton to use military force against Iraq, but other than a couple of airstrikes, he chose not to excercise the power.