Originally posted by djohnsto77
The U.S. Congress did approve this war, and the Constitution gives the full authority to authorize war to the Congress and the full
authority to wage war to the President.
Sorry not to be rude, but you are simply incorrect...Heres why.
Firsst off the congress authorized the PRESIDENT to declare war. However they did not DECLARE war. Under PL 107-243, (H.J.Res.114):
To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq. Authorized the President to use armed force to defend the national security of the
United States against the threat posed by Iraq, and to enforce all relevant U.N resolutions regarding Iraq. Became public ;a": October 16, 2002.
pg.5
fpc.state.gov...
If the president had the Authority to declare war then it would not have been nec to draft this resolution.
Now here is Article 1, sec 8 Of the US constitution, which clearly states what powers the congress is responsible for:
"To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water."
www.usconstitution.net...
So you see the president DOES NOT have the power to declare war under the U.S constitution. Besides that if you read Res-114 it clearly gives the
president power to declare war in the event that Iraq was posing an immenent threat to the Nation, NOT TO "Spread Democracy"
Basically the president, and congress have both been in flagrant violation of not only the constitution, but also in violation of the illegal
resolution which initially gave the president that power (to declare war).
[edit on 18-5-2005 by phoenixhasrisin]