[Owl558]

I knew a proper discussion would be difficult. The constitution provides for militia to be called out in the case of insurrection, not regular army like Washington used. The Barbary war was was a land war with American marines invading the Ottoman Empire. "Shores of Tripoli..." Congress still must "...define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;" Presidents do not have the power to engage in Naval wars without Congress. Andrew Jackson simply invaded Florida. More to your point, I think, is that NOBODY has suggested that the founders were for the US being the world's policeman. This is a straw arguement on your part. What the founders did was act pragmatically in American interests at home and abroad. They recognized threats and acted in what they thought were the best interests of the country. Sometimes their actions fell outside the Constitution. Again, the pure constitutional republic you pine for never really existed. I'm not advocating what these people did, simply trying to clarify historical misconceptions that get repeated ad nauseum by Paul supporters (and many other self-proclamed constitutionalists).

[Sprite518]

The Marines went to the Harbor of Tripoli. They did not invade the country. That is why they say the “shores” of Tripoli.

At any rate thanks for the good reply, nice points, but I disagree with your summary.