[SJackson]

The time limits were put in by the founders so the exec branch could not use force for an unlimited time....The time limits were put in by the founders so the exec branch could not use force for an unlimited time.

I'm aware of the time limits Democrats put it. What time limits did the founders put in? Given the fact that we did not declare war on the Barbary pirates, and depending were you place the start, the war lasted 15 to 30 years those limits must be rather long.

[wideawake]

SJackson, you say that we did not declare war on the Barbary pirates. crz says that we did declare war.

If you follow the Ron Paul definition of a declared war, we definitely did not declare war on the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The Pasha of Tripoli attacked the US consulate in Tripoli and desecrated the US flag. President Jefferson, as Commander-In-Chief, responded militarily without any formal Congressional declaration of war.

However, by the sane, non-Ron Paul definition, the Congressional approval of the funding of the Naval expedition against Tripoli was a de facto declaration of war.