[Carry_Okie]

Your problem in making that stick is the legal definition of "enemy." Al Quaida is not a country. There is no true declared war on it because it does not exist as a county. Bush tried to call it a 'War on Terrorism' but that just won't stick; it is a clumsy euphemism not a true "war" as the Founders understood it.

Hence Jefferson's action despite the lack of a formal declaration against the Barbary pirates. Rather appropriate citation in this case, don't you think?

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this: “Hence Jefferson’s action despite the lack of a formal declaration against the Barbary pirates. Rather appropriate citation in this case, don’t you think?”

No president or anyone knew more about our founding documents than President Jefferson.

So, when the Barbary Pirates refused to stop their acts of high sea piracy, he sent our Navy and marines in to kill and kick butt, Also to send a clear warning to other nations not to even consider aiding or sheltering pirates and future enemies of America.