Congress shall declare war

US Constitution | 1787 | Madison?

[spintreebob]

Congress shall have power....To declare war....To provide for calling forth the militia....such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states....according to the discipline prescribed by Congress (US Constitution).

1. Congress should declare war. A "Tonkin Gulf" resolution leaves committment in doubt. We must learn from history. Do it right or don't do it. If Congress doesn't have the guts now, They won't have the guts later.

2. Congress should call up part of the militia as the constitution provides. That part of the militia should be called up to carry weapons (open or concealed TBD)and act as a voluntary, unpaid defensive force. That part of the militia must meet the requirements of prior service in a military and/or public safety unit. Plus that part called up must have at least X hours of practice in the past 12 months in the weapon they might be carrying. Plus that part called up must not possess a history of ciminal or irresponsible conduct including use of illegal substance, violation of any law while under the influence of any substance, legal or illegal (disturbing the peace, dui, etc) and including domestic violence, acts due to mental illness and....).

3. Whereas the major non-terrorist problem on airplanes is drunks and that is a distaction to terrorist detection and prevention, people under the influence shall not be permitted on airplanes and alcohol shall not be served on airplanes. Epileptics and others with behavioral diseases shall give written notice of their symtoms, medicine, etc to flight attendants at time of boarding to avoid incident.

4. Non-citizens shall carry valid identification at public facilities. Non-citizens shall not have equal opportunity access to public facilities. It is a privilege dependent on the security and convenience of the facility. Eg A flight for which a non-citizen has a ticket shall not be delayed while his possessions and person are taking a long time to pass security.

[null and void]

I don't think the President is forbiden from RECOGNIZING war...

[Aric2000]

Number 1, most definitely!! Number 2, where do I go? I'm ready, willing and able, and fit all criteria!! Number 3, that is iffy, I enjoy an alchoholic beverage in flight, it calms my nerves about flying, but, during this time of emergency, maybe. Number 4: can't say I agree, but can't disagree either, go ahead call me wishy washy!! LOL

[VeritatisSplendor]

If GWB asked Congress for a formal declaration of war against the state of Afghanistan he would get it. Maybe he will if they don't turn over Bin Laden.

[aristeides]

I read in one of the Washington papers today that Bob Barr was lobbying congressmen for support for a declaration of war during a bus trip to the Pentagon during the past couple of days, but that administration lawyers have been opposing it because it would give terrorists the rights of belligerents. I don't see what's wrong with giving them those rights, if the alternative is not to follow the Constitution. Belligerents or not, we can still kill them in war. I guess we would have to give them the rights of prisoners of war if they fell into our hands, but aren't we fighting for civilization, as opposed to barbarism?

[muffaletaman]

Barbarism, as in the Barbary Pirates? Barbarians?

(Not to be confused with Babar the elephant, of course.)

We declared war on the barbary pirates, what we need to do is decide whether the Geneva Convention applies in instances of war against terrorism and non-state terroristic organizations - I say No.

[paleolibertarian]

Too bad, our government doesn't uphold the Constitution, we'll probably appeal to the UN Security Council. We've never 'constitutionally' declared a war since WWII.