Bush not asking for Declaration of War

President George W. Bush

[Heisenburger]

We all just saw Bush on TV talking about investigating this tragedy and generally pussy-footing around the issue. What Bush is forgetting is that we are sure of who has done this, and there is no reason anymore for investigations. If Bush will not ask Congress for a Declaration of War against Afghanistan, I say Congress should force his hand by passing such a declaration immediately.

[rintense]

No problem, my friend. Just get a little sensitive about that word...

[rstevens]

Bush will commit political suicide if he soft pedals this grave situation. On the other hand he will insure his second term if he takes quick and decisive action.

[ethical]

I think nailing down who to hold responsible for this act of war can be a part of a war effort. Bush does not need to wait for an investigation to be completed in order to declare war. I don't think a declaration of war needs to identify the target. Declaring war would let citizens and the world know that we are in a WAR mode NOT an investigation mode. After being subjected to acts of war I think that is the correct and appropriate response.

[Yankee]

Trust me. This George Bush won't need Margaret Thatcher to tell him "This is no time to go wobbly".

He speaks softly, but will wield a big stick.

Unlike our last President that spoke boldly and played with his little d*ck.

[Faraday]

Amen.

[AmericanInTokyo]

You, sir, are most unwise with this post, and you create divisiveness at a critical time, IMHO. There is so so much more going on behind the scenes in terms of political and military assets being positioned for a strike the likes you have never seen. Deal with it. What piece of hard evidence do you have to offer here in open forum that Kabul particularly planned or directed this attack? This may or may not be the case, the analysis is continuing, you jack of all asses. If you don't personally possess or have access to this incontrovertible evidence in order to share with us and the FBI, my friend, then don't be calling a President of the United States "puss...", got it?

Thank goodness rubber-necking, ambulance-chasing, armchair warriors like you no zilch access to the levels of U.S. strategic and tactical military forces or civilian control.

[Who is George Salt?]

Just a small detail...but who do you declare war against?

I saw Newt G. on Fox News last night. He pointed out that during Jefferson's term the United States declared war against the Barbary Pirates. That's where "to the shores of Tripoli" comes from.

Hence, there is a precedent for declaring war against a non-state entity.

[gitmogrunt]

I thought congress, as the elected representatives of the American people, are the one's who vote and declare war?

[zevonfan]

I like Bush

I agree. He is probably a decent man. I held my nose when I voted for him because I knew he would be a Rockafeller Republican like his father.

In the primary, I voted for Keyes, knowing full well he did not have a chance. Four years earlier I voted for Buchanan in the primary for the same reason re; Dole. Imagine the great leadership we would be seeing if Keyes or Buchanan were President!

Bush is a huge Wussy and I am embarrassed and ashamed of him.

[Marysecretary]

War has already been declared in the heavenlies. This is as much a spiritual battle as it is a physical battle. Any country who allies itself with Israel will be targeted as an enemy of the Ishmaelites. Their true enemy is Israel and they hate us for aligning with them. It's the old Ishmael and Isaac problem, stemming from the days of Abraham. It won't be solved until the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We'd better be prepared spiritually for this war. I believe God is changing the face of America and we will be turning to Him instead of our other gods--money, education, big business, whatever we have used as a god in our lives--and we will see a revival coming that has never been seen before in any time period. Man can't fight this battle. Only God can. We can try but in the end, He triumphs over all. Seek Him with all your heart. That's where the peace is.

[ethical]

I don't think a declaration of war needs to identify the target.

I left unsaid the obvious. A declaration of war would of course identify that the target will be the people/country responsible for the acts of war carried out yesterday. It does not have to identify by name at this time who they are.

[SmartEnough]

I've never responded to any of your inane posts before Bert, but I will this time. A+Bert, this is not the time for you to waste bandwidth on this forum with your stupid babbling. It is sometimes entertaining in other contexts, but not now. Would you please go away so real people can get their news and express valid opinions/questions?

We'll look for your sick humor some other day.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Look, I am getting a little tired of these trite "Bush didn't say or do exactly what I - I - I - I - I thought he should - so I - I - I - I am disappointed, will find another leader, will not support him, will not vote for him.

I couldn't have said it better myself; so many armchair quarterbacks who think they have all the answers. We should all be thanking the Lord that Al Gore isn't president right now. Bush has and will handle this as it should be handled. The key word in his address this morning was "patient". The days ahead require intense strategy and I think we need to leave that to the experts.

[Diamond]

In effect, you may as well have declared war on the world. -- Calm down, we will get these bastards without starting WWIII. -- Maybe.

Haven't these bastards already declared and comitted acts of war against us?

Cordially,

[piasa]

Be advised that there are those elsewhere in the world who would benefit by having the US thoroughly occupied, embroiled, and focused on the Middle East.

[SmartEnough]

If true, I'll be quick to apoligize.

[zevonfan]

He was calm, cool and the man to have around when the chips are down

In my opinion, he sounded robotic, stiff and uninspired. He seemed as though he was reading a script prepared by some lackeys. He had a goofy, dazed and confused look.

I thought Newt Gingrich, speaking as a commentator on FOX, sounded intellegent, informed, and passionate. Col. Hackworth sounded passionate and inspired as well.

Bush is an uninspiring wimp. No Winston Churchill or Ronald Reagan, he.

[Revolting cat!]

I think I can understand your frustration. What we are seeing is part of what one writer in I think, the WSJ, described last year as a 'national plague of niceness' (or some similar term.) We just have to be nice at all times, don't we?! No room for John Waynes, Humphrey Bogarts or Cary Grants, none of whom was 'nice' by today's standards (at least not on the screen.) We aim to be nicer than Jimmy Stewart, or the three helpful characters in the Wizard of Oz.

Nevertheless, I continue to believe that Dubya will do the right thing despite his "niceness".

[Critter]

I like you. :)

[Styria]

I say we declare war before any attacks are launched. The terrorists don't care if they die, but we'll hit things that they do care about. We're not going to catch these terrorists, but we can make life so difficult for the populations of those countries that they'll decide it's enough and make their leaders get them for us. And this wouldn't be like Serbia - it's the opposite, where we're attacking the other side, that does have the culture of violence. So give them their declaration. There's no reason we couldn't have planes in the air waiting to let loose once it's ratified....