Are we at war? Should our Congress revote? Should Obama tell us what state

[peacetalksforall]

we are in.

If Cheney and George said we were at war, does Obama say we are at war? What constitutes war? If we are not legally at war, should Congress be asked to vote now since they did not vote for what Cheney called a war. And war is supposed to be declared by Congress.

[Winterblues]

1. You do know about the "War Powers Act"?

:shrug:

[peacetalksforall]

4. My questions were sincere. What is our status? I never considered our invasion of

Iraq a war. I considered it a campaign to advance on behalf of corporations and the military who wanted bases. I considered the words "war on terror" a propaganda flag raised by those who want the riches of an ivasion.

So tell us where we stand. Thanks.

[Winterblues]

5. The "War Powers Act" grants a President to make decisions about war

It relieves Congress of the duty to do their job. It allows a President to make a determination whether to send in troops or not. As long as the "War Powers Act" remains Congress does not have to make any declarations of War..That is why we have fought many "Wars" over the last six decades that were never "Declared". Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf Storm 1, Iraq invasion, War on Terror, etc. Congress has basically relinquished their authority on this subject, willingly I might add. So what it amounts to if Obama says we are at "War" then I guess we are at "War".

[NOW tense]

2. Would the GOP filibuster?

[endarkenment]

3. There has been no declaration of war

so Cheney et al can say anything they want, but absent a formal declaration of war we are, as a nation, not in a state of war.

[azul]

6. correct. military adventures, not legally wars.

Congress has given presidents "war powers" under certain conditions but not the authority to declare war. That would be unconstitutional and illegal.

The fact that so many people believe that all so called wars since WWII have in fact been wars speaks loudly for the need for congress to make this very clear with new definition and legislation.

This history of congressionally approved military actions short of declared war has allowed the executive's power to creep up to where he may almost declare "war" at will and assume war powers, and the public will be ok with it because they are ignorant and confused and patriotic.

Congress has been negligent and needs to resume its powers in respect to wars and lesser conflicts if we are to avoid the fate of a corporate/military empire led to ruin by an imperial executive.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. "Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred."

Fourth paragraph of his inaugural address.

[azul]

8. Rhetoric inflammatory. Saying "war on obesity" doesn't allow a president

to throw fat people in jail and torture them and suspend human rights, right?