on Sun, Sep 30, 2001 at 04:11:21PM -0400, James B. DiGriz (jbdigriz@dragonsweb.org) wrote:
Declan McCullagh wrote:
The Washington Times ran a stratfor.com article (as a news article, like the paper would run Reuters or AP) yesterday. I haven't visited their website, but what I read yesterday is quite interesting.
-Declan
What I find interesting is how we can have a war without a Congressional declaration, which out of practical if not legal necessity requires something at least approximating a foreign power as the enemy. It would be extremely helpful if there were some overt state action or at least a smoking gun to publicly identify such party.
As the US President is CinC of the US armed forces, he may deploy these forces as he sees fit. However, Congress holds the purse strings, and the impeachment vote. My understanding is that the War Powers Act, passed in the wake of the SouthEast Asia Disagreement of 1965-1975, limits such deployments to 30 or 90 days. I have to admit being somewhat confused myself over just what distinctions there are between a formal declaration, and a vote of support such as we saw following the 9/11 attacks. I believe a formal declaration would entail far more Presidential support and powers, resources for the military, including likely more sweeping restrictions on civil liberties. Peace. -- Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/ What part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? Home of the brave http://gestalt-system.sourceforge.net/ Land of the free Free Dmitry! Boycott Adobe! Repeal the DMCA! http://www.freesklyarov.org Geek for Hire http://kmself.home.netcom.com/resume.html