Congressional war power.I couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed in your July 14th cover story by Dennis Behreandt ("Is Congress AWOL?") that the resolution passed by Congress last October "authorizing" the president to use military force against Iraq is unconstitutional. As Mr. Behreandt points out, this resolution stated that the president was authorized "to use the Armed Forces of the United States A term used to denote collectively all components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. See also United States Armed Forces. as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to (1) defend the national security of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq." (Emphasis added.) That this resolution is blatantly unconstitutional precisely reflects my own feelings as expressed vainly in letters to the Washington Post, the Washington Post, The Morning daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the dominant paper in the U.S. capital and one of the nation's leading newspapers. Established in 1877 as a Democratic Party organ, it changed orientation and ownership several times and faced Washington Times, my two senators, and my congressman--namely, that Congress cannot legislatively grant to the president powers that he does not possess under the Constitution. This point is so obvious that it boggles the mind that Congress, consisting mostly of lawyers, is oblivious to it. Despite that fact, neither newspaper chose to publish my letter or any other letter expressing this view. My two senators, as usual, stonewalled me, replying with form letters indicating support for the president. My congressman sent me information on previous such unconstitutional legislation. The point that I made in my letters, consistent with your article, is that attempting to remove the head of state of a sovereign country by force of arms is tantamount to an unconstitutional declaration of war. Moreover, the United States is not the military arm of the United Nations, and we are not obligated ob·li·gate tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. in any way to enforce UN resolutions. John D.S D.S Drainage Structure (flood protection) . Muhlenberg Vienna, Virginia Vienna is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 14,453 at the 2000 census and it has grown by about 3% since[1]. In July of 2005, CNN/Money and Money |
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