USA PRESIDENT'S WAR POWERS ---------------------------- Under the US Constitution war powers are divided. Congress has the power to declare war and raise and support the armed forces. (Article I, Section 8) While the President is commander in Chief (Article II, Sec 2). It is generally agreed that commander in chief role gives the President power to repel attacks against the United States and makes him responsible for leading the armed forces. During the Korean and Vietnam wars, the United States found itself involved for many years in undeclared wars. (So Ignorant) Many members of Congress became concerned with the erosion of congressional authority to decide when the U.S. should become involved in a war or the use of armed forces that might lead to war. On November 7 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution (PL 93-148) over veto of crooked President Nixon. The War Powers Resolution states that the President's powers as Commander in Chief to introduce US forces into hostilities are exercised only pursuant to 1. A Declaration of War (Iraq invasion was also not declared as official war. Also American lead, support for criminal NATO agression in Kosovo, as well), 2. Specific statutory authorization, 3. A national emergency created by an attack on the US forces. It requires President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American armed forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific congressional authorization. It also requires the President to report to Congress any introduction of forces into hostilities. Section 4 (a) 1; into foreign territory while equipped for comabt, Sec 4(a)2 or in numbers which substantially enlarge US forces equipped for combat already in a foreign nation. Section 4(a) 3. Once a report is submitted under Section 4(a)(1), Congress must authorize the use of forces within 90 days or the forces must be withdrawn. Since World War 2, Congress hypocrites did not have balls to declare any war out of political suicide fear. War mongols always use excuses that certain politican or party does not support troops. That's total BS! Congress can stop the war by simply not providing funds for it. This sounds logical, but it has never been implemented in reality as it should have been with Iraq II. However, if there are some insignificant rebel groups which need to be destroyed, it would take forever to inform Congress about it, small operations or invasions just for a short duration to get rid of terrorists or criminals, President can order an attack without Congress' approval. Many secret illegal operations of this sort have been taking place, in Iraq, long before the war commenced. In USA, there is a typical misunderstanding of the substitution of moral arguments for strategic considerations. The irony is that America feels discomfort and is almost ashamed of justifying its actions in terms of legitimate national security needs; (which exist only in some people's stupid, foolish heads) so it keeps resorting (scapegoating) to moral and altruistic justifications for war that are sooner or later taken apart for their contradictions and hypocrisy. This BS needs permanent constitutional change. No wonder than that sometimes there is much to be said for Machiavelli's controversial stern advice that major unpleasant actions must be undertaken as quickly as possible. And why not if they can culminate in lastin peace & stability?! Phenomenology - The study of the development of human consciousness and self-awareness as a preface to philosophy or part of philosophy. - A philosophical movement that describes the formal structure of the objects of awareness and of awareness of istelf in abstraction from any claims concerning existence. Hegelianism - The philosophy of Hegel (1770-1831), an attemt to unite and harmonize (usually Greek) ontology with Kant's (1724-1804) philosophy. The Absolute Idea is flexible, bending, compromising. Kantianism - Of pertaining to, based upon a priori elements in experiences which condition human knowledge, they transcend experience. By Historian: Jan Lubek Nida