At some point in the past, Marc wrote: Incidentally, while I'm against any war of aggression like the one contemplated by the US (as I see it), but I'd like to ask US constitutional experts (amateur or not, I mean those interested in constitutional affairs), if they feel that the legislation now up before the Senate would amount to a "declaration of war" under the US Constitution. It appears to give the president a kind of blank cheque to use violence if he sees fit. Is that the same as a declaration of war, or is the difference just nit-picking? -------------------------- Due to time constraints and other factors, I have been (mainly) silent on these threads, but Marc asks a fairly specific question that I would like to answer. I don't know why I want to answer. (Probably at least partly because I need a break from translating really boring documents.)
I am only answering as an amateur. And I am also answering without the benefit of actually hearing the President's speech or reading the actual resolution passed / being debated. That being said, I do *not* believe this is a declaration of war. And I do not believe America should be in this type of engagement with Iraq at this time. As JWR has pointed out many times, and as I agree with him on this point, I don't think Saddam is a threat to the US. If that is the problem we're looking into, I think a much better case could be made for making war with China. (I am not saying we should go to war with China, but the arguments I hear for a war with Iraq would be much better used to excuse a war with China.) Regardless, though I think the US, the world, and especially the people of Iraq would be much better off without Hussein, I don't think that it is the place of the US to take him out, unless their is compelling evidence that shows a direct threat to the US. Interestingly, one of my students says he was convinced by the President's speech that a war with Iraq to get rid of Hussein was a good idea. I found it odd that I, who six months ago would have been the biggest "hawk" in Japan, was now arguing against US foreign policy to a Japanese citizen, most of whom are head-in-the-sand "doves." Still, it hurt when I went to another place of work and found a flier on my desk that called for opposition to the US call for war with Iraq. I guess it's just one of those things, I don't mind Americans debate, but not from foreigners, who just "don't get it." (Wasn't that a phrase used on one of these threads?) Not that I'm not still a hawk. I believe that the US should vigorously be trying to find and bring to justice Osama bin Laden and/or others who are responsible for 9/11 and other terrorist incidents. While I was in America last month, Grampa Bill gave me an idea of what he would do in case of another terrorist attack. But it was so good, I'll let him tell it. Bill Lewis AKA Cousin Bill [EMAIL PROTECTED] Guess what! I'm published! Check out this link: http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/ebooks ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
