Declaration of war on drug lords..

[AKIron]

You can't let "your" Presidents do something and then expect "mine" not to. The 1973 War Powers Act made provision. If you want that changed then Congress must change it.

[CptTrips]

Congress never declared war against Korea or Vietnam yet US Presidents waged war in those countries killing millions. They couldn't even say they were directly protecting our borders as can be said today. And of course we have been involved in fighting in other countries without Congress declaring war ever since.

"One death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic"
-Stalin (maybe)

And those were violations of the Constitution.  Driven by Cold-War hystaria.  People in fear often become willing to hand over the Constitution in favor of a Strongman to keep them safe.



Is your argument that because we have violated the Constitution in the past, we are now obligated to keep violating it?

[CptTrips]

You can't let "your" Presidents do something and then expect "mine" not to. The 1973 War Powers Act made provision. If you want that changed then Congress must change it.

They are all "our" president until they are dead or we find someone better.

[AKIron]

The Constitution limited declarations of war to the Congress. Congress granted authority of restricted action to the President. That was lawful. Some clever President might force Congress to be more specific and limiting.

[RUSH1]

There was plenty of discussion about it amongst educated people.

Does repeated violation of the Constitution magically make it not a violation anymore?

I've never wanted an imperial president.  Ever.  I've always distrusted too much power in one individuals hands.

The founders agreed.  They knew Congress would mostly be weak groveling near-criminals, but there would be a lot of them canceling each other out.

You never want one Napoleon or Caesar to get a foothold.

Fifteen presidents served during slavery.  That doesn't convey to slavery legitimacy.

Would you like to also criticize those presidents and accuse them of authoritarianism?

[CptTrips]

You can't let "your" Presidents do something and then expect "mine" not to. The 1973 War Powers Act made provision. If you want that changed then Congress must change it.

No, you need to re-read that act more carefully. 

The 1973 War Powers Act sets a 60-day time limit for military actions in hostilities without a formal declaration of war or specific authorization from Congress.

Sounds a lot like what I was suggesting.  It only gives 60 days though.

So I guess that clock started when the first boat went boom.

BTW, I am not pro-Cartel or pro-Venezuala.  I am pro-Constitution. 

If Congress debates the matter on the open floor and there is a public vote and people put their names on it for history, if the decision is War then I will back the decision until another vote changes it.

I just demand you go through the proper process.

[CptTrips]

Would you like to also criticize those presidents and accuse them of authoritarianism?

I criticize all presidents who exceed their Constitutional boundaries. 

Why can't you?

But I blame Congress more.  Executives will ALWAYS try and grab more power.  It is human nature.  The founders understood that.  It is Congress' job to keep the executive in check and under tight control.

Congress needs to demand it's power back and use the impeachment\conviction as their club to do so. 

THAT is what the founders would have wanted.

[AKIron]

Defending our borders from invasion does not require a declaration of war and is a responsibility of the Executive Branch.

[Eagler]

Every president in your life time has done it. Some a lot more than others. Korea and Vietnam come to mind. No talk about "Kings" back then.

No kings but plenty of assissins..

Someone lost their head in Dallas to ensure we had a Vietnam war..

Have to make those war $$$$$'s..

Eagler

[CptTrips]

Defending our borders from invasion does not require a declaration of war and is a responsibility of the Executive Branch.

Yep.  But that authority doesn't extend past the border.

[AKIron]

Yep.  But that authority doesn't extend past the border.

US territorial waters extend out 12 miles. I'd be more comfortable with killing drug traffickers within that boundary. Like I suggested though, a President who despises what other Presidents have done might be inclined to force Congress to act.

[CptTrips]

US territorial waters extend out 12 miles. I'd be more comfortable with killing drug traffickers within that boundary.

Arguments could be made out to territorial waters.

If fact, if you want to blow them up it would have to be within territorial waters but before the actual border.

Once they've hit the border it is under US Civil Law and they have to be arrested and tried. 

 

[AKIron]

Arguments could be made out to territorial waters.

If fact, if you want to blow them up it would have to be within territorial waters but before the actual border.

Once they've hit the border it is under US Civil Law and they have to be arrested and tried. 

 

So where is the Army supposed to defend?

[Animl-AW]

Defending our borders from invasion does not require a declaration of war and is a responsibility of the Executive Branch.

King of half-truths

[Animl-AW]

The Constitution limited declarations of war to the Congress. Congress granted authority of restricted action to the President. That was lawful. Some clever President might force Congress to be more specific and limiting.

The only accomplishment of this congress is taking money from our pockets to theirs. And you bite every shinny hook defections to ignore it.

You will eat dirt right along with us, the shock will be more harsh.