Finally... a democrat steps up

[fd ski]

so where is your indignation with "screwing with the consitution" when someone wants to touch the 2nd ammenment ?

Constitution is constitution is consitition. Republicans have a majority anyway, so it will pass anyway. Why are they not following the path that founding fathers drew ?

Then again, once Ashkroft has his way we might as well throw away whole Bill of Rights.

[ra]

Then again, once Ashkroft has his way we might as well throw away whole Bill of Rights.

What does Ashcroft have to do with this war?  And what is the conflict with the constitution?   Just because you disagree with something an administration is doing doesn't make it unconstitutional.

ra

[AKIron]

Some of them aren't standing up but rather hiding in a hole I hope they someday have the courage to climb out of.


"Other plaintiffs include a member of the Massachusetts National Guard who was recently activated, an Air Force Reservist from Massachusetts, and a U.S. Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf, Bonifaz said. Their identities are not being made public, Bonifaz said."

[MrLars]

Yaknow...it's funny reading all the ritious indgnation expressed here about some soldiers silly lawsuit...hell, they should just leave their post for a year like Dubya did and hope the problem and their actions get sweeped under the rug....think they could get away with that?

[AKIron]

Originally posted by MrLars
Yaknow...it's funny reading all the ritious indgnation expressed here about some soldiers silly lawsuit...hell, they should just leave their post for a year like Dubya did and hope the problem and their actions get sweeped under the rug....think they could get away with that?

In today's society of "what's in it for me?" and accept no responsibility, I'd say yeah, they probably could get away with it. At least with the right lawyers and media attention.

[narsus]

Doesn't the president have the power to use the military for like 90 days without an official declaration of war is passed by congress.

The president in the commander and chief, it's not like the republicans are the only ones who have used this power. Vietnam, Bosnia, and Somalia come to mind.

Just seems that these people don't know the laws of our land.

[MrLars]

Originally posted by AKIron
In today's society of "what's in it for me?" and accept no responsibility, I'd say yeah, they probably could get away with it. At least with the right lawyers and media attention.

Oh, you mean by trying to get out of their duty by using the legal system instead of using their families power and influence to shirk their duty? Yeah, that's a step backwards in the area of personal responsibility.

[Toad]

As I said upthread, I favor a Congressional Vote on a Declaration of War against Iraq before we put US troops in combat there.

I have my reasons, but that really isn't the subject of this thread.

However to add a little basis for debate here's two things:

Text of the Joint Resolution on the Use of Force Against Iraq

Text of the Joint Resolution on the Use of Force Against Iraq

Text: Joint Congressional Resolution
October 11, 2002
Text of a resolution passed by the House and Senate.
Passed by the House 296 to 133.
Passed by the Senate77 to 23.

I think we should bear this in mind when discussing:

Can President Bush Send Troops to Iraq without Congress's Approval?

by By Mark Holzer ; Mr. Holzer is Professor Emeritus at Brooklyn Law School.

While Holzer may or may not be the best ever Constitutional scholar, I'm guessing he knows a bit more about it than 99.99% of the posters in this thread. So, it's worth reading his thoughts. Particularly with respect to:

the current debate over the roles of President Bush and Congress in the forthcoming attack on Iraq. The statute is the one law that slightly ties the Commander-in-Chief's hands: the War Powers Resolution (WPR) [Title 50, United States Code, Sections 1541-1548]

[narsus]

So Lars

Does that mean if johnny down the street does it then it's ok for everyone to do it?

[Udie]

I seem to remember a use of force resolution being passed late last year, for use of force against iraq.  Maybe comrad conyers doesn't remember the vote.

 I'm like toad though,  I would much prefer the congress declare war.  Or at least have the debate and vote.  But they haven't seemed to be able to fufill their constitutional duties for quite a few number of years now, so I don't expect they will now.

 Bottom line is that the congress already gave the president the authority to do this......

[hardcase2]

The 90 day War Time act allowing the prez to act essentially alone to wage war, must be looked at again. In this techno age, a 90 day war is becoming the norm and might be considered a prolonged egagement. A tighter reign is needed now and Congress should step up and rethink the War Powers Act.

[narsus]

It's been previously stated but hasent congress already given the president authority to use force on Iraq some time ago?

[straffo]

Originally posted by ra
And Conyers is an 'ex' communist, so his interpretation of the Constitution is meaningless, as he once sought to throw it out.  He is not a 'true American'.

BURN HIM ! (with his familly ?)

[AKIron]

Originally posted by MrLars
Oh, you mean by trying to get out of their duty by using the legal system instead of using their families power and influence to shirk their duty? Yeah, that's a step backwards in the area of personal responsibility.

Either is reprehensible. Can I assume that you served your country in the military?

[ra]

Straffo,

Read back to see where I got the 'true American' reference.

ra