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"The Congress shall have Power... To declare War..."
The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8.
You can almost see the saliva dripping from their jowls. The prospect of blood and death excites them beyond all measure. They tremble upon their haunches, awaiting the signal from their master to attack. Fangs exposed, they fantasize of sinking their teeth into the exposed necks of the Enemy, ripping out throats and shredding entrails.
The Dogs of War are ready. The time is near...
If anyone doubts that the president and his lackeys in Congress are fully prepared to launch this country into combat against Iraq, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell him. The only question now is, not "if," but "when." The president's lawyers are telling him that, hey, no problemo! You want to go to war against Iraq, why, you just go right ahead. You've got all the authority you require. No need for any "explicit authority" from Congress.
Ol' Bush, Jr., says that because Saddam Hussein -- the man who is as great a threat to civilization as Adolph Hitler (yeah, right...) -- that because this regional thug is developing chemical, biological, and nuclear "weapons of mass destruction" (WMD's) that threaten not only the United States, but the entire world (yeah, right), we not only have the right to oust him and plop in our own puppet government, we have the duty to do so.
(Actually, people in any free society do have the right -- but not the duty or obligation -- to remove a dictator...but only if a free country is then established. However, since, as a fledgling police state, the United States long ago ceased to be a free nation and has no intention of establishing the kind of government that we ourselves lack, the right to get rid of such criminals as Hussein is, shall we say, rather lacking.)
Ol' Dick Cheney warns us illogical ones that our arguments against attacking Hussein before we have actually seen any concrete evidence of his imminent threat to us are "deeply thawed." According to the Vice-Prez, we face "a mortal threat" and should not engage in "willful blindness."
Of course, it's a bit difficult not to be operating in the dark when the administration refuses to show us any real evidence to back up its position.
Sagely, Cheney informs us that we can't wait until Hussein actually has a nuclear weapon, because then we won't want to attack him because he actually has a nuclear weapon.
Gee. Great logic, Dick. Does that mean we private citizens can go around attacking any neighbor or stranger we know is (not might be; is) a threat because he may get a weapon someday and may use it; and don't ask us for any evidence to back up our claim; that's a secret; just trust us that we have such facts. Why should we sit around until he actually has a weapon and actually attacks us? How stupid that would be!
You see, says Dick, we can't wait for ol' Saddam to get any stronger. Plus, when we get rid of him, we'll magically bring freedom and peace to Iraq. (Hey! Why don't we first try returning freedom to this country?) Cheney tells us that this one act will have us all living happily ever after: no more extremists, we'll solve the Iraeli-Palestinian problem, and make all the Arabs love us. Hugs and kisses, all 'round, everyone!
The War Powers Act requires that the prez get Congress to approve any use of armed forces in other countries. (Guess the Constitution wasn't explicit enough. I mean, "to declare war" is pretty ambiguous.... [Yeah, right.]) Most presidents have, on the say-so of whatever whim strikes them, pretty much ignored both that law and the Constitution when it comes to killing foreign people and blowing up their buildings.
Of course, members of Congress hardly defend their constitutional obligation and prerogative. As Senator Chuck Hagel said, "I don't play this game so much on what's legal and what's not legal." Sure. To heck with the law. Hagel simply wants Bush II to "have the support" of his cronies and, oh, yes, the American people. Bush, ever the gracious soul, has deigned that he "might" consult with and "maybe" ask the approval of Congress to rubber stamp his decision if he (and I emphasize that word) decides to invade Iraq.
So much for the fact that the legislative branch -- not the executive -- is supposed to be the one to decide on launching military operations against another nation. Constitutionally, the president can only ask for such a declaration of war.
These yo-yo's remind me of those scruffy banditos from the movie, "Treasure of the Sierra Madre." To paraphrase them: "Declaration of war? Declaration of war? We don't need no stinkin' declaration of war!"
The Congress has washed its filthy hands of any responsibility for what happens. Despite their mewling protests at the thought that Herr Bush might merely ignore them totally -- and a politician hates nothing worse than being ignored, i.e., not thought worthy even of notice or hatred -- Congress already signed away a "resolution" granting Bush & Co. wide-ranging and vaguely worded powers to "fight terrorism" that would make an out-and-out dictator blush. All Congress's "hearings" now are nothing more than window-dressing for an operation already decided upon. The movement of war materiel to the Mideast has begun.
The Prez and Vice-Prez simultaneously maintain that sending our troops into Iraq has widespread support and is the right thing to do and that they do not need Congressional "approval" to begin the battle. Yet if their hand is so strong and incontrovertibly the proper course to follow, why do they reject the notion of actually obeying the Constitution and asking Congress -- not for some pantywaisted "approval" -- but for a clear and formal declaration of war against Iraq? What -- precisely -- are they afraid of?
Perhaps the nonsensical "logic" of their policy?
After all, if the possession or mere threat of nuclear, biological, or chemical WMD's in the hands of an unfree country or the "sheltering" of terrorists is sufficient and necessary for the United States to invade a nation, then we should prepare ourselves for imminent combat against countries worldwide. North Korea, Pakistan, Libya, Iran, and China, at a minimum, should be added to the list of "real threats" to America.
Also, how is that we managed to survive as a nation for over forty years while the Soviet Union -- one of the most ruthless and powerful rogue nations ever to exist -- while the USSR sprouted nuclear weapons, developed biological and chemical agents, and harbored and trained cadres of terrorists?
But Saddam Hussein we must attack? Immediately? (Yeah, right.)
If Bush has real evidence that Hussein is a "clear and present danger" to the U.S., then let's see it. Prove your case, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. Don't expect us to accept your say-so, your "word" on "faith" -- eschewing facts, reason, and logic -- just so you can "Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war," to help you maintain your political power.
And if those unworthies can convince us with objective evidence of such a threat, then let them have the confidence and the integrity to obey the Constitution and to ask Congress for a declaration of war.
Oops. Sorry... I forgot for a nanosecond of whom I speak.
I'm all for defending my country from enemies who objectively are a danger to us. You'll find no more bloodthirsty or outraged individual than yours truly when it comes to destroying those who would endanger innocent lives or seek to bury our liberty.
Unfortunately -- or fortunately -- this inane and unconstitutional foray into combat against Iraq ain't that duck. Not yet, anyway. Maybe never.
On the very day nearly a year ago that the World Trade Towers ceased to exist, I expressed in writing my concerns that I had far more to fear from my own government in regard to my safety and my freedom than I did from any real or purported terrorists.
I never wanted to be proved more wrong about anything in my life.
I'm still waiting.
Associated Press. "Congress: Bush Needs Our OK on Iraq." August 27, 2002. http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,61397,00.html
Shakespeare, William. "Julius Caesar." Act iii. Sc. 1.
