Declare War!
Reader comment on item: Two declarations of war

Submitted by Garry S. Sklar (United States), Jan 31, 2003 at 01:58

My apologies for only reading your article of Oct. 10, 2001 today. I was searching for information on American Declarations of War in the past and this article appeared.

Apropos of the current situation regarding Al Qaida and Iraq, the United States finds itself in a strange position as it seeks to gain the favor of our so-called European allies. After engaging in shameful and humiliating negotiations with France, inappropriately a permanent member of the Security Council, the French Foreign Minister, de Villepin announced that France may veto any resolution "permitting" the U.S. to attack Iraq. That future political conflict with the European Union is inevitable becomes clearer daily. Today the competition is economic, tomorrow it will be political, on a global scale as the French, German and other Europeans demonstrate that they stand for nothing other than their comfort, the rest of the world, and civilization, be damned. After all, these are the nations that gave the world two world wars.

Regrettably, many opponents of American defense against terrorist aggression now harp on the need for UN permission for the U.S. to defend itself. We were attacked. It wasn't the first time in our history, but it's the first time we haven't responded as a proud, independent and confident nation should. No UN approval is needed. What is needed is a recognition by all Americans of what has happened and is happening. The best way to achieve this is by a Congressional Declaration of War, as specified in the Constitution. This shouldn't be Bush's War, but rather, America's response to an infamous attack.

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