:: Event Horizon ::

:: Friday, March 07, 2003 ::

At His Command
There is a popular misconception abroad in the land that the President can declare war on Iraq. This misconception is evident in comments made by reporters, politicians and military planners in almost all news media. For example, during the presidential press conference last night, NBC reporter David Gregory, asked the following question: Mr. President, good evening. If you order war, can any military operation be considered a success if the United States does not capture Saddam Hussein, as you once said, dead or alive? Although the President enjoys wide discretionary powers as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, ordering or declaring war is not one of them. The power to declare war is reserved by the U.S. Constitution exclusively to the Congress in Article 1, Section 8. This is a fact that most Americans probably learned in high school and it is worth public debate now that it looks as if legal sanction for invading Iraq will not be provided by the UN Security Council.

As frequent readers of this blog (all three of you) already know, I would favor military action if it proceeds in the context of the unresolved Gulf War authorized by the Security Council in 1991, with the understanding that the terms of the ceasefire agreement have been violated, and that the war be prosecuted to a final and legal conclusion. I would see this as an affirmation and vindication of the post-WWII system of collective security. However, if the governing authority that authorized the Gulf War is not going to provide legal sanction for a U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, then to what institution do we look to provide a legal basis for war? I would suggest that the United States Congress is the only institution which can provide the necessary legal sanction for invading Iraq. And I think there can be no doubt that legal sanction is necessary. I don’t dispute that a President can order military action to retaliate but an attack of this magnitude, a full scale invasion and occupation, is no mere retaliation or police action. We owe it to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, whose lives we risk, to guarantee that their cause is just. We owe it to a world we presume to lead to set an example of respect for law. We owe it to history, to the Founders and Framers of our Constitution, whose wisdom governs us still, to ensure that America remains a republic.

:: Joel 3:25 PM [+] ::
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Peace on Earth, Cont.
Ok, I wanted to use this quote in my discussion in the last entry about the "Peace on Earth" T-shirt arrest, but was not able to immediately identify the author. So, extra points to the first person who can tell me (or remind me, because I did know at one time, really), who said: I may not agree with what you have to say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.

:: Joel 3:24 PM [+] ::
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'Peace on Earth' T-Shirt Sparks Arrest
This kind of thing is very worrisome. It makes me want to flee oppression and tyranny and move to America. Hey, waaaait a minute, this is America. I wonder if by December it will be a crime to send "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men" Christmas cards?

:: Joel 11:31 PM [+] ::
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Back from the conference, totally exhausted. My hotel, 5th Avenue Suites, was great, and I have no complaints, except perhaps for the lack of high speed Internet access. I tend to think that Internet access should be considered a basic utility, like electricity or water, but that day is not here yet. Even though my in-room connection was dial-up, I really didn't have the time or patience to hassle with it. Consequently, I'm now suffering through Internet withdrawal and have a flood of e-mail to wade through. The conference went well, many high quality papers on international relations were presented. I dined at some great restaurants, though some, like McCormick & Schmick's , failed to deliver on their reputation. The nightlife was also fun, Kells is at the top of my list for pre-St. Pat's Day festivities, and Boogie Woogies is a relaxed piano bar for large groups into singing, knowledge of lyrics not required. It's Portland's answer to Howl At The Moon. So, I'm now in the unpacking and decompressing stage, and hope to soon get back into the groove soon.

:: Joel 2:45 PM [+] ::
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