The definition of war, in the Constitutional sense, is critical to the discussion of what is truly accuring in Iraq, as
well as Afghanistan. The Constitution gives the Congress the sole authority to declare war, so not to allow such great power in the hands of one or a few hands. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution states, " The Congress shall have Power ... To declare War ..." I beleive that there is a severe misunderstanding or ignorance of what is the difference between what is a declaration and a resolution. Following the horrific and emotional events of September 11, 2001, the Congress granted president Bush a Resolution to use military force. Mr. Bush has used the Resolution to invade not only Afghanistan, who was supposed to have some connection to the planes crashing into the World Trade Towers, but Iraq as well, who has no proven evidence of 9/11 direct involvement.
The word war has been used masterfully to stir up emotion and excuse the actions of the president. But declaration and resolution have two greatly different definitions. A resolution is defined as, “a formal statement of opinion or determination adopted by an assembly or other formal group.” To declare anything is to “make clearly known; state or announce openly, formally.” There has not been a Congressional Declaration of War. There has been a Congressional Resolution and United Nations Resolution given as reasons for the conflicts, though. The misuse of words has been masterfull. The military forces are not involved in a war with Iraq nor Afghanistan. But it is very much involved in a police action to enforce UN policy and or Resolution.