Declaration of War Against ISIS - Good Idea or Political Stunt?

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 16:52:16 -0500

Saying President Obama does not have the authority to wage a war against the so-called Islamic State, Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, introduced a measure declaring war against the Sunni militant group. Read all about it at the link.

What are your thoughts on this? Good idea? Political stunt? Something else?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/03/368246758/sen-rand-paul-introduces-declaration-of-war-against-isis

Sen. Rand Paul Introduces Declaration Of War Against ISIS

The Kentucky lawmaker introduced the measure because, he said, President Obama does not have the authority to wage a war against the so-called Islamic State.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 5:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:19:10 -0500

Everything in DC is a political stunt. But hey let's call this what it is and declare it so there is no mistake about it. Then maybe some would pull their head out. Just saying!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 5:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:47:58 -0500

Stunt. Rand Paul is considering, if not all ready announced, a run in 2016. It is all about the publicity.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 5:57 PM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:57:42 -0500

while it also might be a stunt, according to the constitution, the power to declare war has always been congress' not the President.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 3 at 2014 6:05 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:05:08 -0500

This is the best political news in years. We have all sworn to support and defend the Constitution for the United States. That document clearly establishes the power and responsibility to declare war in the Congress, the representatives of the people. This is the first attempt by Congress to re-assert that power to hit the media in years. Does anybody remember the last time Congress actually declared War?

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Dec 3 at 2014 6:12 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:12:16 -0500

Just for argument's sake, if we properly close our border and beef up our home security, how can they hurt us?

If the people of that region really want them out, won't they get rid of them instead of funding them?

(Yes, I am aware that we essentially created them).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 6:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:21:24 -0500

All politics are political stunts, everything they do is carefully weighed on how it may effect them at the polls; however I think Sen. Paul may be absolutely correct. The wording of the 2001 authorization bill was worded vaguely on purpose to create the freedom to act as required to resolve the (then) current situation. although this is still terrorism against the US it is a new group, new time frame, and new threats. They should be taken out but in the correct way in accordance with the Constitution.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 8:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:15:30 -0500

Once again a grate topic...politicians are like helicopters first make a big wind then lift up

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 8:16 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:16:26 -0500

I think he is puffing out his chest, and this is advertising his intent to run for office in 2016. Could he make it more obvious. Good for him, he seems like a pretty good candidate...but if he is, POTUS will squash anything he is introducing.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 9:24 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 21:24:28 -0500

How do you declare war on a non-entity? ISIS/ISIL is not a recognized government with a centralized capitol, thought they badly want to become one. Maybe, in a few years, if they actually are an entity with borders, capitals, public officials, etc.....

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 4 at 2014 6:18 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:18:06 -0500

Its a stunt. Where has our war on the Taliban gotten us? Will declaring war on ISIS get us anywhere? Yes it may get DoD more money, but are we ready to commit more troops against a faceless enemy. These guys need to be vanished from the planet but shouldn't it be done clandestinely?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 15 at 2015 7:30 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 19:30:07 -0500

I think it is a political stunt because how do you declare a war against a semi-organized group that does not have an actual country for their own. He is saber rattling because he can.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 15 at 2015 8:33 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 20:33:56 -0500

War IS Politics. Politics through Force, as opposed to Politics through Diplomacy.

But the Constitution is very clear about War. Congress declares war, the President commands the forces. The War Powers Act 1973 is only in effect still because it hasn't been challenged before SCOTUS.

In reality, however the concept behind the WPA1973 isn't bad. It makes sense. The President should have "limited" ability to deploy forces, and he should have to inform Congress "immediately" when he does. The entire "Check & Balance" concept. However, it shouldn't have been a simple "law," that granted him the power, as it changed intent of the Constitution. It should have been an Amendment.

Now, as for Declaring War (or an AUMF) on IS(IS/IL). If we are going to engage them in a military conflict, we need to have authorization from Congress to do so. Period. The Constitution is very clear on that. Public Law (WPA1973) is very clear on that. The President has a little leeway (60 days), but not much.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Mar 1 at 2015 7:08 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 07:08:12 -0500

It is always a good idea to return to the original understanding of the US constitution. The legislative branch has the authority to declare war. The legislative branch should push to regain all its constitutional power.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 5:22 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:22:41 -0500

It is a political stunt and a bad idea. It will draw us into further combat operations without the resources to back it. We cannot support another Afghanistan-esqe conflict at this time with all these cutbacks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2015 10:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:10:05 -0400

The problem here is that the 2001 bill "to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States." is so broad that it can be used indefinitely and against anyone who might present a terrorist threat to the US. Meanwhile the bill against ISIL is far to specific, there are lots of really bad actors in the region and ISIL is only one of them. I would rewrite it to allow the US to take military action to protect and defend the territorial integrity and security of our allies in the region for the next 5 years. After that the President would need to return to congress and re-articulate the rationale for and objectives of waging war in that region. Once a bill had been signed and approved, I would rescind the 2001 bill.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 11:11 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:11:16 -0400

The problem here is that to declare war on anything is that by doing so you are acknowledging their existence as a nation. Our leaders in Washington, DC need to make legislation authorizing the use of federal military forces against terrorist entities outside of the United States without a declaration of war. Furthermore, terrorists need to be treated as spy's or non-uniformed insurgents under the laws of war and Geneva Convention. They should not be treated as traditional combatants nor given the credibility of being soldiers. We are fighting ideological fundamentalist groups not nations with sovereign territory. When we stop giving them credit for what they do and strip them of all honors associated with nationhood or battle I believe we will see a reduction in recruiting to their causes. Furthermore, we need to utilize psy-ops to drive the truth to the world that these groups are just over-sized international organized crime elements that should be dealt with as criminals of the most heinous crimes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 9:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:32:44 -0500

I'm glad they are waking up. December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was the last time Congress declared war. This should cause you to pause given the events following WWII: Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Kuwait, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq to name a few.