Thread: Can Bush declare war on Iran or attack Iran without the Congress's approval?

Can Bush declare war on Iran or attack Iran without the Congress's approval?

Originally Posted by politicalking

Can Bush declare war on Iran or attack Iran without the Congress's approval?

Yes he can, unfortunately.

With the continuing chaos in Iraq and Afghanistan, I don't think W will directly attack Iran.

For a while I've been saying that Israel will give W what he desparately has wanted for at least two years: War with Iran.

At this particular time, Iran hasn't done much to warrant an attack, but Israel wants war as much as W....so Israel will bomb Iran, which will most certainly be a hostile attack and as such Iran would be well within it's right to DEFEND itself and retaliate by bombing Israel.

Then there's W's green light: "I was hoping for a diplomatic solution, I didn't want a war with Iran....but you know, we've got to militarily get involved with Iran now to help protect Israel"

The old double standard will be applied AGAIN:

Hezbollah fire rockets at Israel, Israel is allowed to blanket bomb a vast portion of Lebanon ie. "we're allowed to defend ourselves" So as it's Israel this is deemed absolutely fine and Israel's Sugar Daddy America just Rah Rah Rah's the little Israeli trouble causers on as Lebanon gets reduced to piles of rubble.

Israel bombs Iran, Iran having come under a direct hostile attack then bombs Israel, which I believe under International Law, Iran would be well within their rights to retaliate against Israel, probably lobbing ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and some other areas....Israel then goes on an immediate MASSIVE whinefest, screeching and whining like the little crybabies they are when someone slaps them upside the head.

Iran says "we're allowed to defend ourselves"

Israel's Sugar Daddy America says "oh no you're not....ONLY Israel is allowed to defend itself....how dare YOU lob bombs at the "precious and protected and pampered ones"....you should know if Israel bombs anyone, then that nation is supposed to just sit there and take it right up the ass without lube from Israel and LIKE it"

Result: W gets a MASSIVE hard-on and runs around the Oval Office like a headless chicken screeching "BOMBS AWAY! BOMBS AWAY I'm the War President see, I'm the Commander-in-Chief see....I'm Jack D. Ripper see, I'm a war crazed nutjob and I REALLY need a box of Kleenex's right now because my war hard-on is going to blow in SECONDS!!!! Drop ten 1,000 lb bombs on Iran like NOW!!!! Yee-Haw!!!!"

I'd bet money that this has been the plan for at least two years....I'd bet money it'll happen before November 2008.

Actually Bush cannot declare war. Declaration of war must come from the Congress. He may exercise all of his powers given in the War Powers Act, but cannot declare war by himself.

The War Powers Act of 1973

Originally Posted by Dispondent

Actually Bush cannot declare war. Declaration of war must come from the Congress. He may exercise all of his powers given in the War Powers Act, but cannot declare war by himself.

The War Powers Act of 1973

Unfortunately, in late 2002 congress gave him approval to fight "The war on terrorism", which is as open ended as it sounds. Basically any dark people with oil reserves. So technically, GWB can declare war on most of the world, legally.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Unfortunately, in late 2002 congress gave him approval to fight "The war on terrorism", which is as open ended as it sounds. Basically any dark people with oil reserves. So technically, GWB can declare war on most of the world, legally.

No approval needed and I think it may already be in action.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Unfortunately, in late 2002 congress gave him approval to fight "The war on terrorism", which is as open ended as it sounds. Basically any dark people with oil reserves. So technically, GWB can declare war on most of the world, legally.

I suspect that both sides of the aisle would impeach him immediately if he did that (declared war).

He does have the right to begin military action for ninety days (?) according to the constitution. While he would take incredible heat for that he would probably not be impeached immediatley.

If he signs the protoped bill that sets a pullout date from here then we won't have to worry about Iran because we will be back here starting fron scratch within 18 months of the pullout, Aug 08

Born to kill, does anyone see what a bad idea this is?..........SSG

Originally Posted by Luigi

Unfortunately, in late 2002 congress gave him approval to fight "The war on terrorism", which is as open ended as it sounds. Basically any dark people with oil reserves. So technically, GWB can declare war on most of the world, legally.

I do agree with this. I think it is way too open ended. It should have been an act that allowed a war with a particular terrorist group in a particvular country. That said, the war in Iraq was simply an extension of the surrender agreement violations from the first gulf war. It should not have needed an act of congress because of this. The attacks on american jets from Saddam should have been all that was needed to re-kindle the war. Except Clinton was too busy getting hummers in the oval office to give a damn about our military being fired upon.

Originally Posted by ssgiceman

If he signs the protoped bill that sets a pullout date from here then we won't have to worry about Iran because we will be back here starting fron scratch within 18 months of the pullout, Aug 08

Born to kill, does anyone see what a bad idea this is?..........SSG

I've been trying to get the same point across, Iceman.

The president has no clear constitutional authority to declare war without the approval of Congress.