Neither A Hawk Nor A Dove Be

On the topic of war I'm different from a lot of the people I'm reading.

I don't think one should wait until it's too late to start one, but I also don't think it should be the first step of "diplomacy."

I think that if we're going to have a war, we should to it right, follow the rules and have Congress pass a declaration of war.

I also think that the president should have the flexibility to reply to casus belli without waiting for Congress to convene and vote.

But I'm conflicted on the president being able to initiate hostilities.

"But, McThag," I hear some say, "what if a quick, surprise, attack is what's needed?"

I dunno.  That's why I am conflicted.

Considering how often the people who are on the receiving end of those quick, surprise, attacks are not national actors, then I think the old hostis humani generis rules apply.

Wanna drop a JDAM on pirates, slavers or terrorists?  That's executive power and doesn't need Congress to further authorize the force because it's long accepted that such are enemies of humanity.

I'm getting to the point of thinking that non-assimilating, illegal aliens should be added to the list.

It'd be a Hell of an incentive for them to get to be becoming 'Merican.

But if you want to make war on a nation-state, you have to get Congress involved before you start shooting if they aren't actually shooting at you first.

I get conflicted because I can easily see lots of practical problems with following the rules.

However, if war is declared, then WARRE it is!

You get us to the point where we feel the need to get that declaration, your nation becomes an entry in the history books.  Your language, culture and history will be, effectively, erased and you will be replaced by US.  Your nation becomes a territory.  Your people become territorial residents who will now have to assimilate to being Americans; like it or not.  Your grandchildren will not know how to speak your foreign tongue and will not be able conceive of a time where their home state was ever a nation-state.

I'd rather we were a lot friendlier and happier nation than that though.  I prefer mutually beneficial treaties, trade and cultural exchange.

Wiping you off the face of the Earth is the last thing I want us to do... but it IS on the list.

Just sayin'.