How does everyone feel about us attacking Syria?

[_Res Ipsa]

The concept of military power written into the Constitution simply doesn't work in modern times. (Not sure it ever worked as designed.) It envisioned no standing army, with local militias providing the first line of defense. There was no ability to attack and destroy targets from hundreds of miles away or ability to hit targets anywhere in the world in a matter of minutes. Exercise of military force was expected in the context of declared wars against other nation states.

In modern times, it makes sense to give the president the limited ability to act against actual threats to the homeland and to US citizens abroad. in my opinion, Congress has completely abrogated its constitutional duties when it comes to waging war out of political cowardice. Congress had the opportunity to exercise its constitutional powers and duties with respect to Syria when Obama requested authority to attack Syria several years ago. Now the very same lawmakers that condemned use of military force without Congressional approval back then seem just fine with Trump doing what they condemned.

Congress needs to nut up and reassert its Constitutional authority. If they want to give Trump the authority to take military action against the Syrian government, propose a new AUMF and debate it. Whether to use military to punish the Syrian government for use of chemical weapons is the kind of issue the Congress should control.

[_MeDotOrg]

The concept of military power written into the Constitution simply doesn't work in modern times. (Not sure it ever worked as designed.) It envisioned no standing army, with local militias providing the first line of defense. There was no ability to attack and destroy targets from hundreds of miles away or ability to hit targets anywhere in the world in a matter of minutes. Exercise of military force was expected in the context of declared wars against other nation states.

In modern times, it makes sense to give the president the limited ability to act against actual threats to the homeland and to US citizens abroad. in my opinion, Congress has completely abrogated its constitutional duties when it comes to waging war out of political cowardice. Congress had the opportunity to exercise its constitutional powers and duties with respect to Syria when Obama requested authority to attack Syria several years ago. Now the very same lawmakers that condemned use of military force without Congressional approval back then seem just fine with Trump doing what they condemned.

Congress needs to nut up and reassert its Constitutional authority. If they want to give Trump the authority to take military action against the Syrian government, propose a new AUMF and debate it. Whether to use military to punish the Syrian government for use of chemical weapons is the kind of issue the Congress should control.

Here's a good bar bet: What was the last Declaration of War passed by Congress?

Romania - 1942

LBJ fought the Vietnam War with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.