"Is it legal to use force?" s always an issue.Please correct me if I'm wrong, our reason for using force was sold as finding WMDs and in hindsight...no WMDs. After 20 boat attacks have we found any drugs?
W/r, AL
In a message dated 12/10/2025 7:24:15 PM Pacific Standard Time, lowderjf@gmail.com writes:What a pleasant fiction! The last time Congress passed a declaration of war was 8 December 1941, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, followed in 1941-42 by declarations against Germany, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. As far as I know, WWII was one of only five declared wars in the history of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. Neither Korea nor Vietnam were declared to be "wars." Truman called the Korean War a "police action."Despite the dozens of "police action" instances of Presidential use of deadly military force since passage of the War Powers Resolution in 1986, including six major UNAUTHORIZED combat interventions (Panama/Bush, Somalia/Bush-Clinton, Bosnia/Clinton, Haiti/Clinton, Bosnia/Clinton, Kosovo/Clinton, Libya/Obama), only three have have received Congressional authorization for the use of military force (AUMF): Persian Gulf (1991), Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2002).Actually, Harold, I share your sensibilities: My preference was and is that Congress pass an AUMF to support presidential interventions, or pass a resolution condemning them, but that is not the world we live in. The fact is that Trump's use of force in the Caribbean is remarkably unremarkable in that it is relatively modest and not unique by comparison to Presidential precedent. Unless and until he sends combat troops into Venezuela, at which time I will hope for an AUMF, I believe it to be perfectly legal and it bothers me not one whit.In my view, it is about time that someone besides Enrique Camarena took the war on the cartels seriously, and I applaud the President for finally taking prudent and effective action. I would bet my life that those plastic drums in the cigarette boat that I saw get blown up on the video in international waters were filled with illegal drugs of the kind that has destroyed the lives of many of my family members. The only thing I might have done differently regarding the second strike would be to use the wreckage as bait to lure another drug boat to the rescue and into my sights...
On Wed, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM Harold Brattland <habrattland@arvig.net> wrote:We always hope when going into a "war," we have support of an Act of Congress properly passed proving authority, funding, and limitations.. In case of current operations, called a war by some, there is scant authority provided only by a legal write up by OLC. It is classified so public can't know the extent or basis for actions. Congressman on Intel cmte could see it but can't characterize it, only to imply it is questionable authority. Again, its quite basic that war operations in a new place requires Congressional Act. Apparently, some don't know that. Pity too, its a Coast Guard policing mission and they have been doing it effectively.
On 12/8/2025 14:22, Robert Cameron wrote:Thanks for asking - confused me, too.
On Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 1:44 PM James Lowder <lowderjf@gmail.com> wrote:No disrespect, but what is your point, Harold? I am seeking to understand.
On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM Harold Brattland <habrattland@arvig.net> wrote:While yucking it up about lawyers and congressmen, don't forget the non-military counsel in Office of Legal Council DOJ that wrote the classified opinion providing the basis (legal basis???) for combat ops in Caribbean, since no action requested of Congress. Stupid is ignoring the Constitution, thinking no one will notice._______________________________________________
h
On 12/4/2025 15:22, Marc Liebman wrote:You can’t fix stupid.
From: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com>
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 10:28 AM
To: 'Brian Miller' <brianjmiller1977@gmail.com>
Cc: 'HeloBubbas' <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>
Subject: [Helobubbas] Re: The Seditious Six
I enjoy hearing from actual lawyers. These morons are so isolated from reality that they thought they were attacking Trump instead of the reality that they undermining the lawful chain of command. That makes them stupid, but not criminal. It hasn’t gone over well in the veteran spaces I follow and the fact that space boi is parading himself around like a victim of his own idiocy instead of taking ownership of his attack on good order snd discipline on the deck plates hasn’t helped his case.
What a great, original and accurate description for the Senator from Arizona Brian! mgb
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Best regards,_______________________________________________Jim
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Home Phone 218.846.1283,