Reply #11: Thank god, there are others that understand this ...

[merh]

I posted this yesterday and was only attacked for it. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Kerry and Edwards did not authorize the war and their response to the question about the war was legitimate. If I knew then, what I know now, I would not have voted for the war.

The legislation that was voted on in October 2002 was based on the lies of the WH and its intelligence sources, the same lies that have been telling us for years (Iraq had WMD's, SH was linked to 9/11 terrorists, chemical biological weapons, etc) The resolution lists these lies as reasons for the use of force (no war was ever declared) BUT it specifically provides action was not to be taken unless all diplomatic efforts had been exhausted.



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HJ Res 114

Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of United States citizens;

Whereas the attacks on the United States of September 11,2001, underscored the gravity of the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by international terrorist organizations;

Whereas Iraq’s demonstrated capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction, the risk that the current Iraqi regime will either employ those weapons to launch a surprise attack against the United States or its Armed Forces or provide them to international terrorists who would do so, and the extreme magnitude of harm that would result to the United States and its citizens from such an attack, combine to justify action by the United States to defend itself;

(snip)

In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection(a)to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon thereafter as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that—
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either
(A)will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or
(B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorist and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

http://www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/H.J.Res.114_RDS.pdf

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1972992