What is the definition of war as it pertains to the United States?

Question

Really., i am trying to figure out if we are technically at war,

charlie, who committed the act of war, and are we at war with them?

Answer 1

Congress must sign a declaration of war, that has not happened, so we are not at war. Korea and Vietnam were not wars either.

Answer 2

War has not been declared, so we are not technically in a state of war.

We are fighting military actions overseas against ruthless enemies, though. So how important that technicality is may be debateable. Personally, I'd prefer a declared war.

In American discourse, the word 'war' is used both litterally and figuratively to describe any conflict, struggle or cause - much like 'jihad' is used in the Ummah, ironically.

Answer 3

We are certainly trying to kill alot of people in foreign countries, but we haven't had an official declaration of war from Congress which was the rule before Nixon gutted the War Powers Act.

Answer 4

Since Congress never officially issued a Declaration of War as outlined in the Constitution, we are technically not at "war". What we have in Iraq is a "military action" or "police action", even though we're not using any police.

*sniff* *sniff* It smells like Vietnam.

Answer 5

It is officially a war as designated by Congress when they had to sign a bill after 60 days that stated the war is no longer a police action, but a war. It is mostly a failed humanitarian mission now. The end of major combat operations was years ago.

Answer 6

The modern definition of war in the United States seems to be a broad scale attack on an "enemy" which is hard to pinpoint, and ends up leaving our citizens to pay the price.

Answer 7

The definition:

Any endeavor that increases demand for products of the Military Industrial Complex as defined by President Eisenhower or the products of any other enterprise owned or paying dividends to the political leaders occupying the White House or members of the majority party in Congress.

Answer 8

Yes, we are at war.

The President of the United States declared an act of war and the Congress agreed.

Answer 9

Technically we are.

But it is a specific war, not an all out war. There is a difference.

In an all out war...

1) The economy gears itself towards military production. Consumer goods are produced less in favour of money, resources and manpower being devoted to the military production effort.
2) The society itself is regimentized into a military attitude. This results in the majority of able bodied men and women being directed into the armed forces for service against the enemy state. Usually by volunteering, but sometimes by force of draft. Media too is geared towards supporting the military initiative.

In a specific war...

1) Society and economy remain largely untouched by the military actions against the enemy. There is no regimentization of industry towards the war effort, except on the individual company's desire to produce military hardware. Consumer goods are maintained at whatever level they existed, and allowed to continue to grow, despite the war being conducted.
2) The war is fought primarily by a regular serving armed forces. Those who chose to join the military as a way of life, prior to hostilities. These troops are augmented by a large volunteer army taken from reservists and people who have nationalistic pride in their country, enough to wish to join the effort. The vast majority of the populace however, continue with their lives unhindered by the war effort, and are not inconvenienced in the form of standard of life, by it being fought. There is no draft and the majority of people DO NOT support having one. They prefer to remain living their current lives as opposed to adopting a military one for the betterment of their country.

Thus America is currently fighting a small limited war.

Industry can still produce I-phones, doggy booties, expensive cars, luxurious houses, and other excessive and wasteful things without fear of adversly affecting the production of military hardware. People in general continue to go about their daily lives. They may indeed have concerns about the war effort. But as a fine example, most people recently seemed far more concerned with Paris Hilton's jail duty and the whole sillyness surrounding it than focusing on the current war effort. Society therefore remains largely untouched in that we can still think about and partake in frivilous things.

There is however a besieged mentality. Most Americans truly believe they are at war, even though the war itself may have not had any direct influence on their lives. Indeed when you travel abroad to other nations, even those fighting alongside US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, they themselves do not possess the same entrenched view that they are at war. Perhaps this is in part due to 9/11, as well as the US being the instigator of both operations. But none the less, it is quite interesting to note that apparently only American's think they're at war. Even though that war is having a relative minor impact on their daily lives.

I speak in general terms too! In no way do I intend to disrespect the losses incurred by families of their loved ones who are fighting and have died serving their country. They need to be remembered and honored, as they're doing something that the vast majority of us, ARE NOT!

Answer 10

The constitution provides for defense of our nation, not preemptive action or war because we think its a good idea. Why is it forgotten that being in Iraq is not legal!