Should Congress declare War against the ISIS State and all of its followers following this latest slaughter of civilians in Nice, France?

Capt Lance Gallardo — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:32:33 -0400

Response by Capt Lance Gallardo made Jul 15 at 2016 10:46 AM

Capt Lance Gallardo — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:46:20 -0400

Congress Declaring War against ISIS is about us, not about them. When we formally declare war in a Constitutional manner, it has the effect of refocusing the country, and it engages the vast majority of Americans who do not have a personal stake in this Global War on Terrorism.

We have had to rethink our understanding of what it means to be "At War" since 9/11. We cannot limit our Constitutional understanding of a formal declaration of War by Congress to only States, and not Non-State actors like ISIS.

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Jul 15 at 2016 10:50 AM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:50:35 -0400

Like your spirit and could not agree with you more .... A Declaration of War is in order. However I think the way it works is the President asks for a declaration of war and the Congress must ratify. With this current President, I am not holding my breath and nether should you.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 15 at 2016 10:56 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:56:35 -0400

If we were to declare war on ISIS/ISIL/Daesh, it means we would acknowledge them as a nation. If we were to declare anything, it would be to remain vigilante on our own soil, as well as combating further threats on their's. This would require to combined efforts of many nations working together.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jul 15 at 2016 11:08 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:08:03 -0400

After this first question, we should ask ourselves on the impact such a declaration would create, especially in the powers of the POTUS. Those on the right have been complaining about how much power this POTUS has assumed. It is my understanding that under a Declaration of War, those powers can be greatly expanded.
So, my advice is; Be careful what you wish for.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 15 at 2016 12:33 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:33:29 -0400

Let me ask this:
1) How do you undeclare a War?
2) What extra Power does the President have when War is declared?
3) Would War be to the benefit of "Global Stability?" or more specifically US interests.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 15 at 2016 12:33 PM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:33:48 -0400

Capt Lance Gallardo, a plain and simple YES!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 1:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 13:57:19 -0400

No, they are a criminal enterprise/end of days cult in a foreign country. We should do nothing more than support our allies in the region who are struggling against them.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Jul 15 at 2016 1:58 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 13:58:01 -0400

Yes. The US should devote all necessary means to either kill in place or capture each infidel apostate member of the daesh.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jul 15 at 2016 2:07 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 14:07:50 -0400

Aren't we already at war under GWOT?

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 15 at 2016 2:56 PM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 14:56:51 -0400

Requires a Resolve. See any of that around?
No (D) would vote for it. Just enough (R)'s would go against it also. Ever notice how a majority always seems to come up just a bit short on everything?

Response by SFC Alfred Galloway made Jul 15 at 2016 3:33 PM

SFC Alfred Galloway — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:33:26 -0400

Only if the resolve is to win the war, at whatever the cost. Everything else is pissing in the wind.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jul 15 at 2016 4:11 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 16:11:37 -0400

Yes, one of the many reasons is that anyone who supports them or is inspired by them is considered an enemy of the state and can be tried for Treason and other crimes. Facebook & social media, comments would be a crime. It would be much easier to catch homegrown terrorists.

The downside is that it would involve boots on the ground and Americans would die. But to do nothing is much worse.

However, the current administration has shown that it lacks the will to do what needs to be done. I don't see anything changes despite current events.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 4:16 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 16:16:47 -0400

I disagree with the statement of declaring war means acknowledgment that ISIS is a nation. It's perfectly perceivable to declare war against a terrorist "group" or "organization". If they are posing enough of a threat and the U.S. needs to be involved then it's as simple as that. They are not a nation because they have no country completely controlled with a government of their own, they are just sparatic and looking for lands to dominate and take over. Also, yes we need to get back into war mode. Plain and simple. Everyone knows, especially ISIS, that we can only get things accomplished fully with boots on the ground. Quit downsizing the branches especially the Marines, and send us to do our jobs like we all want to do. (Or should want to do) Rah

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 15 at 2016 4:17 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 16:17:34 -0400

Congress and the President along with all Americans need to push for effective military actions against ISIS, Al Qaeda, Taliban, because so far SF and Spec Ops is doing all the fighting..

Response by MSG John Wirts made Jul 15 at 2016 5:27 PM

MSG John Wirts — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 17:27:33 -0400

That should have been done long ago. Ignoring an enemy only emboldens him, The longer we fail to engage, the more difficult it becomes, until we lose through inactivity.

Response by CSM Burton Graves made Jul 15 at 2016 8:00 PM

CSM Burton Graves — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 20:00:47 -0400

I feel anyone who is associated with ISIS should be declared a WORLD OUTLAW, denied any CITIZENSHIP in any locale, and always prosecuted as a WAR CRIMINAL. Countries that harbor these WAR CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS should be sanctioned to absolute poverty and completely choked out of existence.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jul 15 at 2016 8:20 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 20:20:38 -0400

So far, I have seen no evidence the tragedy was related to ISIS. It seems to be a mentally disturbed man, taking our his frustrations with violence. He already had a record of violence in a road rage incident.
Not a very devout Muslim. His neighbor claimed he was drunk during Ramadan.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 15 at 2016 10:00 PM

MSG Pat Colby — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 22:00:24 -0400

First step is to formally declare islam as a cult and a hate group.

Bathhouse barry soetoro would never do that.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 15 at 2016 11:07 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 23:07:03 -0400

Yes, we should utterly destroy them and fight them, as combatants where ever they are. They are not criminals here in the US, they are terrorists, and need to be tried, convicted and hung rapidly.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Jul 15 at 2016 11:33 PM

Capt Michael Greene — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 23:33:52 -0400

Centuries ago, you fought until a head of state was deposed, then all his people and land were yours. In those days, individual people had little power. But that isn't true any longer. Would YOU give up if the White House were captured? Of course not. In the 20th century, we learned that you have to kill or imprison all the conquered enemy, and occupy their land, keeping close eye on their population for decades after a war was "won." The peace in Germany and Japan cost as much as the war! Later we learned that you can't defeat"people who don't want to be defeated. Individual "defeated" people have a lot of power to communicate, to organize, to gather intel, to attack as guerillas or as terrorists. There is no more "winning" wars. You send in forces to accomplish a goal, then leave until next time. This is the new reality. Adjust to it.

So who wants to declare a war that can't be won?

Response by PO2 Kevin LaCroix made Jul 16 at 2016 7:55 AM

PO2 Kevin LaCroix — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 07:55:17 -0400

To declare war on the Caliphate legitimizes it, gives it nation state status. By keeping the war on terror broad allows for the US and its allies, in this fight, freedom to attack at will.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 12:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:46:09 -0400

Short answer: yes. Long answer: hell yes.

Response by CSM Davidandlori Nimmons made Jul 16 at 2016 9:06 PM

CSM Davidandlori Nimmons — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 21:06:01 -0400

yes He should enact Article 5 of the NATO Charter CSM (RET) David Nimmons