No, were any authorization required (surely, you’re not a “global test” kinda guy), we would have had all we needed in the 1990 resolutions. As I recall, it was the late, unlamented Tony Blair who insisted on seeking a fresh resolution.

That’s not how the military works. They don’t just join and go straight there….there’s boot camp, then school which can range from 6 weeks to 3 years. They are all told that when they join and pick a job depending on their ASVAB score.
I had over a year of training before I actually got to my first command. Then there’s the fact that the military are stationed all over the world. We usually don’t get to pick our first command.

“Your earlier point was that people die all the time, whether in Iraq or here at home. The percentages are different, however.”

No, my point was you are throwing numbers out saying the death toll is high, but we as military and Americans have no real control over that. We do however have control over drugs and alcohol. Fight a war you can win.

And for the record, I do not feel I got scammed into fighting for my country, I’d make the same choice again, even knowing about 9-11. The only difference would be I would’ve never gone to shore duty and missed the chance to go to the sand box.

FYI…..What is never compared is the number of military deaths during the Clinton administration: 1,245 in 1993; 1,109 in 1994; 1,055 in 1995; 1,008 in 1996. That’s 4,417 deaths in peacetime but, of course, who’s counting?
http://www.murdoconline.net/archives/004581.html

http://www.murdoconline.net/pics/Death_Rates.pdf

Do we go to war every time an American plane gets fired at? Of course not.

GTP, you need to quit drinking the Bushie-Big Dick Kool Aid. We invaded Iraq, period.

Your earlier point was that people die all the time, whether in Iraq or here at home. The percentages are different, however.

As for all wars being wars of choice, technically you’re right, if you consider surrender a choice. Most logical folks take it to mean that, for instance, WWII was a war of necessity, in that we were attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. We were NOT attacked by Iraq; they had nothing to do with 9/11. So, in current times, the argument would be that the war in Afghanistan is a war of necessity (going after al Qaeda, who was responsible for 9/11) but the war in Iraq is a war of choice. Bushie and the Big Dick wanted this badly; Bushie to avenge his daddy, and the Big Dick to make he and his friends at Halliburton $$$$.

Oooooooobama, kumbaya …