Yet, we have carried out numerous, extended military engagements with other nations since that time. The so-called Vietnam and Korean 'Wars' (during which no Decalration of War was issued) lasted for years. We had the Gulf 'War' at the beginning of the last decade, undeclared. The fighting in Kosovo a couple years ago? Undeclared.

Now we have the action in Afganistan, which President Bush says he will continue for as long as it takes to root out Osama Bin Laden, including up to several years, and now involves not just bombing raids but also ground troops. Yet there seems to be no plan to declare war on Afganistan.

I realize that they want to make it clear that it is only Terrorists and the Taliban which we are against, but there is a procedure that is supposed to be followed in this country when making military attacks, one that hasn't not been observed for a long time.

The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He may sent or move troops wherever he wants. But it's up to Congress to decide whether to keep them there. Congress decides to keep them there by declaring war. A state of war is always to be declared in situations involving extended military action on foreign soil with the exception of peacekeeping missions, which usually entail a brief conflict and no major military force used.

So just WTF is the deal?

And, of course, global politics have changed since the early 20th century. Are we really at war with Afghanistan, or individuals within Afghanistan, or with parts of Afghanistan? Our entire definition of war, as built over millennia by western civilization, no longer seems valid.