The Minstrel Boy

[<DGill11331@aol.com>]

       Believe it or not, but in the 20th Century the United States only had 
two declared wars - World War I and World War II.  The term "two declared 
wars" is sought of an oxymoron, because pursuant to the US Constitution the 
United States can only have declared wars.  Now, I hope you don't mind but I 
think I'll like to do a little recreational thinking. 
       I know that it upsets most American who fought in Korea to be told 
that the military action they participated in was a "conflict," a "police 
action"-- anything but a war. I don't believe that anyone would deny that 
North Korea and South Korea were engaged in a Civil War and anyone who fought 
there, fought in a war. However, no matter how hypocritical the American 
Government is you must remember that for the United States to have a real war 
it must be the result of an explicit declaration of the US Congress.  Since 
Congress never declared war on the opposing factions (North Korea, China and 
the Soviet Union) there was no "war" that an American could say he fought in. 
       However, if it is believed that the 1950 United Nations' resolution 
meant that the United Nations declared war on North Korea and North Korea was 
allied with the Soviet Union and China and it is further believed that 
American were members of the United Nations' armed forces, I suppose you 
could say you fought in a war. Since the United Nations represents more of 
the world countries than the number of counties involved in World War II, you 
probably could say you fought in World War III. However, if you believe you 
were in the US armed forces you can only claim that you participated in a 
police action, a conflict - anything but a war.
       A civil war was also fought between North and South Vietnam. Because 
the US Congress did not declare war on North Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia, no 
American who fought in South East Asia can claim they fought in a war. If an 
American fighting in South East Asia believed he was a member of SEATO's 
armed forces he is out of luck believing he fought in the South East Asia War 
because SEATO doesn't have the power to declare war.  
       For that matter, war can not be declared by NATO, the Organizations of 
American States, etc., so if you as an American fought in Granada, Panama, 
Haiti, Lebanon, Kuwait, Libya, Sudan, Iraqi, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Masadonia, 
Serbia, Yugoslavia, etc. and you believed you were in the United States Armed 
Forces, like it or not, you did not fight in a war. However, the Iraqi war 
could have been a United Nations' War and since the United Nations was 
involved, I suppose you could say you fought in World War IV.
       Not having fought in a real American "war" could possibly have a 
silver lining.  Any person who have experienced "road-rage," I imagine they 
could understand what "war-rage" is, so if you were ever involved in a 
shooting conflict, or a police action with civilians in a foreign county you 
could not be charged with committing "war crimes." Maybe conflict crimes, 
police action crimes or even abuse of power, but with the lack of a war you 
certainly couldn't be charged with war crimes. 
       That's enough silliness for one-day and if you can - have a real nice 
day. Don