LETTER TO THE EDITOR: War isn’t Obama’s to declare

OPINION:

Any military attack President Obama orders on Syria that is not in response to a Syrian attack on the United States or done in order to stave off such an attack would be unconstitutional as an usurpation of Congress’ war-making powers (“Senators agree on Syria resolution granting Obama strike authority,” Web, Sept. 3).

These powers were made the sole province of Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. No part of this power may be delegated to the president. Thus, the War Powers Act is equally unconstitutional and an untenable basis for such an attack.

Mr. Obama has apprehended too much of Congress’ powers. Now Congress must act to protect its constitutional prerogatives before an imperial presidency effectively replaces our republican form of government.

MAJ. JAMES M. DORN

U.S. Army (Retired)

Chino Hills, Calif.