WTF is a "Non-binding Resolution" anyway?

[ahart2001]

Can anyone explain what the purpose behind a non-binding resolution is? Binding means you are held to sometime, in my mind. Resolution means you are resolute, or firm/standing ground. So what good does a non-held to firm-statement do?

I wrote off the NBR (if I can use that acronym) over the proposed troop surge as more political BS about the war and tossed it in the crap pile of nonsense. But now it seems like its becoming a recurring theme in congress:

The US has called for Japan to face up to WWII actions where women were forced into brothels for the Japanese troops.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6374961.stm

"Mr Aso described the non-binding resolution, which was introduced in Congress earlier this month, as "extremely regrettable"."

So apparently, Congress can't make any definitive statements anymore? WTF?!!

[MDTPostFacto]

Kind of like when you tell your spouse you're going to take out the garbage,but you know you may or may not but then you don't and all she really does is nag about it, and there is no true penalty for non-compliance.

[patio]

The non-binding resolution that has to do with the Iraq war is because the Dem's dont want to actually take away troops or deplete funding from the war. They see it as a lesser of the two evils. If they were to take away troops or funding then they would get pegged for killing the troops we have there by not giving them back-up or body armor. By just having a non-binding resolution they can at once state their disdane for the war, but also not get blamed for not sending extra troops or needed equipment. It does, however make them look like a bunch of pussies, but I think we already knew that in the first place... :D ;)

[Dirk]

Generally, NBRs are used for things that the congress doesn't have any real control over but want to have their opinion known. They can't withdraw troops from Iraq, that falls to the executive branch. So they pass a NBR to say they want troops pulled but can't actually do anything about it. Same thing with Japan. They can't force Japan to do anything, but that at least shows what they want, even if it really doesn't mean anything. They are basically statements of their opinion when they can't really make a difference.

[patio]

They could cut the funding for the war. They just dont want to.

[Phreon]

Showboating. Posturing. Think of a Peacock showing it's feathers.

Phreon

[the happy prole]

I would say that the NBR regarding Japan is a situation where because of international law, we really can't do anything. I mean, even if we supposedly had legal rights to muck in their affairs, or we really going to invade them over it? It just lets them know we're really serious about this, and if it's a hollow dance-- well that's how things are done in international politics. It's part of a silly game, but it still has a use.

The NBR about Iraq is more lame. Because technically, Congress has the ability to do something about the situation. They just didn't. It's really more the Democrats saying "Hey, listen. We're just stating this upfront-- not our fault." Normally I would say that this is political posturing of the lamest sort. But in this case, the Bush administration has sort of said "In our view this is a war situation, which means we do what we want and legally we trump Congress." So I kinda can't blame them for wanting to say "Hey, this may go to the Supreme Court and things might get delayed for awhile and in the meantime Bush is going to run amok. So... just to let you know... we don't think it's cool."

[Duemellon]

The NBR regarding Iraq is mostly an unofficial vote of "no confidence".

Personally I think it could prove to be a wise strategy to have a "no confidence NBR" vote before doing any tangible things to bring the troops home. It helps test the waters & can be used as a rallying point later. Now, I'm not too sure that's how this'll turn out, but I don't think it's all that bad or a waste... if there's a follow up.

[Unrequited]

Showboating. Posturing. Think of a Peacock showing it's feathers.

Phreon

Brief, accurate summary.