William Norman Grigg

About the author: William Norman Grigg is senior editor of the New American, a conservative monthly magazine.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America justified a military response, but the ongoing "war on terrorism" fails several critical moral and constitutional tests. Having achieved a limited victory in Afghanistan by ousting the Taliban (but failing to capture terrorist Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of masterminding the September 11 attacks), President George W. Bush has become intent on committing America to a state of perpetual war. However, the president does not have the constitutional authority to declare war—only Congress does. Moreover, an endless war on terrorism would cost countless lives and is, therefore, immoral. Congress should reclaim its constitutional role, put an end to the proposed...