Preventing war with Iran

Democrats in Congress should pre-empt any attempt to start a war with Iran by passing a resolution--a binding one--declaring that the President has no authority to engage in hostilities with Iran. To get around Republic objections that this would tie Bush's hands (not a bad idea, actually), the resolution should provide that no combat operations could be launched against Iranian territory or against Iranian aircraft or vessels except against weapons or vehicles actively engaged in firing on American vessels, troops or territory--in other words, no hot pursuit. If the Iranians do attack, but are driven off so that they are not presenting an immediate threat to American lives, let the President come back to Congress and ask it to reverse its stance.