Congress gave him the authority to go to war as a LAST RESORT. And do you not remember the incredible pressure that was brought to bear on any who opposed the war? You know - those unpatriotic traitor peaceniks? It's a little like the bully on the playground telling teacher..."but the skinny kid GAVE me his lunch money". Well, yeah the skinny kid did, but is that the whole story?

And, I don't think John Hardly's point hinges a whit on whether (or how or why) congress "approved".