Bob,

From what I have learned is that this was one part of several laws which were passed during the first World War. Up until that time the United States had not declared a formal war on anyone. Because of the many persons of German desent and several anti-war feeling during this time some of these laws were enacted. The government felt that this would help to maintain order.

Included with these laws were the right of the government to draft personal into the military, extend terms of enlistments and relocate people for defence reasons. During the Korean war the tour of duty for American soldiers was determined by the point system. Because no declaration of war was signed, extending tours were not allowed. The normal time to collect enough point to rotate was 18 months. Because draftee were taken for two year terms of service by the time they finished basic and AIT the eighteen months would put them over the 24 month time limit. That's when the laws were changed to have the commitment changed to six years. Two years active, two years active reserves and two years inactive reserves. Vietnam was the same way except the tour of duty was changed to one years. Although the laws were on the books but because no declaration of war was signed the protester of the sixties could hold their rallies and wave NVA flags and do what ever as long as they didn't break the civil laws.

Now that we have a professional army and we have seen what can happen maybe the government should look long and hard and before invading Iraq. We should declare a formal state of war. The only trouble with that is we would have all the dam lawyers running around filing suits and then the court would have to decide what the wording of the law really means and the whole thing. It's to bad that common sense is dead and we could just do the right thing. Protect our loved ones and eliminate the devil bastards in the world. Of course then the lawyers would be out of a job. The actors could go back to their world of make belief and I could tear the plastic and duct tape off my house.