I hear a lot of talk today about weather the war in Iraq is legal or illegal. Weather it be the war there, or anywhere else, my question is since when have wars been legal or illegal?

I know that countries declare war on each other; and sometimes they don't, and just go at it anyhow.

I know if you look back to the history of civilization, it was the absolute norm for one country or one people to wipe out another. And I do mean wipe out, to the last man, women, and child.

Wars have gone on throughout the history of man; and unfortanetly probably always will.

My question is, what makes a war legal or illegal? People throw this terminology around all the time. We know that the victors get to write history the way they want it. Is that what makes it right or legal?

Prior to lawyers, could a war even be legal or illegal? Are lawyers what makes a war legal or illegal?

There are some smart people here. I would love to hear some good answers.

- 67GTO