US is NOT at war with ISIS. At this time.

White House: US not at war with ISIS

"Before getting into the strategy, though, there seems [to be] a fundamental, existential question: Is the United States presently at war with ISIS — yes or no?" MSNBC host Chris Hayes asked President Barack Obama's top spokesman, White House press secretary Josh Earnest, on Thursday.

Actually, that is a reading comprehension question and not an existential question.

ISIS is not al-Qaeda, is not an ally of al-Qaeda, and played no role in the 9/11 attacks.

So ISIS is not covered by any current congressional authorization for the use of force - what we have these days instead of declarations of war.

And that is why O the other day said that if, while considering what needs to be done, he and his advisers think significant force is required he will ask congress for such authorization.

As for whatever ISIS may say or do, nothing they say or do can waive the requirement for such an authorization, though of course ISIS may subject itself to the independent power of the president to use force short of war in other ways, as he has already done to (as he said) prevent genocide and protect US lives and interests in Iraq.

On the radio, this morning, the tone I noted in the voices over the ether was one of disappointment in reporting that the US and NATO have ruled out military action against Russia.

For a journalist, nothing is as much fun as a really good war.