"Dwight Stewart" wrote

And, while there is nothing mandatory about it,
the mandate (authorization) to do so still
remains.

Dwight, do you read and understand what you write prior to mashing the
send button?

If there is nothing mandat(ory) about something, how can it be a
mandate?

A mandate is a command, *requiring* a certain action.

An authorization is a grant of permission, but does not *require* an
action.

73, de Hans, K0HB