Just the mere fact that you are justifying your actions {King} tells me that you are aware that it was in fact a down declare.....
I agree that there is no perfect time for war, but do tell how many of your nations were in active wars prior to the attack? Was it less than or more than OP? Maybe if you left out that other group things wouldn't be such a down declare.
Any way you slice it, it's a down declare that OP will take, AGAIN. OP must be doing something right. You would think that if your gonna get the first hits in at update and declare war, you would try to declare on an alliance bigger than yours, not smaller or even close the same.
Will be fun to watch..................OP kick some butt.