Did You Know

I have taken some down time recently between loads to catch up on some reading and
research. "The Pirate Coast" by Richard Zacks was one such book.
Our current involvement and conflict with Islamic nations of the Middle Eastern
area goes very far back indeed. Once upon a time when our nation was new and
Thomas Jefferson was President, our country went to war against Tunis and Algiers.
We called it piracy then but we may as well have called it terrorism. The North African
nations in the Med had long been taking Christian slaves from ships at sea and from
European ports and villages. It was done in the name of Islam. Tunis added insult
to injury by extorting tribute and protection funds from nations it encountered.
America drew a line in the sand and refused to perpetuate this way of making do in
the Med. Tunis brought down the wrath of America by capturing the frigate,
Philladelphia. With it's crew enslaved the likes of Commodore Porter and Decatur
came to rescue along with some U.S.Marines. (hence the shores of Tripoli)

Again under President Madison we had to dispatch Commodore Decatur to subdue the
Islamic authority in Algiers. The head thug in Algiers insisted that Decatur pay
them off in gunpowder-Decator responded by saying only with the "balls that go
with it". The birth of the 6th fleet dates back to President Madison when he
wisely decided we must maintain a visible presence there and thus protect our
economic interests and claim to our fair share of International waters.

Next time you hear that our presence has inspired Islamic terrorists to rise up
against us- debunk it with the facts that we have long been involved there and only
in response to Islamic agressions.

Think about it.