[Tell It Right]

Good point on the Barbary states precedent. Another, more recent precedent, in the other direction is our inaction in the 1990's to our embassies being attacked -- arguably leading up to the Sep 11 attacks.

That's why I support these strike backs at the people who recently attacked our ships. But that's about as far as I support it. No apologies / tell them we hope they learned their lesson / but no need to go further than this and lead into a new forever war with no real goal.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

No apologies / tell them we hope they learned their lesson / but no need to go further than this and lead into a new forever war with no real goal.

Agreed. But the difference then, back in Jefferson/Adams days, it was about money for the Pasha and the Corsairs/Pirates.

These days we're dealing with fanatics and 'true believers'. These can be a tougher nut to crack. As in Gaza...they will all need to be "eradicated".