The War on Terror: Examples From the Past

October 5th, 2004 | bobjam

[bobjam]

America is at war with a nationless enemy capable of attacking anywhere and sleeking away. The President descrbes this War on Terror as a war unlike any other. The enemy doesn't have cities to bomb, ports to blockade, or capitals to occupy. Instead, it has a hideout here, a website there, and a willingness to blend into everyone else. The War on Terror certainly is nothing like World War II or the Vietnam War, but it does have historical precedents.

The scourge of piracy plagued coastal colonies and shipping on the high seas for several centuries. Much like terrorists of today, pirates were of no specific nationality. Instead, they operated out of hideouts and often disguised themselves as civilian merchants. Piracy was an international menace condemned by most civilized nations. Was piracy a crime or an act of war? The same question could be asked of terrorism today. Courts and juries certainly could not be called upon to bring to justice criminals who suddenly attack and then slip away to another part of the world. Piracy, as well as terrorism today, was a criminal act that could only be dealt with by the military. British, Spanish, French and American naval forces patrolled the high seas in search of these pirates. When captured, the pirates were put on military trials for the crimes they committed against civilians and executed. The civilian judiciary system had absolutely nothing to do with the War on Piracy.

Although pirates hailed from no specific nationality, they did find safe harbor in certain open ports and rogue states. These safe places were dealt with in more traditional military fashion. For example, the United States declared war on the Tripolitan States for harboring and engaging in piracy. The American army invaded Florida twice to seize ports (Fernandina and Pensacola) that were havens for the buccaneers. Preemptive military actions against those who would commit atrocities against our civilians were the first large scale military operations by the United States beyond her borders.

Those who decry the War on Terror as being somehow an "un-American" way to fight would be shocked to learn how America, as well as the other naval powers of the world, dealt with terrorism on the high seas.

[LOC1]

Senator Kerry says he can do a better job than President Bush in the war on terror. Oh really? What is Senator Kerry's track record?

Kerry has been able to persuade congress to pass only six meaningless bills with his name on them, and three of those designated national days of recognition.

Kerry has opposed all of the major weapons programs now in use by our military.

Kerry has voted for increased taxes over 300 times.

Kerry missed more than 75% of the intelligence committee meetings when he was a member, and voted to reduce intelligence funding after the first attack on the world trade center.

Kerry voted against $87B to support troops in the field, after he voted for it.

Kerry can do better than President Bush? Oh really?