[gridlock]

One of our first international challenges as a nation was the protection of shipping and the right of passage for American vessels through the Straits of Gibraltar from the Barbary Pirates.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. The Barbary Pirates were the Islamic Terrorists of their day, using the Koran to justify the taking and killing of the infidels from various nations. The French bought them off (plus ca change...), but the fledgling United States stood and fought "To the shores of Tripoli", in the words of the Marine Hymn.

[Calpernia]

Thanks for that tidbit. Nice post.