Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 05/07/2007 2:18:20 PM PDT by SE Mom
From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli. We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
That’s from the Marine Corp Hymn, of course, and you can thank me for not singing it. When I was a boy, a lot of America kids knew that verse -- and probably a few more. I hope they still do, but I get the impression that might not be the case.
That's one reason I'd like to spend some time talking about the heritage this song represents. Another reason is that the lyrics hold a history lesson critical to America’s future. I realize a lot of you already know this material, but indulge me for the sake of those who might not.
The very first line written for the Marine Corps Hymn, about the shores of Tripoli, refers to America's first foreign war. After the Revolution, U.S. ships were sailing the world in search of trade without British protection. With no real navy to protect our merchants and travelers, American vessels and citizens were being targeted for looting, enslavement and ransom. The enemy was the so-called Barbary pirates -- agents of the North African provinces of the Ottoman Caliphate.
Ransom and protection money were demanded and paid. Stories of terrible treatment of American men and women in the dungeons of North Africa were well known. Behind it all, the country was having a pro- and anti-war debate.
On the one hand were those who took the "no blood for trade" approach. They had legitimate concerns about the cost and political impact of maintaining a standing military. They favored negotiations and payments rather than fighting. For a long time, their side was winning the argument. In 1786, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams even went to London to negotiate directly with the envoy from Tripoli.
Several historians and writers have reminded us recently of the ambassador’s nearly forgotten answer. Fortunately, Jefferson prepared a written report for the government and left other records of the incident. Here’s a description from The Atlantic Monthly in 1872:
“Disguising their feelings as best they could, they ‘took the liberty to make some inquiries concerning the ground of the pretensions to make war upon nations who had done them no injury.’ The ambassador replied that it was written in their Koran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave.” He claimed every one of their guys who was “slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise."
This answer may have helped sway the debate to the side of those who favored military response over further attempts at diplomacy. Some believe it had a personal impact on Jefferson himself, though higher and higher ransoms probably helped too. Congress finally acted, creating the US Navy in 1794. This included approval for the construction and manning of six frigate warships, including the USS Constitution -- which is afloat and commissioned to this day.
Still, though, congress refused to act directly against the Barbary pirates for years. Eventually, between 10 and 20 percent of U.S. revenues would be paid annually without ever buying actual safety for Americans. In the end, Thomas Jefferson acted on his own, sending forces into harm’s way. America entered into its first and protracted foreign war. From beginning to end, in fact, the conflict lasted approximately 14 years. I couldn’t tell you, by the way, if the Barbary wars were ever described as a “quagmire” or "lost."
I won’t describe here the taking of Tripoli by courageous American soldiers. And I sure don’t have time to talk about America's eventual victory over the forces of that era's religiously justified terrorism. I would though encourage you to read about it for yourself. It's a great story and it holds an important lesson about the nature of the world.
Sometimes folks around the world mock Americans for not having more of a sense of history. They might be right, but I think it is often for a good reason. Americans are a people who look to the future instead of the past. We hope and believe that things can and will get better. We are more than willing to forgive our old enemies and move forward together in peace. So we tend to forget the bad things we left behind.
Unfortunately, some of our enemies feel differently. They neither forgive nor forget. Listening to the messages of al Qaida's leaders, you understand that they see their old defeats in very personal and contemporary terms. They are in a “long war” against us, even if we don’t know it. And they’re committed to winning it.
Traitor! < /s> ...:-)
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
Please FReepmail jellybean if you want on/off this list. WARNING: This ping list is EXTREMELY active.
“No other candidate even comes close... and Fred is not yet a candidate!”
Fred reportedly joked about his announcement, saying that he seems to be in such good favor now, that he’s hesitant to announce (grin).
I really appreciate Fred’s understanding and USE of history.
I’m no expert on this subject, but every account I’ve read indicates Jefferson ordered Naval forces into the Mediterranean before any Congressional authorization.
This makes me wonder about the Koran that the new Muslim congressman used to be sworn in, the one belonging to Thomas Jefferson. He made it sound all fuzzy and warm that Jefferson owned a Koran. I’ve heard that Jefferson read that Koran in order to understand his enemy. Is there any evidence that Jefferson used this Koran in order to verify what his enemy was saying? I’d like to see this all tied together, if it can be. It would really go to show what a politically correct spin is put on things nowadays.
B T T T
Didn’t Jefferson send the “fleet” and not tell congress until it was too late to recall them?
The muslim pirates were front and center in the slave trade then and now and treated their captives horribly.
Sent the author an email and correct him- I think Fred’s the type of fellow who wouldn’t mind a bit:)
Bush is very ambivalent about Islam, probably owing to the Bush houisehold attachment to the House of Saud. I winched when I saw the iman at the Washington cathedral with that smug look on his face. Americans are not a theological people and it doesn’t help that the ruling elite is even more ignorant of theology than ordinary people are.
Paul Harvey has some amazing researchers and writers.
Jefferson “acted on his own” to the extent that he sent the frigates and then went to Congress. There can be little doubt that the payment of protection money to the pirates was not gonna continue of TJ’s watch one way or the other.
Jefferson controlled every action of that congress, so there was never any doubt that he would get what he wanted. Never a more devious president.
Not sure what you mean?
Fred was only filling in for Paul Harvey temporarily.
He has his own spot now at ABC radio. 3-4 days a week he posts a new piece.
“Millions for defense, but not one penny for tribute.” - Thomas Jefferson.
My point is that very few politicians write their own stuff. Sure, Abe did it in his Gettysburg address, and Ronald Reagan wrote in his dairies, but hoards of speechwriters are available to everyone who ever held a house or senate seat, a cabinet office, and for sure, a president. In fact I have known some of them. Ben Stein is an example. Pat Buchanan is another. tony Snow was one for the first president Bush.
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