On November 4, 1979 - January 1981 no one was seriously calling for tolerance and pacifying Islamic extremist. The Ayatola's face or likeliness when found in the USA was defaced or had a middle finger aimed at it. As an active duty sailor my vehicle had such a bumber sticker. No oficers told me to remove it.
On the afternoon of September 11, 2001 no one was calling for tolerance after 20 plus cowards took over and flew four airliners to the deaths of over 3000. The nation was again outraged.
Today we have a POTUS, several so called Conservative senators, a Sec or State, a General, and Sec of Defense calling for appeasement and restraint. Yes even Freepers some of which are joining in as well. Such acts as this has never gained favor with Islamic extremist.
The appeasement of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter to M.E. Thugs by signing an EO prohibiting their being taken out by covert operations began us on the path of state sponsored terrorism because the leadership of Islam knew they were now safe to do so. Jimmy Carters unwillingness to do what should have been done as a response to the Iranian Hostage crisis made it worse. By response I mean loading up and leveling Iran to smoldering ruins. Yes their were hostages. Hostages who knew the risk of their occupations.
On October 12, 2000 during what was a routine refueling a US Navy ship was attacked without and provocation. Seventeen sailors died. Two Presidents of our nation sat by and sucked their thumbs appeasing the government and Islamic leaders of Yemen. No response given. No Justice obtained. I know I'm mising many more examples of it as well.
On September 11, 2001 was an attack on our soil again unprovoked. NOT ONE NATION of the Nationality of the Thug Terrorist was held accountable. What did we do? Go on an insane nation building program for a rouge Islamic nation. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, sent into combat with LBJ/McNamara type ROE's and Court Martials of America's finest to follow usually on the word of who??? Islamics. In the mean time while Georges Buddies and everyone elses were enjoying Iraqi rebuilding contracts the Islamic Thugs were busy in places like Iran while our Idiot leadership in both parties practiced yet more appeasement to the religion of peace.
Some good folk can take their pacifism, their diversity, their worship of their two beloved LIBERAL Marxist/Socialist leaning political parties who got us in to this horrid mess via appeasements and place it all where the sun never shines.
I have to agree with you...as I have lived through and seen it all unfold in my adult life.
Not developing our energy resources - oil, gas etc... in this country and instead, relying on the largess of those who hate us, we have basically paid for the club for them to beat us with.