Posted on 04/15/2017 10:21:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
In 1986, United States President Ronald Reagan authorized military aircraft to unleash a torrent of bombs in Tripoli, Libya to send a strong message to Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The attack was in response to Gaddafi’s involvement in the terrorist bombing of a Berlin disco that resulted in the death of American soldiers.
After the successful attack, terrorists around the world understood that President Reagan was a serious adversary who would not hesitate to utilize the American military if necessary. Thankfully, Reagan did not follow the bombing with an invasion of Libya or additional military actions in the country. He realized that the military should be used sparingly and only when the national security interests of the United States were threatened.
During his two terms, Reagan rebuilt the American military, improved pay and pride in the armed services and restored our standing around the world. He also signed significant and historic arms control agreements with the Soviet Union and played a major part in the Iron Curtain collapsing, freeing millions of people from the grips of communist tyranny.
Reagan’s presidency followed the motto, “peace through strength.” This is one of the phrases that presidential candidate Donald Trump repeated often in his successful campaign, along with the other popular refrain, “America First.” These messages connected with millions of Republican voters who were tired of being misled by establishment GOP politicians. Trump was also able to connect with Rust Belt Democrats upset about our jobs and factories being shipped overseas.
As a candidate, Donald Trump also emphasized the folly of the war in Iraq and the huge financial cost to our country. He expressed remorse for the many lives lost and the toll on those injured. Therefore, in the aftermath of the successful bombing of a Syrian airport last Thursday night, President Trump should tread carefully as he weighs his next step.
The bombing received the approval of between 50-57 percent of the American people. While these are good poll numbers, they are certainly not overwhelming. In 2001 and 2003, the American people gave much stronger support to President George W. Bush as he launched the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Possibly, the lower poll numbers reflect the war weariness of the American people, who have had to endure 16 years of wars, $6 trillion in investment, the deaths of thousands of our military heroes and the mind-boggling number of over one million service men and women wounded in the wars.
Despite the massive American military involvement in the fight against Islamic radicalism, there has been a growth in terrorism and chaos and the conflicts have spread to Yemen, Libya and many other countries. Other than Israel, there have been no stable democracies established in the Middle East or the creation of safe zones for Christians, Jews and moderate Muslims. Sadly, it has been just a continuation of radical Islamic violence.
With so many warring parties involved in Syria, the path forward looks quite murky. In a new CBS News poll, only 18 percent of Americans expressed support for the incursion of ground troops into Syria. This reluctance is undoubtedly because of the negative experiences Americans have from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Presidents Bush and Obama continued the military campaigns despite the tremendous financial costs and the horrible toll on not only American service men and women, but also the long-suffering people of the region.
While President Reagan was undoubtedly successful in his two administrations, his successors have not been as fortunate. One reason Reagan was successful is that he focused on domestic problems and did not get bogged down in foreign wars. At this point, the President Trump should reflect on the success of Reagan and the problems of the administrations that launched the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that still rage today.
Today, some Trump administration officials are calling for a regime change in Syria. The President only needs to look back at previous efforts in Iraq, Libya and Egypt to see how America fared when we became involved in campaigns to remove Middle East dictators. Sadly, the plight of those countries deteriorated from bad to worse, a result the world can ill afford in Syria.
YOU need to quit trying to pick who works for the Trump Administration, and quit trying to tell him and his people what to do...
You are a ‘little no body’ who sits in ‘mommy's basement’ with nothing else to do...
We as ‘Trump Supporters’ know one thing about President Trump:
“Trump is Trump; Trump made Trump and Trump will do what Trump wants to do” and we support him 100%...
Go back into your basement and learn how to quit being a ‘snowflake’ at whatever age you are!!!
Stupid article by Jeff Cruere. Another “expert” that knows nothing. When all is said and done, conservatives will be debating Trump as the greatest Republican president ever, both internationally and domestically, not Reagan.
You're exactly right. Even in victory, this is pathetic!
Jesus Christ: You can't impeach Him and He ain't gonna resign.
What did President Reagan do after the Marine Barracks in Lebanon were bombed?
Greatest President in my Lifetime (so far), but he wasn’t perfect.
The author apparently forgot about the invasion of Grenada (October, 1983). The author apparently needs some remedial history. Never once has any Trump official said that Assad would be removed by US forces. Trump doesn’t need to be lectured to by armchair/keyboard generals.
Trump's gotta trudge his own path. Reagan and our founders are but the signs to follow. But he walks alone this time.
AMEN!!!
I don’t know about the rest of you folks, but I’m getting tired of all this crap from these idiots that think they are smarter, can do better than President Trump...I didn’t see this idiot’s name on the ballot or any of the other idiots, including the idiot candidates that ran against him on the ballot, I saw two names: the old bag and Mr. Trump, NOW President Trump!!!
Bingo!
Betcha they didn't ask linda graham for an opinion. Or juan mcnuts either.
With God’s help Mr. President follow your footsteps. And with God’s direction you will make America great again.
That was uncalled for dude. I’ve been 100% Trump since fall 2015. Whatever he was before the election is over. He’s towing the line and posting pertinent information.
I’ve probably torched him a time or two, but he’s an original poster. He starts threads on topics that are dominant in the media cycle and that’s a good thing.
You’re whatever type of post you want to call it was a bad thing.
WHO and WHAT are you talking about???
Nothing. It’s embarrassing mistake. I thought you were flaming Kaslin.
I usually call someone out by name when I take them to task, and in the future, I'm a ‘dudette’ not a ‘dude’....
I support you, and your right to express your opinions. I have been flamed also for offering what I felt was good advice since we know Trump or some of his people monitor FR.
There are some highly intolerant folks on here who will not brook a speck of “criticism” no matter how constructive.
I think we can safely say Trump has already put the idea he’s another Bush to bed.
He’s deporting illegal aliens and is just about ready to see various designs of a wall put up right away for review purposes.
He’s also done a massive number of things on our wish list including signing legislation that will allow states to defund Planned Parenthood.
By this time Bush had just learned to tie his shoes again. He forgot how.
lol
OUR President Trump!!!!!....love him!
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