[Real Cynic No More]

Remember the Iranian Hostage crisis? It seems like years that then-President Jimmy Carter sweated and cried over the plight of the hostages. Remember the yellow ribbons around the "old oak tree"?

Carter excelled at victimology. The Iranian mullahs knew that his blustering was no more than empty rhetoric.

In contrast, Ronald Reagan, during his election campaign in 1980 made some not-so-veiled threats about going after those terrorists. And once he was in office, how long did it take before the Iranians decided they'd better release the hostages?

If Saddam Hussein understands that Bush is really serious, unlike the previous administration, Hussein might actually come around.

But, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

[Real Cynic No More]

And you can also bet that if Congress showed a little unity instead of trying to find a partisan advantage, that would send a strong message to those who play on our heartstrings with the result that a lot of this third-world opposition would also go away.

[Teacher317]

And once he was in office, how long did it take before the Iranians decided they'd better release the hostages?

It was the day of Reagan's inauguration that our citizens were returned to us, for all you twenty-somethings. ;^) They knew the difference between an empty suit and a "cowboy".

[twigs]

how long did it take before the Iranians decided they'd better release the hostages?

It was announced during the inauguration. I was in the crowd at the capitol. I don't remember whether or not it was actually announced, or whether word swept through the crowd. I couldn't stand Reagan at the time and had voted for Carter (I know, I know), but immediately saw the effects of having this marvelous man as president. I became a Republican during his adminitration and my family has believed I fell over the edge ever since. Anyway, the atmostphere at the inauguration was electric. You could just feel the difference in the crowd!

[alnick]

If Saddam Hussein understands that Bush is really serious, unlike the previous administration, Hussein might actually come around. But, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

I heard a report this morning that Tariq Aziz (sp?) said that Iraq will not comply because the US will come after them anyway. I heard this report on FNC before I had my coffee, so I can't remember the quote verbatim.

[Stultis]

Carter excelled at victimology. The Iranian mullahs knew that his blustering was no more than empty rhetoric.

Ah, Mr. Malaise. Remember his energy policy? Turn down the thermostat and wear sweaters. He even turned down the temp at the Whitehouse and appeared sweater clad before the American people. Time and again, on issue after issue, his basic message was, "we are helpless," and time and again, as President, he set the example of that helplessness. Bad as Clintoon was, I still think Jimmuh edges him out as our worst modern President.

[cake_crumb]

"In contrast, Ronald Reagan, during his election campaign in 1980 made some not-so-veiled threats about going after those terrorists. And once he was in office, how long did it take before the Iranians decided they'd better release the hostages?"

Somebody probably already answered this, but IIRC he wasn't in ffice yet, or only for a few minutes before the cowardly mad mullahs showed their true color. The hostages were released either the day before, or the day OF, The Great Man's inauguration.

[Redbob]

"Carter excelled at victimology."

Not past tense.
He still does, hasn't changed, hasn't learned from his idiotic mistakes.

One-term governor, one-term President.