If you know the history of the relations between the United States and the Muslim world, you know that the first attack on US interests by Muslims was shortly after we were established as a nation, in the late 1700's. When our merchant ships were no longer under the protection of the British Navy, Muslim pirates in the Mediterranean began to attack US merchant vessels. Jefferson was in favor of a military response. Franklin and (I believe) Adams wanted to negotiate. Franklin and Adams went to London to meet with the Sheik who was in command of the Muslim pirates. They asked why US ships were being attacked, since there had been no actions by the US (a new nation) against any Muslims anywhere. The Sheik replied that they had the right to do this because we were "infidels".
Following that failed attempt at negotiation, Jefferson's position won out and a contingent of the tiny US Navy sailed against the pirates for a time, finally causing them enough pain that they stopped their attacks. Well, we know they didn't stop. They just paused for a while.
It's too bad the current occupant of the Oval Office is so poorly informed about Islam and the proponents of that philosophy. They are, and have been since their inception, militaristic and vendors of terrorism. They have positioned themselves as enemies of not only the United States, but of any socio-political entity that is not Muslim. For us to ignore this fact is suicide.
Maybe that's why the first stanza of the Marine Corps Hymn goes like this:
From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli
My take: Either the present occupier of the Oval Office is poorly informed or he is one of them. One or the other.
No comments:
Post a Comment