THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume III, Issue XIII

Remember the Barbary Pirates?

Jefferson's Muslim problem came about long before the current issue of the 'other' weekly news magazine asked of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi: "What if he doesn't go?"

The real question is how long will it take for us to realize what a bad idea it is to diminish America's reputation for strength and decisiveness in world situations.

At the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, America faced the threat of North African pirates who captured our ships and imprisoned their crews. Jefferson was advised by other nations to pay tribute money like they did in order to protect our sailors. He sent the Marines instead.

The rest is history and Tripoli is still remembered in the story of our Nation's beginnings. A Century later, the White Fleet would circle the globe. America stood in the way of the National Socialists as they sought to take over Europe. Then she stood in the way of the Communists. More often than not, American strength has stood in the way of tyrannies that would render the world we live in a very bleak place.