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BB History Game - February 7, 1984 - Reagan Orders US Forces to Leave Lebanon

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by NaasPreacher (C4K), Jul 26, 2012.

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  1. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    I want to try a little game for the Baptist Board. Let's pretend that the Baptist Board existed in some point of history and see how we would post if we had been there then.

    I want to start with the bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut in October of 1983. On the night of October 23 241 US military personnel were killed when a truck bomb was exploded in at the barracks near Beirut airport.

    Over the next few month the US made several threats, but nothing was really done. President Reagan assured the world that the US were not going anywhere.

    Now fast forward to February 7, 1984. US forces had already been moved off shore, but on this date President Reagan ordered all US forces out of Lebanon. This was completed in late February. Some shelling took place in February, but in essence it looks like the US were run out of Lebanon after the bombing.

    Now, let's say the Baptist Board were there. How would we have discussed the news that President Reagan's response to the bombing was to, in essence, to abandon the Libyan mission after the bombing.

    To make it more interesting, perhaps members could post as if it were February 7, 1984 and we have just heard the news that President Reagan had ordered all forces from Lebanon.

    If this works, perhaps we can try other historical events later.
     
    #1 NaasPreacher (C4K), Jul 26, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 26, 2012
  2. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Back then I was a right wing nut and would have supported Reagan.
     
    #2 billwald, Jul 27, 2012
  3. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Hindsight is always better than the present or predicting the future in these matters.
     
    #3 LadyEagle, Jul 30, 2012
  4. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    My response would be what is was then. President Reagan set a dangerous precedent when he let terrorists dictate US policy. I could never understand how we could let over 200 marines die, and then do what the killers told us to do.

    We took another step backward with President Clinton after the 'Black Hawk Down' incident when he did basically the same as President Reagan.
     
    #4 NaasPreacher (C4K), Jul 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 30, 2012
  5. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Agreed. But Reagan wasn't the first to set the precedent. The first was Korea and then Viet Nam, more or less.
     
    #5 LadyEagle, Jul 31, 2012
  6. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    It was a mistake to get involved in Lebanon in the first place. Believed it then. Believe it now. But as always, once the boots were on the ground. President Reagan and the Marines had my 100% unqualified support, as always.

    That being said, leaving after the bombing like we did, regardless of the reasons, left a bad taste in my mouth.

    Did then. Still does.

    The fact that it was Congressional democrats screaming the loudest for the cut and run strategy doesn't make it any more palatable.
     
    #6 carpro, Aug 6, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2012
  7. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Every President makes mistakes. We had no business in Lebanon, but once there, should have finished the job. We never learn. When a decision is made to commit American troops, it should be done as a last resort, in our national interest, and with a full understanding the price that is being paid. Once committed, we go in to win, rapidly, and use every tool at our disposal to accomplish the mission. When the objective is achieved, we exit rapidly. So as I see it, two mistakes were made, getting involved in the first place, and second, not finishing the job with all our resources.

    Having said that, Ronald Reagan stands tall compared to the twin idiots of Johnson and McNamera who ran Vietnam. He also stands tall to Carter who had no leadership ability or spine. And, without a doubt, there is no comparison between Ronald Reagan and every President after him. Reagan's biggest mistake was picking George Bush to be VP, which lead to the other Bush. Bush the First's botched term lead to eight years of Clinton, and Bush the Second's eight years of antics lead to Obama.

    Ronald Reagan made our nation feel good about itself after the Carter malaise. He made mistakes, and maybe Lebanon was his low point, but he had leadership and brought out the best in the country.
     
    #7 saturneptune, Aug 7, 2012
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