Islamic Terrorism in Early America

[LadyEagle]

Terrorism In Early America
The U.S. Wages War Against The Barbary
States To End International Blackmail and Terrorism

Almost 180 years ago our infant country attacked Tripoli under circumstances that are eerily similar to contemporary times. That conflict, immortalized in the Marine Corps Hymn, "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli" called the Tripolitan War or the Barbary Pirate War, came shortly after we gained our independence from England. The United States chose to fight the pirates of Barbary, rather than pay tribute, as did all the other nations who traded in the Mediterranean Sea. The decision was bold, but the eventual victory by the tiny United States Navy broke a pattern of international blackmail and terrorism dating back more than one hundred and fifty years.

Source

 

[In His Grace]

Very interesting,

and as the day of the Lord gets nearer, the devil will get bolder with more acts of terror around the world.

 

[rsr]

I think it's a stretch to say that the Barbary pirates were "terrorists" in the sense we use it today. They were, well, pirates.

 

[DavidsonBap]

I don't know if Pirates were terrorists as we know them today. A closer understanding of terrorists would have been the dispute between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, or recently the Muslim extremists who invoke terrorism.

 

[LadyEagle]

Well, if raping and kidnapping, torturing, killing, robbing people, selling them into slavery and forcing women into harems isn't terrorism, then the definition eludes me.

 

[tenor]

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Well, if raping and kidnapping, torturing, killing, robbing people, selling them into slavery and forcing women into harems isn't terrorism, then the definition eludes me.

Then I guess any crime against another person, institution or nation is terrorism.

If this is the case there are probably more Christian terrorists in the US today than Muslims.

"Terrorism" can be considered a matter of perspective - to the Colonial British the "Patriots" who trashed the ships in Boston Harbor were "terrorists."

 

[tenor]

They were pirates probably most interested in personal gain, profit. Most likely they were not raiding, etc. to push forward a political or religious agenda.

I believe this should be the dividing line in the definition of terrorist in this thread.

I can see your point and in some ways, I agree, but I feel there is an issue being pushed here that is skewing the history.

 

[tenor]

oops, double post

 

[LadyEagle]

They were pirates probably most interested in personal gain, profit. Most likely they were not raiding, etc. to push forward a political or religious agenda.

You need to read up a bit on the Islamic jihads in North Africa. The Barbary pirates were Muslim and were most definitely serving their Islamic rulers and money extorted went into their palaces and further conquests.

but I feel there is an issue being pushed here that is skewing the history.

And what issue might that be?

 

[tenor]

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />
but I feel there is an issue being pushed here that is skewing the history.

And what issue might that be? </font>[/QUOTE]That of trying to prove the Barbary Pirates were equivalent to today's Al Queda and that Muslims have always used terrorism to further their agenda.

 

[LadyEagle]

History proves that Muslims have always used terrorism to further their agenda of world domination.

 

[LadyEagle]

http://historyofjihad.org/sitemap.html

 

[tenor]

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
History proves that Muslims have always used terrorism to further their agenda of world domination.

Apparently, you are using any act perpetuated on another by Muslims is terrorism, yet you seem not willing to call the same things terrorism when others perform such acts....

US settlers vs. native Americans - according to your definition all US settlers were terrorists.

When the Hebrew went into the promised land - they must have been terrorists by your definition.

The Crusades - European terrorism againast both Jews and Arabs.

Were the French underground terrorists? Possibly, depends on the perspective.

It's interesting when one group performs a "terrorist" act it's an atrocity when another performs one it's patriotism or "defending myself."

Today's modern Musilim terrorists have a political not a religious agenda. They are actually hiding within their religion.

 

[hillclimber]

Originally posted by tenor:
Originally posted by LadyEagle:
History proves that Muslims have always used terrorism to further their agenda of world domination.

Apparently, you are using any act perpetuated on another by Muslims is terrorism, yet you seem not willing to call the same things terrorism when others perform such acts....

tenor: you are the one stretching the term. LE is specifically pointing out Muslims as perpetrators of terrorism. As part of their philosophy.

US settlers vs. native Americans - according to your definition all US settlers were terrorists.

When the Hebrew went into the promised land - they must have been terrorists by your definition.

The Crusades - European terrorism againast both Jews and Arabs.

Were the French underground terrorists? Possibly, depends on the perspective.

It's interesting when one group performs a "terrorist" act it's an atrocity when another performs one it's patriotism or "defending myself."

Americans do not as a rule deal in terrorism

Today's modern Musilim terrorists have a political not a religious agenda. They are actually hiding within their religion.
The leaders may have a political agenda but the walking terrorist murderer/bomber has a strictly religious agenda.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Terrorism is not apart of the Islamic Faith. It's sad people can be so ignorant. Perhaps it would be best to go to university to study such matters or befriend some Muslims. Better yet, go to the Middle East for awhile. Oh well, sometimes it is easier for folks to see things a certain way.

[ December 12, 2005, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: DavidsonBap ]

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by rsr:
I think it's a stretch to say that the Barbary pirates were "terrorists" in the sense we use it today. They were, well, pirates.

Excellent point. It's a bit of revisionist history to call them terrorists. Piracy was a major issue of the day, and the Barbary Pirates by no means had a monopoly on piracy.

What made the Barbary Pirates so infamous was that they operated like Italian mafiosos of the American 20th century. England had a custom of "paying tribute", and the Barbary Pirates spared English ships in exchange for an annual bribe. That included ships of England's American colonies. When we declared independence, our ships lost their "tribute" immunity. The first American Presidents, sucha as Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, attempted to negitiate with the Batbary Pirates. But by this time, the Barbary Pirates had become allies to the English and French, which greatly reduced their tribute revenue. They saw the American ships as a lucrative way to make up for their losses. And, since American trade vessels were abundant with resources of the colonies, it made negotiating difficult.

Eventually, the US had no choice but to engage in the "Tripolitan War" as it was known. While the US action did result in a reduction of piracy, the beggest result was that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were form that point on considered to be legitimate and serious military forces by foreign nations.

 

[hillclimber]

Originally posted by DavidsonBap:
Terrorism is not apart of the Islamic Faith. It's sad people can be so ignorant. Perhaps it would be best to go to university to study such matters or befriend some Muslims. Better yet, go to the Middle East for awhile. Oh well, sometimes it is easier for folks to see things a certain way.

With all due respect DavidsonBap, people do not strap explosives to their children as a political statememt. It is about as sick a religious expression as has been founded.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Come on man. So, what a Palestinian does encompasses the entire Islamic faith? Somebody from the Army of God kills an abortion doctor and we are to assume all Christians are like this...Or in Ireland Protestants and Catholics were killing each with means of terrorism and we are to assume this was Jesus' message...

Over a Billion Muslims...be nuts and assume 10,000 events of terrorism. You do the ratio.

Just curious, how many of you actually know any Muslims. Are friends with any Muslims. Have actually read the Qur'an and studied Islam abroad.

Christian sites "educating" people about Islam is sweet, but hardly without bias. They are worthless. I don't go to an Islamic site to learn about Christianity.

I know these people. Most are good. Yes, they are not saved through Jesus Christ. I don't debate this. But what I do know is that their religion does not preach Terrorism. Yes, they are some Muslims - called extremists - that do.

Forget it, not worth it. Peace and Out.

 

[just-want-peace]

While the US action did result in a reduction of piracy, the beggest result was that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were form that point on considered to be legitimate and serious military forces by foreign nations.

Which should be proof, to any logical thinker, that you CANNOT negotiate (to your advantage, anyway) with terrorists/thugs/criminals etc. etc.

The sooner the pacifists/runners/quitters understand this point, the quicker we can disrupt & minimize the results from said groups!

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by DavidsonBap:
Just curious, how many of you actually know any Muslims. Are friends with any Muslims. Have actually read the Qur'an and studied Islam abroad.

With the exception of studying abroad, all of the above. And for that, I have on the board been called a compromiser, a liberal religionist, an anti-american, and a nonbeliever.

That is why I now post on Islam-related topics only in extremely rare cases.