Apr 09 2009
Glenn Beck talking about Thomas Jefferson, and the war against the pirates in Tripoli
Since I am a former Marine, I had to say URAH!
The Fact is that he is right. The war against the pirates in the first years of this nations history brought respect to the US Marines, and their prowess. As a matter of fact, most of the traditions that Marines hold dear come from the first battles fought with those pirates, the quarter foil, the leather neck, and the saber are all part of that history.
The Battle of Belough woods brought the nickname “Devil Dog” from the fear that the Germans felt when the Marines came through. They called us Devil Hounds because the Marines would fight literally until they bled out. It was rumored that you couldn’t kill a Marine, so when the Germans saw the Marines, they would run away.
Marines have the distinct honor of being the most feared fighting force on the planet since Nov. 10, 1775.
This is the first time since Jefferson’s administration that a US ship has been attacked by pirates. There is a reason for that. Now we have a US war ship watching, and not acting. When the president was asked about this he said: “We are talking about housing.”
I dare say that the president just doesn’t get it. He just can’t understand the importance of this event, and the ramifications of doing nothing. There is a bright side to all of this though. I think that the Somali pirates will think twice about taking an American ship in the future. Rather than wait for the Navy to come and save them, the crew took their own ship back. That is heroism. That is the American spirit. Learn from them, and be better for it. Lay down, and you will get walked on. Stand up and you will earn respect. They have my respect at least.
