Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Iran Hostage Crisis 30th Anniversary

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Today was the 30th Anniversary of the day where 53 Americans were held hostage for 444 days. The ordeal began November 4, 1979 and ended on January 20, 1981. The perpetrators were a group of Islamist students and militants who took over the American embassy in support of the Iranian Revolution that had overtaken Iran.

Jimmy Carter was President of the United States, and the Vietnam War still resided in America's recent memory. Few of us knew much about the country of Iran, aside from the fact the Shah was pro-American.

On November 4, 1979 a group of Iranian militants, mere students, took control of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. For 444 days those hostages were held. A failed attempt to rescue the hostages on April 24, 1980 resulted in the death of eight American servicemen.

The hostages were released 20 minutes after the inauguration of President Reagan, a politician known for his no-nonsense approach, and "peace through strength" philosophy.

Looking back it is reasonable to say that Jimmy Carter's weak foreign policy served as encouragement to the Islamic radicals to seize the U.S. Embassy, while the terrorists used Carter's willingness to aid the Shah as an excuse. Carter's weakness enabled the militants to not worry about retaliation or consequences because Carter had already proven to be an appeaser.

The lesson is obvious. Appeasement emboldens Islamic Jihadists, and a strong military led by a decisive Commander in Chief that believes in peace through strength neutralizes terrorism.

Barack Obama's weak position on defending this nation, and his indecisiveness regarding Afghanistan, is setting us up for another terrorist attack. Obama's appeasement position is putting American lives at risk, and if we are hit again by terrorism, the blood will be on Obama's hands.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

No comments: