1 The Euro weenies have been paying off terrorists since the Barbary pirates. Then along came Thomas Jefferson, president of the new kickass country called America, and he wiped them all out rather than pay the dhimmi tax. Our first war on terror. Same thing happenning today. The Euros pay the dhimmi tax and we don't.

2 More than likely the UAE Diplomat " hostage " is resting with his hookah comfortably on plush cushions while being entertained by belly-dancers and watching Al-queda training films.

3 No Carlos maybe that was in some movie. If you look in Wikipedia you will find that Thomas Jefferson had to pay a ransom of 60,000 dollars at the conclusion of the First Barbary War 1805. (see aricle 2 of the treaty) in order to affect the release of some 300 American prisoners. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War The Second Barbary War 1815 was somewhat more successfull they paid the USA 10000 and agreed to stop enslaving our cirtizens. However after we left the failed to honor that treaty and it took the Anglo_Dutch and a 9 hour bombardment to settle things right. this is the link to the wikipedia Second Barbary Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Barbary_War

4 john, "Then-ambassador to France Thomas Jefferson argued that conceding the ransom would only encourage more attacks." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War Jefferson had advocated war against the Barbarys for years, but the peacenik president John Adams chose instead to pay the dhimmi tax. Not Jefferson's fault. When he became president he quickly ended the dhimmi tax and when GWOT on them. http://www.pccua.edu/keough/Thomas%20Jefferson%20and%20the%20Barbary%20Pirates.htm

5 john, but notice how you Libs always find yourself dissing your country no matter what the argument. I point out that our country's history is exceptional, you try to find a way to deny it. You're not even factual in your dissing! I guess if you're a Lib it just goes with the territory! No wonder so many people think you're all traitorous scum and want you hung from overpasses!

6 I am just trying to set the historical record straight. At the end of the first Barbary Pirates War we did pay a ransom of 60000 dollars. Is that a fact ? It is in wikipedia. Carlos was a ransom of 60000 paid ? And when did we wipe them out ? Wasn't the major engagement done by the euro weenies ? the Anglo Dutch ? The ransom was paid durring the time Jefferson was president in 1805. Are these facts in dispute ? Also it was the federalists under Adams hardly a peacenik, that built up the navy, backed by New England shipbuilders and ship owners. here is more from wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_jefferson

7 Also according to wikipedia the US continued to make payments until 1815 POlewas see the section titled Barbary Pirates and the US Navy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates

8 >>>are these facts in dispute ? Yes, they kinda are. I am not aware that a ransom was paid while Jefferson was president. It would obviously be contrary to his well-known feelings about paying such ransoms. "On Jefferson's inauguration as president in 1801, Yussif Karamanli, the Pasha (or Bashaw) of Tripoli demanded $225,000 from the new administration. Putting his long-held beliefs into practice, Jefferson refused the demand. Consequently, in May of 1801, the Pasha declared war on the United States, not through any formal written documents, but by cutting down the flagstaff in front of the U.S. Consulate. Morocco, Algiers, and Tunis soon followed their ally in Tripoli. In response, Jefferson sent a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean, and informed Congress. Although Congress never voted on a formal declaration of war (hmmm, sound familiar?), they did authorize the President to instruct the commanders of armed vessels of the United States to seize all vessels and goods of the Pasha of Tripoli "and also to cause to be done all such other acts of precaution or hostility as the state of war will justify."" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War Furthermore, the euroweenies did not wipe out the Barbarys. The extent of their engagements previous to America's efforts was the occassional bombing of Barbary ports, but never as part of a campaign to end their pillaging. Too much time and trouble, easier just to pay the dhimmi tax. They were weenies then, just as they are now. Nothing has changed. It took American resolve to get the Barbary's to start signing peace treaties. Nothing has changed apparently. If you want to know more, read: Jefferson's War: America's First War on Terror http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786712325/104-9077234-3113568?v=glance&n=283155

9 It seems that during the War of 1812 against the Brits, the dhimmi tax was paid to the Barbarys because we couldn't afford to send a fleet over there. But once that war ended with the Brits we once again went to war with the Barbarys, and it was then that we finished the job in 1815. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Barbary_War The Euroweenies apparently continued to pay the dhimmi tax until 1830. lol!!!! "It was not until 1815 that naval victories ended tribute payments by the U.S., although some European nations continued annual payments until the 1830s." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates#Barbary_pirates_and_the_U.S._Navy

10 Not so. Terrorists take hostages because they are to cowardly to fight straight up.

11 Allways the them kidnapping people for ramson was the reason the America sent my beloved Marine Corps to kick their asses. A great tradition still in use today.

12 I can agree with marines kickine their asses as being great but not the kidnapping.