By the late 18th Century, the fearsome reputation of the Barbary Pirates (who had been seizing ships of "Christian" nations) forced many to routinely accede to the stiff tributes they demanded.

The Europeans-- despite their strong navies-- found it easier to pay up than try to suppress the seafaring treachery. During America's War of Independence, our ships sailed under the protection of the 1778 alliance with France.

However, after 1783 -- the war's conclusion-- American shipping was left defenseless. Congress then appropriated $80,000 (tribute money) and directed Jefferson and Adams to begin negotiations with the Barbary States.

But in 1784, two ships-- the Maria (of Boston) and the Dauphine (of Philadelphia)-- were captured by Algiers, and their crews enslaved. A $60,000 ransom was demanded.

Our nation's first Secretary State, Thomas Jefferson, told Congress..."We must choose: either war... or pay tribute and ransom."

Jefferson-- believing war was the only realistic choice-- advocated the creation of a navy, saying, "Tribute paid was money thrown away"... and..."the only thing pirates understood was gunpowder and shot."

The newspapers of the day were in strong agreement, and began their editorial theme: "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."

In fact, Mr.Obama has instructed Defense Secretary Gates to make grievous cuts in the defense budget, which will undoubtedly haunt the Pentagon should an unplanned future war break out.

But that's "professor backwards" Obama in action-- our anti-commander in chief --who obviously sees the U.S. military as a PROBLEM, rather than a solution.

You could see it all coming with the Somali pirate incident, when Hillary Clinton weighed in with her "laughing-hyena" speech-- proclaiming: "The world must come together to solve this CRIMINAL problem."

From the outset, the pirate incident was defined by the Obama administration as a "hostage situation"-- not an act of war -- hence, FBI negotiators were delivered to the scene because... "violence was to be averted...restraint must be shown..." 

Ironically, it became evident that (Mersk Alabama) captain Phillips could've escaped the first time he swam away (all the Navy need have done was blow the young pirates on the lifeboat to smithereens); but they had orders NOT to fire.

But after the fifth day of the tense standoff-- as the lifeboat slowly drifted nearer to the safety of the Somali coast-- it was apparent that Obama had to "get real" and give permission to take action should another opportunity present itself.

And were it not for Commander Frank Castellano of the USS Bainbridge-- who finally ordered the Navy Seals to open fire on the pirates-- a 1979 Iran hostage-type situation would have re-curred, with America again looking flabby, and Obama with a 25% approval rating, ala Jimmy Carter, who also abhorred military action.

But it was military action that had saved the Obama P.R. goose from being cooked; and he has responded in kind-- the Miranda requirement -- ordering soldiers in the Afghan theater to start reading rights to enemy terrorists, and gravely impeding their ability to pursue intelligence on the battlefield,  

This guarantees tying our military's hands at the treasonous behest of the U.S. Dept. of Injustice. If you are an American soldier, do you now think twice about shooting to kill, (or attempt to capture the enemy) and possibly risk being tried for a "war crime" by Eric Holder, with the ACLU whispering in his ear?

Obama's newest addition to the war on terror is the equivalent of bringing social justice to the battlefield-- now were REALLY fighting dirty!

But what's next? Squirt guns instead of M-16's? Paint ball projectiles? Slingshots? Bows and arrows? Spitballs? How about adopting those suction-tipped rubber darts fired from spring-loaded toy guns (like you played with as a kid) Thwock! Dead center hit on the enemy's forehead! Gotcha!

Jesus once said:  "Go out and make thine enemy thy friend"; and Obama seems to have taken the Lord's message to heart..."Make nice-- not war."

Essentially, "mirandizing" the enemy means everything has changed-- the battlefield becomes a crime scene.

So now, must soldiers ask questions first, and shoot later? Will the policy from the Whitehouse be..."don't shoot back until the terrorist has shot at you at least three times?" Or..."don't fire until you see the whites of their lies."

Evidently, Mr. Obama has been taking in a few too many reruns of CSI-- letting a prisoner know that he now has legal rights.

This insane policy shift-- replacing a CIA-dominated, clandestine interrogation system with one of "transparent investigations" and  ACLU-style "prosecutions"-- is bleeding heart liberalism that belies basic common sense.

General Patton surely is rolling over in his grave. Obama has redefined war-- no blood, no guts, no shooting to kill-- just  show the world that we respect human rights.

Where did this Obama guy learn this? Not from any AMERICAN history book.

It's blatantly obvious that it was all a sham because of the sneaky-creepy way Obama-- and his bottom-feeding Attorney General Holder (the quiet man) -- first implemented their new "strategy."

There was no media coverage; no formal announcement; no Congressional approval-- just roll out the orders on the sly, and let the FBI carry out the dirty work in the field.

Obama cares not about the welfare our fighting men; he cares not about defending America; he cares not for the real way of fighting a war-- he plays at war. He actually is in denial of war, because in his liberal heart, it's not "playing fair."

Pity our brave young soldiers, who leave their safe, clean environment; their families & friends; their education; their jobs-- everything-- for what? To go to a god- forsaken land, and be ambushed, shot at, risk being decapitated, or blown up into a million fragments by some 15 year-old Jihadi kid-- promised 72 virgins-- who's quite wiling to die...only to discover they must now show "restraint"; they must now "be fair"; they must now respect the enemies' right to habeas corpus-- they can't interrogate prisoners-- they must read them their Miranda rights, and watch 'em close up tighter than a spastic clam.

What an innovative way to "fight" a war. Such tradition.

From the Halls of Montezema to the Shores of Tripoli; and now in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, we have U.S. troops who must act as defacto lawyers, and are expected to do what? Fight? Negotiate? Be nice? What is their actual role?

"I am Obama, champion of the meek;
 Attack America, and I will turn the other cheek.

 We will appease rather than take a stand;

 while I transform America into a socialist land.

 Long live Karl Marx, and John Maynard Keynes;