- Iran has carried out direct and indirect hostile actions against the United States since the late 70's. Not only are these actions well documented beyond plausible deniability, Iran has loudly and proudly taken credit for them.
- A component of the previous point: Iran has funded and supplied the Houthis in Yemen with the resources necessary to launch strikes at American and European ships in the region and shut down much of the shipping traffic in the Red Sea. Using a proxy does not absolve you of involvement, as libertarians like Josie will be so quick to remind us when we're talking about Israel or Ukraine.
- The Barbary Wars were not only fought in international waters, but also on "the shores of Tripoli," which is why that line exists in the Marine Corps Hymn. They even conquered a fort.
This is off the top of my head, but even with just those three points, her argument falls apart.
Since Iâm blocked by whoever this very pretty, but not very bright woman is, Iâll explain 8 ways the Barbary pirates are not Iran. Who on earth is telling you guys to use this talking point? Stop it. Itâs embarrassing.
First, unlike Iran, the Barbary pirates had initiated force on America, capturing sailors, and holding them for ransom.
Second, unlike Iran, Tripoli had declared war on America when Jefferson entered office in 1801, because they werenât happy with Americaâs lack of âpaying them tribute.â (Extortion/coersion)
Third, unlike Iran, this was dealt with in international Waters
Fourth, unlike Iran, Congress used the constitutional provision to âprovide the common defenseâ in this case (see source documents).
Fifth, this was one of the cases that helped outline the war powers act.
Sixth it took 14 years and James Madison following up, but Tributes were abolished.
Seventh, unlike, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan this was all defensive. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison didnât regime change the Barbary Pirates, decimate their land, starve their people, let them invade our country after, bankrupt America, change nothing, and leave them worse often than they were before.
Eighth, abolish public school.