At the turn of the 19th century, American ships in the Mediterranean were under constant threat of piracy from four Islamic states in Northern Africa. As president, Thomas Jefferson refused to be intimdated and sent naval squadrons in response to one of those states – Tripoli – which declared war on the United States for not paying tribute (extortion) in order to prevent theft of our merchant vessels or enslavement of their crews.
At the time, a primary concern of the United States was the potential alliance between the other Barbary states and Tripoli if we engaged the latter in battle. Nonetheless, Jefferson was determined not to give the descendants of the Ottoman Empire’s proxy in the region, Barbarossa, what they wanted. Not all that dissimilar from the concern then is the worry today that America’s actions abroad – and now, apparently at home too – could enflame the entire Muslim world.
Barbarossa, his descendant “Barbary Pirates,” and the Muslim Brotherhood of today all share a common thread; they each fought for the Ottoman Empire, which was dismantled in 1924, after World War I. The difference is that the first two fought to support an existent Ottoman Empire while the Muslim Brotherhood was formed in 1928 – and operates in the United States today – to restore it.
In 1786, Jefferson wrote the following about the Barbary states:
“The states must see the rod; perhaps it must be felt by some…of them. . . . Every national citizen must wish to see an effective instrument of coercion, and should fear to see it on any other element than the water. A naval force can never endanger our liberties, nor occasion bloodshed; a land force would do both.”
Our second president’s words portended one of the problems we face as a nation today. America’s enemies have reached our shores in the form of countless Islamic groups belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. While claiming to be defenders of the civil rights and other causes of Muslims, these groups have shown to be more interested in suppressing the rights of non-Muslim Americans.
During an interview with CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Ground Zero mosque Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf let his mask slip a bit when he implied that if his mosque wasn’t built near Ground Zero, America would be under threat by radicals. The subsequent stench was that of extortion:
“The concern for American citizens who live and work and travel overseas will increasingly be compromised if the radicals are strengthened. If we do move (the mosque), it will strengthen the argument of the radicals to recruit, ability to recruit and their increasing aggression and violence against our country.”
Though stealthier than his ideological ancestors on the Barbary coast, the Imam’s tactics are similar, and much more sophisticated. He is trying to convince Americans that his mosque must be built for our own good and safety. It is 21st century tribute in a virtual age. He wants us to view him as our protector from an enemy we refuse to identify. This is the tactic of hostage-takers. It is what gives birth to Stockholm Syndrome in hostages who seek refuge in their captors for fear of the alternative. Rauf enunciated that perfectly, if not intentionally.
In an Egyptian radio interview from February of 2010, Rauf told the audience how to best deal with Christians and Jews:
“…deal with them as one courts a pretty girl he wants to date; stop thinking like a typical Muslim. Then you can engage.”
In part, unbeknownst to him, Jefferson warned his countrymen that a land force of Barbary pirates would endanger our liberties and lead to bloodshed two centuries hence. The next generation of Barbary pirates has made it to our shores – and thrived – by exchanging the sword for charm. They have fooled a significant cross-section of Americans into welcoming them with open arms.
From the grave, Jefferson may be handing the baton to those not fooled.
Ben Barrack is a talk show host on KTEM 1400 in Texas and maintains a website at www.benbarrack.com