What would you do?

by John harrison

This is President Biden’s chance to be a real president. In Theodore Roosevelt’s words, it is his “crowded hour.” History can be instructive as well as fascinating.

 When Ahmed Ibn-Muhammed Raisuli, a Moroccan brigand, kidnapped Ion Perdicaris, a Greek-American citizen, and his stepson, Theodore Roosevelt immediately took decisive action, but said few words. It was a simple equation for him. He instructed his Secretary of State, John Hay, to issue the following statement, “We want Pedacaris alive, or Raisuli dead.” John Hay, Secretary of State for, Theodore Roosevelt, President, United States of America. 

At the same time Roosevelt ordered most of the American Atlantic, and Mediterranean Fleets, including a substantial Marine contingent, to Morocco to back up his demand. To the surprise of everyone, particularly the British, French and Germans, that made America dominant in the area since they had to keep significant portions of their fleets in their home waters to protect themselves from each other. It was a brilliant move, both politically and internationally. It was one of the factors that got him renominated and then reelected by a substantial majority soon after the incident was resolved.

Better yet ultimately, the Sultan of Morocco was required to pay both the ransom demanded for Perdicaris and some of the expense for sending the fleet. Not bad. Not a single American died.

Ismail Haniyeh, born on January 29, 1962, is the leader of Hamas who ordered the attack on Israel, including the murders and kidnappings. He is currently living in Qatar and reportedly watched the slaughter and butchery from the comfort of his air conditioned office there.

President Biden should state in no uncertain terms that the United States of America demands all of the American hostages and the murderers of Americans to be delivered to us alive within 10 days, or we want Ismail Haniyeh and the local commander of the atrocities delivered, dead. 

That’s it. That’s what a real president would do. He would not say what he will do if his demands are not met. He does not make childish threats, or bombast. He does not try to solve the problems of the world. He is the president of America, not the world. So, just a simple demand backed up by overwhelming force, and the obvious willingness to use that force. He’s going to speak today. Let’s see what he does.

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My book, Steel Rain, the Tet Offensive  is available on Amazon both as a paperback and on Kindle. It is a Five Star book with lots of reviews, many by others that were there with me as the story unfolded. Please give it a look. See; Steel Rain, the Tet Offensive 1968

Recent Reviews of Steel Rain, the Tet Offensive:

“John Harrison does an eloquent job writing what it was like being in the infantry during the Vietnam war. I know, I was in the infantry in Vietnam. There is a statistic which states that only 1 out of 10 who served in Vietnam were in the infantry. All of us have been asked what that was like at one point since our return. It is an impossible question for most of us to answer in part much less in full. John Harrison manages to do this in his book, Steel Rain, the Tet Offensive. So, if you are inclined and wonder what it was like, or you want to tell someone else what you went through, buy this book. Show it to your friend, show it to your family. It tells your story. To, “LT” John Harrison- thank you Sir.Salute.”

“John Harrison’s book, Steel Rain, the Tet Offensive, is a series of short stories, told mostly in the first person, that weaves together the humor and violence that only a talented writer can accomplish. The result is a compelling book that is hard to put down. John’s words flow easily on the pages, making an easy read. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has been there and did that, or anyone wanting to know a personal record of one lucky Lieutenant in Vietnam and the people that made it possible for him to return home.
Dan Hertlein, helicopter mechanic with the 192nd AHC at LZ Betty 1968″

“John is the soldier speaking the truest story of Vietnam. I will confirm his action as I was in a different company same battalion, fighting the same battles.”