The Obama administration redefines a great tradition

Three immortal quotations:

1. “Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute.” That’s what House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Robert Harper said in 1798 when French vessels were attacking U.S. ships. French Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand offered to stop the attacks if the United States gave him a big bribe and France a huge payment. Instead, 14 American warships supported by 200 armed merchant ships captured 80 French vessels. A treaty in 1800 ended the undeclared war. The United States then turned its attention to the shores of Tripoli and, using the same “millions for defense” slogan, defeated the Barbary pirates.

2. “This government wants Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead.” That’s what Secretary of State John Hay said in 1904 when Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli’s North African bandits kidnapped Ion Perdicaris, a Greek-American born in the United States. The United States sent seven battleships and, after some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the bandits released Perdicaris.

3. “An indication of just how badly opponents of the Iran deal are struggling to justify their opposition to a successful deal.” That’s how White House press secretary Josh Earnest responded to complaints about President Barack Obama’s $400 million cash payment to Tehran. Purely by coincidence, it seems, an unmarked U.S cargo plane flew to Iran wooden pallets stacked with euros, Swiss francs, and other currencies, just as Iran’s government was releasing four American hostages.