A bold daring act would be nice now:

Wednesday – February 16, 2011

A bold daring act would be nice now:

On this date, in 1804, the American frigate Philadelphia burned. The capture of the USS Philadelphia in Tripoli by pirates at the end of October 1803, seriously reduced the U.S. Navy's Mediterranean force and potentially increased the enemy's seagoing offensive power. Though it turned out that Tripoli lacked the resources needed to operate the captured frigate, this was by no means clear at the time and Commodore Edward Preble began planning to eliminate the problem. The idea of recapturing the Philadelphia in Tripoli's well-fortified harbor offered little chance of success, but her destruction appeared feasible, if heavy losses by the raiding party were accepted.

There was no shortage of volunteers for this hazardous mission. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Commanding Officer of the schooner Enterprise, was appointed to lead the operation, which would be conducted using a recently captured local ketch that was appropriately renamed Intrepid. With a crew taken from Enterprise and the flagship Constitution, plus a Sicilian pilot who was familiar with Tripoli harbor, Decatur sailed from Syracuse on February 3, 1804. Storms kept Intrepid at sea for nearly two weeks, with her people enduring much from crowded circumstances, poor food and the generally filthy condition of their vessel.

On February 16, Decatur approached Tripoli, keeping all but a few of his men below decks to maintain Intrepid's appearance as a local trading vessel. That night, navigating by moonlight, he sailed into the harbor and, claiming to have lost his anchors, requested permission to tie up alongside the Philadelphia. This was granted, but the disguise was discovered as the two came close and an alarm cry rang out. Decatur immediately ordered his men to board, which they did so swiftly that the frigate's guards had no time too organize resistance. Most jumped overboard and swam ashore, while the Americans rapidly prepared to burn their prize. Less than twenty minutes later, the Philadelphia was blazing brightly. Casting off just ahead of the flames, the Intrepid's men rowed out of the now well-lighted harbor, pursued by gunfire. The operation was a complete success: Philadelphia burned to the waterline and sank, while none of the raiders were killed and only one injured. In the words of British Admiral Horatio Nelson, this was "the most bold and daring act of the age".

Our history has included many daring acts. This incident was only one of many that included the Barbary Coast pirates who were of Muslim faith. Jefferson knew the dangers that these pirates created to free trade and peace in the region. The Barbary Coast War was America’s first confrontation with the Islamic world it also helped forge a new nation’s character.

Our history started with the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and culminated with the adoption of the Constitution. We have had many assaults on our liberty and freedoms since then but none as great as we are experiencing today. The words of Admiral Nelson do not ring true today. Our leaders do not act with courage and do not know what daring acts mean anymore. We do not need daring acts through big budgets so that an agenda is moved forward by the Progressives. We do not need ongoing negotiations with an enemy that is bound and determined to change our system of government through daring acts that would require adoption of their constitution and their laws.

Today, young people are demonstrating in Iran. They are daring the system to change their ways. The Clerics and the government leaders there are now saying it is time for executions of those who are protesting. Last week, daring acts of citizens in a public square toppled a dictator in Egypt. But when daring protestors here protest against big government and for the return to liberty they are demonized.

Daring acts by one U.S. President culminated in the down fall of the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War without firing a shot and for liberating another country from a tyrannical invader. George H.W. Bush received the Medal of Freedom yesterday for that and many more daring acts of fighting for freedom. This was truly a result of daring acts by a daring man who knew that you cannot win arguments if you are not willing to make the argument.

Conservatism is the natural philosophy of this country. The daring acts of the forefathers and some who came after them fortunately are a model that can be used as an inspiration to others. However, when a government is as guilty as others in robbing the liberty and the freedoms of its own people, it can no longer be the model for change that the rest of the world now needs.

The President said, in support of the protestors in Iran, "What we can do is lend moral support to those who are seeking a better life for themselves." He also said, "You can't maintain power through coercion, at some level in any society, there has to be consent." If we are to give moral support the coercion of our own government here must stop. Those who dare to protest for a better life abroad already know that there needs to be consent in order to have liberty and freedom. They need a daring act to ensure they get the liberty and freedom they are fighting for. The question is who will dare to act.

A daring act would be to give more than moral support to those who are fighting for freedom in their own country. A bold daring act would be to publicly support those who are making the argument for liberty and freedom abroad and domestically and demand that their government meets it with consent instead of ideology through coercion. Our leaders must realize that these bold and daring acts will bring peace and prosperity to the world.

Gregory C. Dildilian
Founder and Executive Director
Pinecone Conservatives

A footnote: Never be afraid to make the bold and daring argument for liberty and freedom. Because your government will never do that for you!