[SamuraiProgrammer]

Originally posted by Instar:

The way I read history as is that it was more of an Anti-Carter move by the revolutionaries. Carter did try a military solution which failed. I doubt the instant Reagan was in power he would be able to change the fact that US forces couldn't rescue those people.

If I have misunderstood your statement, I apologize.

With all respect, I didn't read it. I lived it. I was a young adult at the time.

I felt that Reagan won a landslide victory in part because the public was tired of how Carter's foreign policy was making us a laughing stock.

I feel the truth is closer to 'the Iranians were not sure just how far Reagan would go.'

Carter's military solution was an attempt to rescue the hostages. At no time did we deploy a force to punish the government for allowing it to happen. I always heard (from military sources that may or may not be reliable) that the failure of the rescue mission can be pinned sqarely on Carter. I was told that he personally insisted that no one but the rescue team know what their mission was until the left the carrier. Because of this the flight crew did not know to install sand filters on the engine intakes. When the choppers got over the desert, the engines ate themselves.

For the record, I supported Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election. I think he has been the best ex-president we have ever had.

I still disagree with his foreign policy.

Sincerely