Just how should a U.S. president address a global terrorist?

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

My day started with a 5:30 a.m. national news report that began, not with the near-miracle rescue of a downed U.S. pilot in enemy territory on Easter weekend, but rather with an estimated cost of the rescue operation.

The implication was clear enough. It also explains why many common-sense Americans no longer trust or support the partisan mainstream media. Their ultimate demise will be self-inflicted, to be sure.

For some "knights of the keyboard" to whine about the cost of a successful rescue mission when our military and nation promises "no man left behind" is absurd.

There is also speculation that some in the mainstream media inappropriately reported that there was not one, but two crew members shot down in enemy territory. That is unconscionable, but not at all surprising. Too many outlets will do anything for online attention. There are even reports of a possible government leak that led to these reports.
  
President Donald Trump vowed to catch the alleged “leaker” who revealed that U.S. forces were not immediately able to rescue the second F-15 pilot who was shot down.

“We’re looking very hard to find that leaker,” Trump said in the White House briefing room. “They basically said that we have one, and there’s somebody missing. Well, [Iran] didn’t know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information.”

Trump said the leak could have endangered the missing pilot’s life. Indeed. So could have those partisan media outlets that reported it. Their reckless behavior only furthers the distrust in the rapidly declining journalism profession.

Then there was the weekend presidential tirade on his social media platform that has been widely circulated by the MSM, who found it repulsive. Hmm. That's interesting. If you mainstreamers found it so damned awful, why did you immediately propagate it across all of your media platforms? If you hadn't, only those reading the president's social media outlet would be so "harmfully exposed."

Again, they will do anything for online attention.

Another question: Pray tell, how an American president ought to address a hostile regime of global terrorists? Bow down? Surrender? Transfer $1.7 billion in cash as a former POTUS gave Iran in 2016? Wait for the terrorist to have a launch-ready nuke aimed at our allies? Or worse, us?

Every U.S. president for almost half a century has insisted Iran must never have nuclear weapon capabilities. Democrat presidents have said it. Republican presidents have said it. Until now, not one of them took any serious steps to prevent it.

The coming days will be telling. The president promised "complete demolition" of Iran this week if the nation's leaders do not agree to a deal to reduce nuclear weapons development.

Trump said he would not rule out striking civilian infrastructure. That is not at all unprecedented. Democrat presidents have done it without undo media criticism. So have Republican presidents.

Trump said the U.S. military plans to strike bridges and nuclear power facilities if Iran did not agree to terms the United States laid out. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media will ignore or downplay the U.S. military successes and pounce on the first misstep of any military operation. (Just as they humiliated Joe Biden for his Afghanistan deadly debacle). Oh, wait, that did not happen. Biden outworked everyone in D.C. and was fully competent as he enjoyed a four-year nap. 

As Joe Scarborough famously said while misleading voters, "Biden's better than he's ever been." How'd that work out after the debate? Crow is a fine meal.

For all his self-inflicted social media faults – and there are many – at least President Trump has yet to make a habit of shaking hands with Claude Rains. (Ask your grandpa – maybe great-grandpa – to explain.)

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper and the only newspaper based in Highland County.