Why did Reagan say that Jihadis were the moral equivalent to the founding fathers of America ?

Question

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan received a group of beardedmen. They were very ferocious-looking bearded men with turbans looking like they came from another century. President Reagan received them in the White House. After receiving them he spoke to the press. He pointed towards them, I'm sure some of you will recall that moment, and said, "These are the moral equivalent of America's founding fathers". These were the Afghan Mujahiddin. They were at the time, guns in hand, battling the Evil Empire. They were the moral equivalent of our founding fathers!



http://www.iviews.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IN9810-349



http://www.dawn.com/2003/10/24/int14.htm

http://vision-nary.com/treason/freedom.html

http://www.sangam.org/ANALYSIS/Ahmad.htm

Answer 1

We have a long history of providing military training and guns to those who are using them against us in 10 years. Its going on in Iraq right now.

Answer 2

Because at the time the USA would support anyone who was against communism, including fascists as well as religious fanatics.

The US government knew what these bearded chaps were up to, killing and torturing innocent people, but condoned it because a) the victims weren't American and were therefore of no consequence and b) they thought they'd be able to do business with the Jihadis once they got in power and thus preserve the 'American way of life'. It was not in support for their cause. Infact, Reagan probably didn't even know what religion these men were supposed to be.

Answer 3

Well, honestly, they were fighting for their independence (from the Soviet Union)... Why should the fact that they were Muslims make this any less honorable?... Some members of these groups of course later became anti-American Jihadis, but that wasn't quite the case when this was said...

Answer 4

Does anybody actually think that governments care about who they do business with?

If it is in their own interests then they will ally themselves with them. It doesn't matter that these people are sub primate haters of women an reason.

Oh, and the US is now allied with the Saudi Arabia - the most extremist Islamic country in the world (much worse than Iran).

Answer 5

i don't disagree with the biggest ingredient, yet: Reagan did not say Muhajadeen have been "the ethical equivalent of the Founding Fathers with reference to the Muhajadeen, he stated it with reference to the Nicaraguan Contras.

Answer 6

It the hypocrisy of the United states that gets us in trouble and has us backed up by nobody in Vietnam type wars such as the one in Iraq.

Answer 7

Because politicians are only concerned with what happens during their own terms in office. What happens after they're gone doesn't concern them. At the time, the enemy of our enemy was our friend, and that's all that mattered... at the time.

EDIT: And one other thing. We were ALLIES WITH STALIN in our war against Hitler.

Answer 8

Because, they saw opression and fought it. In their own sociological context, they are doing the exact same thing that the founding fathers were; fighting tyranny.

Answer 9

ooooh, boy you are touching a 3rd rail right before 911 anniversery

yes, he did say that, the cia funded mujahadeen to keep the soviet union out of the mideast

all depends on who's bidding they are doing ;)

Answer 10

Yeah, you answered your own question. It was because they were fighting the USSR at the time, and the thinking goes, "the enemy of my enemy..." You know the routine. Thanks for bringing up the point, though.