the kidnapping of American citizens by dictators. The following occurence is well documented.

Here's what really happened. . .

In May,1904, about two months before the Republican convention, a man named Ion Perdicaris, an American living in Tangiers, and an Englishman , Cromwell Varley, were kidnapped in Morocco. The kidnapper, a known bandit named Mulay Hamid El Raisuli (Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers), was demanding ransom and President Roosevelt expected the Moroccan government to intervene.

When the government response was found lacking, Roosevelt ordered a military presence to the area, sending his beloved Navy off the coast of Tangier to make a statement. The potential threat of an American landing worked and the Moroccan Sultan used his influence/power with the kidnapper to force a release of Perdicaris and Varley. The marines never landed ashore and never fired a shot. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" worked.

With the "big stick" of the Navy looking on, the "soft" but boldly spoken message reached Morocco. The matter was settled diplomatically and the hostages were released. Not one drop of blood was shed.

His dramatic response to the demands of the kidnapper was:

"We want either Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead".

Of course, the trick to all of this is....foreign dictators must believe you when you give them a grave warning...unlike the two million we've already given to Iran.