I was hoping that Bush would do it better than LBJ.
LBJ was terrible in so many ways.
Second : Was this an American or a British decision ?
After the Cole and all the other attacks, I thought that the local commanders did not have to get permission to defend themselves immediately.
"I was hoping that Bush would do it better than LBJ."
These are Brit Sailors and Marines, and they are not under the command nor responsibility of President Bush, and our Sailors and Marines are not under the command nor responsibility of the UK.
"LBJ was terrible in so many ways."
Only Carter made LBJ look a little better.
"Second : Was this an American or a British decision ?"
Again, these are British Sailors and Marines. All decisions related to this crime come from the UK. All we can do is support them along the way.
"After the Cole and all the other attacks, I thought that the local commanders did not have to get permission to defend themselves immediately."
This was changed after 9/11 and probably before this. Again the Rules of Engagement are decided by the country where the ships, sailors and marines come from, not allies. The Iranians knew that if they tried to kidnap any of our sailors/marines, there would have been a response from our ships at the scene and probably our Naval Air Jocks.