So when the muslims first attacked US interests in 1783 off the cost of Libya, listening to Ron Paul would have been able to stop it?
The truth be known, muslims have a long history of attacking anything not muslim. In the absence of things non-muslim, they will attack other muslims. It is their way. Those that fail to understand this will suffer the consequences of their naive beliefs.
cost = coast.
Different circumstances and conditions. The Barbary Coast Pirates demanded 15% of the US Treasury as ransom. Most Americans at that time said pay it and avoid conflict because the country was deeply pacifistic and adverse to war.
Washington, Adams and Jefferson were in favor of war with the Barbary Coast pirates, They finally prevailed.
It really had nothing to with Muslims, it had to do with pirates, very similar in motive and intent of current day Somali pirates. But there were plenty of Non-Muslim pirates at the time as well.