Last week, a caller into the Mark Levin show brought up an incident I had almost forgotten about.  The caller, a retired U.S. Navy commander, brought up Operation Praying Mantis, President Ronald Reagan's response to Iranian belligerence in the Persian Gulf.  This incident was a clear contrast to how President Obama deals with Iran.

In April 1988, a U.S. warship struck a mine in the Persian Gulf, resulting in severe damage but happily no loss of life.  Upon discovery that the mine had been placed by the Iranians, President Reagan determined that a swift, firm response was called for.  Thus happened Operation Praying Mantis, a short four days after the incident.

During this quick, focused response, the United States Navy attacked with carrier-based aircraft, a number of frigates, and some SEAL teams.  At the end of the fight, the Iranian forces had lost a frigate, a gunboat, and two speedboats, with two oil/gun platforms destroyed and one frigate damaged – in contrast to one U.S. helicopter lost along with its three-man crew.

According to the caller, who was serving aboard one of the U.S. frigates, the Surface Action Group (SAG) his frigate was a part of sailed past the damaged Iranian frigate after the battle was over.  The sailors aboard the Iranian vessel all "lined up in ranks on the deck, with their life vests on," clearly hoping the U.S. vessel wouldn't fire upon them again.

Here is part of the end result of that battle 28 years ago: the Iranian frigate Sahand, totally engulfed and about to sink.

Contrast that demonstration of U.S power and resolve with this photo of U.S. sailors on their knees:

Which of the above would Khamenei, Putin, Kim, or Xi rather deal with?