That was terrible and happened while Reagan was President. I can't fathom how the press would react today if something like that Beirut bombings occurred... BUT the problem with Beirut was, the security let someone with a car bomb come in and blow the place up. We didn't have good security, the UN or whomever, did not plan it properly. It was not, from what I know, the US's fault.
@TomSea IIRC,there were USMC guards at the gate,and besides their standard rifles,there was a 50 caliber M-2 there.
The problem was a lack of experience (being polite) by the senior man at the gate due to the Rules of Engagement laid out by the senior Jarhead,who didn't want anything to happen that he could be blamed for,and harm his career.
For those of you who don't know,in the military the "Rules of Engagement" can vary wildly from one duty post to another,but are USUALLY used as a guideline for when NOT to shoot,and any Marine or soldier who violates the rules of engagement can be arrested and charged with murder if he or she kills someone. Even if they don't kill anyone they can be court-martialed for a whole series of infractions.
Usually this means the guards might as well be asleep because they won't even shoot if shot at unless some officer gives them the ok,and officers are generally scarce on the ground around gates/check points. Make the right decisions,you are a hero. Make the wrong decision,and you will be put on trial for murder.
IF the senior man on duty,who may well have been a 20 year old Corporal with NO experience other than theoretical,and you can't really blame him for not lighting up the truck with the 50 cal. Especially if you take into consideration that these were the VERY "early days" of Islamic aggression this time around. Yeah,they were guards,but they didn't really have the mindset you would see on guards guarding a gate in the Muddle East today. Today's guards WILL light your ass UP! if you seem to be crashing the gate. We are not as innocent today as we used to be.
