Video: "Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates"

Does this pirate thing feel familiar or what? And, as usual, the choices seem to be: a) pay "tribute" (e.g., ransom) to the pirates; or b) blast them to hell with naval guns. I'd generally lean towards "b", as Thomas Jefferson ended up doing, except that right now they're holding an American hostage. But after this situation is resolved, I think it may be time for some...er, highly direct diplomacy let's say. :)