Obama is not the only president who says one thing and does another.

Terry Anderson writes inDen of Lions that President Reagan authorized arms for hostages negotiations, even though his secretaries of defense and state strongly objected. Reagan absorbed the emotions of the families of the hostages. Colonel Ollie North negotiated the deals. The market price of one American citizen? 300 antitank missiles, or 50 hawks and 200 antitank missiles. Finally, though, after Weinberger and Shultz made one last effort, and Reagan instructed McFarlane to tell the Iranians "the hostages had to come home, and not in exchange for missiles."

McFarlane did as he was told. The Iranian weapons dealer was furious. McFarlane was replaced within days as Reagan's national security adviser by Admiral John Poindexter. Father Jenco was released on July 26. The Iranians got their weapons and spare parts. The Contras in Nicaraugua also got weapons and supplies with the Iranian money.