Doubts surface over e-mail on claim of responsibility for Benghazi attack
By CNN's Tim Lister and Paul Cruickshank
The often fiercely political debate over who knew what - and when - about the September 11 assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi has taken another turn with the disclosure of a series of e-mails sent from the State Department on the night of the attack.
But the most explosive of the e-mails - which were released late Tuesday - may have been inaccurate, a "spot report" on a rapidly evolving and highly confusing situation.
The disclosure of the e-mail has given new life to the already fevered debate over when the Obama administration learned that the attack was more than a protest that turned deadly but was the work of terrorists.
The e-mail carried the subject line: "Update 2: Ansar al Sharia Claims Responsibility For Benghazi Attack." The message said: "Embassy Tripoli reports the group has claimed responsibility on Facebook and Twitter and has called for an attack on Embassy Tripoli."
That message was sent to a wide range of federal offices, including the FBI, from the State Department at 6:07 p.m. ET on September 11 - seven minutes into September 12 in Libya. At that time, the attack on the consulate was ongoing, and the subsequent assault on the annex building, in which two more Americans would be killed, had not begun.
Also: Some Bengazi attackers connected to al Qaeda in Iraq
Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and two other Republicans in the Senate wrote Wednesday to Obama, saying: "These emails make clear that your Administration knew within two hours of the attack that it was a terrorist act and that Ansar al-Sharia, a Libyan militant group with links to Al-Qaeda, had claimed responsibility for it."
However, an examination of the known Facebook and Twitter accounts of Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi reveals no such claim of responsibility. Aaron Zelin, a research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, tracks dozens of jihadist websites and archives much of what they say. He told CNN he was unaware of any such claim having been posted on the official Facebook page or Twitter feed of Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi.
Zelin, who said his RSS feed sends him any new statement from the group, provided CNN with a copy of that feed. It shows no Facebook update between September 8 and September 12, when a posting late that afternoon first referenced the attack. Zelin notes that the posting referred to a news conference the group had held earlier that day in Benghazi in which it denied any role in the assault on the consulate, while sympathizing with the attackers.
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Accompanying a posting of the news conference on YouTube, a commentary says that the attack on the consulate was "a wave of rage for Allah and his Prophet, it came from the Muslim youths."
The posting continues: "Ansar al-Sharia brigade did not officially participate as a military body, nor received any orders directed from the brigade."
The group's Twitter feed tells the same story. The account, @anssarelshariea, bears the group's logo and a tweet on September 8 - and then nothing until four days later. And at no point is there a claim of involvement in or responsibility for the attack on the U.S. Consulate compound.
Perhaps the person who reported the claim of responsibility - and the threat against the consulate - was viewing another Ansar al-Sharia site, or one supportive of the group.
In the hours following such incidents, it is not unusual for "spot reports" from agencies and overseas posts to pour in to the State Department. They typically include intercepts, what's picked up on social media, witness accounts and what's being said by local officials. They often contain raw, unfiltered information that is then analyzed for clues, patterns and contradictions.
In the case of the Benghazi attack, there were plenty of contradictions. Such situations are frequently chaotic, with claim and counter-claim by witnesses unsure of what happened when, according to U.S. officials. Building a complete picture without access to first-hand-accounts and little visual evidence can be a major challenge to government experts working from thousands of miles away.
So too have been the attempts to pin down who represents Ansar al-Shariah and their movements on the night of the attack.
Wings of Ansar al-Sharia, which means "partisans" or "supporters of Islamic law," are based not only in Benghazi but in the Libyan town of Derna, east of Benghazi. The group's leaders in Derna are thought to include Abu Sufyan bin Qumu, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee.
A different Ansar al-Sharia is affiliated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen, and budding franchises are said to exist in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt.
As Zelin wrote last month in Foreign Policy, the groups "lack a unified command structure or even a bandleader like the central al Qaeda command....They are fighting in different lands using different means."
Wherever they may be, members of Ansar al-Shariah are united by a shared outlook, one that is implacably anti-Western and in favor of the imposition of Shariah law across the Muslim world.
The description on the Ansar al-Sharia (Benghazi) Twitter feed proclaims: "The goals of Ansar al-Sharia brigade is to implement the laws of Allah on the land, and reject the human implemented laws and earthly made constitutions. There will be nothing ruling in this country other than the laws of Allah."
Zelin said he believes that the rise of the groups heralds the end of the dominance of global jihad by a single hierarchical organization such as al Qaeda - and returns the state of jihad to the jumble that characterized it during the 1990s.
"One key difference, however, is that jihadi groups are now more ideologically homogenous," Zelin wrote in Foreign Policy.
"In the 1990s, jihadis thought locally and acted locally, while many now talk globally and act locally."
CNN's Pam Benson contributed to this report
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
So the only place on your site where I can find information about the Charles Wood interview and the "Stand down" orders seems to be among irate people posting comments. Way to give a good example of media bias. Good luck keeping this buried until after the election. I'll bet there are quite a few early voters who wish they had their ballots back.
Read the Truth
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/
Shame on CNN for not reporting on this story. Sickening
It's infuriating that this story is being buried by CNN and other outlets.
Heroes died and the media is covering it up to protect their Messiah.
To CNN: If you call yourself a news outlet, report the news.
BOYCOTT CNN!
yes breaking story is sights were set by our men with lasers white house denied 3 requests for air help for lasers denied 3 times! Imagine this being your kids people wake up listen to another station no news here!
CNN is the most bias driven network there has ever been I don't even consider you a news agency... You are nothing but a liberal based web site with NO consideration for truth, integrity, or ethics in journalism. Shame on the Clinton News Network for purposely trying to sweep this story under the rug so your pathetic network can try to help the Obama thug campaign be even more reckless then they already are.
Where in the heck are the brains of the people that are supporting this "scary" obama??? are they that brainwashed and deceived .... there are some smart (I thought) people out there supporting him, I can't believe it.... discard the movie stars, their brains are in their pocketbooks ....
True Americans need to boycott and complain "constantly" and "openly" over announcers like, the ed show, rachell maddow, chris matthews, andrea mitchell, odonnell? and the rest of them that think Americans are soooo stupid.
CNN = JOKE – You ought to be ashamed for NOT reporting the Benghazi attack...4 AMERICANS DEAD!! No wonder nobody watches your pathetic channel.
Why isn't CNN reporting on the breaking news of the announcement from the father of the slain navy seal Tryone Woods?
Suzie, I just saw that .... omg, it brought tears to my eyes. I'm a military mom and grama, and it just tears my heart out. all people need to see obama and his cronies for what they are ... killers and liars and scary !!! and news announcers for siding with them.. these idoit supporters need to think of those four American Sons as their brother, father, son or relative or friend ..... this admin made a call that got them Murdered !!! how proud can that make you ...wake up obama supporters and get informed with the TRUTH ... not the CNN, MSNBC, etc newscast, they don't know what the TRUTH is in their broadcastingt.
I cannot believe CNN is not headlining the Benghazi story! What is wrong with you people? This is huge and you are not on top of it! SHAME ON YOU!!!
I'm glad to see you are joining the chorus of crickets (ABC,CBS,NBC, MSNBC). I hope you fail just like Al Gore's Current TV. Journalistic integrity is dead. Long live Roger Ailes!
Seriously, not a word on CIA being denied help? I give up on CNN.
i agree story not being told of our 4 men was bad but worse now latest news is lasers were aimed at mortar attackers...whitehouse denied 3 calls for help with lasers set!!!! Sickening all these rags exist!
Another urgent story not reported by CNN! I hope the REAL truth is revealed soon! The deceased families deserve to know!Look to FOX News to get the details.
wow! this is real 'arab/muslim' cover-up by CNN and Obama!,, it is scarey!.. and to think AMericans might vote Obama back in,,?,, what more you need to know?,,you all need to be smacked by a 2×4.... vote him out!,, there's lots more than this too!
You are so right my friend-today fox broke that the 2 navy seals requested 3 times help-we have lazers on the mortars and you guys can take them out-no stand down-up to midnight no help-cnn-why are you not reporting on this-AMERICA HAS THE RIFGT TO KNOW-The father of the navy sael has talked to a radio show in disgust of what is coming out-come on cnn
Just because there is doubt over the alleged Facebook/Twitter claim of responsibility – this does not mean there is doubt that this was clearly a terrorist attack – and not a spontaneous protest turned violent. I have to believe that the people who write these articles are not stupid, therefore I can only surmise that these writers are trying to divert attention away form the real issue here. At the very least, the government tried to minimize the event and mislead the public about what really happened. Why? Why?
Thank you CNN!!!!! Your lack of coverage on this issue has Americans switching to Fox News to find out what happened.
a banker person, said they have to have CNN on their tvs at the bank. but constantly people are complaining and asking them to turn the channel to FOX News so they can see THE TRUTH ... he said, workers in banks can't wait to get home to see FOXS NEWS to see what they missed that day, having to watch other channels.... PEOPLE ..... go to your banks and tell them how upset you are about them providing news outlets in their banks that DECEIVE Americans.... I did it today, and got an applause !!! by 12 people in the bank (Customers), and most of the employers of the bank .... True Americans thank don't like being deceived, and being treated like children on what they are told.
CIA operators were denied request for help during Benghazi attack.
Why are you not covering this story....the media should want to find answer for the public. 4 people are dead. I'm getting tired of going to Fox that is covering story. This is BS.
100 years ago, liberals began a slow and steady plan to buy up all the major media. CNN is nothing more than shameless propaganda arm of the Democrat party. This story might be the beginning of a major awakening by the American People. Thank God for Fox News!
Congrats CNN....You have officially made Fox New look neutral....I'm not even gonna comment on MSNBC (a joke)
Ofcourse barely any news source besides fox is covering this...abc...no...nbc...no...msnbc...cnn...mentions it but tries to say that obama admitted first day that it was a terroristic act...which he did not. He said it was from the video...only part of terror that was mentioned was at the end when he said we would not tolerate a terroristic act. Even on the view (yes, it is hard to admit I watched him on that)..he went on to say how people who put out videos like that should realize there are consequences....hence still blaming video.
Now they want us to believe a facebook and twitter claims that come in right at start of attack prompting emails to all branches of our Gov't and the Whitehouse are to not a valid reason to believe they are responsible...but a video that very few have seen on youtube....with no references to it in Libyan attack is a reason to keep blaming the video?? Whether you like Romney or not...I find it hard to believe that people have faith in Obama. The stuff that he has pulled...the whispers to top officials of Russia that when he gets reelected he will have more leeway...the fact that he hasn't put out his plans (after he has been in office for almost 4 years), but he blasts Romney for that...and that he says the same old crap....and continually blasts Romney yet can say nothing truthful about what he has accomplished. Still blaming Bush for everything, taking responsiblity for nothing....even after 4 years....And by the way Mr. President....Romney is not Bush.
well put Joey
you may not know but there were protests against the movie at 15(?) other embassies that day.
@Americal69 Were those 15 protests organized armed organized attacks on them? Did those embassies ask repeatedly for help within minutes of the attack and were they refused help? The attack that went on for several hours...no one came to help...but the 2 navy seals who were told to stand down had the courage to go try to save the ambassador when they realized that our gov't wasn't going to send in military back up (which was close enough to help). Now these families are all being lied to about what happened to their family members. There was a great interview with one of the seals dad's. Heartbreaking. But ofcourse you won't see that on cnn or msnbc (I don't know that msnbc has even mentioned the emails)...it's only on Fox. It's funny how when people hear you listen/watch Fox news they tell you how biased it is....ummm...are you kidding??
This has impeachment written all over it
it's amazing that Foxs news is the only news outlet that is getting this horrible coverup from the obama admin, out to the American Public... they saw the occurance as it was happening and refused those brave, American Sons help ... they have their deaths on their hands ... and CNN, MSNBC and all the others ARE NOT INFORMING THEIR VIEWERS (even as few as they are) .. that's deception and polics to the fullest extent ... they should be ashamed.
This is a new low point for the U.S.A.. What happened to the idea of 'following the story, no matter where it may lead'?? This really appears to be a case where the media is covering up a story for purely political reasons.
This is a new low point for the media in the U.S.A.. What happened to the idea of 'following the story, no matter where it may lead'??
I respect the decision of the moderator to block my post.
I hope that the information that I provided is forwarded to any contacts in the US Government who are conducting the investigation. I have sent that information to US Government sources myself.
As a patriotic American, I am alarmed that a disinformation campaign aimed at helping the perpetrators of criminal activity gain control of the government is not being confronted by investigative journalists to the extent that it should be.
I am not referring to the Obama Administration.
uhhh yea sure whatever
Tell the real story CNN. The CIA was told to stand down twice while the attack continued for fours. Talk to Charles Woods, (Navy Seal Tyrone Wood's father), and stop playing politics if this was Bush impeachment preceeding would have began, why are they lying, report the news CNN.
This is a new low point for the U.S.A.. What happened to the idea of 'following the story, no matter where it may lead'??
3 times...can you imagine the horror those poor men went thru before they were murdered IN COLD BLOOD? I thought we never left our people behind. It is absolutely disgusting to hear how our White House handled this massacre...oh yeah, they didn't do anything. Just partied with their rockstar friends.
WHERE IS THE STORY CNN? TELL THE TRUTH WITH THE UPDATED, BREAKING INFORMATION! STOP PROTECTING YOUR IDOL OBAMA & HIS "STAFF"!!!
Okay. I'll quote from another news organization since you won't:
After hearing shots, "CIA requested permission to go to the consulate and help out. They were told to "stand down." An hour later, they called again to headquarters and were again told to "stand down."
Yep, you can now find out about this story at a few news outlets. CNN might report on this breaking news in about 11 days. No integrity.
and this president went to bed, cause he had campaigning to do the next morning .... the view ladies??? and letterman were more important than helping our precious 4 American Sons being murdered ??? their deaths are definitely on this president, clinton, biden and their corrupt admin. CNN, MSNBC and the others need to give me a good reason why they are also "covering up" this and the "obama bunch" .. Gee, what are these news outlets going to do after Romney is in and their corrupt, lying precious obama is out??? of course their "few" followers will loose interest and all True Americans who DEPEND ON THE TRUTH will still be with Foxs News... nanananana ... they call romeny a liar??? uhhhhhh what is wrong with this picture ..... America has had 4yrs of a horrible president who has been "caught" in coverups and LIES ....
BTW, where is the report about the CIA being denied assistance three times? Is Fox News that much more connected than your people. I seriously doubt it. You find it more appropriate to posr stories about the "arousal" gap. Nice.
True. CNN is absent. The CIA agents, including those slain, where in full communication during the whole attack. They were told to stand down three times. I wonder if the slain agents were disobeying orders that came from the president. I wonder if the president is the one who decided it would be risky to take out the mortar attacks that led to the killing. Maybe CNN will report some of these stories after the election.
This is absolutely pathetic. 4 Americans are dead because of a terrorist act and all this week we have been getting information about what was really going on and you bury this here?Where is the video clip omitted from 60 minutes, in which the president states that he believed the attack on Benghazi was an organized event. Where is the follow up of the next two weeks and the whole "it was a video" excuse. He said it was a video at the UN after he was on the record, even though we did know he was at the time, saying it was the video. I had to do a search for it. I thought you guys were a little more down the middle than those jerks at Fox and MSNBC. You make me embarrassed to actually have a journalism degree. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
I am done with this "news" station/channel, website, which I thought was one of the best in the past. I have HEROIC friends and family that serve this nation and we are all thinking that CNN is pathetic. Our HERO'S have been murdered and I can't find any of the truth or breaking information here. Fox News is covering this well RIGHT NOW and I am switching right after I finish this post. For the record, and it may not matter much to the "reporters" here, you have just lost at least 8 viewers/readers. GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECT OUR GREAT NATION...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I am ashamed as American and as a Mom of how The USA Government has covered the story. I am disgusted how the American Media and CNN have done nothing to react and show the true story.
How am I going to explain to my boy tomorrow that he has to be proud American and fight for the American Flag if the American Flag watched for seven hours real time how The American Soldiers were killed and did nothing to protect them, because this would have done harm to the Obama's Campaign....? I came from Bulgaria years ago, where during the communism was not legal to watch CNN and listen to the Voice of America... We would do it regardless, because we believed in the better World and the Freedom of Speech which we did not have the right to exercise. Why is CNN silent now?
If you want to find out what happened, or should I say didn't happen to go in there while the attack was happening, read Fox News's site. You won't find it here.
I agree 100%
The Benghazi attack is a huge news story, and the American public have a right to know about it without having to dig. You are a news organization. Please report and do not add to the cover up. Shame on you. Obama's puppets.
Shame on Huffpoopie, too. They don't have the story either. Why would these disgusting "journalists" want to protect a group of elected officials that don't care that our HERO'S being murdered? What do they get out of it? How do they sleep at night? My stomach is churning.
As Charles Krauthammer has said, your lack of coverage of the Bengazi debacle is journalistic corruption. Most journalists are schooled by the liberal elite colleges who convey to their students that they have the power to run the country just by what they write or DON'T write. Can't you just be honest???? If not, I hope that you will be out of a job soon!!!! I certainly will not watch CNN ever again.
I agree!! Now we know that the CIA requested help during the attack and it was denied. Nobody but Fox is reporting it. Is the media trying to help cover this up?????
This is disgusting that this huge, massive and shocking story is buried in CNN's website. I had to conduct a search to find this article! Shame on you CNN. While Ambassador Stevens is dead now and voiceless, you stand by and ignore the fact that the Obama administration is lying and covering their asses in the name of politics. They wronged these Americans and you guys ignore it and focus on burying this story. SHAME!
So much for the media. I'm outraged that this isn't front page news- so should every American be. Start covering the story CNN instead of trying to bury it.
Who in this dirt bag administration allowed are people to die in Benghazi? Can't wait untill your all gone.
DISGRACEFUL that the news media, other than Fox, is not reporting on this!!
CNN should be ashamed of themselves for not reporting on this event more. I am shocked at the lack of interest of such an important American issue. I can understand MSNBC, but CNN. I thought the network regarded themselves as the more centrist of the three.
CNN YOU MAKE ME ABSOLUTELY SICK TO MY STOMACH!! After reading whats really going on at Fox I'll never watch you or visit your site EVER AGAIN!
Readers....Please take note that on the October 26, 2012 cnn.com home page, the only mention of Benghazi is in the dashboard "Benghazi emails". CNN....WHY is there not one mention of the Charles Woods' interview regarding his hero Navy Seal son? Too controversial for you 10 days before the election or not important enough for you? Well, it is important to me as my Dad proudly served this country in the USAF for 33+ years! I beg the question, did Ambassador Stevens have information harmful to the Obama administration?
It's RIDICULOUS!!! How can you not be reporting this story better. You MAKE us go to FOX NEWS!
I'm ashamed of our Media covering for the Obama administration. You are a joke of a news organization
You are absolutely correct! This is insane. We don't care if it's republicans or democrats tha screwed up. But every day this looks more and more like a coverup. Why does Fox have so much info and CNN doesn't? I'm really getting tied of NO ANSWERS to what happened in Libia and our people who were killed. Every day more and more HIDDEN info is coming out. A lot of people screwed up on this and they need to pay for it.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/
Love them or hate them, FOX News has scooped CNN, again, by breaking the news on 3 aid requests being denied. Also, the 2 ex-SEALS went against orders to save Americans at the consulate.
Lakeycha Moore
Bettyboos@msn.com
(951)488-1074 hm or (760)518-5899
I'm having problems with my school district. i feel that they are bulling me for some reason that i don't know. i need help to fight them. I'm not the only person whose gone through this with this school district, I know of several people who've been treated the same way and they're all female and all are black women. the school district is val verde unified school district in moreno valley ca. Please help me. I feel that they are infringing on my rights as a parent.
I have watched cnn since its inception. I have turned off cnn now because of the spineless lack of honest reporting by wolf and jack on what happened when our ambassador and seals were killed in libya. cnn is neither fair or balanced. further more,
candy should be fired for misrepresenting the news like dan rather did at cbs
If CNN was actually paying attention to this story instead of trying their best to ignore it, you'd be seeing this morning's revelation that CIA requested assistance three times during the fight, were denied it each time and told to stand down on trying to save the ambassador. Itt's very hard not to give credence to the "CNN is in obama's pocket" conspiracy theories when one watches it actively trying to deflect viewers from news to supportive fluff.
Our President lies to us. The news media covers for him. And we the people sit back and let them get away with it.
REPORT THE TRUTH. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/explosive-benghazi-allegation-cia-told-to-stand-down-during-attack-3-urgent-requests-for-military-back-up-were-denied/
CNN's Tim Lister and Paul Cruickshank are losing focus, trying to protect Obama, or just seeking to appear smarter than they are. Obviously, the writer of the email must have Ansar al-Sharia's claim of responsibility somewhere. There is no reason why that person would have lied. If other people can't find that claim now, it certainly does not mean it never existed.
And secondly, even if the post never existed, the State department and the Administration did not know that, either at that time or later – otherwise you'd have heard it from Jay Carney. Nonetheless, they did nothing about it and proceeded to lie to the American people about the character of the attack for political reasons. And the broader (and more important) message of the email – that the attack was pre-planned and organized by terrorists – turned out to be 100% true.
Lance,Italian PM,Apple iPads.HEH CNN just join People magazine already.You have no credaibilty as a news source. The sad reality,those who go to you first are too stunned to know your failings.
If you want to know what real reporting looks like check this out!!!!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/joe-biden-to-father-of-former-navy-seal-killed-in-benghazi-did-your-son-always-have-balls-the-size-of-cue-balls/
Does anybody wonder why FOX NEWS has much better ratings than CNN. They, at least, are trying to get to the bottom of this tragic mishandling/cover-up. This is not going away any time soon. Watch Bret Bair on FOX this weekend to learn more. We NEED new leadership in the White House and the news media needs to do their job.
I was just at Fox News and there is much more information on that Website about this issue. They said request for assistance during the attacks were made three times but were denied. CNN needs to update this story and put it on the first page of its website!!!
Don't expect that to happen Chris. CNN is far too busy trying to ensure four more years of the current administration.
Not just 3 times, mind you, but several times in the year prior to the attack, and denied every single time! These men knew they were going to die, all because of an incompetent administration. If you voted for Obama, the blood is on your hands as well.
You are right! This report is nothing but an attempted cover for Obama. Look right now at the exclusive report from Fox just now:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/......my stomach is literally sick thinking of these brave men who risked their lives to rescue others, asked for help, had the enemy in it's sights with COORDINATES, and Obama let them DIE without doing ANYTHING!! This is not the America I know.
THIS SHOULD BE FRONT PAGE NEWS – CNN what the h3ll is going on? This is the biggest story about administrative corruption in modern US history and the media is ignoring it to highlight some nobody idiot's comments about rape and God's will.
CNN do your job as a watchdog of government.
My thoughts exactly! The lameness CNN is trying to pass as headlines is unfortunate. Even if they don't agree with what FOX is reporting, at least give us your version of it. CNN why are you hiding this story?!
Greg – A station cheif sends a message that he's under fire from a mortar and you think that somehow this immediately lands on the president's desk? You don't think this went to anyone before that..? There are many people with power to operate over such a situation. Please recognize that as serious as this was there is constantly an entire world of activities going on and the president does not have the power to micromanage every situation let alone keep bullets from flying and mortars from landing.
Do you think an American consulate is attacked by mortars and the President isn't immediately informed? Of course he is informed – or at least they attempt to inform him. We know he doesn't attend security briefings so it is possible he refused to listen. But absent that information we must assume the President was informed. Therefore the President is responsible for the lack of security before 9/11 and during the 5 hour attack on 9/11 when troops could have been sent from Italy in 2 hours. Further hearings are needed to get to the bottom of this mess
It has come to light that the president , and vice president went to the oval office and new about the situation–then he decided to go backto bed so that he would be rested for his campaign appearance in Nevada and no one was allowed to help those people and that the guys that went to help had to go against orders–open your eyes and your ears–your behavior is cult like–
I've never been more ashamed in my life. Americans calling for fire support, with lasers trained on the mortar team and denied. CIA operators requesting to move to the consulate to rescue the ambassador and the rest of the security team and denied twice. They did it anyway and was able to recover one dead american and the rest of the security team. Delta was queued, specters were on standby and the answer was no. Soldiers, Marines and virtually all the other services live by a creed. We leave know man/woman behind. I wish this administration lived by the same code. To the security members and their families we say hold your head high. Your loss will not be forgotten. Honor, strength and courage is made alive through their death.
Don't news services share news. Here's something I want to share with you and CNN – http://video.foxnews.com/v/1925141359001/timeline-libya-attack-minute-by-minute/?playlist_id=903226511001
What is equally sad is that the only place to get the real truth is Fox News. Those heroes deserve more than a news media that is more interested in the re-election of Obama than the needless deaths of our brave navy seals and a U.S. ambassador. Shame on you CNN!
You are so right Susan. Help denied. Stand Down?! You stand down Mr "Commander in Chief"
CNN, you need to get all over this. Do you not care about the country? Thank you Fox News.
6 hours, we couldn't get them help.
Do we want 4 more years of this!!!!
Come on America! The 3 Stooges would do a better job of running this country than this Duffus in the White House would. All the lying, cheating, corrupting and Socialistic BS from this administration has made us indifferent to their vulgarities. Out with the Scoundrels! Come on November 6!!! Can't wait!!!
PLEASE listen to the interview that Charles Woods gave regarding his son, dead hero at Benghazi. This story is not over and should get the press it deserves...outside of the political arena. very moving. I know you listen to GBTV, step up and play this interview on CNN
Get answers that people are asking.
Poor reporting that reads like excuse making for Obama. When the STATION CHIEF sends a firsthand report that they are under mortar attack, it is beyond comprehension that anyone could or would ignore that. Protestors dont carry mortars.
Why are you not reporting the incident of the father of the Navy seal who died at Bengazi. He states that Hillary Clinton lied to him, that Joe Biden was disgustingly crass and that the President not only lied but was cold as a fish and didn't even look him in the eye as he lied to him. Where is the honor in this administration? This administration are pathological liars it appears to me.
Lay off Obama. Since the beginning of his term in office according to his mainstream media and his fellow Democrats he has done nothing deserving criticism, to criticize him now is wasted effort.
Liberals and Conservatives all need to listen to this!
http://www.glennbeck.com/2012/10/25/updating-glenn-talks-to-father-of-navy-seal-killed-during-assault-on-libyan-embassy/
Well considering that this administration is in a war to save their jobs, they are not going to be willing to come out and tell the truth about what they knew. They shall continue to tell those that believe them that they knew nothing about it, it reminds me of a show with a D U M B Sargent in a POW camp set in Germany during the Second World War, Hogan’s Heros where the famous words were "I KNOW NOTHING". That what the administration is saying that they are not worthy of knowing and telling the truth. Perhaps we need people in there that are willing to not be celebrities, it’s time to close the curtain on this awful show, it’s over stayed it’s usefulness by 40 months. The facts remain there are Americans dead because someone was to busy in Denver, plan and simple.
If George Bush was president and Benghazi-gate occurred.....
This would be the headlines for weeks in all of Obama's butt kissing main stream media... along with a very pathetic looking photo of Bush ( they have these in their archives)
Headlines:
"Bush Caught in Major Cover Up Scandal" – Word of his resignation is emanate as investigations shed light on his outright deceptions....
The hell with facebook/Emails
CIA reports that they told the White House within 24 hours that the
attacks and killings at Benghazi was a planned terrorist attack....
Then Obama starts lying AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Obama???
You made a tape broadcasted in the ME apologizing for the movie nobody saw..
So why Obama did you send out your pawns to lie for you???
You send Rice out 5 DAYS LATER to the Sunday talk shows spewing the lie that the attack was movie driven
So why Obama did you send out your pawns to lie for you???
You send Jay Carney out to lie to the press for you
You spoke to the UN DAYS LATER pointing out the MOVIE that nobody saw
You lied to all Americans on the View...
So why Obama did you send out your pawns to lie for you???
You send Hillary out to spew the lie about the movie that nobody saw...
Why do people care about how Obama labeled an attack? He had Osama killed without letting anyone know. Should the president blab national security information on international television? Keeping the enemy in the dark about how much we know can be devastating. Oh, we feel we have a right to know? No such right, not where national security is concerned. Quit whining.
Because Obama has stated he has slowed down al Qaeda. The attack means al; Qaeda is alive and well. This makes Obama look bad. We can't have that.
What is bad is "he knew and did nothing... That is the first thing wrong. The second is he knew and lied to us about it. When he told lies he no longer deserves the nations support and needs to be replaced.
Whinnnney Posters here. You guys sound pathetic. Of course I used to whine about GWBush. I admit it. You do remember him don't you? But he made it so easy.
Hard to believe anything from this administration anymore.
Regardless of what part of this story is accurate or inaccurate, it is obvious, that absolutely nothing was done to save the ex navy seals who did not die for hours after the attack. 30 or more government people fled that safe house and got on a plane and those witnesses had to have told what they knew.
The White House and the State Department watched, in real time from an overhead drone, live video of the attack and did nothing. They did nothing to help those Americans under attack, those Americans who ended up dead. Why not send fighters rather than a drone?
No action was taken, no troops deployed to aid those under siege in the 7 hour attack. That’s right, the attack lasted 7 hours. That’s more than enough time to scramble fighter jets that could have easily flown over the consulate and, at a minimum, scared the hell out of the attacking terrorists forces, if not kill them.
President Obama and his administration did nothing.
Not only did they do nothing during the attack, they did nothing to protect the Ambassador and 3 other Americans. They left them vulnerable for such an attack with no resources to protect themselves. Surely, they knew how dangerous it was to leave an Ambassador with no security in such a place as Benghazi and if they didn't, then if nothing else, it shows how incompetent or how little regard they cared about their safety.
Regardless of who knew what when, the media should focus more on what caused this tragedy to occur and stop trying to protect this administration because they certainly do no deserve to be protected or defended.
Obama ate popcorn watching Benghazi attack.
Americans are the most ignorant and ill informed people in the world. They also watch the most television.
This entire attack was being watched on a live video feed in the White House war room-they covered this up due to the election. Special Ops could have been there in an hour from Italy. The possibly could have rescued the Americans, including Chris Stevens. Attack was on video from a droned...no action was taken due to election...pathetic.
I hate to say this, it's sad no doubt, but GET OVER IT. This Muslim country is like all others, they are animals and why we think anything other than animal behavior would take place, is foolish.
The reality is, it's done and we can't go back. To keep putting these whiney Senators like McNuts, I mean McCain, on TV whining about it is just a waste of time. I would rather watch a campaign comercial. Geeezzzz.
There is no getting over it. This is not a "who cares" situation. This is Americans killed because their Commander In Chief could not give them protection they were asking for. He covered it up. You get over it. This is a major problem. Obama is responsible and negligent and if he had been doing his job that he was elected to do these four men would not be dead. The facts are there, it is not a joke or something that "doesn't matter". This is the lives of 4 men that suffered, were tortured, were slain because our 'president' would rather have the American people believe that he alone conquered al Qaeda. BFS
half what half muslim.....what an idiot!!!! You are a racist!!! Ignorant lynch mob!!!! You love FOX NEWS and CNN. YOu all won't be happy until we blow ourselves to kingdom come! IDIOTS! 3000 people died on 9/11 twin towers under someone you voted for!!!! He almost collapsed this country and let us into a unilateral war that killed 100,000 people. OH wait, they don't matter! Convince Jesus about that when you meet your judgment day. MOrons!!!
If you find yourself in a similar situation in service to your country, I hope you will remember this comment of yours when your superiors decide that you are not worth rescuing and they write you off as "casualties in the service of their country".
I guess we have to wait until Romney is President befor CNN starts being a news agency again....They only report things that hurt the POTUS when a Republican is in office....
This is not the first BS piece released to try and muddy the waters. We've been dealing with certain members of the press and in this administration doing everything in their power to distract from and cloud up this issue. It is never going away until the truths are told. We all now the truth at this point, we just this administration to step up and admit it too.
**We all know the truth at this point, we just want this administration to step up and admit it too.
At this point, you are voting for Biden to be President. Obama will be impeached.
If Obama ISN'T impeached – there's no justice, no decency and no hope for America
Well, Bush wasn't impeached for far, far worse, so don't get your hopes up. On the other hand they tried to impeach Clinton for much, much less, so maybe you have a point.
Specifically, what crime did President Obama commit that meets the criteria for impeachment? Also, impeachment only serves to bring charges. Once charged, the case is tried in the Senate, and requires a two-thirds majority to convict. That has never happened to any President so far.
This is a CATASTROPHIC failure ... that will ultimately cost Obama the election ! Let's not pretend that Obama didnt have something to gain by the COVER UP ... when the E-mails say that they may even have watched the attack in real time ! NO reason to even Liberal Media Bias ... it is just too BLATANT too ignore !
In a related story Candy Crowley successfully dusted the Romney dog carrier for paw prints !!!
DISGUSTING ... absolutely disgusting !!!
jrt – I couldn't agree more!
Is anybody answering the question of who "persuaded" Stevens to go to Benghazi? If you know you have a target on your back, you are concerned about the dangers, your security team says they need more assets, then why would you go to Benghazi with almost no security at all?? Duh?? What is wrong with this picture? WHO is checking this out??
Let's not pretend like Obama did NOT have anything to gain by covering all of this up ! The E-mails simply confirm that they knew with-in minutesm and their actions amount to a CATASTROPHIC failure ... that is NOT going awa
In a related story Candy Crowley ... successfully dusted for paw prints on the Romney dog carrier !!!
DISGUSTING ... absolutely DISGUSTING !!!
So let me understand the fact that this guy named Aaron Zelin couldn't find the post of responsibility on the Terrorists websites is supposed to override the fact that the Embassy sent a cable to the FBI and the WH and the State Dept saying basically this is a Terrorist attack. All that doesn't hold water because Aaron Zelin can't find the fact the Terrorists didn't put the confession on their websites.
CNN has to try and cover this up too. It's what Obama wants.
amen
The Obama administration and the media are disgraceful. The entire awful truth will come out but most likely not before Nov 6th. If Obama wins a second term it will be a nightmare for him and unfortunately for the rest of us.
You are Americians make me laugh, it makes me realise that you read but don't understand, you hear but don't listen. The President was in America first of all not in Benghazi, if you all were following the news and early investigation you would have realised that the first reports were that a movie on youtube cause the uprising. They first said that the people were having a peaceful protest, then suddenly it turned violent, were you all watching the breaking news, there was no violence in the beginning of the protest, when the violence started those who were not for it moved away and the violent ones took over putting up their black flags. All the reports were saying all the violence was because of the movie. Yes the buck stops with the President and Secretary of State but come on they only knew what they were told for the first how many days almost a week, until they got in there to investigate. People lives were lost here please don't make it a political thing, you realised when the question was asked in the third debate Mitt let it go, his people was disappointed but remember he is now receiving national security briefings, maybe that was his reason for not persuing the debate further on Benghazi. Please, please respect the dead and their familes and let the investigators do their job. Listen, read and understand, don't assume because you will make an a$$ of yourself when you do that and look foolish in the end when the truth comes out.
So tell me- why did the President grovel and apologise to the Muslim world if he didn't REALLY know what the he!! was going on?
Jackie
In your efforts to calm the angry retoric you do not realize that people should be angry....The President did an interview for 60 minutes on 9-12...one day after the attack....the part of the interview that wasn't aired was Mr Obama saying that he was aware of the fact that the attack was planned and that the Terrorists,"folks" he calls them, were taking advantage of the anniversary of 9-11-2001...
The question is WHY would the Un Amassador and Mr Obama say that it wasn't pre planned and that the attack was in retaliation for a "video" days later????????????????????????
People aren't stupid and do not like being lied to....If this was a Republican President CNN,ABC and the rest of the liberal media would be DOING THEIR JOBS and reporting on this story until the TRUTH came out....
When is CNN realllllly going to cover this? I suggest that the death of 4 great Americans while the talking heads in the Situation room sat idly-by, is treasonous than an audio recording at the hotel Watergate. What do you think CNN?
9/11 happened on US soil, so Americans knew immediately. Embassy attacks happening thousands of miles away is always a fluid situation, you don't want to jump to conclusions and make a mistake and assert something that is not true and makes you look foolish or incompetent. You have to be absolutely sure you have the facts of what's happening on the ground. How many times have we seen that friendly fire caused the deaths of US personnel, like Pat Tillman, etc.? Heck, in 1995 first reports of the Oklahoma bombing, which was in the heart of America, assumed it was moslem terrorists. Turned out to be one of our own domestic terrorist, and a US military person at that.
Well you SURE don't want the PRESIDENT apologising to the Muslim world before he knows what's happening then DO you?
Go hug a tree you bed wetting lefties....Romney/Ryan 2012
Wow Dug deep in those remaining brain cells for that one, didn't you? Ouch
Please refrain from harming yourself when Obama is reelected, I know your sad little life will feel like the world's ended.
Sad that your lying messiah slipped are ya?
The issue isn't whether they had solid intel that blamed a group, or whether the situation was unfolding and required caution. The issue is why the Administration went full-forward into the "video excuse" when either of those two conditions was present.
REGARDING: TRIAL HEADED BY JUDGE MUNTHER RAOUF HAADI IN THE CENTRAL,
CRIMINAL COURT OF IRAQ with guilty verdict issued against the
Terrorist Insurgent , (1), Ibrahim Al-Qaraghuli, during 18 October
2008 for torture murders of PFC Kristian Menchaca & PFC Thomas Tucker.
… U.S. Col. Rafael Lara and the U.S. Task Force Lara headed with
"oversight" applied by U.S. ATTORNEY GNL. HOLDER & Secretary of State
Clinton operated a CRIMINAL “COVER-UP OF SATELLITE & DRONE PHOTO
EVIDENCE” of (1) Satellite photographs and (2) CIA photos of CIA
operated and paid enlistment of Sunni Muslims into the U.S. Created
“Awakening” movement : : U.S. CIA AGENT PAID “IRAQI ‘AWAKENING’
AGENTS” TORTURE MURDERED CAPTURED US SOLDIERS, PFC KRISTIAN MENCHACA &
PFC THOMAS TUCKER, 2006, IN SATELLITE PHOTOS. The identification of
the U.S. paid “Iraqi ‘Awakening’ Agents” in said Satellite Photos can
be made by comparing CIA photo Records of its own data base of CIA
operated and CIA paid enlistment of Sunni Muslims into the U.S.
Created “Awakening” movement."
SEE:http://www.israelmilitary.net/showthread.php?t=16167
…This astounding condition was concealed prior to and during trial of
(1), Ibrahim Al-Qaraghuli & (2) Kazim Al-Zowba’i & (3) Walid
Al-Kartani headed by Judge Munther Raouf Haadi in The Central,
Criminal Court of Iraq with guilty verdict issued against the
Terrorist Insurgent , (1), Ibrahim Al-Qaraghuli, during 18 October
2008. (2) Kazim Al-Zowba’i & (3) Walid Al-Kartani were released as
Iraq had no science available to process DNA collected against (2)
Kazim Al-Zowba’i & (3) Walid Al-Kartani.
…The U.S. Task Force headed by U.S. Col Rafael Lara representing the
United States and advised with oversight involvement by U.S. Attorney
General Erik Holder did not make evidence available that would show
that (1), Ibrahim Al-Qaraghuli & (2) Kazim Al-Zowba’i & (3) Walid
Al-Kartani were members of
“U.S.-CIA-paid-Iraqi-’Awakening’-Agent-Terrorists” of al Queda / al
Shura . SEE:http://www.israelmilitary.net/showthread.php?t=16167
..SEE:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html?pagewanted=print
Thanks for opening our eyes! We can only hope that CNN will start covering the cover-up.... They used to be a news organization.
American neighbours – your country is in trouble just like the rest of the world- Obama or Romney – both liars. People who care about America stand strong and say NO to these liars who have hijacked the once proud US of A. We all have to stand together and in truth. The truth is that the world is being run by thugs who only know how to lie bully and drop bombs on people. So sad but so true. People of peace we have to call all global oppressors on their lies – and eventually they will not have a leg to stand on. May truth and peace prevail.
Oh yes, because Twitter and Facebook say so, it must be true! Sigh...
It's fake. Probably a forgery by Trump.
Yes, I'm going to to what Republicans do all the time. Call it a Conspiracy.
Regardless this is no big deal considering this is not the first time, and not only under a dem president.
This whole event Ambassador and Americans killed on 911 in Benghazi ..while Barrack Hussein gave a short too bad speech in rose garden..how nice...THEN OFF TO VEGAS TO RAISE CASH FOR REELECTION..AND BOUNCE WITH BEYONCE! HE MUST HAVE BEEN SOOOO UPSET..BARRACK HAS NO COMMON DECENCY.
He also greeted the caskets when they returned to the US. You have to understand that when something horrible happens to Americans (here or abroad), the president will not be able to take a week off from HIS JOB.
HIS JOB is to protect Americans and our interests. HIS JOB is to be there when a foreign crisis is underway. If he had done HIS JOB and actually attended regular briefings throughout his Presidency to know what was going on before this happened and then after to make sure that his people were responding appropriately then maybe he wouldn't have sent his spokespeople out to give a B&*#@&*t (in the words of our esteemed President) story. And even the most faithful supporter would have to ask him now to do HIS JOB and actually address the American people with the truth. As far as I can tell he's not very good at HIS JOB so we should give him the opportunity to do something else that he'd be better at. Maybe that would be hanging out with the stars because last time I checked hanging out in Vegas at a fundraiser is not in HIS JOB description.
..SATELLITE & DRONE PHOTOS OF TERRORIST ATROCITIES
CONCEALED FROM U.S. & NATO CRIME DATA BASES BY US
STATE DEPARTMENT & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: :
..Said U.S. Satellite & Drone Photos were manipulated by the U.S.
State Department, U.S. Justice Department, and U.S. DoD, in such a
manner as to be “not presented to the court,” and not recorded in the
several Crime Information U.S. Data Bases at the (1) U.S. N C I C
Crime data bases, (2) U.S. Department of State Terrorist Crime data
bases; (3) U.S. Department of Justice Terrorist Crime data bases,”
(4) U.S. Department of Defense (M.I.) Terrorist Crime data bases,”
(5) U.K. Department of State Terrorist Crime data bases,” (6) France
(NATO) Department of State Terrorist Crime data bases,” (7) EUROPOL
Terrorist Crime data bases,” (8) INTERPOL Terrorist Crime data
bases,” (9) Germany (NATO) Terrorist Crime data bases,” (10) Italy
(NATO) Terrorist Crime data bases
It is obvious that the U.S. State Department, obvious that the U.S.
Justice Department, and obvious U.S. Defense Department do not want it
known that Libyan Terrorist al Queda members of the "U.S. SALARIED
AWAKENING MOVEMENT" had returned from Iraq to Benghazi, Libya where
they resumed Terrorist operations and were Satellite photographed
before, during, and after they killed Ambassador Stevens.
There are U.S. Satellite & Drone photos, by the thousands, of better
quality than Police "Mug Shots," clearly identifying al Queda
terrorists "ALL-OVER-THE-PLACE" of the Terrorist murderers of
Ambassador Christopher Stevens and U.S. soldier Victims of al Queda
member Double Agents s enlisted in the "U.S. SALARIED AWAKENING
MOVEMENT."
U.S. Col. Raphael Lara, Secretary Clinton, Attorney General Holder,
Assistant Secretary Lamb and others, including U.S. defense
Deapartment were informed of this, but concealed this most important
life-saving information from the Victims and concealed this from the
American public, a most "Henious Cover-Up."
Now Barrack Hussein whose the Bull****er about Libya and Americans unprotected,then military held back because could be harmful? Is there any Common Decency left in our president and state department..when will they take the blame and step down. This is not going away..just because of an election.
Father of Slain SEAL: Who Made the Decision Not to Save My Son?
On meeting Obama: “Could not look me in the eye … like shaking hands with a dead fish.”
6:18 PM, Oct 25, 2012 • By DANIEL HALPER
Single Page Print Larger Text Smaller Text Alerts
Charles Woods, the father Tyrone Woods, who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, reveals details of meeting Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at the publically broadcast memorial service for the slain Americans at Andrews Air Force Base only days after the attack. And, in a recent radio appearance, Woods publicly questions who made the call not to send in back-up forces to possibly save his son’s life, as well as the three other Americans killed in Benghazi (which includes the American ambassador to Libya).
“When [Obama] came over to our little area” at Andrew Air Force Base, says Woods, “he kind of just mumbled, you know, ‘I’m sorry.’ His face was looking at me, but his eyes were looking over my shoulder like he could not look me in the eye. And it was not a sincere, ‘I’m really sorry, you know, that you’re son died,’ but it was totally insincere, more of whining type, ‘I’m sorry.’”
Woods says that shaking President Obama’s hands at his son’s memorial service was “like shaking hands with a dead fish.”
“It just didn’t feel right,” he says of his encounter with the commander in chief. “And now that it’s coming out that apparently the White House situation room was watching our people die in real time, as this was happening,” Woods says, he wants answers on what happened—and why there was no apparent effort to save his son’s life.
“Well, this is what Hillary did,” Woods continues. “She came over and, you know, did the same thing—separately came over and talked with me. I gave her a hug, shook her hand. And she did not appear to be one bit sincere—at all. And you know, she mentioned that the thing about, we’re going to have that person arrested and prosecuted that did the video. That was the first time I had even heard about anything like that.”
Drudge...
To leakers: Do us all a favor. Post TRUTHFUL leaks.
K?
Why is Erin Burnett still reporting about the email that says Ansar Al Sharia claimed responsibility, when that is plainly FALSE?
Is this the strategy? Throw out lies, allow them to be repeated all over, and then quietly post a story telling the truth, so that most people still believe the lie?
And then its on to the next lie.
I really think the people who are putting out these falsehoods KNOW that they are false, and I think since we are investigating a terrorist attack, that they should get a time-out in the form of detention until the investigation is over.
I really think these folks need to be locked up. Maybe they have an interest in obstructing the investigation. That's providing material support for terrorists. That's enough to label them as enemy combatants and toss their rears into Gitmo.
Just to be clear, I think Erin Burnett just needs an update.
The people leaking the emails, though, they need to get a time-out.
It seems that deadbeat obama does not want to take responsiblity for anything that's negitive and in reality he and his super corrupt administration are responsable for everything that's going on in our government .This is the most non transparent,corrupt and scandal ridden administration in recent history. Freeloader obama and his super corrupt administration need to be removed before they can totally destroy our country any further than they already have.
did you even read the piece? it shows why you do NOT jump the gun on these things, as the email republicans are citing as 'proof', including senator mccain, is shown here to be FALSE and MISINFORMED: neither twitter nor facebook had such a posting by Ansar al-Sharia claiming responsibility, while mccain INCORRECTLY jumps on this POOR INTELLIGENCE AS FACT to this day, claiming, "Ansar al-Sharia, a Libyan militant group with links to Al-Qaeda, had claimed responsibility for it." this is why the obama administration's measured response is the more responsible one. the last time we acted on QUESTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE, we ended up in a war with iraq with NO WMDs EVER DISCOVERED.
President Down Grade was having a beer summit with his Cartagena hoes while our diplomat got murdered and raped. That's how he rolls.
You're a moron!
Name calling, and ignorance does not make your argument sound. Go watch the World Series.
My god people, stow the finger pointing of who said what, who did what and who's politcal party is better...
The Bottom Line is: AN AMERICAN AMBASSADOR AND 3 OTHERS ARE DEAD!!
Answer must be put forthe, I don't give a rats a$$ who is in office, the questions MUST be F'ing answered. If Obama won't answer them outright because he's afraid of backlash, then he is a COWARD, as is any Prez that refuses to give the answers people seek in such a situation.
Now lets be honest here, the Liberal Media would be down the Presidents throat like stink on sh!t, if a republican president was in office, there is no denying this.
You wannabes have no credible info to draw any conclusions. No real facts other than Americans are again killed in the Middle East trying to keep the U.S. corporate needs open for business.
"No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation". The attack in Libya is clearly included in the statement made. Rightwing extremists cannot read and need to go back to school.
The real question is could this have been prevented? Yes, it could easily and should have been prevented. With added security forces as requested, although they would not be able to hold off such an attack, they would act as a deterrent from the attack ever happening. The administration had the intel on instability in the region, and certainly should have taken necessary precautions before September 11th.
Despite Obama's claim that he whispered acts of terror, BFG! He still had his secretary of press and ambassador to the UN shouting that it was not terrorists at the top of their lungs. He deliberately allowed a false perception to be perpetuated. He is incompetent and he knows he could have taken preventative measures to save the lives of those 4 brave Americans.
Whispered? It's awesome how all the over the top rhetoric comes out of the indignant echo machine. Like 4 brave Americans. blah blah blah. I'll bet you couldn't even find Libya on a globe. News flash, it's 911 anniversary. You can't protect every fing American interest from being attacked around the world. If they added 4 more SEALs, a machine gun and 3 mortors they still would have been attacked.
You can twist his words to fit your 'protective of the president' narrative. BUT, the president then sold the cover up story (that was full of lies) for almost 3 weeks.
Obama has lied more in his first term than any president that I've seen in my lifetime - including your hated Pres. Bush.
Here are the President's remarks one day after the attack. Read it and weep Matt.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 12, 2012
Remarks by the President on the Deaths of U.S. Embassy Staff in Libya
Rose Garden
10:43 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Every day, all across the world, American diplomats and civilians work tirelessly to advance the interests and values of our nation. Often, they are away from their families. Sometimes, they brave great danger.
Yesterday, four of these extraordinary Americans were killed in an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi. Among those killed was our Ambassador, Chris Stevens, as well as Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith. We are still notifying the families of the others who were killed. And today, the American people stand united in holding the families of the four Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers.
The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. We're working with the government of Libya to secure our diplomats. I've also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world. And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.
Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts.
Already, many Libyans have joined us in doing so, and this attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya. Libyan security personnel fought back against the attackers alongside Americans. Libyans helped some of our diplomats find safety, and they carried Ambassador Stevens’s body to the hospital, where we tragically learned that he had died.
It's especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save. At the height of the Libyan revolution, Chris led our diplomatic post in Benghazi. With characteristic skill, courage, and resolve, he built partnerships with Libyan revolutionaries, and helped them as they planned to build a new Libya. When the Qaddafi regime came to an end, Chris was there to serve as our ambassador to the new Libya, and he worked tirelessly to support this young democracy, and I think both Secretary Clinton and I relied deeply on his knowledge of the situation on the ground there. He was a role model to all who worked with him and to the young diplomats who aspire to walk in his footsteps.
Along with his colleagues, Chris died in a country that is still striving to emerge from the recent experience of war. Today, the loss of these four Americans is fresh, but our memories of them linger on. I have no doubt that their legacy will live on through the work that they did far from our shores and in the hearts of those who love them back home.
Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks. We mourned with the families who were lost on that day. I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi.
As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it. Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.
No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.
But we also know that the lives these Americans led stand in stark contrast to those of their attackers. These four Americans stood up for freedom and human dignity. They should give every American great pride in the country that they served, and the hope that our flag represents to people around the globe who also yearn to live in freedom and with dignity.
We grieve with their families, but let us carry on their memory, and let us continue their work of seeking a stronger America and a better world for all of our children.
Thank you. May God bless the memory of those we lost and may God bless the United States of America.
END
10:48 A.M. EDT
For me, it's one thing to not want to call something a terrorist attack before you have all your information but to know it and go around telling everyone it was because of a u-tube video, which put this American citizen in great jeopardy is horrible.
Michael, thanks so much as I actually appreciate you putting this entire speech on here to show that in all of those words our President so bravely added in the three words "acts of terror" to show he knew it was terrorists. Of course we all know today that he also went on CBS that same day and gave an interview where he stated it was a terrorist attack. So I will concede to you that Obama KNEW and STATED it was terrorists within 24 hours of the attack.
Unfortunately, what you've missed is that first of all for some strange reason the President and all of his spokespeople went out in public a few days later and gave a bogus story about it being a spontaneous riot that got out of control over a video. Somehow CBS also pulled that one piece out of the interview and despite having a breaking story they could have come out with to dispute what was being said by Clinton, Obama, Rice and Carney they held it off until now. So according to you, and now CBS showing his own words, Obama KNEW it was a terrorist attack. But instead of stating that or, if as Biden said "they just didn't know", stating that more time was needed before an official statement could be made they came out with a story that somehow fit a narrative that made Obama look good. The fog of war can make it hard to know what's going on however you yourself have said HE KNEW it was a terrorist attack. So thanks Michael – you just made a great case for Obama either being incompetent or untruthful. Either way makes him look bad.
Actually Stan, you're wrong. Here's the problem. You are doing your best to lay the blame on the president, but your logic is weak. How is he supposed to know EVERYTHING that happens before hand. If this article serves as a point, they are NOT SURE the first indications are verifiable. So why would you or anyone else think that the information be acted on before it was properly vetted? Wait, I forgot, you and your ilk all have clairvoyant powers attached to a knee-jerk reaction. Face it, he could have gotten word that some group took blame...the action had already happened. So, it couldn't have been stopped. Could everyone have been better prepared, probably, then again if Bush hadn't lied us into a war in the first place then this probably wouldn't have happened either.
The point is not whether he knew in advance, the point is that he spread inaccurate information and possibly tried to cover up the situation. At the very least, the President of the United States made statements to the public before having the facts straight. Spin as people will, the fact of the matter is Obama messed up; the original story told to the US people was wrong. Time to own up – even if it is before an election.
Actually, you're backtracking and trying to make your story fit. The administration waited before confirming that it was indeed a terrorist action. The way it was stated at the press conference the day after, was in general terms, as such, given the likelihood, and as a warning...so your point is moot.
Read the whole thing. That comment was 7 paragraphs after talking about the video. Obama was on David Letterman, still talking about the video, 5 days later. It took two weeks for the public to learn that they watched the whole thing live from the nose of a drone.
Politics over people is bad policy. But that's what happens when you consider the deaths of Americans as 'bumps in the road.' Say what you will about conservatives, but they would have called it terrorism from the start and used the flames to unite the country, not as the cutting torch Obama has.
Isn't this a false outrage designed by conservatives to divide the country in the elevmth hour by winning over the ignorant and uninformed with some bizarre narrative about a conspiracy?
Thats exactly what it is... It goes with the GOP selling out Americans by putting what they consider there best interests first over those of this country
There is overwhelming evidence here gentlemen. Very little media coverage in lieu of what should be a serious event in US foreign policy. You can noodle the conspiracy theory as much as you like, but you ought to shine the lens both ways.
What do you not understand about the word 'cover-up'?
Do you have any idea how information is sent from the field to HQ? I guarantee the W/H knew what was going on within a few hours (I don't mean 6 or 7 either) at most. I have yet to see anyone in the current administration who is not part of the Chicago-style politics going on in this country.
You ask if this is a false outrage by ignorant Conservatives? The posted times on the released emails show the Government knew what was going on almost immediately. Four Americans, including one American Ambassador were murdered. (I won't even go into the reason the Ambassador was at an American Mission). How do you think the US should have reacted? Now let's say one of the four murdered were Americans were a blood relative of yours. I ask again, How do you the the US should have reacted? Is it the same response?
Me Smart, me read internet and am now certified CIA Agent. Me also believe earth only 10 years old and no such thing as evolution. Me vote republican.
Spoken with the clarity of a true Democrat! So much for debate and talking points. GROW UP!
Four American's died, that is a fact. What I don't understand is this, are they any less dead because it was a terrorist attack and not a protest over a video?
The real question is could this have been prevented? Yes, it could easily and should have been prevented. With added security forces as requested, although they would not be able to hold off such an attack, they would act as a deterrent from the attack ever happening. The administration had the intel on instability in the region, and certainly should have taken necessary precautions before September 11th.
120 people attacked. They would not have been deterred by 3-4 more security forces present in Benghazi. The unit asked for by DSS would probably have been in Tripoli not Benghazi, when it was deployed, according to the Issa hearing, they only went to Benghazi twice (despite regular travel there by the Ambassador). There was very likely no preventing this situation.
I personally am more concerned about the safe room no being vented... Obviously attacks could include gas or smoke, so why not vented? Why not supplied? (masks/air)
All you people that think the Prez didn't know right away about what was going on. You better think again! He knew! Just like when the towers were getting attacked, one of Bushes advisers whispered in his ear to tell him what was happening. Something as significant as one of our Embassy's getting over ran and American lives in danger, you would hope the President was not asleep at the wheel. And Whether or not he lied about anything or withheld any information is Another story that will all come out, hopefully before the election.
CNN, Wolf Blitzer, and especially Anderson Cooper should be ashamed at the lack of truthful coverage of this incident. You really could gain your importance back if you bothered to ask the tough questions and truly investigated this tragedy. The main question is this: If the WH did NOT know what was really happening then how come they immediately came out and blamed this on a video. Yet, now they are back-tracking. As long as Panetta says they could not have helped as he states today then you all are fine that this is the end of the story. Why the lies in the first place?
They blamed it on a video probably because they were expecting riots from the multiple, very real, protests about the video which were happening across the middle east. They were wrong, but to blame their wrongness on the part of some sort of conspiracy on the part of the Obama administration is bewilderingly ignorant. This tendency in the comments to act as if there were never any riots anywhere about the video is insane.
Obama did refer to the attack as an act of terror. You would know that if you stopped drinking the Romeny/Fox News Kool-Aid.
No acts of terror is a general statement against all terrorist attacks, this act of terror would have been a statement saying this was a terrorist attack. Keep drinking the Obama koolaid, I've had enough of his broken promises and outright lies. It is time for change.
the kool-aid is for the liberals dontcha know
Blitzer, Anderson, and all others on CNN should be ashamed that they do not report, at length ,on this tragic
terrorist attack. They are covering for Obama, as is CBS, NBC, MSNBC. Obama has misled the American people....and any individualwho would choose to mislead vs. telling the truth as to why 4 Americans are dead must be rejected as Commander in Chief.
By this act the President has shown that he cannot be trusted.
You folks really need to stop being investigating experts. The truth will come out eventually. Like bush lying about WMDs in IRAQ.
THE TRUTH? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
One big Obama appology. If there was such confusion and conflicting reports why did the administration come forward and proclaim that it was a spontaneous demonstration that got carried away? Because they wanted to cover up the fact that additional security was requested but ignored. They should have told the truth and left the spin for the debates. Bengazi will be the straw that broke the camel's back.
You really think you got it all figured out huh?!
No matter what "YOU" the president, military, the president should have sent our army in to save them!!!
PERIOD!!! stop the BS. You blew it. Denied security to them and then tried to cover it up.. Are you still in your chamberlin mode... Time for churchhill now ask for forgiveness for your blind stupidity pres...
Amen