Official: Changes to Benghazi talking points made by intel community
By Pam Benson
The intelligence community - not the White House, State Department or Justice Department - was responsible for the substantive changes made to the talking points distributed for government officials who spoke publicly about the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, the spokesman for the director of national intelligence said Monday.
The unclassified talking points on Libya, developed several days after the the deadly attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, were not substantively changed by any agency outside of the intelligence community, according to the spokesman, Shawn Turner.
Republican criticism of the talking points intensified last Friday following a closed door hearing with former CIA Director David Petraeus.
Rep. Peter King, R-New York, told reporters after the hearing that the original talking parts drafted by the CIA had been changed and it was unclear who was responsible.
"The original talking points were much more specific about al Qaeda involvement and yet final ones just said indications of extremists," King said.
The September 11 attack resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
The unclassified talking points were first developed by the CIA at the request of the House Intelligence Committee, whose members wanted to know what they could say publicly about the Benghazi attack.
Benghazi talking points omitted link to al Qaeda
The initial version included information linking individuals involved in the attack to al Qaeda, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with the drafting of the talking points. But when the document was sent to the rest of the intelligence community for review, there was a decision to change "al Qaeda" to "extremists." The official said the change was made for legitimate intelligence and legal reasons, not for political purposes.
"First, the information about individuals linked to al Qaeda was derived from classified sources," the official said. "Second, when links were so tenuous - as they still are - it makes sense to be cautious before pointing fingers so you don't set off a chain of circular and self-reinforcing assumptions. Third, it is important to be careful not to prejudice a criminal investigation in its early stages."
Some Republican members of Congress suggested the change came from within the Obama administration - from the White House, the Justice Department, or another government agency.
Turner, the spokesman for National Intelligence Director James Clapper, said that was not the case.
"The intelligence community made substantive, analytical changes before the talking points were sent to government agency partners for their feedback," Turner said, referring to the White House, Justice Department, State Department, Pentagon and FBI. "There were no substantive changes made to the talking points after they left the intelligence community," he said.
The House Intelligence Committee was not satisfied with Turner's statement.
"The statement released this evening by the DNI's spokesman regarding how the Intelligence Community's talking points were changed gives a new explanation that differs significantly from information provided in testimony to the Committee last week," said committee spokeswoman Susan Phalen. "Chairman Rogers looks forward to discussing this new explanation with Director Clapper as soon as possible to understand how the DNI reached this conclusion and why leaders of the Intelligence Community testified late last week that they were unaware of who changed the talking points."
The White House on Friday said it made only one change, substituting the word "mission" for "consulate."
The FBI requested a change in language which originally stated the U.S. "knew" Islamic extremists participated in the attack. According to a U.S. intelligence official the wording was changed to "there are indications" Islamic extremists participated.
Obama administration continues explanations on Benghazi decision-making
The drumbeat of criticism began early on with Republicans criticizing the Obama administration for publicly saying the attack grew out of a spontaneous protest against an anti Muslim video on the web even though the Republicans claim the administration knew it was a planned terrorist attack.
The harshest criticism has focused on Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who used the talking points as the basis for comments she made on Sunday talk shows five days after the attack. During her appearances, Rice said a small number of people came to the mission in reaction to demonstrations occurring in Cairo over the anti-Muslim film, but the Benghazi protest was hijacked by armed extremists. She never mentioned terrorists.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Michigan, said this isn't about parsing words. "There was some policy decisions made based on the narrative that was not consistent with the intelligence that we had. That's my concern," Rogers said last Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Former CIA Director Petraeus told lawmakers last Friday there were multiple streams of intelligence, some that indicated Ansar al Sharia was behind the attack, according to an official with knowledge of the situation. But other intelligence indicated the violence at the Benghazi mission was inspired by protests in Egypt over the anti Muslim video.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, told CNN on Monday that Petraeus explained why the talking points were changed.
"Gen. Petraeus made it clear that that change was made to protect classified sources of information, not to spin it, not to politicize it and it wasn't done at the direction of the white house. That really ought to be the end of it, but it isn't. So we have to continue to go around this merry go round, but at a certain point when all the facts point in a certain direction, we're going to have to accept them as they are and move on," Schiff said.
CNN's Dana Bash contributed to this report.
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
A big deal about absolutely NOTHING! And I'm not talking about the people who died (which I'm sure some of the trolls will comment on) ... the "nothing" is the hype of the talking points, as if there was some malfeasance regarding why the American people were not told all the facts early on.
Hayley Barbour is a twit.
I suspected something like that might have happened and it actually makes some sense.
Early during the Benghazi incident, no organization came out taking credit for the attack. Yes, our intelligence community knew that it was a terrorist attack. Even if it were an angry mob, it would qualify as a terrorist attack. But what we also knew at the time was that Al-Qaeda did it. However, without any organization coming forward and claiming responsibility, divulging what we knew might potentially compromise intelligence resources STILL on the ground and in potential danger. There was also the sticky situation of the Libyan's sovereignty and relatively poor diplomatic channels of communication.
I always suspected that someone had "de-classified" the unclassified version of events more zealously than necessary in order to allow the unclassified sources of information catch up. It looks like, when that did not happen, we were stuck with an oversanitized version of events.
In the aftermath of this latest fabricated outrage as part of John McCain's "constant sorrow" tour of doing anything possible to undermine the Presidency, I was even shocked to hear one of his surrogates on CNN divulge that there was a CIA safehouse nearby. I was thinking "it'd better be real safe now". It is sad to see some of these Senators, for whom I had a lot of respect, stoop so low.
Thanks for making sense.
This whole 'controversy' is invented. It was a tragedy. Let the ambassador rest. McCain does not care about him. We killed thousands in Iraq based on the Bush admins lying 'WMD' nonsense, including our own kids – and McCain never said a single word. Where was his outrage then? Hypocrite! The only reason the tea party lunatics are screaming now is because, as usual, they want find a way to 'destroy Obama,' as if he was not our duly elected president. It is disgusting.
McCain and the republicans are just dying to 'watergate' Obama and half of us jump to their tune like robots.
Meanwhile, we need jobs, we need our country to be working and thriving again TOGETHER – but the tea party fools just want to keep creating havoc, dividing people, obstructing, having tantrums, yelling no to everything, and making a mess and a disaster out of everything they touch – with their billionaire friends helping them along.
I am sick to death of them. They should get to work or get the h- out.
funny how we need jobs now. glad we wasted 4 years on healthcare reform.
yet none of that explains why the president refused to call it a terrorist attack. and why do we STILL not know who changed the talking points? I'm guessing it wasn't the department of energy, but could anyone be a little more specific, or are we just supposed to believe the WH had no influence on the draft coming out of the intelligence community? As if the WH had no idea what was going on and out of the blue they received a memo from "tips@usintelligencecommunity.com"
Excellent post. McCain is loosing his credibility when he continues to go after the president based on Fox News' allegations.
Ansar al Sharia had claimed credit for the attack on Sep 11th on Facebook and Twitter, yet weeks later the administration was still blaming the video. Why? Why not say, "this group has claimed credit for the attack on facebook and twitter. We're still investigating."
Thanks for another Obama apologizer, but didn't Obama already say, he lied and that only he should get the blame? I saw him on TV saying it.
Ok, tell me again why the "video" was sited as the cause? Why this was labeled a spontaeous (mob) action...when it was not? Why there was little if any support that resulted in four Americans giving their lives to this Country?
Now, please don't come back with deflecting questions. I could give a rat's you know what if it was this admins screw up or an agency down the line.
Can we afford wasting precious energy, time, and TAX DOLLARS on this B.S. instead of paying attention to how to resolve the IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF?
I know I can't afford any more of my tax dollars on this political bull crap.
Obama likes your thinking. Way to cover his rear.
Next you are going to say the fiscal cliff was just a talking point to distract from Benghazi.
The fiscal cliff is a HECK of a lot more important than Benghazi, and the WMD lie that killed hundreds of thousands and wasted trillions of dollars of taxpayer money was way more important than Benghazi.
Do you grasp that?
Ken, why don't you ask the intelligence community.
While I agree this was clearly a planned terrorist attack, there were also DOZENS of protests going on in Egypt and other countries on the same day and day after that WERE in protest of the video. Makes perfect sense to me that the attack in Libya could initially have been seen as a protest that got out of control. And since rational people don't jump to conclusions, it was the right thing to do to not immediately discount that.
It all becomes a matter of semantics. Can you imagine the field day the Romey campaign and the GOP would have had with headlines of 'Al-Qaeda attack on 9/11 anniversary'? Barack never could have been re-elected and we need him too much. He has to fix the economy destroyed by the repeal of the 1930's-era banking laws that kept the financial system stable..
Substantial changes? Extremists instead of Al Qaeda and at that when things were still unclear, or they were getting different information from different sources?. Absurd. King et. al. are poster boys for goper absurdity. And all of this is after the fact; the attack had happened and there was nothing to be done. This is playing out as McCarthyism 2012 – a witch hunt, when in fact it is no more than an argument about semantics. They all need to shut up and they need to fix the damn budget.
The more they holler the more egg on their face.
As King what he thinks about Iraq.
I know I didn't even want to get into the Iraq WMD lies that actually led to a war. People just can't seem to understand the hypocrisy.
Extremists christian taliban right here in the US, fail
How about that McCain? You are wrong again and like your Palin selection, you ability to filter, decide and judgement is suspect. Also, Mr. South Carolina jerk, eat crow!
Is McCain trying to solidify his reputation as an increasingly bitter and senile failed politician who wastes taxpayer money on crap?
so who made the next change to announce it was the internet video? Or are you going to deny that Rice Obama and Clinton all said that?
Oh give it up already. How lame to keep repeating garbage that's been disproven.
Gee the Libs on here have become rabid dogs.Nothing has been proven as to who decided to say "movie" Perhaps you didn't see these 3 people SAY just that on TV.This has nothing to do with who won or lost the election.It is about being honest,transparent and forthcoming to the American public.Something that was promised 4 years ago and has yet to come to fruition. If you could sit in a room with the ability to try to help someone that you see being attacked ,would you? Do not tax yourself JC by rebutting me,I am signing off.
Yep, they all said what the intelligence agency told them to say to protect resources in the area. Now if they said something different, you and the rest of the Neo-con Repubobots would be looking to Crucify them for not adhering to the intelligence. Barf on you and your kind!
So when can we expect the repubs to apologize for all the crap they've been spewing, only for it all to be proven lies OVER AND OVER AGAIN!?
Not until campaign season starts again.
Repubobots have a machine like mind, unable to reason and lacking logic. Apologize? They don't know the word!
If you claim the republicans lied, either cite the source or shut up! Otherwise it's just another democrat playing games with the truth.
There will NEVER be an apology. The republicans don't make apologies. They do no wrong. Just remember two weeks ago when they were utterly suprised by the re-election of President Obama.
And the Repubs put another nail in the coffin. Do they not have a clue the American public is sick & tired of this kind of behavior?? This is not the GOP I voted for for 30 years....I'm embarrassed.
Apparently your not embarrassed how the media has been trying to cover this up by giving it little mention. If Obama were a republican this would be front page news and the media would have their top people trying to find every detail of what happened. Why do you think Obama went after Fox news during his first term, because he had every other news agency under his thumb.
Right, Fox news is the only independant source of news out there. That's why News Corp (owns fox) is the ONLY news network that gets money directly from the RNC (republican national committe). Yet you suggest that everyone but Fox is under Obama's thumb? Put the tin foil hat back on.
Thus why I left the party. Please turn out the lights when you're the last one to leave.
Oh good God! Every news organization EXCEPT FAUX News is under Obama's thumb? Can you understand paranoia?
Mike Laundars: Why then did Obama only go after Fox news and not CNN,MSNBC,CBS,ABC,NBC.
Let it go GOP. It really isn't THAT important and it won't change what happened or win the election for you.
We must keep trying. We now have to make sure I kids are taken care of and have skills, like making a living off welfare and finding good free healthcare. After all, new Obama Americans don't really want to work hard anymore.
Anyhow, I am disgusted with this bull schitt political game. I don't want my TAX MONEY going to legislators who are playing politics. I do not want another replay of the Ken Starr decade of bull manure "investigations."
I see Democrats have been crying out the republicans are done but if your a democrat you know your victory is only for 1 cycle and the reason I say that is because in about 10 years the GOP will have successfully integrated with the changing face of this nation and once that's done your now powerful ammunition of " Old racist white men " will turn into nothing more then half ass spit ball. You Democrats know you lack Backbone – Patriotism – and Morals. The Democrats ass whooping will begin with Marco Rubio in 2016 and it will be a back to back republican in the White House for the next at least 4 cycles. đŸ™‚ the truth hurts HUH????
Bet a thousand dollars a month ago you were saying Obama would be "one and done" and "the truth hurts, huh!"
If the truth hurts you've been on pain meds for, what is it, 4 years now and 4 to go??? BTW, you think when the economy turns around America will hand it back to Republicans when they couldn't even win with 7.9% unemployment???
Yeah the economy is going to get fixed because of Obama Hah. Its more like a broken clock is right twice a day đŸ™‚ đŸ™‚ dude I am Hispanic so I can see 2016 there will be Salsa Music being played in the White House but Marco Rubio Will bring Good principles back into our nation because dam we are slipping like its 1999 with these reckless people we have in there today. Look up the word Dishonest and selfish and you will see a picture of yours truly &^&ma. Don't be sour it was a good run but the stink of deceit is like permanent ink you can wash it off.
Is it patriotic and moral to waste taxpayer money on a load of bull "investigations" when the FISCAL CLIFF is looming?
Is it moral to lie and insist that it was the administration who changed the talking points, when the intelligence community itself has come out and said that IT was responsible for the change?
I hope we go over the cliff together...
And when all the goverment money; welfare, food stamps, etc stops flowing we will have riots in the streets of the big cities just like Greece... burn baby burn.
The word "Democrat" doesn't belong in same paragraph with morals or patriotism. Democrats are a party of Hollywood decay, self-destructive types (LGBT) and perverts. They'd gladly lay down before any of those before they'd put national interests first.
Backbone? What do you know of backbone? I think you are mistaking compassion for weakness. And what truth? Your apparently saying you can predict the future and we have to deal with ha ha? Pretending to be someone you're not to get votes doesn't mean you're not the same close minded idiot.
Chesswithcolors LOL should be shoots and ladders.
Mark Rubio?! 2016?! If that's your painful truth it makes me giggle.
So let me get this straight... It's going to take you " ten years to successfully integrate with the changing face within this nation.." but yet the "ass whooping by republicans starts with Marco Rubio in 2016." Do me and your country a favor learn arithmetic!! That's is what's wrong with the GOP not only are your 10 years behind the times( legitimate rape and and the "biblical description of marriage," what does that even mean?? Polygamy??) see ya in ten years by the way that would be 2022! Hopefully you can finish high school by then.. Hey and while we're talking about Marco he's a republican that believes in evolution how's that fit your conservative republican values? Oh wait you'll really don't have any, it's all talk out of you folks. Like I said stay out if my house and my bedroom , focus on some real issues and then maybe just maybe you'll might become relivent again in this political landscape!
My question is How can a president of the United States of America Knowing full well what was coming over there Sit and watch it on television As it was happening And do nothing. the president of United States is supposed to be for the people of America and stand up and defend them no matter what. President Obama seems to care more about this people overseas and these other countries then he does about the American people. I feel in my heart President Obama is trying to destroy America what she stands for what she is a great power. I feel the president that was elected by the people of America but stands for all of the Muslim countries and puts them first should not be leading a country as great as America. if he loves to a Muslim country so much he should move over there because the working man is tired of his crap and why he acts like he's really doing something for America y sticking a knife in your back. you need to get off your Muslim ass and do something for America. because the American people is fed up I know I am.
I don't think you should listen to your heart because it's clearly lying to you. In any kind of attack, if you think it's feasible to defend any and all Americans from any point on the globe within minutes or hours, then I got news for you.
The whole thing began and ended in less than an hour. You say we should have just called in a bomb in that place without knowing exactly what civilians may be there as well?
Why aren't you calling for bombing and drone attacks on all the other violence that was going on on 9/11/2012 in other places as a result of the anti Islam video?
Wouldn't bombing the place have killed those inside, too?
"yawn"
...fortunately, what you "feel" doesn't consist of facts. Call him a crummy President if you'd like. Maybe his Liberal way of doing thing doesn't fit your Conservative view of how America should be run. That too is fine. Saying repeatedly that he's a Muslim, and that he's somehow going to single-handedly hand America over to the Muslim world....it's just dumb. You know there's another 534 people that would need to sign-off on that...right?
The President IS supposed to look out for the interests of ALL Americans. That occasionally means the President needs to let the needs of a few individual Americans go unanswered. Additionally, the President is not a God, so there ARE limits to what he (or she) can do.
I do not know why we did not help the people in Benghazi that night. It might have been a belief that no aid could actually reach them in time, or it might have been an error in judgement. Or it might have been because those in charge (including the President) believed that doing so would ultimately cause more harm to Americans than it prevented.
I do know that anyone who thinks that the President is trying to destroy America is clearly biased against him, and is therefore unlikely to look at the situation with an open and clear mind.
Edwin: like democrats believed about George Bush? Anyone who thinks any of our Presidents are all good or all bad are fools...
It's very obvious that no matter what the facts are, you hate the president. And by your racial statements, it's very obvious that you are a racist. Hate filled people like you are a detriment to society.
Reading citizen's comments...on this and many other issues....makes one thing perfectly clear: Us Americas get the Govt. we deserve...GOP or Dem doesn't really matter. Our leaders in Washington represent what we really are....and the comments we make is proof. So deal.
By far the most insightful comment in this forum
Does it strike you a bit odd that the CIA/DoD/FBI all of the sudden are the tools of the Democrats? I thought the GOP took pride in the assumption that the CIA/DoD/FBI was all on their side. Remember how sure the GOP has been with getting the Military vote they worked hard to extend voting for Vets and not Urban Citizens in some states. Well, keep calling the CIA/FBI/DoD a tool and your going to lose even more of their support. The agencies were in "Operational Mode" and quite frankly still are in "Operational Mode" and guess what, I Don't need to know every last detail about what they are doing in response to the attack. I also don't want disclosed the current nature of security and safety measures known to the public and thus to the terrorists. LOSE LIPS and all.
What is with you people assuming it has to be the President or the White House and then when more information is release, well, then it's clearly the Democrats crafting the story so we can't get the facts. The article (if it even has enough of the facts) states that the information was not significantly altered outside of the CIA.
So they basically did the opposite as the inept Bush administration. Instead of immediately blaming their favorite bad guy (ie Saddam and 9/11) without any proof, the intelligence community chose their words with caution and waited for more intel before making any snap judgements. Amazing. Clearly they must be punished for being reasonable.
Exactly. Where's the like button on this comment?
You know, this story is so old. Republicans still can't let go. What, are you guys still bitter about the election? Get over it.
Mike Rogers should spend some time figuring out which is which. If I recall correctly, CNN quoted my congressman as saying that he had seen no intelligence that pointed to Al-Queda in the days immediately following the attack. Now he's all whipped out of shape following his re-election and following the drumbeat raised by his own 'extremist' buddies in Congress. Which was it, Mr. Rogers? Did you, or didn't you have intel reports that pointed to Al-Queda? Dork.
Can we afford wasting precious energy, time, and TAX DOLLARS on this B.S. instead of paying attention to how to resolve the IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF?
I know I can't afford any more of my tax dollars on this political bull crap.
The GOP leadership is so filled with revenge after getting their a**es handed to them in the recent elections that they will continue to seek out criminal intent where there is none. I am TIRED of our elected officials wasting time on our dime. GOP: If you have no new ideas about how to get our economy moving and that DOESN'T consist of rewarding your most generous campaign donors, get the hell out of the way and quit wasting our time.
I'm right there with you. I guess all we can do is keep reminding those who kept spouting "one and done" that they are an ever shrinking minority. I think they're in such a panic that they've thrown common sense out the window. The reasoning behind the dialogue coming out of the WH regarding this attack makes perfect sense to me. Since when does any investigation of an attack like this take 1-2 weeks to come to a conclusion? Insurance claim investigations take longer than that.
The GOP is just seeing here what they imagine to be a political opportunity Ken Starr Style. Remember Whitewater and Susan MacDougall and all that crap that they spent six years of taxpayer funded "investigation" on? I say we wasted enough capital and energy on that B.S. then. They are shameless.
Why didn't they holler so much about Iraq and the lying that led to the hundreds of thousands of deaths there?
If the GOP is so intent on spending so much of their energy on this political crap, they could at least investigate and impeach the Iraq war neocon liars and killers.
Get over it. The Whitehouse changed this not to screw up Obama's reelection.
Albert, could you please READ this article and the reporting in it and please correct the fallacy you just wrote?
This is a no win situation...if they had shared everything they knew or suspected and the investigation showed something diametrically opposed, the President would be challenged just as he is now. The public is owed facts not suppositions...the public also needs to realize that sometimes information needs to be withheld until an investigation is complete. I have often been concerned that we are so "nosy" that we feel we are owed more than we need to know. It's call covert intelligence for a reason. How many reputations have been destroyed before the facts finally came out?
However, if you are this upset about 4 people dead, what do you think about the 5,000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqui civilian human beings, including children, who died because Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, lied to us all that there were WMDs in Iraq?
Should not your anger be a million times greater? Why the silence over that? Is that not a great injustice.
If there is a God, he or she must be VERY DISGUSTED WITH THIS HYPOCRISY.
Not one of these attacks on the Democrats by the GOP will ever change the fact that our people died doing their duty. So they beat to death the fact that the early fog reports were not detailed enough to suit them. None of the arguments that it took 10, or more days to get additional facts and bring them out will ever change the sad outcome. As a military officer often in charge of an Emergency Operations Center during a 33 year career, I can guarantee you that in minute one of an event you get a report, and that the details of the event may not be any clearer as more reports come in on the same event and have conflicting details even days later along with hundreds of other reports on other events. There were times when I couldn't even decide which of the hundreds of events being reported were highest priority. I have seen reports of deaths that later turned out to be totally incorrect!! I reported items my self which later turned out to be wrong, but were honestly reported based on what I had at the time. This is often the reality, and I never lost sleep for an incorrect report, but I always looked for ways to get better intel based on lessons learned. So let it go!!
(Patriotic Music Plays in the Background)
Well stated Bill. These aren't situations we should be second guessing. Humans are humans. Our people need to be able to make the call.
Where were the calls for Colin Powell's head when he used knowingly false, manufactured intelligence "talking points" to prop up the case for an invasion?? Was Johnny McCain screeching at the cameras then??
you are funny, you make it sound like people think the president should be riding around in the death star shooting lightning from his hands. Of course the term "administration" implies a group of people, overseen by the president. So did the president say "lets just cover the whole thing up and lie to everyone"? Most likely not. Is it possible the president knew that certain facts where admitted from public knowledge? Most likely. And it is his responsibility as a leader to hold his subordinates accountable and find the truth and tell the American people that truth at the cost of his approval rating, something that he does not want to seem to do. It is easier to stick with plausible deny ability. But anyone who knows anything about leadership knows that as a leader you are responsible for the actions of your subordinates and you can delegate authority but not responsibility.
Keith, I guess you have a short memory or you just don't think things through to arrive at any type of conclusions. I have read many, many comments that challenge why didn't Sen. McCain challenge Powell, or Condi, or accuse Bush of this or that. If you just stopped for one minute to think about it you could answer your own question. The year was 2001 and our country had just been attacked. John McCain had JUST lost the Republican primary to the sitting President who happened to be Gee Whiz Bush. John McCain, the military veteran and hero, must of dislike George more than any other human on this planet, but because he WAS and IS a true American Hero, he supported the President, JUST LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY DID AT THE TIME. I think I was one of the few people around who didn't like Bush even right after the 9/11 attacks. Everyone else, the firefighters in NY, the Press, and the Public, all were staunchly behind this Cowboy President. Do you really think a patriot like John McCain, at a time right after our country was attacked, would of voiced any criticism at the Commander-In-Chief? Even as much as McCain had to dislike Bush for the vicious lies Bush told about McCain in the primaries, McCain, because he is a true patriot, stayed silent. All he has done in response to Benghazi is challenge the story that the American people were told. I happen to disagree with him on this subject but I am able to disagree with him respectfully. Considering all he has sacrificed for our country, and for You, I don't think it's too much for you to do the same. Disagree with him all you want but use your own intelligence a bit and maybe you can understand why, after a time when we had just been attacked, he was silent about some things that you probably didn't question at the time either.
You mean it wasn't Obama personally? My God!!! What lies. We need another investigation that shows that Obama changed them. Bigger than Watergate? Why? Because I tell you so.
All administrations have dirty little secrets its true. But when your dirty secret involves the deaths of 4 people alone and isolated far from home; well then its time to save face and come clean. And before one of you simply say I am a bitter racist Republican and the whole thing is Bush's fault. You are wrong, so save your keyboard from the wear and tare of typing a pointless rebuttal. The White House placed politics before lives and now they have their hand caught in the proverbial cookie jar. I think at this juncture it is best to simply come out with the truth and perhaps maintain some form of trust with the American people, instead of stonewalling the topic and simply delaying closure for those families and the American people.
Yes. It is much better when it involves 3,000 people right here at home. But when it is 4 people out in the middle of Libya, well this is where we need to draw the line and guarantee absolute safety. Blah...blah....blah.....
Could you please expound on that? I'm not sure I follow your line of thought.
Please don't spread truther stuff
If it's Iraq, it's okay though
Ah, I couldnt disagree with you more. Why dont the Republicans make this big of stink EVERY time that a Service Member loses his or her life? Just get over it. While I have compassion for the fallen, they are; at the end of the day; CASUALTIES OF WAR- NOTHING MORE - NOTHING LESS. CAN IT!
They do. They made a huge stink about the dead agent in the Fast and Furious hearings. Once it no longer served their narrative, and it actually supported the gun control narrative, we haven't heard about him since. We recognize these tears. They are the tears of anger with Obama, and they didn't start with Benghazi. They started on January 20th 2009.
you clearly don't have any compassion at all. If you did you would have not posed that idiotic post, slap yourself please : )
So, an airstrike into a neighborhood based off half-baked intelligence...that's what was needed? How about a danger-close missile sent in to a 1 acre lot plus the alley in front of this "compound"?
Look...it's tragic that it happened. This constant droning on and on about how we should have deployed STS-6 and Chuck Norris to get these men out during their 5 hour fire-fight against 100's of extremists is getting old.
Think you know anything? Think any of these Republicans know anything? Visit any actual Embassy in non-European countries. The first thing you'll notice is....no, there's not 50 Navy Seals standing guard. At best, there's two locals up front with the same AK's that will be coming at your "compound". Second...this wasn't even an Embassy. Heck, not really even a Consulate. It was a "villa" with bullet-resistant glass and a crappy safe room. By the time the Ambassador's email was read...that skirmish was already over.
" Second...this wasn't even an Embassy. Heck, not really even a Consulate. It was a "villa" with bullet-resistant glass and a crappy safe room. By the time the Ambassador's email was read...that skirmish was already over." Unfortunately for you, those facts are incorrect. And I use the term "fact" only out of respect.
What exactly are you complaining about ? That the Obama administration was told by intelligence agencies it was a loosely organized group of militant protesters following the lead of rioters in Egypt that erupted because of an anti-Islamic video, it was a loosely organized local militant group (Ansar al Sharia) that had a grudge to bear for the US drone attack that killed their leader 6 months earlier, or it was loosely organized "al Qaeda" plot that sought a high profile target on the eve of 9/11. Perhaps labeling everything and anything anti-American in the Muslim world as "al Qaeda" is about the level of sophistication that the US can comprehend, but it really isn't very productive or insightful. And until the perpetrators are caught and prosecutors are caught, I doubt anyone can truely claim who was truely responsible. But certainly the Obama administration was not to blame for the deaths. Just as no one can rightly claim President Bush was to blame for 9/11. Ultimately bad things happen. And we should blame the perpetrators not our own side for the deaths. Everyone should keep that as the focus.
It is sad to see that Dana Bash and Pam Beson publish the Motel 1600 talking points as if they are fact. The process of creating these "community" papers leaves only the the White House with the changes made to the original analysis...all of which the POS TUS knew within 15 minutes of the event occuring.
respectfullyPlease stop being a propaganda arm of this administration. It's insulting to the readers.
Is that youDONALD? Your insulting to the readers! what's next you want a birth certificate? I'm just going to assume your one of the greedy,bad mortgage taking, self centered, world revolves around me type of person that got us in this whole mess.. Don't worry though the generation In front of you has the balls and common sense ( something your lacking), to make up for your mistakes. Just stay out of our way.... You had your chance, your time is over go grab your rocking chair and get a bag of popcorn we are going to show you how it's done!!! (with pride, enthusiasm and our glass always half full ;)!!
Good luck with that you moron
Good luck with that moron.
Old man McCain, go on home........you too, Lindsey..
They are actually Gay Lovers, Lidseed and McShame............
Com on people, It's simple, they dont want the U.S to be represented by to Blacks..I'm sorry but somebody has to say the truth...GOP white men won't allow it, sad but true..
You should take a look at Bush's administration. He put together an administration with one of the highest percentage of African Americans. So please stop painting all republicans as racists. You are the true racist by immediately interjecting race into the discussion. It is an easy and convenient argument for you to make. It is also inaccurate (at least for most GOPers) and unfair. But it distracts from the real message. And that is what you are hoping for.
Eric without getting to upset with you and your feelings, I will only kindly remind you that the Secretary of State under George Bush was BLACK and a WOMAN. Her name is Condoleeza Rice. Remember her? She was from the GOP. Look up the history of the GOP and the Democratic Parties and see the TRUTH about which party supported CIVIL RIGHTS and MINORITIES> YOU WILL BE SHOCKED.
The president has been anything but transparent on this issue. He has politicized it which is why the Reps wonders why. The Prez knew what he did, when he did it and how and he refuses to answer any question without saying, it's under investigation. If a Rep president did what Obama has, the Dems would be all down his throat over it. Thank you McCain and Lindsay for standing your ground to get to the truth.
I agree so much with you.They just can't take it. Even if they are qualified or not. So we all know that it was extremist/ terrorists we the public are not fools and they did it .Some attacks will be thwarted some not unfortunately this is new reality . I think these Foogey""s have forgotten 9/11 and the intelligence they received what did they do about it. Bush should have resigned.
To say that changes were made to a report to protect the innocent terroists, or to protect a criminal investigation completely ignores the incompetence of failing to protect an ambassador and then failing to assist in the firefight of those taking it upon themselves to jump in where an inept government bureacracy would not. That is really what the coverup was about.
Wouldn't it be GREAT if NOBODY got KILLED in a War Zone? Then the THOUSANDS of Americans who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to distract US away from the guy whose FAMILY was Oil Business Partners with President Bush – the BIN LADENS.
I really am tired of the nonsense and the twisting that comes out of the Left wing, liberal WH. Are you trying to say that they changed the talking points because the version that gen Petraus wrote had divulged CLASSIFIED information? The General doesn't know what is and what's NOT CLASSIFIED? Do you not see a difference in the words AL QUEDA and Extremists? The whole thing is about using the words Al Queda. The WH doesn't want "Al Queda'" and "Americans murdered" in the same sentence after Obama took such credit in killing Bin Laden.
Read it again, you idiot. The only change the white house, where a black guy now lives, was to say "mission" instead of "consulate" – one word. Nothing else. geez...
We are tired of right wingnut witch hunts that lead nowhere. The House Intelligence Committee, which includes repugs knew the details from the beginning and knew we were disseminating misinformation to protect covert activities. This just exposes the GOP for the hypocrites that they are.
For fiscal 2013, the GOP-controlled House proposed spending $1.934 billion for the State Department's Worldwide Security Protection program - well below the $2.15 billion requested by the Obama administration. House Republicans cut the administration's request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012. (Negotiations with the Democrat-controlled Senate restored about $88 million of the administration's request.) Last year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Republicans' proposed cuts to her department would be "detrimental to America's national security" - a charge Republicans rejected.
The Old Gas Bag is so unconcerned about the actual facts and so fixated on trying to redeem his failed political career that he skipped the classified briefing to rail about being kept in the dark that he began hysterical rants about no one being fit to question his obvious mothives. Are the Chickenhawk Lawyer and the Old Gas Bag following in DICK cheney's treasonous footsteps to reveal information about a classified CIA operation that failed? Is their hatred for the President so great that they are willing to publicly expose covert CIA operations for their own politican gain? If so the Senate must take action and expel them immediate and turn them over to DoJ for prosecution.
Woah! Slow down and SIP the kool aid...don't guzzle.
YOU are SCARY. Where do you live? Are there more of you? Please you must say you are SORRY, right away. You don't want this to be a stain on your legacy.
This is not a surprise for those of us who have trust in the administration.
BLIND FAITH!?
Yes.
I ask those who here, who approve of the administration's handling of this attack, to answer these questions:
What do you tell the parents, brothers, sisters, loved ones- of those who lost their lives- when asked why nothing was done to improve security prior to the attack?
What do you tell the parents, brothers, sisters, loved ones- of those who lost their lives- when asked why nothing was done for 7 hours while the intelligence community and administration officials watched live feed of their loved ones being killed?
What do you tell the parents of those soldier dying in Iraq for WMD that never existed ? That the president lied to the country to go into Iraq for personal revenge ?
So you are saying they are the same? Two leaders involved in self preservation and power only?
The previous case was clear. The culprit is now retiring in shame, hated by the whole country. The current case remains to be answered, but just as this article showed, the admin will be vindicated in the end, when CIA decided they could tell all. Wait and see and learn.
Amen Newsrell....... Oh, where was the righteous indignation then over the loss of THOUSANDS of lives?
When Bill Clinton apologizes and says the mistake was his for following the intelligence that BUSH also followed then we can speak. Both president's followed and acted on the same intelligence.
Out of curiosity, did you react the same way after the dozen similar attacks during the previous administration and the deaths of 60+?
I'm neutral on it because I understand that when you're spread all over the world and terrorists are out to hit you anywhere they can, every once in awhile some crap is gonna happen. Blaming this on the administration is just partisans grasping too far. The same people trying to turn this into an issue are the same ones who didn't have anything to say when we lost thousands in a war that never should've happened and that administration blamed it on.. guess who... the intelligence community. Don't give a damn about an entire war and four people in Libya merits an investigation, really? Now try to tell me it's anything but politicians using dead patriots for politics.
Forbinned question all refuse to ask... What the heck was Junior Ambassador Stevens doing meeting with the Senior Ambassador of Turkey in Benghazi Lybia on the anniversary of 9/11??? Amswer that one any you'll uncover why Stevens had to be killed
Russo–I would tell them that the GOP killed a bill to fund more security for our embassies even though the state department requested it. I would further tell them that according to our intelligence department and the Pentagon, there was no live feed. That's a Fox lie.
How are those Fast and Furious hearings coming along? Is it still bigger than Watergate? Still crying over those dead agents whose lives were taken because the gun laws were so lax in this country?
The president refused to testify in the fast and the furious. So where do you go from there. Why stonewall.
To the Parents. Your son's lived a life of service to others that put them in an environment that both had great risk but also great impact on the progress of humanity. Libyans and Americans morn their loss, and the cutting short of their work. We as Americans owe them, and you and future members of our foreign services the following. One we must identify what could have been done to improve security and survivability of our people and facilities. Two, we must identify the people who did this and arrest, capture, or kill them with the assistance of the Libyans and the peoples of the region who also lost lives that day protecting our beloved citizen servants. Three, we must continue their work to encourage a more peaceful humane planet and international relations. Fourth, we must not reverse their life work as we seek justice. May we have the wisdom do be able to distinguish between justice and vengeance and revenge.
And run it like a real investigation. "We don't have any facts, but one thing that seems to be clear is that Obama is an incompetent liar. We have to wait to get some facts, but in the absence of any facts whatsoever, I think it is at least safe to assume that this is bigger than Watergate and the President is involved in a cover up. And if he isn't, so what? We don't need to apologize to that loser for accusing him of the worst things imaginable."
It is very unfortunate and sad when anyone has to die, and my heart goes out to the families of those involved.
However, if you are this upset about 4 people dead, what do you think about the 5,000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqui civilian human beings, including children, who died because Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, lied to us all that there were WMDs in Iraq?
Should not your anger be a million times greater? Why the silence over that? Is that not a great injustice.
If there is a God, he or she must be VERY DISGUSTED WITH THIS HYPOCRISY.
Have you ever served? I have and if you had, you would understand that these guys volunteered, they harbored no illusions about the situation they willingly put themselves in, nothing ever goes as planned. As long as we go into war zones these things will happen, hell people die in training, get over it and move on.
"Second, when links were so tenuous – as they still are – it makes sense to be cautious before pointing fingers so you don't set off a chain of circular and self-reinforcing assumptions."
So the "tenuous links" – even after two months – this is what the wingnuts are up in arms about?
The real reason Obama had to order Ambassador Stevens Silenced was... earlier that day Junior Amb Stevens refused to be threatened or silenced by the Senior Turkish Ambasador and a Muzzie millionare arms dealer in Benghazi. THe Turk Ambassador dropped a dime on him via a secure Washington DC phone link. Once the Turk Ambassador cleared the Al Quada /Muslim Brotherhood road blocks and was airborne... the group ordered to silence Stevens and his group of CIA gun running scouts attacked. Now Obama would do anything to not have his weapons smuggling to the Syria Muslim Brotherhood and Al Quada Jehadis hit th emedia BEFORE the election. All th eGeneral Bangin Bimbos and the UN Rice lying to the TV shows was a diversion from the killings and gun running.
PMA–PROTECT MY AXX, the election is over. wolfe and the candy company would help with the cover up so no problem.
Oh, come on! The script was changed by the "intelligence community"? For what purpose? It would have served no other reason than political and the CIA, HS, etc. is supposed to be partisan neutral.
Did not understand the text ??? To protect CONFIDENTIAL source. Too much is revealed, the ennemy will know why we know so much, so fast, they can deduce who told us, thus the danger to the source. Blindly ignorant is not good partisan practice.
Wait a sec....Didn't Ansar al Sharia claim credit for the attack on Sept 11th on facebook and twitter? Are facebook and twitter now confidential sources?
I think the Republican party wants the CIA and FBI to just be transparent to the point that they can not longer do their job. Just tell the terrorists everything we knew so they can make a clean get away.
Argument from ignorance.
REALITY BUBBLE – Do YOU know who the 'Extremists' were? You must know more than the CIA because you are so FAUX. The CIA has some Reason to Believe that the people who carried out the attack were part of an Organization that consists of one-time members of the GADAFFI forces that fought AGAINST the 'Rebels' who we support who have set up their center in BENGHAZI rather than the Libyan Capital of Tripoli. These people MAY have a Loose association with Al Qaeda but NOBODY is SURE. So Just WHAT Difference does it Make WHAT they are CALLED? Except as a way to DISTRACT the american people from a Republican Leadership that lets AMERICA'S Economy Suffer for ITS Political gain.
One cannot help but wonder, will this official account quell the shameless drone of conspiracy masterminds, John McCain and his hapless crew? Note: If you had to affix yourself to Fox Network to prior to a reasonable conclusion, you need not bother to share their talking points. Self immolation appears to be the choice of these misogynists. Perhaps this feckless, disingenuous posse hold out for the ever dying "throw paint at the wall" strategy. Forever the undaunted warmonger, Sen. McCain is still n denial of his 2008 flailing flop. Hey, GOP! Tell your guy that his expertise is needed elsewhere. Specifically, to assist in gathering the fragmented, antiquated shambles that remain of your 2012 implosion.
Why, because we still have people on the conducting operations, the GOP idiots put everyone in jeopardy to score political points. Myth Robme was blathering away three hours after the attack and the ambassador wasn't the target.
Duh! It's too bad that John McCain is ending up like this.
And the GOP still want to block Susan Rice, after this testimony, I tell u they r sore losers and shame on them just because they lost election they wana try to make pres. Obamas job impossible.
Anybody who would knowingly lie to Americans, like Susan Rice did - cannot be trusted.
Susan Rice repeated nearly verbatim the intelligence estimates she was given by the intelligence community. Out of curiosity, did you react so strongly when the previous administration parroted even worse intelligence?
Yeah, and if you believe this... (oh, yeah...never mind, you voted Obama).
Anything they can do to bicker, instead of !!!FIXING THE ECONOMY!!!
Does it really make anyone feel better to know the CIA ("intelligence community") went over the head of it president?
There are times that the President declassifies information that the CIA and such don't want declassified. The President apparently respected their holding back of information for National Security Reasons. Sorry you have so little comprehension of the idea that the situation was and is still an Ongoing Operation and not every detail can be released without possibly compromising lives and information gathering.
McCain should resign from the Senate. He should apologize to President Obama, Susan Rice and the American people. Let McCain go.
To paint John McCain with such a broad brush shows your ignorance and blind hatred of anyone who is not a democrat. He is a veteran who has voted against his party on issues like water boarding and military actions. He has also crossed the aisle many times to pen bills with the democrats. Obama did not do that as a senator nor as a president. On issues of the military, intelligence and national security, McCain is credible. But your view of anyone associated with the GOP is clearly tainted by your belief that you and people with beliefs like you must be correct 100 percent of the time.
Mike,
I used to have a lot of respect for McCain. However, I lost most of it during the Presidential Campaign of 2008 for choosing a bimbo like Sarah Palin for VP and for losing his own integrity on a number of issues.
In this case, McCain and Graham were trying to make political hay from a tragedy. Such tragedies have happened under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Remember we lost 270+ in Middle East under Reagan. Both these Senators should apologize to Obama and Susan Rice for getting ahead of the facts, making unwarranted accusations, and trying to make political hay out of tragic situations. If they were serious about protecting our country and national security, they should have tried to get to the bottom of the facts.
Shame on you Senator McCain. Shame on you Senator Graham. You need to apologize. Then you need to resign for acting so irresponsibly in such important national matter.
OC: thanks for schooling me. please respond to this post, since no one else on your political side has: The US government and the media announced it was Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden on the afternoon of 9/11. They also announced Al Qaeda almost immediately when the USS Cole and the embassy in North Africa were bombed. And now we are supposed to believe they held it back for 5+ days this time for intelligence and security reasons. Hard to believe. Elections aside, the White House would have known the intelligence pointed directly at a planned Islamic terrorist attack and either changed the message or at least signed off on the message change.
McCain is a noise maker and tries to be relevant even when he knows that he's a noise maker and quickly fading. The investigation is still going on and he skips briefing only to go to press seeking relevance. Even you as boisterous as you sound in defending the attention seeking Mccain appears to be filled with ignorance, name calling and in fact close minded rubbish.
Care to point out my name calling or ignorance specifically? Probably not since you will not find any in either of my posts. My posts are factual. And I am not a big McCain fan by any means. But I respect his questioning of this situation. Many Americans are asking the same questions. If there wasn't anything controversial going on, the questions could have been answered quickly and painlessly. But you seem to want to defend this administration blindly and unilaterally. I choose not to. A right I and John McCain and every other American share. Too boisterous for you Victor?
The issue should be to find who the culprits/murderers are and how to bring them to justice and not to resort to looking for Susan Rice to apologize to McCain while infact the investigation is still going on. Why can't McCain and his cohorts wait for the completion of the investigation before passing judgment and looking for relevance. He should channel his grieviances, if any, to the President, but I guess he is still sad and bitter that he lost the 2008 election to President Obama and the American people voted for the President again. McCain should be interested in nation building rather than divisive noise making. He is apparently losing the respect of the people that admire him. There is no need to play politics and jump the gun while investigation is on-going and some American lives are lost.
so here they admit they tell the rest of them what to say. oh no we told them what to say... – I think that IS what we have been saying. – the tail is wagging the dog. –
Obama won the election because the majority of American voters are familiar with the kind of silliness that permeates this commentary. The GOP and other miscreants are trying, desperately, to find a scandal where there is none. We have seen it all before. That is fine if you want to keep digging a hole, do it..... just do not expect everybody to believe your partisan, illogical, garbage. Congress is wasting time and money on this non-issue just like the GOP wasted millions trying to defeat a very effective President. We voted , you lost.
The Obam administration acted coolly and responsibly in the face of blatant and ignorant accusations. In the end, the administration came out justified and sterling. Only the accusers need to hide their faces now.
remember...the GOP wasted $70 million on the witchhunt called Whitewater, which was fundamentally a failure, except we got to invade a couple of peoples privacy...
I could care less who won the election. What I care about is that EVERY situation is either under investigation, or the answer changes with the weather. Almost two years after Fast & Furious we still do not know who in OUR government ordered the program. Fort Hood a domestic incident? Libya is because of a video, a spontaneous event, really! Why can't this administration ever answer ANYTHING with a yes or no, some facts. What day is tomorrow? Not sure it's under investigation!!!
Fast & Furious was started under the Bush administration and then carried forward.
wthwth-and we didn't really land on the moon. Kennedy was killed by the mafia. Foster didn't commit suicide, he was murdered by Hillary and Barack Obama is a radical Christian, atheist, muslim who was born in Kenya and whose parents planted birth notices in the local papers in 1964 just so he could become president 45 years later! Get over the conspiracies, man....it's ever so paranoid of you!
Obama won the election because mindless zealots like you buy the party line no matter the facts. The average intelligence of the O-voter is about 6.5 on the brain scale....
swb–what we lack in brain power, we make up for in numbers. Get over it the election's over and 3 1/2 million more people voted for Obama than Romney-we can't all be as brilliant as you are.
BS makes a cover up grow.
russo
Days and weeks before the attack, many requests for additional security at the consulate went unanswered. The administration watched live video of the events unfold for 7 hours, again unanswered as Americans died. Requests from the administration as to exactly what happened WAS answered – by deceptive descriptions of an attack instigated by radicals upset over some bogus video.
When the lack of action by our government results in AMERICAN lives being lost ...and then apparent attempts are made to either cover it up ...or, at best water it down- we no longer have a government "for the people". We have a government devoted to self-preservation of their power and position.
For fiscal 2013, the GOP-controlled House proposed spending $1.934 billion for the State Department's Worldwide Security Protection program - well below the $2.15 billion requested by the Obama administration. House Republicans cut the administration's request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012. (Negotiations with the Democrat-controlled Senate restored about $88 million of the administration's request.) Last year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Republicans' proposed cuts to her department would be "detrimental to America's national security" - a charge Republicans rejected.
So you say weeks went by without anything being doen perhaps had the republicans in the house not strippedthe funding to protect our state department people something could have been done!
Russo, I agree100%.
There was failure all the way around, from beginning to end and even after, when Susan Rice went on 5 TV shows and lied.
Hillary failed, also, and she needs to testify, too.
Thank you CNN! Now lest hear it on CNN TV!
The conspiracy theory dies in the hands of truth but lives on in GOP and FOX.
I want to hear some humble apologies from the 2 loudmouth who accused ambassador Rice.
One of those loudmouths is a veteran and former POW. He suffered so people like you can voice your opinion, however ignorant it may be.
Mike G – Unfortunately McCain has been reduce to a babbling piece of garbage unfit to hold his office...He needs to go.
Mike-just because McCain is a veteran and was a POW, it doesn't mean that he's anything other than a cranky old man now. He lost whatever integrity he once had when he named Sarah Palin as his VP pick without vetting her.
SueB and ???: check MCain's record for voting against his own party on military issues (e.g. Waterboarding). Also check how many bills he co-authored with democrats. You (or I for that matter) may not agree with all of his positions, but he is not a shill for the GOP. Take a look at Obama's voting record while in Congress – Pretty much straight line with the democrats and the most liberal voting record of any senator during that time period. To assume McCain is playing partisan politics now is ridiculous. He has legitimate concerns that should be taken seriously.
The US government and the media announced it was Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden on the afternoon of 9/11. They also announced Al Qaeda almost immediately when the USS Cole and the embassy in North Africa was bombed. And now we are supposed to believe they held it back for 5+ days this time for intelligence and security reasons. Hard to believe. Elections aside, the White House would have known the intelligence pointed directly at a planned Islamic terrorist attack and either changed the message or at least signed off on the message change.
Mike: DO you Republicans read or is it the comprehension thats missing.Read the frigging article.The intelligence community – not the White House, State Department or Justice Department – was responsible for the substantive changes made to the talking points
And you want me to believe that someone in the "intelligence community" took it upon himself or herself to make such changes to a memo that was to be shown to the President. WHO exactly is that person in the "intelligence community" who did that? and even if there's a remote possibility that this did happen, then that person must have been following instructions from someone in the White House...that's for darn sure...we have a bunch of liars and frauds in the White House starting with Obama.
All this and we still don't have the answer. Why did 7 hours go by without our government/military sending help? We can send troops to Jordan to protect King Abdullah, but we didn't have them protecting Stevens, even after he sent several emails saying that there was not enough protection, and didn't sent them any help whatsoever during the 7 hours they were getting murdered??? I want answers NOW!!!!
McCain, Graham, The Donald, and Issa are going to launch an Investigation into the "Intelligence Community".
Why does Peter King always looks like hes lying? Graham, King and McCain are the stupidest people that ever walked the earth. No wonder they lost.
You are a sheep being led to the slaughter and you are not aware of it that's why you are supporting your slaughterer. When you do realize what you have done, it will be to late!!
Chumash: Hey Chicken Little-go outside, look up. The sky is not falling!
@Sam, Yeah, this tidbit of Lies coming from the Ultra Liberal Wing of CNN, plus if you really want to Look at some Liars, check out obama, biden, reid, pelosi, (both) clinton's, Rice, Holder, carney, etc, etc, also, since you're a ultra-liberal yourself, I guess you can join the dreaded list.....I also see where the "Liar in Chief" has finally found some un-suspecting Fall Guy in the Intel Community, lol, lol....wonder who that Idiot is....
His lips were moving
None of this explains why 7 hours went by without sending help. THAT is the ISSUE!! We can send our troops to Jordan to protect King Abdullah, but we can't send them to Benghazi to rescue an ambassador and three ex Navy Seals? I WANT A FREAKING ANSWER!!!!
Seven hours or seven years, it's all the same to them.
Hey Rambo: You really need to stop watching so many movies. Chuck Norris or Stalone don't come to the rescue.
My dad was military career, I was military and my son wants to be military, but I am scared to death to let him serve under such an administration and public that no longer values their contribution to the point that they'll wAtch them die on video when they could have been there with help. And they'll say the words, but there is really no appreciation for the sacrifice they and their families make for us.
Watch something besides Faux News and you will no longer be afraid.
Have you ever served? BTW watch something other than CNN or MSNBC and you may get the TRUTH!
And you served where?
He continues to be black. Sorry.
That comment was over the top. First, there were no ACTIVE duty military members killed in Benghazi. Why didn't the Bush administration stop the terrorist attack on Sept 11, 2001? It went on for several hours, on our own soil, and 3000 people died. I bet George Bush watched it unfold on television just like the rest of us. Why didn't he save those Americans?
Your comments are ridiculous.
Defenders of this administration will never accept that a wrong has been committed even if there is enough evidence to bury them to their eyeballs. They will resort to name calling as these comments show and be dismissive of the claims, instead of studying the evidence. That's what they do. Investigative hearings are still necessary however, if only to learn from it and prevent future similar occurrences.
How can they ever think they're wrong when they always think they're right?
How about sharing the evidence you are referring to or has that been classified by FOX.
Detractors of this administration will never accept that no wrong has been committed even if there is enough evidence to completely exonerate them. They will resort to name calling as these comments show and be dismissive of the claims, instead of studying the evidence. That's what they do. Investigative hearings are still necessary however, if only to learn from it and prevent future similar occurrences.
He's black. Get over it.
You have hit the nail squarely on the head.
I think Americans need to realize that there is a huge Intelligence community. And that community vets every statement made public from its partners. Anyone informed knows that confidential sources help this community. When too much is revealed those sources are put in jeopardy. The Valerie Plame affair clearly exemplified this issue. In all likelihood, her "outing" probably led to dire consequences by those suspected of being in her influence. These conspiracy stories are just crazy talk. Obviously, some are ill formed or just don't understand the depth and extent of national security.
The main thing the intelligence community lacks is intelligence.
Right on! Why do people think the intelligence community is made up of abour 100 people or so! God, I cant believe how small some peoples minds are to not realize the complexity of that community.
The administration acted responsibly in accordance to this practice, but the accusers will happily ignore it, just to be able to accuse. You know why they lost now...and still did not learn.
A lot of back lashing, of course there is sensitive material involving this ordeal. I dealt with highly classified material in the US Navy, the president wasn't shy to name the Seal team that brought down Osama Bin Laden. The problem is why dilute the information with nonsense. Those in position need to be held responsible for their actions. Either way, the comments made from Intel or CIA have been twisted and the truth is yet to be unearthed from all this.
Naah, Barry just backtracking.... Looking for a scape goat...usual crap...
Hey Joe: Read the Article.The intelligence community – not the White House, State Department or Justice Department – was responsible for the substantive changes made to the talking points
The real reason Republicans don't want Rice–because she (and her name) looks too much like Condelezza Rice, who might be a future VP candidate for the Republicans because their bench is so short.
Is this the same intelligence community that says marijuana is as dangerous as heroin?
Yeah Jose... Its the exact same people. Seriously?
McCain went from well liked pragmatic wise man of his party; respected by both sides to angry white guy after the 2008 election to lunatic now. How sad, he is destroying his legacy that was built over a lifetime.
Heard today on the Randy Rhodes show that McCain may have been so openly critical of Susan Rice because she may be named Secretary of State and his friend, John Kerry, wants the job. So – there's more to this that meets the eyes. Too bad the republicans didn't get so out of whack when we attacked Iraq. Half the people thought Iraq was involved in 9/11. People, you have to get educated!
Actually, McCain detests Obama. This is a personal vendetta.
Connecting the dots before events happens is really hard but anyone can do it in hindsight. The Republicans are really upset that they lost the Presidency and need to make sure that they can make themselves noticed. Well, there is nothing to notice here (Bengazi) and never has been. They had hoped that there was something to it. Sad.
Republicans owned.
To say that we could been "on station in an hour" is stupid. That is just Fox News talking. Firstly, after RPGs were fired, the whole place (a small building) was on fire after five minutes. Nothing is going to "save" that situation. No marines are going to ride in like cowboys and "save the day" on that one. They guy was already dead 10 minutes into the attack. Second, what are you going to do with a military action. Drop a cluster bomb on the site? Or drop a cruise missile on site? How can you do that if you are not sure there may be American survivors there, not to mention women and children in nearby buildings? OK, so you say we should send in helicopters full of marines. Now if one of those helicopters goes down, then you have a bigger problem on your hands. Second, Libya is an independent nation. Normally, you just don't send helicopters over an independent nation, without permission. It may have taken over an hour to get that permission. Third, the militants are probably gone before the marines even get there. Please think things through people. Don't automatically accept the heated partisan trash you get from Fox News as "fact." In other words, let the intelligence people and the military commanders do their jobs, and stop trying to play aim-chair quarterback.
Someone should have said that they had WMDs.
All reasonable arguments points, but of course, for redneck GOP bent on rabid reaction, these responsible, intelligent measures could never be understood by them.
The problem is not that we did not send protection after the terrorist attack started, it's the fact that protection was not sent months earlier when it was requested, Who the hell declined that? And who thought remaining there was a good idea when other countries left for the fact it was to volatile? Investigte and dig dig dig for more answers!!
Republicans cut the budget Kim...you get what you pay for...
Saying that the information from is false because it is from Fox News is the same as saying that if something it is from CNN is probably is more true. You resort to fallacy to make your point and it is not well taken.
Facts will not deter the haters and obstructionists. Rep. King and Sens. McCain and Graham should be ground into fine dust over their irresponsible attacks on Amb. Rice, but instead those egoists will just continue to spout lies.
King and McCain should HUMBLY apologize to ambassador Rice at the very least, at worst, they should eat crow. What is it with GOP, all of them seem to want to jump the gun for any conclusion. Remember Romney reacted grossly to Benghazi when he did even know much details ? This shoot first and ask questions later is not dignified for politicians. They should change career to cowboys.
will all you conservative go back to the red-neck hills of rural counties and drink you some moonshine for the next 4 years and wake up in 4 years to for get about these 4 years of president obama
Purpose accomplished- 4 MURDERED Americans and US people are arguing who said what. Bottom line any nation or group can get away with murdering and targeting US citizens. Nothing will be done and every American Citizen should be wary because we are all disposable now. Message is sent loud and clear.
The hole world is out to kill every American. I guess we all should stay here in the USA.
A little dramatic I would say...What administration killed Bin Laden? Bengazi just happened. The intel. officials seem to still be workng on this. And you cry Armageddon!!! Relax. Stressing everybody out for nothing. YOu must been freaking out after 911/ and every other disaster that has happened since then. I give you permission to take a vacation and Chill.
Thinking back, I remember 9/11 freaking out a lot of us. But no big deal to you I guess. If the murder of 3000 fellow Americans doesn't get your attention then what would 4 more bodies matter? No big deal.
What plot are ya cookin' up next Wiley Coyote, err, I mean John McCain. Mr. McCain should be ashamed of himself dragging the other Republicans down with him. Like the republican party doesn't look rediculous enough already. Just Shameful.
Will you conservative please give up yall witch hunt. obama has the be most honest president of recent history because you conservatives haven't gotten him with nothing as the president and his administration. And I surely know you have all tried. Stop getting yall news from Fox Entertainment (tabloid news).
Days and weeks before the attack, many requests for additional security at the consulate went unanswered. The administration watched live video of the events unfold for 7 hours, again unanswered as Americans died. Requests from the administration as to exactly what happened WAS answered – by deceptive descriptions of an attack instigated by radicals upset over some bogus video.
When the lack of action by our government results in AMERICAN lives being lost ...and then apparent attempts are made to either cover it up ...or, at best water it down- we no longer have a government "for the people". We have a government devoted to self-preservation of their power and position.
What a rediculous waste of time and money.
I am glad to hear that this incident may be cooling down. I am exhausted at hearing and reading about this. My heart goes out to the families of those lost, just as it has to all the families of the American soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. It doesn't matter what you call it - we're talking about the Middle East - and any violence in this part of the world, whether it be by al Quaida, extremists, rebels, religious sects, violent protesters, etc., are acts of terror. Whether or not the talking points regarding Benghazi included the word "terror", it still meant the same thing. Most importantly, the word "terror" being included in the description of what happened would not have swayed my vote in this election. I still would have voted for President Obama.
I am tired of this as well. Someone could please explain to me the very big difference between "armed extremists" and "Al Qaida affiliates" and someone else could explain why we are SHOCKED that people are killed in a small outpost in the middle of someone else's civil war. Of course it is sad – as it is sad that we have lost thousands in the unnecessary war in Iraq, at the World Trade Center, in Afghanistan. If the Intelligence Community is smart enough to excercise some discretion, and McCain and Graham are not, I can only say that I am glad McCain lost.
I am retired from military and I haven't had a pay raise in the last 5 years and Obama responsible for it. So now, let move on and cut spending and fix the tax problem.
You did say retired? Why would you get a raise?
It is a not really a "raise" – it is a cost of living allowance (COLA) like Social Security gets!
What? What military are you retired from that you haven't gotten a raise in 5 years? That is BS. I am also retired from the military and we get a raise every time social security recipients get a raise. We got a raise last year at the same rate as social security so I have no idea who you are trying to fool! We didn't get one for 2 years when SS didn't get one, but not fives years!!!
funny my husband is retired military and has been since 1994 he gets a cost of living raise every year ...even during bush ...isn't much but it is a little ...if you want more blame congress not the president....congress can give you more ...the president only recommends in his budget!!
John McCain just had a hissy fit.
I suspect that Faux News will not report this on their site. I have checked and they are still insinuating that the White House covered it up. What a bunch of fools!
You hitting the CNN sauce so early? Koolaid-a-holic.
I'd rather drink the CNN kool-aid than the Faux-rubbish!
CNN sauce, koolaid? Now you've heard it from the spokesman for the Director of National Intelligence who formalized the reports. Just who will you believe? Dolt!
If you hate CNN, why do you read their articles?
Don't worry being ingornat is not a crime.
"ignorant" sorry for the mistake but this CNN group makes you stupid.
I do not result to Rush Limbaugh tactics. Good riddance...
Fox is reporting nearly 100 House members sent letters to Obama opposing his potential nomination of UN Ambassador Susan Rice as next secretary of state, over her controversial remarks on Libya attack. My oh my, if this story is true won't they be eating a lot of crow! Nothing like 100 House members totally embarrassing themselves.
Senator McCain made a fool of himself. It's he who owes an apology, not Ambassador Rice.
worse than Watergate, the president placed politics before American lives. Honestly it makes me sick to think that he is our commander and chief when he is willing to lie to the people he swore an oath to protect. Those of you who think that nothing happened and this is nothing more than a angry republican party have to face facts that while republicans are bitter; the president failed in his duties and failed those who died in that sandy little country in northern Africa. And the worse part about it all was that he lied, he lied to every last American just so his voter base would not be damaged. I cant believe it. . . .
did you read the article???????
Unfortunately, believe it. They are like Teflon in their protection of their god, Obama. Will deny he does anything wrong, just like Obama himself. He is only responsible if something good happens like taking out bin laden and like in that case, he rarely has anything big in the good that was done. Sandy victims are still hurting, but not on CNN. He really needs to do another photo op so that things will be fixed in the storms aftermath.
If you only knew what you was talking about.
Steve,
1. Sadly I do know what I'm talking about.
2. "If you only knew what you was talking about." I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you used poor grammar at an attempt to make some sort of witty joke, which you no doubt thought was clever. If it was not a joke then I apologize for mentioning your poor grammar pointing out that you are a fool.
You are absolutely right. We should be prosecuting George W Bush for his awful actions that led to the deaths of over 4,000 US Soldiers, fomented hate towards to the US internationally, and spawned many more members of Al Qaeda.
George W Bush placed politics before American lives, failed those many Americans in that sandy little country, and failed in his duties as president both internationally and domestically (9/11, Katrina, etc.). And the worse part about it all was that he lied, he lied to every last American just so his voter base would not be damaged. I can't believe it. . . . Oh wait – you did not care about that when Bush did it – you are just upset that a black democrat is president and so are complaining now...
I see you have mounted the Bush was a bad guy horse and riding that one. First Bush did what was right for our nation, no one likes loosing soldiers of course. But thats what WE sign up to do if need be. All so the other 99% of America can complain about everything else. I supported Bush while I was over there and to this day I know it was the right thing to do bringing the fight to the enemy. He was clear and honest in his intentions. " if you are not with us you are against us" he always said what he meant and meant what he said. period.
Also your comment "you are just upset that a black democrat is president and so are complaining now..."
Don't use the color of the presidents skin as a scapegoat reason for people being angry that he lied to us all, it makes you sound unintelligent.
Please stop with the BS!!! If this was not politicized by Fox News you would not utter a word. You don't like the President ok we got it but to act like you have a clue about the inner workings of government and the President's abilities to manipulate every facet of government is laughable.
Chairman Rogers owes the public an apology for muddling up the Petraeus testimony that he himself attended. Ansar al Sharia is not Al Quaeda. They may overlap in cause, but it is inaccurate to say that Conservatives are Republicans. Senator Joe Manchin is conservative, and he is a Democrat. However, I would classify someone who attacks a U.S. mission without cause as being an extremist. If we do not have verifiable evidence as to who specifically attacked the U.S. mission in Benghazi, it is more accurate to say extremists attacked the mission than saying Al Quaeda attacked the mission.
Why blame it on a video than? And why ignore all requests to beef up security at the consulate especially on 9/11? Especially after 4 prior incidents on the consulate and even after the British deciding to leave the area. One incident involved terrorist blowing a hole in the wall big enough to fit 40 people through. That's the issue here. Why not just say ' it's being investigated still and we do not have all the facts ' instead the administration spins a story around and blames a video resulting in the American people thinking the president put politics first.
The Administration did say that all of the facts were not in, and that the matter was being investigated, and that the perpertrators of the violent acts would be brought to justice. You have selective memory or are not reading the full account of the Administration's response.
Stop trying desperately to make excuses for all the lying that the White House and its minions did. Susan rice is a professional fraud as is her boss...the great obama. What they should have said is to say that they didn't have all the facts and would not make a statement until they did...and not attribute the whole tragedy to a video...that's the epitome of fraud and misrepresentation...and now to top it all off...they're saying that "someone" in the "intelligence community" took it upon himself or herself to change the wording on a memo given to the White House. This is the ultimate in insults to the American People. How dumb does the White House think that Americans are?...This has been typical of this administration...NEVER TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING...JUST BLAME SOMEONE ELSE...ANYONE...EVEN BUSH...OR EISENHOWER...WHATEVER...AS LONG AS IT'S NOT THEM!!!!!
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McAlzheimer's, the GOP Benghazi point-man, was last seen roaming the halls of the Senate asking people where he lived.
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Well said... Critical left wing thinking at its best. You just can't get thoughtful input like this outside of the CNN bubble.
So why was this information so slow to get out? Why all of the hearings, etc.? It seems that the administration is desperately trying to find a scapegoat that will cause the least political damage.
Are you just dumb or don't you get the fact that your government cannot tell you everything it is doing at the time it is going on? Sheesh, get a life...it is called classified intelligence. The GOP is on the way to extinction since you are a bunch of morons!
Wow! Arresting a guy making a bad video really is good defense of our security intel! Put an American citizen in the crosshairs of extremists to hide what we're doing? You sir are just a friggin genius! :)~
These repubs who insist on transparency think that releasing classified information to the American public is transparency. They have no clue!
Classified intelligence? Ansar al Sharia claimed credit for the attack on Facebook and Twitter on Sep 11th. Facebook and Twitter are hardly classified intelligence.
you don't "tell all" in the intel game – go back to playing halo...
This whole delay seems to fit right into this administrations pattern. They knew the facts on day 1 but it wasn't politically convenient with the elections. They lied to the public to make Obama not look like he's failing at his war on terror. I'm reasonable and understand how difficult a war on terror can be but I can't stomach the idea of him lying to the public to win an election. Now this comes out in one small sampling, typical BO. Just like Rice, Hillary and everything else he does. Throw out a little taste and sample the publics response. Then over protest to defend your scapegoat...fabricate a lie and come out looking like a hero. It's been working so far. I'm not OK with "intelligence community" changing facts. Ultimately someone is responsible for fabricating lies and they should be held accountable. Or is this the type of government you're OK with?
Who changed the freakin words? Everybody now plays dumb?
So Susan Rice had talking points that were watered down a bit for logical reasons. But the delivery of the message focused on a fictional protest with indications of extremist elements. I don't get it. Why push the protest message so much. That obviously wasn't proven. Seems pretty foolhardy. Why not a more accurate and honest depiction that explained that it was still unclear whether the attack was instigated from a spontaneous protest or a coordinated, organized attack led by extremists. It it was still unclear, why push one story...
You're the first person who's accused Rice of slanting the talking points. Not even McSenile did that.
She has a top security clearance. She had access to classified information and knew that the CIA pointed the incident towards a planned terrorist attack on the anniversary of 9/11 where 4 prior attacks were also made including one where a hole was blown into the wall big enough to fit 40 people inside. Especially after the Ambassador requesting more security and the administration failing to provide that, makes sense that the administration would use the intel 'string' that came in which spoke of a video and try to water down anything aligning the incident with a terrorist attack with full blown al Qauda operations still active in the area.
Lay off the insults.
EXACTLY! I really do not think that the Republicans are upset over the word "terrorists". They are upset because a video, that no one had heard about until attention was drawn to it, was blamed. A cheap, poorly produced video on YouTube was blamed for the deaths of Americans! They can claim that they chose to blame it on a video for one reason or another, but the truth is, they told America that lie because they obviously think we are stupid! I am an expat living in China, and this is exactly the kind of ridiculous fairy tale propaganda that the CCP feeds their citizens. It is offensive that so many left leaning individuals do not see the BS that is floating right in front of them. This isn't about sour grapes, this is about endangering the lives of more Americans by inciting riots all over the world over a stupid YouTube Video. This is about spending MILLIONS of dollars to make apology videos in the Middle East to perpetuate that lie. Our government did something shady at the financial expense of taxpayers and the safety of her citizens. I don't care what GW Bush did, you need to be outraged at what your Government is doing right now!
Seems pretty clear to many of us. But, I don't think you are in the right place for clear thinking and constructive debate. This forum is limited to neener, neener, name calling, and other clever outbursts. Brilliant base of knowledge represented here. Kind of sad to see that this is the state of our electorate. (insert insult here)
Gee whiz, a responsible and competent person, with a good understanding of international issues, did not reveal clasdified informationon talk shows.
So Oldy McOlderson wants to lynch her for that.
Everything McCain and Graham have said was purely political and that is very upsetting. They had no information to back up their accusations so they lied, not the President!
Okay, so why pushing a video and arresting someone exercising their free speech (disgusting or not)? Why no aid sent to help our troops leaving them to die when we could have been on station in about an hour? Why were the security assets the Ambassador requested not be pulled removed ahead of this? Why when Stevens said they couldn't withstand an attack and we watched Britain and the Red Cross pull out after earlier attacks did we not bring our facilities up to standard and supply sufficient security staff?
The insults are hurling above and below this, but anyone have any answers to these questions? Sounding like you all are just regurgitating talking points and can't answer these basic questions...
Sounds like you already have the answer. Why should anyone else bother?
Just give everyone Sodium Pentothol and call it a wrap this is getting really old, Rice obviously didn't cook up the talking points on her own, and if she didn't then the President should be able to nominate her for Sec of State. This is no different than Powell going in front of the UN claiming WMD's from supposed flawed Intel... wait that intel got 4K men and women killed and these dolts are arguing if it was a terror attack or over some stupid movie! Either way this is not about Susan Rice.
The election is over. Why is this still relevant? Do the conservatives think they're going to get years worth of material from this? There are something like 900 million guns in the US alone. Who knows how much US/Soviet gunpowder is still kicking around in Africa? The bottom line here is that there are a lot of guns and ammo out there including all manner of military surplus. With regard to Libya its terrible but they're not going to stop trying.
Wait until you have kids if you ever do. Losing our soldiers needlessly is relevant regardless of any stupid election. God help our service members who put everything on the line for all of us daily now that they've seen we will turn our backs on them and leave them to die. You are a glaring point for what is wrong with us. Maybe not relevant in your little pathetic world, but needless, and worse abandoning, lossl of our soldiers lives is important whether you believe it or not. Pathetic...
F'n A Bubba
People get over it and you people didn't have any problem getting over 3000 man and women killed in Iraq over OIL. Oh that was OK because it was the GOP doing that.
You think those two ex SEALS parents should be getting "over it"? My dad was military career, I was military and my son wants to be military, but I am scared to death to let him serve under such an administration and public that no longer values their contribution to the point that they'll wAtch them die on video when they could have been there with help. And they'll say the words, but there is really no appreciation for the sacrifice they and their families make for us.
Where was your outrage when Bush sent our finest to war for oil? Isn't what he did with lies about WMD just as bad?
Jim,
Your comment on kids and your ability to point out what is 'wrong with us' indicate you are older. I have to ask: since you and yours (older) were the responsible stewards of this country up until now, and there is something 'wrong with us', HOW DO YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL SOMEONE ELSE PATHETIC?
Jim, you will not find what you seek here. I know, and so many of us know what sacrifice, honor and dedication truly are. That freedom is not free – some pay quite a bit more than others. It was only 4 i know, but they paid the highest price. I appreciate the service and sacrifice you and your family have given this once great land. We can only hope, and pray that this sad state will be short lived and looked back on as a turning point in our history.
you are sad. you assume everything is about winning elections. this is not and has not been about elections. its about incompetence. Its about why we had a consulate in an unstable country with no security when other nations had left the country due to the instability. Its about why it took 7 hours for help to reach them. Its about why requests for security were ignored. its about why the president was unaware the consulate needed added security (biden's excuse). its about why the president 2 months after the attack still claims he needs more investigation to find out what happened.
The only way you improve yourself and avoid making the same mistake is to be honest about what happened and fix.it.
If it's about what you just said, then why is all the uproar about talking points and who altered them? That has nothing to do with any of the things that you rattled off that this was "about". It might be about those things for you, but for Congressional Republicans, it's about the potential scandal. And why? Because both Republicans and Democrats are unhappy about the points that you raised, so there's no story there - normal business will figure that out. Now it's about the political theater, the innuendo, the faux bravery ("You may have stolen the election Democrats, but we can still deny you your choice of personnel to work with."). *That's* the part that is pathetic.
For fiscal 2013, the GOP-controlled House proposed spending $1.934 billion for the State Department's Worldwide Security Protection program - well below the $2.15 billion requested by the Obama administration. House Republicans cut the administration's request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012. (Negotiations with the Democrat-controlled Senate restored about $88 million of the administration's request.) Last year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Republicans' proposed cuts to her department would be "detrimental to America's national security" - a charge Republicans rejected.
This has nothing to do with the election. I would like you to stand before the families of the 4 men killed and tell them this is no longer relevant. Questions still need to be answered about why requests for additional security before 9/11 were denied, why during the attack was help denied and why were orders given to stand down.
Susan Rice would make a terrible secretary of state. No integrity. Not trustworthy.
Get a job and go back to school and learn for yourself what is true and false.
And you base that on what exactly? Fox News and Republican's character assassination. This is nothing more than a witch hunt. As an Asst. Fire Chief I have had to brief the press on many situations. some of which I had first hand knowledge and others I relied on the intel given to me by others. She read a statement prepared by CIA and other intelligence officials. To demonize her for "reading " a prepared statement is petty. It won't change the past. Besides how smart is it to divulge to much information on an ongoing investigation? Besides it was the Republicans in Congress that voted down funding for additional security to that embassy as well as many others. So who should be persecuted more, the people that did or did not call it terrorism or the people that voted against funding for additional security that might have prevented it?
Seems like she'd be a perfect fit for this administration.
Alright. Sounds good enough to me. I just want the culprits caught + tried for their acts. TV talking points, before the investigation is completed, doesn't seem nearly as important as getting the bad guys + trying them for their crimes.
But that's just me.
The administration is still trying t hide the truth and it still refuses to answer questions about why no aid was rushed to those who were desperately calling for it
Wasn't that because congress voted down the money for those reinforcements?
Watch C Span for a change, no spin left or right. In the hearings the state department said the denial of security had nothing to do with funding. Funding was sufficient. You don't approve increases when not needed and state dept said they had plenty of funding already.
That's correct. The Republicans in Congress slashed $300 million from the State Department's security budget.
If you'd listened to the Sunday talk shows, you'd know that there's was no help available that could be sent on time.
Is Obama responsible for anything?
Never. A smart POTUS always has plausible deniability.
So that is how you absolve Bush for the biggest financial meltdown of the century and failure to fund two wars. LOLOLOLOL
You really need a reality check.
Waiting for the administration to blame this whole thing on Bush. Deflecting blame seems to be their m.o.
"Waiting for the administration to blame this whole thing on Bush. Deflecting blame seems to be their m.o."
You sir are correct. Always blame the predecessor, seems like a decent tactic. I wish the white house would just grow a pair and tell everyone the truth, maybe save a little face. only a little though ; )
credit card reform, ending the wasteful iraq war, healthcare reform, and he was reelected.
Looks like the witch hunt is almost over.
Hopefully it is just getting started, duh!!!!!
Let's hope so. We've got bigger wars to fry right now.
Trust me... the Republicans won't stop until they've made themselves look as stupid as possible. They are the party of ridiculous, and by God, they won't let facts get deter them.
Not if the repubs have their way. Hopefully the GOP will heed Gov Jindal's statement they the GOP has to stop being the stupid party!
They have...years ago. See you at the revolution.
2 more years and "poof" republicans will be gone
4 Americans were killed. No help was sent. Trying to understand who knew what and when... and who made key decisions along the way... is important. It's one thing to sweep little things under the rug, but we should all be pressing to understand what happened. Not because we are D's or R's... but because Americans died in the service of our country and we owe it to them to figure out what happened and prevent it from happening again.
The GOP witch-hunt into what people were told AFTER the event has no bearing on the legitimate issues you raise.
Out of curiosity, did you react the same way after the dozen similar attacks during the previous administration and the deaths of 60+?
Yes, "Snarfblat" needs to understand whats' going on so that he/she can micromanage the State Department and the Intelligence Community. I'm sure they need your help. What are you going to recommend? Don't get killed? Throw strikes? Get hits? Don't throw interceptions?
4400 americans died in iraq, where is the investigation?