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
CNN, the former Clinton News Network now Comrade News Network. Move along, no questions are allowed, stop talking, stop talking!!!
This from an empty promise.
Our Ambassador and three American Heroes are dead on Obama's watch. Imagine the furor by the mainstream media if a conservative were in office and these deaths occurred on their watch. SAD, SAD, SAD!!!
ya and so many more from bush wars and your point
How convenient for you to forget how many were killed in embassy attacks on Bush & Cheney's watch. Been suffering from ADHD long?
Actually, diplomatic staff died under Bush all the time:
June 14, 2002, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Suicide bomber kills 12 and injures 51.
February 20, 2003, international diplomatic compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Truck bomb kills 17.
February 28, 2003, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Gunmen on motorcycles killed two consulate guards.
July 30, 2004, U.S. embassy in Taskkent, Uzbekistan
Suicide bomber kills two.
December 6, 2004, U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Militants stormed and occupied perimeter wall. Five killed, 10 wounded.
March 2, 2006, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Suicide car bomber killed four, including a U.S. diplomate directly targeted by the assailants.
September 12, 2006, U.S. embassy in Damascus, Syria
Gunmen attacked embassy with grenades, automatic weapons, and a car bomb (though second truck bomb failed to detonate). One killed and 13 wounded.
January 12, 2007, U.S. embassy in Athens, Greece
A rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the embassy building. No one was injured.
July 9, 2008, U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Armed men attacked consulate with pistols and shotguns. Three policemen killed.
March 18, 2008, U.S. embassy in Sana'a, Yemen
Mortar attack misses embassy, hits nearby girls' school instead.
September 17, 2008, U.S. embassy in Sana'a, Yemen
Militants dressed as policemen attacked the embassy with RPGs, rifles, grenades and car bombs. Six Yemeni soldiers and seven civilians were killed. Sixteen more were injured.
No furor whatsoever. Sad but true, working in an embassy in some countries is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Most people, except for conservatives apparently, knew that already. The entire thing kind of makes me think that conservatives are looking for anything and everything to attack the President..
Andrew... Well done. I LOVE data. Hmmm. I wonder why some of the red state crowd has not responded?
In any of these, were they under attack for over 7 hours? Did people ask for military help that did not arrive within 7 hours? Did the UN ambassador, at the behest of the WH, go out a week later and say that they were not terrorist attacks? No, no, and no.
US Embassies were regularly attacked throughout the Bush years (and indeed, throughout all years and all Presidents), and their personnel regularly died in such attacks. And yet the media usually didn't make a peep about any of those events. None anywhere near the kind of attention this one has gotten.
And the right wingers have the GALL to accuse the media of expressing favoritism towards Obama. Quite frankly if there is favoritism, it is going in the other direction.
4000 Americans dead in Iraq. Imagine what could have been if the media held the Bush administration's feet to the fire when we learned prior to the invasion that the intelligence on WMD was suspect, unsubstantiated, and wrong.
So you think that a woman who is handed talking points drafted by the intelligence community is culpable for some sort of cover-up when neither she nor the White House knew that the talking points had been edited. I suppose you agree with the US Supreme Courts ruling in the Ledbetter case that she should have sued 8 years before she knew of the discrimination?
It did happen, many times over, when a republican was in office (remember 9/11?) and those times it was for real, not some hyped up pre-election story to try to unseat Obama.
Bring up previous failures of our government as reason to accept this complete failure by the Obama administration. No questions are allowed there is nothing to see here, everything is fine, move along Comrades!
Hey Promised....join Steve and JoJo and have another drink.
Yes Comrade, Yes!!!!
ya will just forget about the previous and worry about this guy you people are a joke there are many of our people that has died in the past and you people keep making this same argument about 4 people what's your point
"it makes sense to be cautious before pointing fingers so you don't set off a chain of circular and self-reinforcing assumptions."
This explains why the "talking points" included blaming the attack on unrest resulting from an anti-islam movie that few if any had seen? Who added that to the narrative?
CNN: because when news breaks, somebody's got to fix it.
I a lowly enlisted man had released ANY information on the attack, you (politicians) would be screaming for his/her head on a platter. No a politicians release a statement and all you can think about is who watered it down. It damn high time we start keeping Classified Information, Classified and not release to the world. Congress members: When you release information in today's electronic age, any information released within 30 seconds it heard/read around the world. So that being said – Congress SHUT THE F**** UP.
Yes, this is really a non-issue. We only had an ambassador and three other American heroes die for the incompetence of the Obama administration. Move along Comrades, there is nothing to see. We haven't had an Ambassador die since the late 70's, no questions are allowed, move along Comrades!
Unfortunately it may well be that the incompetence, or better put, poor decision that resulted in this terrible crime needs to be placed on Ambassador Stevens shoulders. He knew the country, knew the past occurrences in the area, and made a choice to be there, outside the protection of the embassy. Hard words, but we may find that they are unfortunately the ones that need to be stated.
It's certainly not the issue you'd like it to be. Not a non-issue because good people died but on the scale of things it's fairly insignificant. As the saying goes, "a tempest in a teapot".
Only a Libtard or a DemocRAT could support the leadership we have in the President's office. Shameful! I especially like the predictions of the death of the Repubican party. Can't wait for the Libtards to be wrong once again and it will happen.
PromisedLand.....keep trying. Seems to the rest of the world that the Libtards, as you call us, have called a lot of stuff right recently. Now let me see, what has Rove, or Gingrich, Romney et al called right recently? Well.....we're waiting zzzzz
In this day and age of information being shared in lightning speed, it is critical that we, the people give sufficient time and space to the CIA, FBI, the Justice department, State, Senate, and all the responsible departments to conduct their investigation thoroughly and inform the public ONLY when it's necessary. Personally speaking, classified information are confidential and the government is not obligated to disclose such matter to the public until they decide to declassify such records. I think people are making a big fuss over Benghazi issue when we are facing many other problems. Do you care about our young soliders dying everyday in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why aren't people making a fuss about bringing our troops home immediately? Accusing the President, the Democrats, the CIA, Justics department, etc. etc. ias liars is not going to solve anything. Republicans should stop politicizing the Benthazi attack and focus on how to avoid the fiscal cliff.
This is just a non-issue and utter nonsense. What difference does it make what the Ambassador said about "whodoneit" a few days afterward? Whether it was branded as extremists or Al Qaeda? None whatsoever. Stop wasting the taxpayers' money on your BS political witch hunts. If you want to substantively discuss who killed Ambassador Stevens, then fine. The U.S. House of Representives killed him. They refused Obama's budget request for $250 Million more in Embassy security funding, which led to the security professionals at State to think twice about sending more security to Benghazi.
One of many theories is that the USA through CIA operatives beholden to a more empathetic relationship with Islamic Extremists, were arming them with weapons. The same weapons killing USA soldiers and intelligence officers in Afghanistan, Navy Seals and many more. Therefore, you have detainees in a safe house that were not supposed to be questioned but protected. Something went wrong...very wrong. To deny help to the Navy Seals and the Consulate staff was the ultimate action of neglect to our country. For those that say the House is responsible for not authorizing an increase in funding for consulate security, let me say that the decision not to help and stand by was not because of funding, it was because this administration is operating under secret agendas that the public is not allowed to know. While you have Hillary in Australia and going on her world tour, Obama on another world tour, there are his operatives who are actually doing major damage to arm the USA's enemies in the name of tolerance to Islam and their right to nuclear weapons, ex: Iran.
Oh, there's plenty of bizarre theories out there, including the one you've just stated. There's a regular factory of conspiracy theories that erupt from the boils of right-wing. It used to work but they've gotten so absurd that no rational person believes them.
An ambassador was killed on Obama's watch. Say and think what you want but that hasn't happened since 1979? Right, I suppose that was under Carter right? There are many similarities between the two President's both complete failures except that this failure, Obama, won reelection form the blind and ignorant.
911 occurred under Bush's watch..........and then to make matters worse...Bush invaded the wrong country and thousands more americans died....
Don't waste your time trying to resaon with so-called promised land – the person is obviously a mental midget.
Call me ignorant fool or whatever. I am proud to have voted for President Obama. I am used to people calling Democrats all sorts of names. Names are just labels like I could call you a stupid buffoon.
It is obvious that many of you didn't read the article carefully. Please note the phrase ..."it makes sense to be cautious before pointing fingers so you don't set off a chain of circular and self-reinforcing assumptions"... Was Petraeus really sending out info that can be characterized as circular and self-reinforcing? How does that cause Rice any guilt? The head of the CIA?? Circular and self-reinforcing?? So let's blame Rice. What a travesty. Mr McCain is simply trying to draw attention away from his pal who led the push called the surge, which McCain was a strong supporter of.
I thought Patraeus WAS the head of the "intelligence community." So, does this news mean Patraeus didn't know what his own department was doing with his talking points? I would really like to know who is running this country? Who is making the decisions? There are way too many chefs in the kitchen.
So why didn't they pull our people out there or give them more security? The British Consulate was already out of there so why weren't our people out of there?
Because there are strategic benefits, particularly related to the intelligence community, to keeping a number of these places open. You do realize that our embassies and consulates do more than process visa applications, right?
Fox News:
"Making Mountains Outta Mole Hills Since 1996"
CNN – The World's next National Enquirer....
Calling the massacre of Americans mole hills is disgraceful. What the talking points dont indicate is mob demonstration set off by an Islamic video.
socreaus1
The unclassified talking points were first developed by the CIA at the request of the House Intelligence Committee.....wow new revelation, ........TRUTH IS ALWAYS THE SAME, ONE CANNOT COVER TRUTH BY MILLION LIES..... GOD IS ALWAYS THERE TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT SOULS AND THE WICKED WILL BE PUNISHED BY GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE EXCUSE FOR THIS...........
Good grief, is anyone at the helm???? Who's running this country for cripes sake?
A black man?
or as Madge would say...a black Muslim
On a quiet night, you can almost hear an atheist liberal think.... Almost...
America???? Wake up. These lies continue, and CNN is not a neutral bystander. I'm independent and I see that important issues are flat ignored. This is serious!! Just tell the truth... CNN, just stick with the truth. Fox news has much better coverage. If the American people want us to move forward without the truth. Then we are the most gullible society.
Both Fox and CNN are equally bad. The only reason you have more praise for Fox is because their slant fits more cleanly into your pre-conceived world view.
It's not an insult. It's just the way it is these days with these "news sources". Almost all of these news sources has a blatant slant. The only thing a thinking person can do is to peruse them all, then if they are smart enough, fact check them all to see through each one's bs. It takes some practice and a decent education, but you can do it.
It would appear that your brains are deep fried like your moniker.
What! Another story on CNN about Benghazi? Come on CNN, that makes two.
Don't you know that there is no story here? Move along, move along.
What exactly are the GOP pundits alleging here? That the administration intentionally misled the public? That the intelligence services failed to recognize the actual nature of the attack? Or perhaps that no one send the marines to help the victims? I'd like to hear the exact charge. So far it's been mountains of innuendo without substance. That alone is a far better result than the alleged terrorists who committed this atrocity could have ever hoped for. Maybe it’s the GOP, and not Obama as some alleged, who are in bed with the terrorists. They are clearly helping them to an improved result in this case, hopefully unintentionally.
Ah – the administration deliberately mislead the public? Obama? Heavens no.
Everyone on the planet knows you can take Obama at his word.
Sarcasm aside, Obama has NO credibility with anyone, especially when it comes to foreign policy.
I'm sure you're correct about that. Maybe that's why Obama was re-elected in a landslide, because so many believe he's doing a bad job?
Depends what you mean with foreign policy. If it's the continuation of the American Empire strategy you're probably correct.
On the other hand, he's killed more terrorists than any prior president, hasn't given up an inch of land, and the military is as busy as ever. So, exactly where did he fail you?
Of course he has no credibility....with irrational people.
And why did the Republicans name the capitol building the WHITE house? Racist B@ssturds! Man, we have a brother in there now, you can't call it the WHITE house anymore!!! Let's call it, the Main Crib....
The Capitol building and the White House are two separate structures.
You're a racist!
I hope for your sake that Obama Care covers post cranial inversion
Hey! I ain't gonna get one of them cranial immersions.... Obama care pays for those contraceptions, but I ain't gettin one!
JoJo...your racism is SOOOooo blatant that it is almost funny. Is that why you write that stuff?
Do not get loud with me! It's late, don't you think you should get you butt in bed so you can pay for my groceries?? MMMhhhhmm... That's right...
You are a real piece of work, Jo Jo. A piece of something anyways.
Now, PLEASE, Mr. McCain (senator from my state) will you please just shut up and retire. Oh, but go on over to the House before you do, and tell those 97 reps who have all that concern about Ms. Rice to follow suit and retire with you.
vote him out. he is done and he knows it. notice how quiet he got after the Petraeus testimony?
I think it was all caused by JFK. They will keep twisting it until the current Crook in Chief comes out smelling like a rose and the truth about his lies, cover-up's and traitor ways will continue to be accepted.
Kenneth...have another drink!!
This article would cause conservatives to pause in the midst of their witch-hunt - if they could actually read.
Hear, Hear!!
"Cons have Brain Damage"? Is that racist? Oh, just because the majority of cons in prisons are black you think black people have brain damage? We have a black president now. You are so racist!!!!
Yes JoJo and the state with the most highly educated people ,according to Romney, voted 60% to 38% for Obama. That was Massachusetts, where your guy was governor. In fact the ten states with the most educated people voted for Obama. Now the bottom ten in education voted for Romney. See a trend?
Yes I does, like I already says, we black people is smart!
So now the RepubliCONS can go back and investigate the 12 Embassy attacks that killed 56 people during the Bush years, right?
Smoke and mirrors, push it aside, deflect and it will go away and the President won't have to do anything. Welcome to Obama Leadership 101...
Rice lied, the White House lied, the State Department lied, and the American people deserve better. This is not a partisan issue. Lying prevails on both sides of the aisle. The American people should refuse this type of behavior.
Wow, careful there, you sound racist....
Floridamom1: Geez, sounds like you believe that you are the ONLY one who hasn't lied and who has it right. With closed thinking like that we will NEVER move forward.
OK, you asked for it: Santa is not real. I know he's about to appear in a major motion picture this winter, but it turns out – they're using computers to make him look real. Grow up.
If lying bothered others as much as it bothers you, NOBODY would have voted for Mutt Romney.
uh huh.. and somehow – "extremists" became... "A video made a mob do it"....without WH interference in the messaging... Pull the other leg...
the GOP is desperately hanging to their antiquated party mantra ... and so they keep extending the humiliating loss of last November elections all the way to the next mid-term elections where they will lose the Senate.
YEAH .. it's a good day when you find out the GOP is self shooting in its own genitalia
it's interesting to see liberals on this site defend such a transparent mismanage of the situation. they know full well that they would be the ones on the attack if the tables were reversed.
shhhhh...... they don't like their hypocrisy pointed out. Wait till it is one of their kids blown up, shot up other otherwise destroyed because of this WH stupid actions... Oh wait - let's see... good chunks of NJ and NY... FEMA still worthless... no massive media slamming on them... ... hypocrisy rules!
Steve, did you read the news today? The part about the GOP fighting to support Condoleeza for SoS even though she mismanaged or misrepresented info that allowed us (maybe even drove us) to get involved in the war in Iraq. Give us all a break, and get a clue.
Wow, this is enough to make the Repubs invade Iraq again.
The attack was by Al-Qaeda which is impossible, because president Osama wiped out Al-Qaeda single handedly. So there could have been no attack on the American Consulate in Libya, and 4 Americans could not have died. You didn't see ANYTHING....
Okay, nice tantrum. Now get back in your cell. Time's up.
Obama didn't get them all single-handedly, but he did go after their leadership, including the top guy. And of course, he didn't mislead us into invading the wrong country.
ah... but he has set the ROEs in place that has us losing in Afghanistan after we had all but won what we needed to have done... oh - and ramped up our troop deaths and maimings by over 3X what Bush had done in two times the number of years in office..
We were winning? What planet does SCC live on? Meloril in the Throzine system?
I's still got time on my Obama phone so I isn't goin nowhere....
ROFL, Obama supported Egypt in the "Arab Revolution", which is now leaning towards the Muslim Brotherhood for leadership and they want to implement Sharia law...
JoJo, join Steve and have another drink.
I don't drink, what because I am a black man you think I am an alcoholic?!?!? That's racist!!!
It doesn't matter to the republicans in general and McCain in particular, this doesn't fit their beliefs in a conspiracy by the White House. So even though the intelligence community has admitted changing the talking points, they will refuse to believe them. After all, for the last 12 years to republicans, facts are what they say are facts. Something has happened to McCain. I think his anger at losing the previous election has left him mentally incompetent.
"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
The CIA memo was "declassified" before it went to the White House? Are you fudging kidding me? So now the POTUS does not have the security clearance to see the memo sans deletions? This is worst attempt at a cover-up ever and it just isn't working. You liberal jackas ses out there just keep on believing what they're feeding you. If the president was a republican, you'd be all over this like white on rice. This is pathetic.
Goodness, but it's amazing to see how far the GOP has fallen. This is just another dying gasp of a once great political party. They grasp at anything to attack the current president. I suppose that's all they have left at this point since they have no new ideas that would actually help our citizens. It makes you wonder where all the right wing outrage was when Bush and Cheney sent Colin Powell out to lie at the U.N. about supposed WMD in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands died in that fabricated war, but where is the justice for all of the victims – both American and Iraqi?
Wow, stupidity is abundant tonight on this thread.
Sure is, the Looney Lefties are out in force....
Funny that the good General was on his way to meet with Obama when he learned about the attack. And he discussed the attack with Obama and what they should do. But somehow Obama comes out of this squeaky clean. Several generals from the area of operation are "retiring" or being caught up in scandals. Sad that the lemmings have to take the fall for the master.
And you and your kind are the sad reason why the GOP is in a death spiral. Didn't you get the memo a couple weeks ago? America is done with right wing loonies.
George, if you were half as intelligent as you think you are, you'd be twice as intelligent as you really are. You're a troll with nothing smart to say other than pathetic wisecracks that don't even come close to touching on humor. And as for you blind faith to your prince, it truly goes to show how pathetically devoted you liberals are. He has done nothing but put us further in debt, decrease the number of jobs per capita, lie to us, allow Americans overseas to get killed, and cripple our military and YET, you still have absolute and undying faith in him. You and every liberal that thinks like you are id i ots!
Oh yes, General Petreaus convienently went out and had an affair a year prior to the Bengazi attack just so he could cause a scandal and resign so he could save Obama. lol.....where would the right be without conspiracy theories?
ROFL!!!!! Bahahahahaha!!!! About half of Americans that could vote, did. Of those slightly more voted for Obama over Mitt. Of those who voted for Obama, 95% of Blacks voted for him. No HUGE win there....
All the Repubs have to do is put up a Black Woman candidate and they are guaranteed a win in the next election.
Yes JoJo and the state with the most highly educated people ,according to Romney, voted 60% to 38% for Obama. That was Massachusetts, where your guy was governor. In fact the ten states with the most educated people voted for Obama. Now the bottom ten voted for Romney. See a trend?
Cuz we black people is smart!
Better say that or the Obama clan will F you over!!!!
Republicans dwelling on non-issues and conspiracy theories like this underscores their declining credibility and trust with the American people. The people would like you to stop playing and attend to real business. After all, it's not like this is the first time the White House has spoken or acted upon inaccurate intel, and it's not the first time there have been breaches in security. This is a fly compared to previous dinosaurs. Just ask George W.
George speaks the truth.
4 Americans are dead, the embassy is destroyed and we have done NOTHING about it. Yup conspiracy theory alright...
So..... what would you have us do about the attack, JoJo? Go on a rampage against terrorists in Lybia? Or continue trying to take down our own president?
I was actually surprised that Obama is president. I thought the SEALs killed him in Pakistan a while back...
Embassy? What embassy? No embassy involved. When you have no facts, invent some. More fiction from the crazies.
LOL, I wish liberals would actually pay attention in school instead of take drugs...
Jojo: what is the big deal? Whether Obama called them terrorists or demonstrators... how does that change that people died or not? This is just republicans looking for anything to blame on the president. What happened to the 'grand' in GOP?
As far as drugs in high school: we have to sit in a small room and listen to a bunch of conservatives struggle to understand how the lesson fits in with their preconceived notions about what reality is, for 6 hours a day (discounting lunch and PE), every day, for 4 years. Of course we take drugs. The same reason we don't listen to looney right wing politicians now... except now we don't have to listen. We can walk our dog, play with our children, do what ever we do in our lives without all the GOP hate machinery.
What hate? I love you!
JoJo the Indian Circus Boy!!
If Peter King, Roy Blount, John McCain had any honors, they should resign
So, pretty much as usual, most of the noise is just...noise. That still doesn't explain why McCain was out complaining about the lack of information when he should have been at a briefing where that very information was being provided.
Shhh.... don't pop the nice little GOP bubble of controversy.
The right-wing continues to try and politicize the deaths of four Americans to harass for the high crime of beating their half-assed candidates in a national election. Twice. What a pathetic bunch of losers.
So true, so true.
Yup, everyone knows that Bush did it....
Why is the actual abandonment and murder of these four Americans being pushed too the side while diversions about talking points is at the forefront. Doesn't anyone want to know why support was told to stand down. How can we believe help was to far away. I can fly from Boston to Italy in less time than they let pass to send help. Who made the decision to stand down. These were incredibly honorable men and why don't I hear the outrage over their deaths.
Your ears are too full of right wing screeching.
can we finally see mitt's taxes now? that might fix this all.
Yeah....Mitt has nothing to lose now by showing us his tax returns. Come on Mitt prove us wrong about you!
If the WH didn't know it was a terrorist attack from the very beginning, then why did Obama say in the second debate that he did declare it a terrorist attack the following day? I wouldn't have a problem if he said they didn't immediately realize it was a terrorist attack, but why would he say he did know if we are now being told that he didn't know.
Hmmm, let me guess. You voted for Romney, you believe Fox News, and Trump is your daddy. Keep the conspiracy logic comin'
He said an act of terror. Its speaking in generalities. Anything that produces terror can be an act of terror, but may not be considered and pre planned terrorist attack.
He said she said blah blah blah.
If the Public really knew what the INTEL Weenies did in their SCIF's it would probably be more controversial than some screwed up talking points. 9/11, Weapons of MASS Destruction, Rwanda, the list goes on about the unknown blunders and inadvertent disclosures.
Well any act that involves killing or terrorizing people its called a terrorist act whether the cause of it was a video, revenge or anything else. That is why he called a terrorist act
Right........
Thank you for your "service". Enjoy your lifetime of PTSD. Enjoy being treated like sh!t from the VA for the rest of your life. You earned it.
maybe he didn't know (Clapper that is)... things can move quickly...
Hey Republicans. We know you're trying to hide the fact that you do not want to raise taxes on the wealthy. All this conspiracy crap is a dodge. But America sees through you.
You are a really poor troll. You just might lose your income. At least make some effort to address some point in the article.
No trolling here – but I understand why you're upset. The truth hurts. The republicans just don't have a case.
hey give it up – We had a consulate (or "mission" if you prefer) in a highly unstable country with a sizeable armed Islamist contingent. The people staffing that mission asked for more security and were refused. They subsequently were killed by what the intelligence community now acknowledges it knew all along was a pre-planned, coordinated attack. This isn't about whether it was al Qaeda or not – it's that someone is responsible for the deaths of those people and somehow no one can seem to get a straight answer about who it is. The president says the buck stops with him – okay Mr. President, why did you refuse additional security? What, it wasn't you specifically? Who has been fired or asked to resign? No one? Some responsibility.
Ask the republicans who cut the security budget by I think 300 million dollars for one reason or another. I am saying the cuts were not justified but when you cut spending, you have to cut services when you cut services you end up with less security. Maybe they should think about giving a 4 billion tax breaks for oil companies before cutting security spending
Tell us about the House voting down an administration request for more security money for overseas posts. Then someone might believe you aren't biased.
"House Republicans cut the administration’s request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012....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." -Mother Jones
The Republicans have no ideas – so they attack and attack even when they are totally wrong. America is tired of Republican lies. Try governing for once.
The Republicans point out FACTS against the dems and the entire administration. But because the dems record is so bad, THEY are the ones that attack, because they have nothing else! Empty accusations and lies are what got this idi ot elected to a second term. Well, that and a whole bunch of mindless creatures that are unable to think for themselves! All they want is something for free!
Joe. I see anger management in your future. Sorry you see the world in such simple terms.
Wow talk about a lack of education you have Joe. You are just another partisan hack that can't face reality.
It sounds like you can do with something free, right about now...a lobotomy!
Hey Republicans. You lost the election – get over it and stop "gotcha'" the President. AMerica is tired of your dumb lies.
spewing the same post three times, slightly different words doesn't make it any more credible but stick with it, you may get some traction
Traction? You mean like "the president is lying about Benghazi" traction? Yeah right.
If the President was trying to do a cover up, would not it be most natural for the President to do that through the Director of National Intelligence? The Director, James Clapper, is the President's Principal Adviser on Intelligence Matters. I can't think of any other Executive Official who would be a more natural choice for doing a cover-up.
Also worth noting. When pressed by Congress last week, Clapper said that he couldn't explain how the talking points got altered. Now his spokesman says that Clapper's officers changed the talking points. Are we therefore supposed to believe that a "rogue" lower-level offical - without the knowledge of Clapper, altered the talking points? Possible, but you would think it is more likely for a lower level official to get the nod from higher-up from altering talking points.
ALSO: Remember. Clapper - when he said last week that he didn't know how the talking points got altered, gave his testimony BEFORE David Petraeus did. At that time, he could not be certain about how Petraeus would testify - specifically, that Patraeus would say that his talking points were altered somewhere in between when he made them, and when Susan Rice used them to tell a false story.
Benghazi! The Obama Watergate! The cover-up! The horror! But, um, wait a minute; what is being covered up? Whether the attack was a terrorist attack or not? Hmmm...the President said it was "an act of terror"...OK so cross out THAT part of the cover-up...what else, OH yea, the White House did not allow folks to use bullets! That's the cover up! Oh, yea...many attackers were shot....by those defending the villa....hmmm...still looking, OH yea! They were not revealing all of the details to get Obama elected! Yea, but all of the information we know now was available before the election and was even discussed in the debates....uh, ok. So what ABOUT that Petraeus hearing....he EXPOSED the White House....oh yea, but he DIDN'T because he said the talking points were created by HIS staff....
Really, no cover up? Obama won the election fair and square and are pursuing the attackers (and in fact most are in our custody). Gee, maybe we should stop creating distractions and actually work together to solve the problems we face.
Since you asked, how about telling us why additional security was refused and by whom? Four people are dead because of that idiotic decision, yet all the president can say is "you want to blame someone? Blame me." That's an absurd statement on its face and only accomplishes shielding someone else from responsibilty. I don't care what terminology is used – I want to know why no one has been called to the carpet, and don't think that's an unreasonable request.
It was all orchestrated by the administration, just long enough to get through the election. Now they have the intel guys taking the rap. Typical liberals, never accept responsibility for anything!
Exactly who has taken responsibility for the who WMD lie? no one... typical conservatives, not taking responsibility for anything...
"Third, it is important to be careful not to prejudice a criminal investigation in its early stages" - Then why would you blame a video? Do they think we are this stupid?
And are you stupid enough to believe that "dis-information" is never used for Counter-Intelligence purposes?
Just how idiotic do you sound now do you think? You are so busy trying to Mae this a scandal you don't even look at who is telling you the truth before you start screaming "lie."
John McCain has lowered himself into the dirt with this in my eye.
The whole truth is finally out.........case closed !!!
You wish,,, The WH s trying to fnd somebody to throw under the bus!
This is far from over. Next thing, Rice will resign for "personal reasons". All this to protect a lying president!
You wish,,, Give the incopetent another pass?
So why not just say: "Looks like terrorism." And leave it at that. Why insist absolutely that it had nothing to do with terrorism? It's silly. SAying it was terrorism isn't going to hurt anything. Any idiot who was there or heard about it knows that. Every single other attack on our dipolmatic posts or the USS Cole were called terrorism. IT's obvious the administratation didn't want to say it.
But who cares.
The real issues are why the hell were our people there, why didn't they get the requested security when we were attacked previously, who knew about that, who made that decision, why didn't they get more help during the attack, who made that decion, and if they couldn't send help why not, can't we see the video, etc. etc.
That is a wonderful picture CNN has posted of Susan Rice. Is that a halo I see glowing over her head?
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
Disband the whig party again.
The intel community did the same thing to SET UP COLIN POWELL in a Republican Administration when Colin went in front of the UN claiming that IRAQ had WMD's. DID the GOP ever give Colin an apology ir chide the CIA.. no. tel McCain to get OVER IT HE HAS LOST 2 TIMES NOW...
The majority of both parties said WMDs existed, and voted for war. It was a poor decision, but a bipartisn decision. Facts, PLEASE!
yes based on lies, and even thought we found non we stayed in iraq instead of coming home , now explain how much sense that makes? Oh right it was bush and the republican instead of a half African American and the Democrates. People the blame game and dividing it's people is what is tearing this country apart. Why should CIA, FBI, WH put in intel just to satify those who can not be satified and risk losing more lieve? American People think everything need to be televised and give our enemies and upper hand then blame whom ever when it hit the fan and hit your home and love one. Leave this alone and let's support our President and the country everyone claim to love.
Collin Powell was saying things that the BBC had debunked almost a year before he presented them to the UN. The cases are only similar on the surface.
McCain and Graham are a complete embarrassment. They opened their mouths way too early. They made it perfectly clear that the only reason for their comments was political gain. They should both be ashamed of themselves. I have lost all respect for them!
The funny thing is, all of a sudden the GOP wants FACTS, when their entire political platform is based on Lies, Hate and Fear.......But the funniest part is all you foaming at the mouth conservatives, who are hilarious and don't even realize that most of the country is laughing AT YOU.....even Rush WIndbag and all the other right wing radio news and Fox News is laughing AT YOU, they just use you for ratings, but you imbecilles are too dense to know it!!!!! Ha!
Poor little Dems getting little flustered cause thier boy ain't doing so well. Piece of advise tell him honest is the best policy. lol
Not doing so well? He was just RE_-ELECTED.......there you go with your denial of reality again
It seems you have a hard time reading and discerning facts. The Susan Rice talking points came from the intelligence community. There was no political interference by Obama or his administration.
Do you believe EVEYTHING they tell you????? It was all orchestrated by the administration, just long enough to get through the election. Now they have the intel guys taking the rap. Typical liberals, never accept responsibility for anything!
Wow, the cover-up was so good ... it lasted less than 2 weeks! LMAO
It took the intelligence community less than 2 weeks after the Benghazi incident to confirm WHO was responsible for the attack. Then Obama ordered a PUBLIC INQUIRY into the matter.
That gave the Republicans and Mormon Bishop Mittens over a month to talk about Benghazi if they really wanted to. The Republicans and Mormon Bishop Mittens stopped talking about Benghazi after the 2nd debate!
Why? Because they knew they had nothing!
Hey Mr. Cheese. What do mean, not doing so well? You must have Obama mixed up with Mittens.
Joe. If the Reblicans could extract themselves from this hole the dug for themselves debating semantics, maybe the focus would be on what really matters: What could have/should have been done to prevent this horrible tragedy. But then one would have to assume that Republicans do care about the 4 dead Americans. But you can't tell it from the issue they are beating into the ground despite all facts to the contrary.
Republicans
H-A-T-E makes you want something bad to happen, rrreeeeeaaaalllllyyyy bad!
Google search "Barack Obama blunders again on the world stage" and see what a buffoon the liberals gave us AGAIN!
You're only embarrassing yourself with your delusional attacks. Accept that the rest of the world disagrees with your tin-horn propaganda and move on, if you can.
Another brain dead Republican mixing up Obama with Mittens.
And the GOP will continue to whine. Talking points were changed bug deal. Will it bring back the 4 dead. Where was McCain and Kig's zeal to get to the truth about the lies of WMD's that cost 700K Iraqi's lives, 4K American lives, 45K Maimed and injured Americans and the $3T unfunded cost of a War? Come on GOP your political rhetoric is exposed for what it is.
More bs m..where r reporters looking foe the truth...they don't work at CNN.
Its sad thst the press has become the propaganda machine for the socialistic democratic party.
Yeah, you should go over to Faux News where it's fair and balanced LOL
When the FACTS don't support your fake narrative ... insult the media!
So far the facts that we have show that we were misled. The excuses, err statements, amount to no more than political hot potato.
Err ... no ... the facts don't support the RIGHT-WING cover-up narrative.
Go re-read the facts without your FAUX-NEWS goggles.
Didn't we invade Iraq because the Intel was bad?
The intel on Iraq was good. Bush just pushed the one fault intel that supported his ambition to exact revenge on Saddam Hussein.
I agree, but Bush will claim the intel was bad.
More bs m..where r reporters looking foe the truth...they don't work at CNN.
Real Americans support our President and troops in Libya to get all the attackers.
cons, media and the gop are terrorists sympathizers.
Republicans hate facts before, during, and even after the facts are presented. I'm surprised they still don't claim that the earth is flat or that the sun revolves around the earth. After all, through their eyes, that's what SEEMS to be the case, so why consider any other possibility. The only difference between this and Bengazi is that there is no political gain to be had claiming a flat earth or a sun revolving around the planet.
so the real question now is, Will the bird brained GOPers get it through their thick skull that Obama didn't try and hide anything, that there are no lies, and that the Benghazi incident is just a tragedy, and not a political revenge platform???
Nope, all the facts point to a cover up and extremely poor decisions that cost lives, all for votes. just the facts
Not really. Obama called it an ACT of TERROR the day after. It took the intelligence community less than two weeks after the incident to come to the DEFINITIVE CONCLUSION based on EVIDENCE that it was indeed an Al Qaeda attack.
Then, the Republicans and Mormon Bishop Mittens had well over a month to push their fake narrative against Obama on Benghazi. They stopped doing so after the 2nd debate when they released they couldn't get any political gain (ie. votes) from the issue.
Mormon Bishop Mittens had ample time to make his case. He failed.
Short answer: No
as you can see from the two nuts below, the answer is no. They are so blinded by hatred they will never accept reality.
The Direction of National Intelligence is appointed by Obama. He may not be technically a member of the "White House," but he's Obama's guy. It's not as if there is some huge fire wall between the President and the DNI. Am I wrong?
Is that the same kind of thing you were saying regarding Bush and 9/11? Doubt it. You are a partisan, and useless to this country.
The Director of National Intelligence didn't even exist until 2004. That was well after 9/11 and after Bush invaded Iraq.
You're right. I am partisan. I'm a Republican. And to be frank, I do have partisan motivations. That said, even if my motives are impure, you still have to face the facts. It is entirely possible that I could have impure motives, but still be raising a legitimate concern.
@ Tom
As a republican you are in no position to demand someone face facts.
And Patreus who is a republican, I guess he was carrying water for the President. When we elect a new president there is not a total change in National security or else how would we retain continuity. Just think about it a little.
Q: Are you wrong?
A: Yes
Obama won – get over it - it's this kind of stupidity that lost the GOP the election in the first place. You people never learn. And, um, where was all the outrage when TWELVE embassy attacks occurred under 'Bush from 2001 to 2008? Where were all the armchair quarterbacks? Way more people than four died. Get a clue.
OK, get over it. So now I will teach my kids to get welfare, because that is the best job out there now. Also I will quit my job and collect welfare so my kids can have a free ride. Hmmmm, sounds good! The new American.
SPoken like a true GOPer.....if you don't get your way, you quit and will cry, wah wah wah!!! How bout you get some job skills for your kid, and maybe he can get a job......look at you, depending on the Govt to provide jobs for you....
Ummm Health, either you are being sarcstic, or extremely blind. The Dem party is the party of Welfare and takers. Repubs, are the parth of hard workers and makers. Obama would love us all to be dependant on him.
A Republican voter talking to Paul Ryan: Get your gov't hand away from my Medicare!
Bush gave over 1 TRILLION CORPORATE WELFARE program for the RICH.
Bush gave over 1 TRILLION MILITARY CONTRACT for companies supply the US military.
Bush gave over 1 TRILLION in contracts for rebuilding and oil companies.
Bush gave over 1 TRILLION in prescription drug plans for seniors.
Republicans SPEND more than Democrats to GIVE to their SUPPORTERS. That is why they always create budget DEFICITS that the Dems have to fix.
No, most of the welfare recipients live in the red states. Most of them voted for Romney.
wow now i understand, here it is I have worked since i was 17, never been on welfare, My children never been on wlefare, I put 3 kids through colleged, by the way still paying student loans, I am a Democrats, who believe everyone should work, and hard work pays off. I guess that don't matter because everyone who voted for Obama get's welfare. seems to me we are thinking about what is better for american like bringing Jobs back to America instead of out sourcing them over seas, seems to me we think that the elderly whom paid in to retirement and worked all their lives should not have to worry about health care, oh yes we care about our children getting the best education when even the top high schools in American it turning out kids with and 8th and 9th grade reading level. when the rest of the world kids are doing what we call college work in high school. Get a clue we believe in the foundation of America and it people that is why we voted for Obama and not Mr My Money is in an off shore bank account, let me move jobs over seas, and who cares about the 47% of hard working AMERICANS MIttens
I am disappointed that what appears to be the real truth still is not coming out? Reportedly Obama pacified the Muslims of the world by making it possible to abduct Ambassador Stevens and he would be bargained for Sheik Omar Abdel Raman, the blind cleric in prison for the 1993 WTC bombing. 'October Surprise' making good for everyone. Only problem is the CIA did not 'stand down' as ordered and it appears the Muslim's figured betrayed once again after 80 of theirs were killed in what was supposed to be a 'lay down' and Stevens and his staff paid the ultimate horrific price. Can a President get away with this if it is in fact true?
"Get a clue."
Impossible, given Repubs are incapable of critical thinking and are so freaked out that the whole world has learned all their policies are PROVEN FAILURES that all they can do is run around like chickens with their heads cut off.
No ... a President wouldnt be able to get away with that if it were in fact true.
Put your tinfoil hat back on and take a nice nappy-nap. Don't forget your meds!
Keep shaking that tree Republicans. Something is bound to fall out, huhh?
The gop and cnn owe Rice an apology.
yep
The GOP is biting at the bit for something to stick to the President and everything is coming up short!!!
Yea No, she is a lying two faced political hack.
A little hint of racism huh..
YES! I am racist against two faced people. Wow, everything with Libs is racism.
Or, perhaps, the administration and its intelligence officers owe the apology (assuming she was just duped)? The GOP didn't put her on camera to spin falsehood – her boss did.
Now you have it. But the republican will pursuit blindly any path that lead to white house. They want to stick to the white house regardless.
Republican mind just can not reason, or think positive. They are so mean and low. It's nauseating
Democrats are no better then terrorist. terrorist hid behind women and children so they can do what they want in the hopes now one will retaliate god forbid harm a child or a women or an elderly well democrats have picked up on that method and push a bunch of minorities and are doing all this crazy ish and if anybody complains they scream racism or social inequality. You democrats have been busted so get used to humiliation you deserve it. Oh by the way I am Hispanic so I am minority Immunity on these comments lol
Just because you're Hispanic, doesn't mean you're not still ignorant. Including everyone in the country could only be demonized by a Republican.
spoken like a true to life racist... what do demographic have to do with politics?
Wow – can't fix stupid can we? Obama won the election. Get over it. 61, 000,000 of us are laughing at you.
Poor little Dems getting little flustered cause thier boy ain't doing so well. Piece of advise tell him honest is the best policy. lol
47,000,000 of you are collecting welfare. Wow really? Yea really!
and guess which race is getting way more then any other... hint i is not the monorities lol go figure
The real question is, "Who kept changing Romney's talking points?" That cost him an election. All the GOP "investigations" about Libya are just to provide talking points for wingnut talk radio wackos. Congress needs to get back to work and keep America off the fiscal cliff.
Of all the lies that politicians could tell and many have told, even if the "talking points" were outright brazen calculated lies, who was hurt them? Not even the families of the victims were hurt by the public characterization of the attack as mob violence set off by a video, or "extremists" instead of Al-Qaeda "terrorists." And even if it helped Preident Obama's re-election prospects to omit the word "Al-Qaeda" from the public statements, who doubts that he would still have won? Because Americans who voted for him were not voting on his foreign affairs record, which is strong. They were voting on his heart-felt commitment to making life a little better for ordinary Americans who are struggling. Republicans still don't get it.
On the contrary,the only "heart felt committment" he has it to make life better for himself, union leaders, wall street and his cronnies.
Wow annieL. Doesn't matter???? What a pathetic lap dog. You need to burn your voter registration card (if you are a legal voter)
Idiot
bottom line, the president failed in his duties as a leader. And instead of facing up to it his administration fluffed up the facts to maintain approval ratings. I hope that the facts come to light and that the US can put this to rest regardless of the outcome. because right now it is causing a rift in our country that only serves to make us weaker.
The funny thing is, you want FACTS, all of a sudden all the GOPers want FACTS, when their entire political platform is based on Lies, Hate and Fear.......oh my god, you guys are hilarious and don't even realize that most of the country is laughing AT YOU.....even Rush WIndbag and all the other right wing radio news and Fox News is laughing AT YOU, they just use you for ratings, but you imbecilles are too dense to know it!!!!! Ha!
The only thing causing a rift in this country are people like you who continue to beat a dead horse. Like it or not, Obama won. He won because people are sick of the republican party and their "I've got mine, you get yours" mentality. We are also sick of the Rush Limbaughs, Ann Coulter, Glenn Becks out there who have nothing to spew but anger and hate towards everyone. We are tired of the rich getting richer and richer while Wall Street is screwing the little guy. We are tired of those who would try to force their religion on us when they can't even follow their own so-called morals and values themselves! So, give up the witch hunts. They haven't worked the last four years and they won't work the next four. If you don't like it, please GTFO.
Rina,
whats the first thing some one does when they feel threatened. DEFLECT!!!!! Please, stop saying everyone in the Republican party should be flying around in the death star shooting lightning from their hands. This is not about the elections, in fact if it was Romney instead of Obama I would call him out too. Stop posting like you are a 12 year old girl.
Bottom line... You belong in an insane assylum, you don't deserve nor could you and all citizens not in the armed forces know every fact and situation that we are out in. We are in enough harms way already! In today's day in age If my superiors and the president made an announcement about an intended attack or troop mobilization, people like you would have in posted on some social media site for the enemy to read and prepare for within 30 seconds. That's why this info is freaken classified!! Obviously for folks like you that sit at home on your comp 24/7 that word doesn't mean much.. Let me put this in lehmans terms for ya... Round' here that word saves countless amounts of lives!! If you knew what we know you'd need some new underwear my friend!! Sempi Fi brother! From someone that really protects you while you sleep!! God bless!
ohhhh jarheads. I would try to see the world from your point of view, but i cant fit my head that far up my a**
Mike,
It would seem OPSEC means nothing even though it's beaten into our brains since basic training and got the death by powerpoint briefings, oh not to mention the emails and posters all around bases.
OPSEC? pfffft...Who cares?
i will keep asking this question to all of you who wants to lay blame on President Obama feet, where was all this out cry when we were attacked on our own soil? where was this out cry, instead we came together as a nation should and we should be doing that now. 9/11 Hit home and killed way more then 4 people.
this was such a silly and obvious witchhunt from the get go! this is why americans have such a low opinion of the GOP
The unclassified talking points were first developed by the CIA at the request of the House Intelligence Committee.....TRUTH IS ALWAYS THE SAME, ONE CANNOT COVER TRUTH BY MILLION LIES..... GOD IS ALWAYS THERE TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT SOULS AND THE WICKED WILL BE PUNISHED BY GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE EXCUSE FOR THIS...........
The change from "Al Qaeda" to "extremists" does nothing to explain Rice's mistakes. She said there was a spontaneous demonstration that turned into a mob. False. There was no such demonstration. She said that the attack was unplanned. False. The attack was planned and that is obvious from the fact that some attackers had heavy weapons. She said that there was no evidence of Al Qaeda or terrorist involvement. In fact, as explained above, there was evidence but it was classified. As a high ranking official of the State Department, Rice had the duty to inform herself of this classified information. If she had, she would not have denied terrorist involvement. Guess who agrees with me? Maureen Dowd. The New York Times agrees with me. When the Times permits a serious opinion piece against a liberal from the pen of Dowd, you can rest assured the game is up.
oh for God's sake, let it go! Heck if Condi Rice can get away with lying about nuclear weapons, a lie that resulted in a war!!!, Susan Rice can get a pass on this obviously inconsequential silly thing. And dont mention deaths of americans. Susan Rice was not involved until AFTER the attacks. go crawl under a rock and wipe the egg off your face.
Wow, I honestly can't beleive how ignorant people on this blog seem. OK, the WMD thing was horrible, I get it. I don't like war. But, all political parties voted to go to war because of WMD's, all parties, even your beloved Harry Reid. This is what happened in the election, a bunch of ignorant please give me free stuff folks got their man. I will live it, but doesn't mea I won't stop fighting for what is right, like hard working America.
How sad to see another forum trashed by trolls who are here simply to make noise and create distraction. No doubt you are paid well. I am complimenting you by recognizing that you are a troll. Otherwise, I would have to conclude that you are the stupidest human ever to drag knuckles.
Easy to distract when you have all the facts!
The only thing I can add is that when Obama said Rice wasn't involved, we can then draw the line of responsibility back to the WH. Rice was saying what she was told to say without regard for truth. She needs to be under oath in the hearings and admit who told her what to say. I imagine she's under pressure to protect her source – time will tell how far she'll go to protect the wh, I mean her source.
They knew exactly what was going on. Just like any one in charge you are responsible for the actions of your subordinates. Ultimately, Obama is responsible, it happened on his watch. It is a shame that his political standing was more important than the lives lost in Benghazi.
what is he responsible for? WTH? so there were 6 embassy attacks under Bush and several under Reagan. not to mention 9/11/01....that was under Bush's watch? give it up ad retreat with was left of your dignity
where are republican when Cheney lied, Powerl lied, Rice condelli lied, almost all neocon lied and killed thousands of our troops, and thousands more civillian?
These hypocrites just can not reason. They are full of hatred. What a lowly creature. They will extinct soon
Hey Joe, the only lies that counts are the one's deemed to have been told bey anyone there then republicans, they do not want to answer to The 9/11 lies, the wmd lies, nor talk about all the lifes bush and his administration caused all while raking in the dough for thier familily's. So Sad
As a citizen, I do not need to know "facts" that may well endanger the lives of intelligence operatives working in the region or lend credibility to extremists who may – or may not – have been responsible. The terms "extremist" and "terrorist" are interchangeable. The intelligence agencies had a valid reason for "withholding" information until all the facts were in. While it is tragic that 4 Americans lost their lives that day, each of them knew – and assumed – the risks. At least TWO of the victims were SEALS – likely the elite of our security forces. To imply that the POTUS would DELIBERATELY mislead the country about the nature of the attacks for political reasons is ridiculous! The GOP is making a fool of itself ... too bad for the tens of thousands of Iraqis who died following our invasion of their country based on faulty – or cherry-picked – "intelligence"!
well said. this was one of the dumbest fabricated scandals in recent history.
So then why did he blame a youtube video and your freedom of speech for two weeks?
There was no blame it was the Intelligence at the time that was unclassified..
At last a voice of reason!! Also I believe they were former Seals... the way I understood it, they were working for the CIA in some way, which could be why the classified info was so important.
The fact remains that those at the top answered to the WH, where the buck stops. Does this mean that Ambassador Rice, unlike the president's national security adviser and surely, Ms Clinton, didn't know what they knew? What "sources" were being protected, when the Libyan ambassador was on TV the next day identifying which terrorist group was involved? Why was Rice several days later, still claiming there was no indication of terrorist involvement. Most important, why did no help arrive to save the former Navy Seals who were killed SEVEN hours after the attack started?
The interesting part is how Congress was told by the Intel community the classified plans, but the Republican committee attacked the White House as if the Congress knew nothing.
rs1201, get a grip! "Corrupt and bankrupt of decency" only apply to the party that didn't make it to the white house! The GOP bumbled their way through the campaign by trying to pin everything they could on President Obama, and when that didn't work, there were people such as John McCain (who, by the way, should have stepped out of politics before he became a senile old man), still smarting from his loss to Obama in 2008, handing out baseless innuendos fraught with lies and senseless rhetoric.
I don't understand how you can be a leader and never take ownership for anything. This guy blames Bush for EVERYTHING, but never EVER takes responsibility for anything. I really am baffled.
You are baffled because you sound kind of stupid.
That makes no sense.
lol point made 🙂
Sometimes rafael it's better to remain silent and have people wonder if you are stupid...than to comment and verify the fact.
Oman, i am sure that GWB, Bush II did it, GWB with a clandestine candle stick in the cloak room while Obummer was droning on about Mali, Yemen, Oman.
We have the testimony. There was no dire conspiracy or cover up. Can Republicans please let it go? We're supposed to be cutting government costs not spending additional money on more partisan witch hunts.
They covered this up to save BO's butt. This is what Dems do, the lie distort to get their way.
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Republican extremists have no capacity to improve their understanding when they see a chance to criticize. New information can beat them over the head and they will keep repeating the same thing, just to make it sound truthier. Same thing for Dem extremists when a Republican administration is under attack. Just more stupidity.
Facts hurt Raf, I can't help that so many ignorant, non-working, welfare takers showed up to the polls to support BO. All I can do is point out the facts and hope that Americans do some soul searching and RESEARH and vote for America in 4 years, not Greece.
wow pony you are kinf of not comprehending what is being said - starting with the article
So you can't read then?
rs1201
Will obama and his administration ever take responsibility for anything...is it always someone else's fault? I cannot believe that an administration as corrupt and bankrupt of decency has been reelected. America doesn't stand a chance with these thugs in the White House...zero!
WOW! hate losing? Thugs??????? Hmmm...now that's interesting language.
As far as I am concern, those of us that are posting comments were not there when the attack happened and none of us were not there either with the FBI, CIA or any other agency that were monitoring the attack. We are only speculating because of what we have seen only t.v, read on websites. When lives are lost, we look to immediately place the blame on someone. That someone obviously seems to be the President of the United States and his Democrat Party. Everyone here seems to be an expert of foreign policy, national security, and the procedures of the agencies within this government. White republicans (male especially) cannot get over the fact that a President of the United States is of mixed race. That his wife is black and his children are mixed. You criticize him because of his name and his father's country of origin. While it is obvious that the attack happened during his term as President, it is nothing compared to September 11, 2001 when 3,000+ lives were lost ON United States soil under the Bush administration. No one screamed for his head when he sat there reading a book that was upside down then disappeared into Air Force One. Yet here we are blaming the Democrats and President Obama. Alot of things went on during the Bush administration that the Republicans claimed they were justified in doing. Invasion of Afghanistan to route the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and hunt Osama Bin Laden only to fail. Invasion of Iraq under the pretense of weapons of mass destruction then flying onto an aircraft carrier declaring end of combat operations only to see more American military members lives lost, to Blackwater, Haliburton, Abu Gharaib and waterboarding. Yet Bush is made to be a hero to the Republicans but President Obama is being blamed for everything and it is only because he is of mixed race and he has a muslim name. Those of you that are posting your ignorance and hate can only do so when you sit in the privacy of your home but pretend to be friends with those who are not white and smile in the faces of your non white friends. Instead of listening to the war mongering and hate filled members of your political party, and your hateful relatives and friends (if you have any), learng about other peoples culture and traditions, learn about foreign policy and the proper protocols and procedures one must follow when dealing with the international community. Educate yourselves and rid yourselves of the negativity and hate, you will live longer and happier.
Kraj,
1. Please tell me you are a combat arms MOS, air force right? Im guessing not, so what the f**ck do you know about war.
2. Get off your high horse, the president failed in his duties as a leader
3. Don't play the race card. I fought along side muslims overseas, no one cares about the president's name or skin color.
4. Its about fact finding, not hate.
Explain the failure, in dispassionate terms that rely only on the known facts. Standing by.
So where's your facts all protecting guy while I sleep? You really have none, this staff Sargent just laid out plenty for your to dispute and you had nothing intelligent to rebute him with!! What the hell no you k ow bout war?? Strap on your boots and come and join me, Sempi Fi brother!! You know where you can find me in those godforsaken mountains, leave ends in less then 48!!
1. When did I make the claim that I knew about war?
2. How did he fail as a leader? By failure you mean, completely fix the mess he got into left by the previous administration? Then yes. He failed on that part because of lack of cooperation from members of the Republican party. But where else did he fail?
3. Obviously everyone else in the Republican party and those affiliated with them seems to care about his skin color and name.
4. It should've been about fact finding, but in reality it is more of who to blame without facts.
5. Oh and thank you for your service.
rafael,
The first being that despite multiple vetted sources of intel pointed to a possible attack on the consulate, which was ignored for reasons unknown. Second being that during the public release of the incident the facts of the attack where "fluffed" by the administration. IE the involvement of a terrorist organization. Additionaly after the former director of the CIA testified that the CIA talking points had been altered by the administration to further downplay the incident the president has done nothing to hold his subordinates accountable. specifically not actively finding the root of the "coverup" or "fluffing" and attempting to bring the facts to light.
Everyone screamed. After 911 Bush swore that terrorist would never hurt us on our soil again. They didn't! Then BO startyed pulling important parts of security away from strategic locations to get votes, and now we have a foreign policy disaster. Every expert on every channel i have watched has said the same thing. The new America, home of the ignorant, non-working class.
What are you talking about? Did something happen on our soil? Do you realize there are more than 300 U.S. embassies scattered across the world? Do you realize there have been attacks on U.S. embassies during most administrations? Do you know there are still bad people in the world, or do you think you were promised only flowers and balloons from now on?
Raf, did you fail History? Embassies are US soil, always have been, always will be.
Right. US embassies count as US soil. So why insist that post 9/11 attacks on US soil began with Obama's administration when there were attacks on US embassies after 9/11 during the Bush presidency?
".After 911 Bush swore that terrorist would never hurt us on our soil again. They didn't! Then BO startyed pulling important parts of security away from strategic locations to get votes, and now we have a foreign policy disaster."
Must be a "Dog Face" Democrat.
Thank your for taking the time to show your ignorance.
Way to dissemble, obfuscate, and camouflage the real issues, Staff Sergent, which have nothing to do with the color of the president's skin. The fact that the talking points memo was changed does not alter these two facts: the White House knew the truth of what happened and let Rice go out with misleading talking points and second, the WH, or whoever was in charge, did not get help to those who needed it, when they had 7 hours and forces in Sicily and planes in Aviano that could have arrived well before seven hours had passed, when the two ex-Seals were killed.
Sir/Ma'am,
From what I've read from these postings and others, alot of it had to do with him being non white. Also, I stated that there are protocols and procedures that must be followed when dealing with the international community. So correct me if I am wrong, but the White House should have sent forces there? Because if I am not mistaken without approval of the foreign government, wouldn't that be considered an illegal invasion? Or is it the policy of the United States government to invade any country that attacks our embassies?
The President respected the intelligence community's desire to not directly say "al Qaeda" – what is it about that that you don't get?!?
Are you suggesting the President should have defied the intelligence community and let leak information that could potentially put other Americans and those cooperating with us in harm's way?
Think it through!!!!
The US had a drone flying over Benghazi; the ex-Seals were "painting" the mortar which eventually killed them with lasers – they obviously were expecting something to fire at those mortars. And in the case of saving US personnel, you just go do it; I doubt the Libyan government would have put up much of fuss. The mortar could have been taken out by the drone, or if it were unarmed, F-16s from Aviano could have been there in less than 1 hour. I don't think Obama has a problem firing missiles at terrorists, so why not this time? Also, you can't argue that Obama called it a terrorist act the day after it happened, but Rice was protecting "classified information" a week later by saying there were no terrorists.
mike and kraj,
Im sorry I did not also thank you for your service, apologies i get fired up real easy. Mike I'm not a devil dog, sorry ; ). What I'm saying is this is not about hate, religionor skin color but I want to know like many other Americans just what really happened that day. Or at least why could the WH not call the attack for what it was. Was it political? I hope not.
"Or at least why could the WH not call the attack for what it was. Was it political? I hope not."
Read the transcript of the President's remarks in the Rose Garden on September 12, 2012. He called the Bengahzi attack and "act of terror" and equated it to 9/11/01.
If you can't divine that "act of terror" is the same as "terrorist attack," then either you are not a native speaker of English or you are willfully ignorant.
guy,
You may not believe this is about hate and skin color, but from the responses reactions of others make it seem otherwise. I do too, want to know what happened but I am not quick to speculate or make judgement or place blame nor do I talk bad about our CINC. Also the fact that I am in the military, I understand the sensitivity of the issues and the need for OPSEC. The need to rush to find out the truth will always have missteps and the facts will not be factual so then how can the truth be known if rush to find out the facts about the truth?
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.
it's bs to protect obama bottom line, get over it
i agree, if you read more closely. The president must be held accountable as a leader, thats what being a leader means.
What part about "comes from classified sources" when that is a truth then we won't hear it until it becomes unclassified that is why the Ambassador stuck to the talking points. If it is classified it doesn't matter who knows what within that chain of custody, it isn't going public.
How convenient, it was "the intelligence community" that changed the language. So the talking points were given to the entire intelligence community network for their comments. Not believable. This administration lacks any credibility whatsoever.
Neither do people who claim conspiracies with no proof.
It is more credible than anything I ever heard from the previous administration.
Tre: It is like I've been saying all along. Red Herring and now it is proven. Time for McCain,King and company to apologize and go take a nap.
2004 through 2008 over 20 Americans were killed in 6 separate attacks on US Consulates and Embassy's in the Middle Eastern area. Republicans DID NOT hold a single investigative hearing. Why now? Because they don't have an ounce of courage among them.
Because the then president did not send people out claiming they were not terror attacks; had the WH not done that, then the only question would be, why weren't those defending the CIA compound sent help.
I am disappointed that what appears to be the real truth still is not coming out? Reportedly Obama pacified the Muslims of the world by making it possible to abduct Ambassador Stevens and he would be bargained for Sheik Omar Abdel Raman, the blind cleric in prison for the 1993 WTC bombing. 'October Surprise' making good for everyone. Only problem is the CIA did not 'stand down' as ordered and it appears the Muslim's figured betrayed once again after 80 of theirs were killed in what was supposed to be a 'lay down' and Stevens and his staff paid the ultimate horrific price. Can a President get away with this if it is in fact true?
Your an idiot! Don't post anymore your banned for stupid, unintelligent, uneducated, unfactual, unstantial jibberish that just came out of your d sucker!
Hey simmer down now aggressive little internet bully or otherwise know as democrat hah
Let me get this straight, the Republicans are 'the haters'?
No, Repubs. are the makers, thenew BO americans are the takers.
It's not. That is more Limbaugh spew.
forgot to take your lithium?
And you base this on absolutely nothing.
Yeah the economy is going to get fixed because of Obama Hah. Its more like a broken clock is right twice a day 🙂 🙂 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.
If your in the DC area here are some good Salsa Classes for you Democrats cause I see a lot of yall jumping on the next new thing Us Republican Hispanics
#1 http://www.thedctraveler.com/2007/10/salsa-lessons/
#2 http://www.salsapower.com/cities/us/washdc.htm
#3 http://www.foreverdancing.com/salsa.html
Que Dios Los Bendigas a todos!
Fox News hasn't been right about a SINGLE accusation. They should be brought up on sedition charges. The gullible teabillies will follow anything that fits their myopic view of the world. Sad, really.
Over 4000 Americans and 100000 Iraqi civilians died on Iraq becaiuse of the war that was started based on WMD lie. Where is the investigation on Iraq war?
ummmmmmm! Then they would still be investigating Obama, because he voted for it as did most democrats.
wow check your facts. Obama DID NOT vote for the war in Iraq.
obama didn't vote for it, but biden and hilary did vote for it
Horseboy. Typical ill informed Republican. You really should try and keep up. Obama voted against it. Nice try though your kind of crap only goes over with the Republican brand not the educated Liberals, which thank God are in the majority.
The GOP won't stop until they've made fools of themselves and conspiracy theorists will never believe anything because they have already made up their mind. McCain, Graham and Kelly Ayote,e senator from NH are drooling to impeach Obama however flimsy the evidence is. Kelly Ayotee is white house hopeful and her motive is to make Hilary look bad.
Will obama and his administration ever take responsibility for anything...is it always someone else's fault? I cannot believe that an administration as corrupt and bankrupt of decency has been reelected. America doesn't stand a chance with these thugs in the White House...zero!
Obama only admits what HE did. He doesn't have to take the credit nor blame from what someone else did, in this case, the intelligence community.
I'm not answering for him. I answer because this would be my stance if it were myself involved and should apply to everybody.
Give credit (or blame) where it is due. Just like what the Christian Bible says.
So I guess there's no 'The Buck Stops Here.' sign on the desk in the Oval Office? Harry Truman would be so proud.
Harry Truman burns in hell for needlessly incinerating women and children.
Responsibility goes to the ones who are responsible. The old saying the Buck stops here is BS. It stops where the blame is. I know if I didn't do something, I'm not taking the blame for it.
And that is precisely why you will not (and should not) lead anyone.
I can't believe that an administration that took the best economy since WWII and trashed it on wars, that killed thousands, and that they took us into based on lies about WMD got re-elected; but they did. Talk about morally bankrupt.
And what chance did 17 unarmed civilians stand when the valiant Sgt. Robert Bales murdered every single one of them in cold blood? What a hero. And he even did it under Obama's watch. That should make you feel better, no?
This testimony has just shone that there is no need for blame. And yet you still want to blame the guy you don't like. So who would have been a better president? Romney? Please. The best the GOP could offer, and spent billions to sell us, was simply pathetic and US voters weren't fooled. Personally, I voted 3rd party because I don't vote for evil, even when it's the lesser of.
Well– That's that! Yet again another tea baggy repubidrama of nothing. My word– Can the GOP being doing any worse?????
craig,
For an MD you sure know how to post in a manor that makes you seem unintelligent. Its not a drama, its simply fact finding in an organized yet aggressive manor. Of course the Republicans want to know what happened, can you blame them for asking? And of course the Democrats want to forget the whole thing, can you blame them? But the facts need to be brought to light and weather the administration is innocent of any wrong doing or there was a cover up someone needs to ask the hard questions.
It's apples and oranges by trying to compare Benghazi 9-11 to 9-11-11 or anything else. And by the way, not being prepared on the anniversary of 9-11 is reckless. Notice I did not say criminal unless intentional. Any attempt to compare is deflecting.
Yeah, it's different because it happened on a democrat's watch and not a republican's, right? That changes everything... democrats must be held to a higher standard than your buddy, the Shrub, who had this kind of thing happen multiple times on his watch without a word whispered about it from the GOP. They also had their propaganda channel calling rival networks unpatriotic when they told the truth about the number of American lives that were being lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Funny and sad at the same time reading the Right and Left argue. "Your guy did this" "Oh yeah? Your gut does this" Face it, your guys suck! If Ron Paul had won back 2008 we would be out of both Iraq and Afghanistan, never would have bombed Libya and the Pakistanis would not fear us for drone attacking them all the time. Tell the bankers to take their wars and stick them where the sun dont shine.
Dozens died in embassy attacks when Bush was President but no GOP folks stood up and AWed about it.
People volunteer to work in embassies in unstable nations, affordable precautions are taken, sometimes it is not enough. We can't afford, and nor should we pay for, perfection.
Get over it.
Go to youtube and type in "ambassador being dragged out of building", watch it and then say get over it.
This is spiraling out of control. One, why does the GOP care about the wording? That's so incredibly childish. Second, why aren't liberals just as outraged over this? The real question has yet to be asked. Why was the intelligence community not aware that this was being planned? Why did it take so long to gather the intel? These ppl get paid ridiculous salaries to be spies. You would think that American assets in a country that has no government would be better protected, and I don't just mean more guards. Why was the intel so bad? And finally, where is the transparency that Obama campaigned on? Why would the intel be classified just because the source is classified? Aren't most sources classified? If that were the case the government could take liberties to mislead the public at any time. Oh wait.....
The tea party and the liberals need to grow up and remove head from sphincter.
joncook,
they did know of an impending attack through various vetted forms of Intel and the consulate was denied in their requests for additional security. Also, people in the Intel community get paid government salaries. Not that great ; )