Comments on: Benghazi hypocrisy

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:26:37 +0000

LINK - Benghazi Book’s Outrageous Claims - A new book released Monday claims that John Brennan ran a secret war in Libya against al Qaeda, that David Petraeus was betrayed by senior CIA officers in the scandal that ended his career, and that the U.S. government was sending arms collected in Libya to rebels in Syria. - NOTE: John Batchelor (radio) was reporting "real time" on most of the essence of this book.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:59:55 +0000

LINK - Brennan-led secret raids may have led to Benghazi retaliation, book claims

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:33:43 +0000

SHEESH . . . THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM???LINK - 31 minutes into this 40 minute podcast - 12-18-12 - discussion of the excluded CLASIFIED State Department report - Clinton and Kennedy off the hook (after loading advance the slider to 31 minutes)

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:25:30 +0000

OOPS! fix to bad link above . . . LINK - 31 minutes into this 40 minute podcast - 12-18-12 - discussion of the excluded CLASIFIED State Department report - Clinton and Kennedy off the hook (after loading advance the slider to 31 minutes)

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:20:11 +0000

LINK - 31 minutes into this 40 minute podcast - 12-18-12 - discussion of the excluded CLASIFIED State Department report - Clinton and Kennedy off the hook (after loading advance the slider to 31 minutes)

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:47:26 +0000

John, it’s time for an update. - Hillary bumped her head and went to bed and couldn’t get up in the morning. She got a doctor’s note excusing her from testifying . . . LINK - Hillary critiques her doctor’s note excusing her from testifying on Benghazi . . . . . . . It’s raining. It’s pouring irony . . .

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:56:18 +0000

CONGRESSMAN CHAFFETZ: STATE DEPT HIDING BENGHAZI SURVIVORS: He says he has been “thwarted” from seeing any Americans who survived the attack. Many people forget that there were Americans who survived, some of whom were badly injured and are still recovering. ********** http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/12/12/Chaffetz-Benghazi-State-Dept

By: prime time

prime time — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:12:03 +0000

The Real Problem With a Secretary of State Susan Rice: The problem with Republican complaints about Rice isn't that they're partisan; it's that they're trivial.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:47:29 +0000

*** know

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:45:54 +0000

Phil, read the link. Kerry is the best choice!!! The propaganda continues — Kerry as SecState, and Brown as the new Senator of MA. I don’t know what the President will do, but this is an excellent way for the President to let the Tea/Republicans that he is in charge. It will be interesting.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:41:43 +0000

Phil, Matthews is wrong 49% of the time. Susan Rice, recess appointment or up or down vote. McCain slapped the President across the face and now the President is going to kick him in the gonads.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:33:47 +0000

Colonel, Chris Tingle-up-my-leg Matthews is whispering in the President’s ear - LINK - Matthews - Maybe a Rice nomination isn’t such a great idea after all

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:14:12 +0000

I also was a prisoner of war (the special operations war).

By: Do you know this man?

Do you know this man? — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:51:25 +0000

Robert D. Knoll, 67 of Prescott, AZ died Thursday, August 20, 2009, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa. Committal services with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., September 21, 2009 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

By: robertdnoll

robertdnoll — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:43:45 +0000

senator McCain was in jail as a prisoner of war,why was james e in prison?

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:25:05 +0000

. . . final conjecture of the evening – Hillary is calling the shots – - never ever dismiss the Hildabeast . . .

off to bed now

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:19:19 +0000

Phil, cloture is more likely, but the Senate does like to get home for XMAS.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:11:59 +0000

. . . Fiscal cliff and Harry adjourns . . . sure . . . no problemo . . . Thanks for the tip . . . . I’m getting ready for a fast move on gold . . . g’night . . .

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:07:02 +0000

And, of course the hold can be defeated by a cloture vote. Assume that means 60 Senators would have to vote for her — 53 good guys plus seven Republicans. Out of 47 Republicans, seven will fold. Or, maybe it will only take 51 if Reid guts the filibuster. As for lies, that is your opinion — Rice did not lie, she read that which was given her by the intelligence community.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:59:06 +0000

. . . and you think the President is neutral wrt keeping the Benghazi lies front and center. Obama “gallantly” said, “Come after me.” . . . OK . . . It only makes sense in the context of a distraction from something bigger than Benghazi lies . . . certainly a possibility.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:56:08 +0000

Interesting that McCain doesn’t have the gonads to place the hold himself.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:51:46 +0000

Phil, I am aware of the hold provision. If the Lady from NH does it, she will have to deal with the pressure from NH while the president appoints her when the Senate goes out for XMas. Yes, he can do it because Reid controls whether or not they are in session. The president does not have to worry about being elected again, so he will do lots of unusual things in the next four years.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:39:49 +0000

Colonel, you are aware that under the rules of the Senate 1 (one) Senator has the power and right to place a hold on a nominee? “Holds” have endured until the nomination has been withdrawn. - LINK - Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., who also attended the meeting, said of Rice: "I would hold her nomination until I had additional answers to questions."

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:25:14 +0000

ADDED: Her performance today was just fine. The evil three continue to complain about her in the hopes the President will nominate Kerry. If Kerry becomes Secretary of State, there will have to be an election in MA and the Tea/Republicans want to get Brown back into the Senate. For this very reason, the President will go to war in support of Rice and the majority of Senators will confirm her. McCain is so transparent.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:19:07 +0000

Phil, it’s more like 99-1, as there are enough Democrats in the Senate to confirm her.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 06:14:50 +0000

Colonel, you asserted, "Ms. Rice will be nominated as Secretary of State and will be confirmed by the Senate." You were probably right. When you made that prediction I gave you 70:30. After her performance today I'll reduce your prediction coming true to 50:50.

By: military awards

military awards — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:04:31 +0000

betcha david p wishes he had axed james e about jill kelley and that social director thing . . . susan rich will be better

By: James E.

James E. — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:24:45 +0000

Ms. Kelley, is shocked, I’m sure, that she cannot now even gain entry onto the base let alone hanging around the offices of the various generals. Just what generals need: A civilian social director.

By: James E.

James E. — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:10:42 +0000

Senator McCain has called Susan Rich “not very smart.” Well, let’s consider this: She is a graduate of Stanford and received her Masters of Philosophy and PhD from Oxford. The Senator is a graduate of the USNA, graduating almost at the bottom on his class in a class of 800 plus. Ms. Rice will be nominated as Secretary of State and will be confirmed by the Senate. McCain would have been better off saying “she is smart,” but nevertheless shouldn’t be Secretary of State. He would have been on firmer ground.

By: military awards

military awards — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:32:20 +0000

Kelley and her doctor husband are known for the lavish parties they throw for civic and military leaders at their $1.5 million waterfront Tampa mansion, replete with free-flowing champagne, caviar and cigars.

“These events promoted camaraderie, understanding and a better appreciation for coalition and military customs, concerns and abilities,” her citation noted. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/kelley_medal_outrage_Fq5K754z1Nntf5uayAFiUO

By: military awards

military awards — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:24:37 +0000

forget about susie R. for state sec. the nomination shud go to jill kelley. last year she got a metal from the joint chiefs of staff – THE COUNTRY’S 2ND HIGHEST HONOR FOR A CIVILIAN – for “selfless contributions” and “willingness to host engagements” for top pols and military brass. petraeus recomendedd the award and mike mullen aproved it. and hear we quote: Kelley during a Washington, DC, ceremony received a silver medal, lapel pin and a citation for her efforts. Petraeus presented the award, which recognized the Florida socialite’s “outstanding public service to the United States Central Command, the MacDill Air Force Base community and the Department of Defense from October 31, 2008 to May 31, 2010.”

The citation also notes Kelley’s work in “advancing various military endeavors”.

By: James E.

James E. — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 03:40:23 +0000

I predict Susan Rice will be the next Secretary of State. Why, you ask? Because McCain wants to make a fight of it, and President Obama is ready to fight for his new Secretary of State. He will win.

By: James E.

James E. — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 03:17:53 +0000

Room quiets down while pausing to reflect.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:01:01 +0000

I agree we lost a good one. I don’t care if not everyone considers General Petraeus to be a near priceless asset, Democrat or Republican. General Petraeus will undoubtedly be demonized for his affair, the military and public opinion rightfully should not take violations of the military ethic of personal Integrity casually. The embarrassment to our nation and his family, resignation and divorce will linger when ever history replays his near impeccable career. As the Benghazi issue fads and your party goes onto criticize other cabinet members appointed by President Obama on other issues, I hope he will resume his leadership role in some government capacity. Hopefully the doors of government and industry alike open wide for General Petraeus when hes ready to resume, we can’t afford to lose this remarkable man.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:51:21 +0000

Colonel, I am now entering the land of KOOKVILLE. I think it could happen, James. Unlikely, but possible.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:46:59 +0000

What do you guys think about a third term for President Obama? And, maybe even President for Life.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:22:10 +0000

Richard, regarding your post - November 24, 2012 - 12:05 AM I agree with your assessment and support your praise of Petraeus. We lost a great one. It was his testimony on or about September 14th that was a HUGE stain on a great man’s record. My personal working theory is that his testimony on that day was forced on him by knowledge of his affair. They had a handle on him. Petraeus’ sense of duty and honor was more insulted by the testimony 9/14/12 than by his sexual infidelity. He saluted and essentially lied to Congress on the 14th. Petraeus’ most recent testimony asserts that his Benghazi report was edited by persons “unknown”. I say bull$hit. The author of the edits is known, perhaps not by Petraeus, but known. Politics is at the heart of the failures of Benghazi. Adequate security was not forthcoming for political reasons. Rapid response was not forthcoming for political reasons. Defining Benghazi as a response to some bull$hit video was a political response. The destruction of a great general was a political expediency. Like you, Richard I am deeply saddened over the loss of a great General. And I suspect that General Carter Ham is another political casualty. I suspect that General Carter Ham tried to help during the attack – resisted the political “stand down” order from politicians. (Bin Laden is dead. General Motors is alive. Al-Qaida is on the run and defeated.) Bull$hit. Our military is now broken.

By: "Brendisa"

"Brendisa" — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:58:48 +0000

spelling isn’t the problem

By: "blathering about Benghazi"

"blathering about Benghazi" — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 15:06:06 +0000

Being blinded by political/professional predispositions makes for a very confusing world. Think. It’s liberating.

By: short memories

short memories — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:31:22 +0000

I know this is a tough one for Richard because he’ll have to look it up. Or ask one of his teammates.

By: short memories

short memories — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:20:33 +0000

Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama converted from Tea/Republicans?

By: short memories

short memories — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:12:55 +0000

Not everyone considered Petraeus a “near priceless asset”, Richard. Not even every Democrat. On 9/11/07 then-Senator Hillary Clinton came close to calling the commander of the multinational forces in Iraq a liar, saying that his progress report on Iraq required “a willing suspension of disbelief.” And then-Senator Obama said to Petraeus, “I’m not sure that the success in Anbar has anything to do with the surge. You yourself said it was political. Changing the definition of success to stay the course with the wrong policy is the wrong course for our troops and our national security.”

By: what do they have in common?

what do they have in common? — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 13:26:23 +0000

The ten (10) very recently were sacked or are the object of scandals or investigations. – (facile) “They have all been bad boys.” – (deep thinker) “General Petraeus had an affair.” – Timing is everything.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:20:27 +0000

OK, off to bed. Will return tomorrow ready to excel in convincing my Tea/Republican friends of the errors of their ways.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:16:39 +0000

This reminds me when I was a young Captain a colonel told me: It’s a fast tract, one stumble and you are out of the race. This was the officer corps of my service. One mistake, minor or large, and you were finished. No second chances. And, this contributed to officers taking no chances and never, never admitting to any stumble.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:13:49 +0000

Yes sir, I feel the same.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:05:31 +0000

Richard, I also hope that the General can come back in some new service to the United States. He has stumbled badly. Adultery is a crime in the military. I note that the media is saying no harm, no foul, as the affair took place after he retired. They fail in their understanding of the UCMJ – a regular Army officer is subject to the UCMJ and liable for court-martial after retirement, and is so until the day he dies. A retired reserve Army officer is not liable. Obviously, the general is a regular Army officer. Even though there are officers and enlisted men currently in the USDB at Fort Leavenworth serving time for adultery, there is no chance that the General will be court-martialed — no one in the Department of Defense wants it so it won’t happen. All that having been said, the general stumbled badly and I hope he can recover in some capacity.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 07:53:08 +0000

Larry Hagman, died today in Dallas, cause of death: throat cancer.

By: James E.

James E. — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 07:50:28 +0000

ADDED: Amazing that so many senior military officers have been recently caught violating the prime military ethic: Integrity.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 07:49:59 +0000

The real issue here Veerkamp is our nation has lost the services of a truly great man. I do honestly hope his loss is only short term. General Petraeus is a near priceless asset to the United States. If you had been following the war in Iraq you would know this. His contributions to our nation and in ending the stupid Bush wars have been incalculable. Conspiracy theories flow from the right wing like water from the Sierra Nevada’s. The timing of his resignation obviously raises questions, but the heart of the event is clear. General Petraeus had an affair. He preferred to resign rather than be fired. What was expectable for President Clinton is not okay for other government servants, and we all need to keep that in mind. No group or single man is without fault. This boondoggle does not diminish David Petraeus’s contributions to our country, nor his positive impact on the many people under his command that he inspired and those of us who admired him. General Petraeus fumbled; he dropped the ball, he’s a man after all. Why you think you can prejudge this rare a badly needed breed of man by repeating blog post that you have no first hand knowledge of there authenticity in an attempt to change public opinion which is really aimed at President Obama, makes me sick. Veerkamp if I didn’t know you to be a reasonable bright man I would think that maybe inbreeding has lowered you to moron status in your elder years.