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It seemed obvious in the 1972 election that Richard Nixon knew about the Watergate break-in of the Democratic campaign office. It took more than a year of investigations after the election to uncover that self-evident truth, leading to his resignation in 1974. Let’s hope we don’t have to see Barack Obama reelected to find out what he knew about the terrorist attack that killed the American ambassador to Libya and three others.
With the election days away, it looks like the president is going to make it past election day with his phony stories.
On Oct. 18, during his deaths “not optimal” interview with comedian Jon Stewart, Obama said, “everything we get, every piece of information we get — as we got it we laid out for the American people.”
The State Department is refusing to answer questions until the department’s investigation is complete after the election. The FBI refuses to answer questions about an ongoing investigation and the White House’s national security staff refuses to answer questions about the president’s schedule during and after the attacks on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
A reporter for a Denver television station asked Obama whether Americans under attack in Libya were denied requests for assistance. Obama gave a long-winded response that did not in any way answer the question.
So, Libya is no longer an issue of how long he told the phony story of it being a spontaneous demonstration about an Internet video that nobody has seen. It is now much more basic. Why didn’t the president issue an order to send military aid and reinforcements? Why were security personnel and an airplane to transport them and their weapons removed from the embassy before Sept. 11? Who told the Navy Seals working for the CIA in Benghazi to “stand down” instead of what they did, which was to help defend the consulate with their lives? Gen. David Petraeus, who is the CIA director, said no such order came from his organization. Where did that order originate? This takes us back to the president. The defense secretary may talk about confusion on the ground and the secretary of state may talk about the “fog of war,” but it all comes back to the president. Why did he not issue an order to send military aid and reinforcements?
And after repetitively saying he is still investigating it, how can he on Oct. 26 suddenly say, “The minute I found out what was happening … I gave the directive to make sure we are securing our personnel and doing whatever we need to do. I guarantee you everybody in the CIA and military knew the No. 1 priority was making sure our people are safe.”
No written directive has been produced. This so-called directive didn’t seem to include any sort of rescue. Gen. Carter F. Ham, in charge of the Africa Command, told Congressman Jason Chaffetz during his visit to Libya he had never been asked to provide military support to Americans under attack in Benghazi.
How could President Obama watch the video from the drone and from the consulate and read the e-mails coming from the consulate, do nothing, and then go to Las Vegas for a campaign event?
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
James E.November 01, 2012 - 1:26 pm
When I was in trouble in Vietnam, the only thing that could get to me quickly was Air Force fighter bombers that were already in the air and available to respond. I might ask the editor exactly how he knows what occurred and what actions should have been taken or not taken? This event reeks of classification, so the editor is shooting in the dark hoping a stray bullet will hit the president. Who did what and when? Time will tell. In the interim, Fox News and the editor are foaming at the mouth hoping this will impact the election. Sorry, zero impact, in my opinion which will be challenged by ever Tea/Republican with a computer. Four more days.
James E.November 01, 2012 - 1:27 pm
*** every
Phil VeerkampNovember 01, 2012 - 1:46 pm
<a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/1937676584001/"LINK - Exclusive: Classified cable warned consulate couldn't withstand 'coordinated attack'
Phil VeerkampNovember 01, 2012 - 1:52 pm
fix link - LINK - Exclusive: Classified cable warned consulate couldn't withstand 'coordinated attack'
Phil VeerkampNovember 01, 2012 - 2:00 pm
LINK - POTUS received "instant Message" from Ambassador Stevens/Consulate
James E.November 01, 2012 - 2:23 pm
Mr. Veerkamp, could you do better than Rush and Fox sites?
Phil VeerkampNovember 01, 2012 - 2:39 pm
James E. - -NO. I can't. BECAUSE . . . NYT, NBC, CBS, ABC are covering it up. If a lie falls in the middle of the woods . . .
Honey Boo BooNovember 01, 2012 - 2:41 pm
Phil, good luck with James E....Just goes to prove you can lead a Liberal to the truth, but you can't make them except it....
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:44 pm
Forbes: Benghazi Stand Down Denials Don't Stand Up To Reason
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:45 pm
Forbes: White House Watched Benghazi Attacked And Didn't Respond
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:49 pm
ABC News: The Benghazi Drip-Drip-Drip
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:52 pm
Email Shows State Department Rejecting Request of Security Team at US Embassy in Libya
James E.November 01, 2012 - 2:53 pm
Forbes? I would again ask, Mr. Larry Bell, how do you know what you know? Constant Republican speculation on classified events/communications. A standard legal question: How do you know with certainty? Not that it matters, but Mr. Bell is also against climate change.
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:54 pm
Security Team Commander Says Ambassador Stevens Wanted His Team to Stay in Libya Past August
prime timeNovember 01, 2012 - 2:57 pm
Foreign Policy Magazine: 'Troubling' Surveillance Before Benghazi Attack
James E.November 01, 2012 - 3:01 pm
Unending speculation. So, I'm going to go do stuff, but reminding you all, zero impact on the election to the agony of the editor, et al.
observerNovember 01, 2012 - 3:32 pm
James has gone to "do stuff". And he is correct: Nothing written here will impact the election. So why does James bother? James, the ideologue, knits when ideology fails.
sprinkle dinklesNovember 01, 2012 - 3:47 pm
James went to take a Bama, and it won't be polished.
DB SmithNovember 01, 2012 - 4:00 pm
Obama and Biden's definition of HELP, HELP, HELP! = "not enough Intel".
observerNovember 01, 2012 - 4:14 pm
John G, check out Foreign Affairs Magazine, voice of the Council on Foreign Relations. Not Fox!
observerNovember 01, 2012 - 4:19 pm
Foreign POLICY Magazine (not AFFAIRS)
JohnNovember 01, 2012 - 11:13 pm
Ten days or so ago, some FOX commentator named Jim Johnson Jr., started his comments with the following: "I don't have any proof, but..." and he proceeded to spin the Benghazi story that the Mountain Democrat is still pushing and that FOX and other right wingnuts are still spinning. There's no proof of any kind about anything on Benghazi, although some of us who worked in embassies in the Arab world have a pretty good inkling as to what happened. Unfortunately, the facts do not accord with the propaganda pushed by FOX and the MD. As for General Ham's "Africa Command", it is a risible 'paper command' only. It has no troops, no airplanes, no vehicles, no assets, only a few clerks and desks housed at some Air Force Base in Florida. The idea that Africa Command could have helped is beyond ridiculous. What sort of help? A regiment of clerk typists?
James E.November 01, 2012 - 11:13 pm
I really did go do stuff. I went to the bank, grocery store, and post office. Observer, you're right, nothing we say here will impact the election so why do I do it? Good question. Guess there must be some rebuttal or what's the use of a discussion site. I know you all want me here 24/7 commenting, but I have to do stuff -- like we all have to do. Besides, doing stuff helps the economy. Trickle down.
cookie65November 02, 2012 - 4:36 am
Simply amazing that some are willing to defend obama over this. This bunch is finding it difficult to keep up with their own lies. There truly is a mental disorder associated with liberalism.
Girls, pleaseNovember 02, 2012 - 7:37 am
Once upon a time,….Long, long, ago, in a faraway land, it was a time of political censorship, where women had few rights and fairy-tales were one way that they could make their opinions known.....................
RichardNovember 02, 2012 - 8:22 am
During my military career I’ve sent Marine night patrols out that were overwhelmed and killed, nothing could have changed those events, **** happens, wrong place at the right time. FOX news seems to think they could have stopped the cameras and saved the ambassador, the real world doesn’t work that way.......
RichardNovember 02, 2012 - 8:30 am
During my military career I’ve sent Marine night patrols out that were overwhelmed and killed, nothing could have changed those events, stuff happens, wrong place at the right time. FOX news seems to think they could have stopped the cameras and saved the ambassador, the real world doesn’t work that way.......
Ken SteersNovember 02, 2012 - 6:56 pm
Richard stuff happens? Wrong place at wrong time? You are a liar! You never had a military career. A REAL Marine would never make such statements. I say you lack decency and stipulate you lack character. You weak writings show you are yet another malcontent who is part of the Eldorado County Democrat Party
RichardNovember 02, 2012 - 8:35 pm
Steers, you lack credibility and reflect every thing that’s wrong with the Republican Party. About my service, remember last Memorial Day when you made similar comments about KC-10 pilot Lt. Col. Kurt R...... s service, you were as wrong then as you are now. By the way, did you vote yet?
James E.November 02, 2012 - 9:06 pm
Richard speaks the language of the soldier/Marine on the battlefield. As in, stuff happens and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a detachment that allows them mentally to survive the horrors of the battlefield -- those who have been on the battlefield in close combat recognize the words. Those who have not, will never understand.
DB SmithNovember 03, 2012 - 8:20 am
Ken, I share your feelings on this. I just saw some of the chatter from Richard a.k.a. "sprinkles" and his sidekick. I'm not even shocked anymore from what spews from their mouths. We all know there was more outrage about a stupid ass comic video on CNN, MSNBC and from Obama than any outrage of our 4 dead Americans that were murdered on American soil. You're damn right I'll watch Fox News and other sources before that other crap. It's clear that the incompetence of Obama and his Administration allowed this to happen. One of the two local idiots tries to sum it up as being at the wrong place/Right time and the other idiot tries to sum it up as being at the wrong place/Wrong time. Which is it? They sound just like Obama. A lot of words that don't make any sense. These two speak their point of view and act as if they are representing the voices of all our military veterans. THEY DO NOT! I just recently spoke w/my wifes brother who is a Marine veteran and I also spoke with a Navy veteran buddy of mine and both points of view say it was due to Obama's incompetence as Commander in Chief and the cover up was political. I've visited numerous military website blogs that have an array of opinions none of which the scale leans toward the way these two guys think. So NO! They do not represent the voices and opinions of our military veterans. They represent their two bitter souls which are lost in their ideology. Liberalism is truly a disease. I feel disgust and sorrow for them.
James E.November 03, 2012 - 10:10 am
It always surprises me when some cannot express their opinions without foaming at the mouth. It only detracts and their message is lost.
DB SmithNovember 03, 2012 - 10:17 am
Do I hear and "unnatural noise" from a "fatuous nincompoop"?
CatherineNovember 03, 2012 - 10:24 am
This was a tragic event, but not a measure of Republican or Democratic leadership. It's a wonder that only a handful of ambassadors have been murdered over time, under both Republican and Democratic presidents, considering permeable boundaries between their efforts and those of the CIA. Let's do the decent thing and let these guys rest in peace. I'm sure those of you who think this was "Obama's fault" can find other things to hate him for that will occupy your time. How about gas prices?
DB SmithNovember 03, 2012 - 10:46 am
Catherine, You want to talk about gas prices??? Yes, they are high so there you go. Try as you may, sweeping the Libya incident under the rug is not the decent thing to do for these murdered men, their grieving families and most Americans. We need answers and accountability so that we can try to avoid this type of thing in the future. We don't need your attempted distraction. Although we can multi-task.
CatherineNovember 03, 2012 - 3:37 pm
Mr. Smith, No one has swept it under the rug. But no partisan blame is appropriate. Not everyone who is engaged in dangerous work, in a dangerous country, a half mile from a CIA station can be kept safe. Tragic deaths, just like the other murdered ambassadors. As tragic as civilian casualties when we bomb other countries, friendly fire deaths, etc. I feel confident that no one in our government wanted these men dead, and surely the investigation will be as thorough as possible. But your fixation on this as some sort of executive failure is just silly, and claiming you focus on this out of respect for the families is a sham. Send them a card with your sincere condolences. That would be more to the point.
prime timeNovember 03, 2012 - 5:08 pm
US Mission in Benghazi was a CIA operation
Terri KlineNovember 03, 2012 - 5:56 pm
Editor, Under George W. Bush 11 embassies were attacked resulting in 53 deaths and 90 injuries. Never heard a word from the Rabid Right about that. Stop the propaganda please!
RichardNovember 03, 2012 - 8:50 pm
Why GOP Registration Has Dropped Below 30%, and What to Do About It Friday, November 2, 2012, Ron Nehring Republican Party membership has now dropped below 30% in the Golden State, marking a further decline in the party’s statewide strength and affecting the prospects of Republican victories in future years.
RichardNovember 04, 2012 - 12:25 am
DB Smith, one thing everyone in the media agrees on about the event in Libya is that dozens of heavily armed men staged a surprise attack and killed the American Ambassador along with several of his security detachment. You have confirmed that it’s President Obama and his Administration that allowed this to happen through your buddy who was a Marine in the past and some former Navy guy, and no doubt right wing military blogs with no doubt right wing military bloggers, who no doubt were trained and experienced in security issues but had nothing to do with the action and like you no doubt got their information from FOX News. Because you only watch Fox News because “all other sources are crap”. All agree the Ambassadors mission included instructions to use local Libyan security forces and scale back the role and visibility of the U.S. military in the country in the aftermath of the U.S.-backed uprising that toppled dictator Moammar Kadafi, sounds like reasonable advice to me. In addition to this security, on standby was an additional strike force near enough to support the embassy should a battle erupt. Another thing that was reported on all networks including Fox was that the US was unaware of a possible attack on the mission in Benghazi, and absent better intelligence, the State Department had "the correct number of assets in given the mission, again sounds reasonable. Then, dozens of heavily armed men gained access to the embassy grounds and quickly kill the ambassador along with his US security guards. Sounds like the Ambassador was in the wrong place at the right time. On the issue of veterans, all veterans are equal in their willingness to serve and the honor they bring to their country and to them selves, but not all are equal in there exposure to hostile environments and training, just like not all our heroes. Of the two local idiots you describe, I assume Col. Longhofer is the other, Col Longhofer is well within the top 1 ½ % of 3 ½ % of all US troops in Vietnam who actually participate in combat, as am I. I speak from years of experience deployed by my country to areas of conflict and my opinions are my own. For you Smith I recommend counseling, it helped me, its obvious your overwhelmed with your chosen ideology and suffer from a little of wannabe when it comes to anything military. Additionally, another thing that helped me were long walks, I suggest you and Mr. Steers find a grassy area far away from anything political, hold hands and go for a long walk, and don’t forget to breath deeply
Jim RiordanNovember 04, 2012 - 10:55 am
Boy will I be glad when Wednesday dawns and we don't have to be barraged with a bunch of lying idiots on both sides. However, when casting your vote, let's not forget this quote from the Obamanation: "The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, "the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better." ~ Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006 If said as alleged, what a sick joke on all of us that was!
James E.November 04, 2012 - 12:56 pm
The site grinds to a halt. Perhaps we are all exhausted.
prime timeDecember 04, 2012 - 5:21 am
“If You Ever Get On Their Enemies List, Like Petraeus Did, Then You Can Be Drawn Into That Surveillance”
prime timeDecember 06, 2012 - 8:23 am
Phil VeerkampDecember 06, 2012 - 9:49 am
James E.December 06, 2012 - 9:58 am
Phil? Libya lies?
Phil VeerkampDecember 06, 2012 - 9:59 am
prime time and I are testing invisible ink.
James E.December 06, 2012 - 10:21 am
Phil, while you are testing ink, consider this: "You know Paul, Reagan proved that deficits don't matter" --VP Cheney speaking to Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. This is why, when Timmy leaves, I'm hoping that the President appoints Cheney as his Secretary of the Treasury.
Phil VeerkampDecember 06, 2012 - 10:35 am
James, one too many bloody marys this AM? Next you'll be endorsing Maxine WatersJames, one too many bloody marys this AM? Next thing you’ll be suggesting Maxine - LINK - Maxine Waters elected ranking member of House financial panel
Phil VeerkampDecember 06, 2012 - 10:36 am
damn ditto ink!
James E.December 06, 2012 - 11:06 am
Phil, I have so few drinks over a year that I would be considered a non-drinker. Once, in VietNam I had such a massive hangover that I didn't care if the enemy attacked -- thoughts from the past.
prime timeDecember 11, 2012 - 7:02 am
(Book) L'Affaire Petraeus - This is the first overview of the scandal that took down CIA director and the much-idolized General David Petraeus. As with all major scandals, there are back stories to the Petraeus Affair