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The Smoking Gun of the Benghazi Cover-up
Townhall ^ | November 2, 2012 | Pat Buchanan

Posted on 11/02/2012 12:18:14 AM PDT by GonzoII

The Smoking Gun of the Benghazi Cover-up

By Pat Buchanan

11/2/2012

 
On June 6 of this year, a bomb planted at the U.S. compound in Benghazi ripped a 12-foot-wide hole in the outer wall.

On June 11, the British ambassador's motorcade was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, wounding a medic and doctor. The next day, the ambassador was gone and the British Benghazi post was closed.

At the same time, the Red Cross, after a second attack, shut down and fled the city.

"When that occurred," says Lt. Col. Andrew Wood, who headed the military security team in Tripoli, "we were the last flag flying in Benghazi; we were the last thing on their target list to remove."

On Aug. 15, at the U.S. compound in Benghazi, an emergency meeting was convened to discuss the 10 Islamist militias and their training camps in the area, among them al-Qaida and Ansar al-Sharia.

On Aug. 16, a cable went to the State Department describing the imminent danger, saying the compound could not defend itself against a "coordinated attack."

The cable was sent to Hillary Clinton -- and signed by Ambassador Chris Stevens.

On Sept. 11, Ambassador Stevens died in a coordinated attack on the Benghazi compound by elements of Ansar al-Sharia and al-Qaida.

Catherine Herridge of Fox News, who unearthed the Aug. 16 cable, calls it the "smoking gun."

Yet, on Oct. 11, Joe Biden, during the vice presidential debate, asserted, "We weren't told they wanted more security there."

While House spokesman Jay Carney said Biden's "we" applied only to Biden, Obama and the White House. As the National Security Council is part of the White House, Carney was saying the NSC was in the dark over the Aug. 16 cable that had warned about the exact attack that occurred.

What else have we lately learned?

The State Department was following the Benghazi assault in real time.

Three emails came from the compound that night. The first described the attack; the second came as the firing stopped; the third reported that Ansar al-Sharia was claiming credit.

From an Oct. 26 report by Jennifer Griffin, also of Fox News, we now know there were two drones over Benghazi the night of Sept. 11 capable of sending pictures to U.S. commanders within reach of Benghazi, and to the CIA, Pentagon and White House.

We also know that ex-SEAL Ty Woods, in the CIA safe house a mile away, was denied permission to go to the rescue of the compound, and that he disobeyed orders, went and brought back the body of diplomat Sean Smith.

After the attack on the compound, the battle shifted to the safe house -- for four more hours. Another ex-SEAL, Glen Doherty, made it to Benghazi from Tripoli. Seven hours after the initial assault that killed Ambassador Stevens and Smith, Doherty and Woods were still returning fire, when, having been abandoned on the orders of someone higher up, they were killed by a direct mortar hit.

Due to stonewalling and the complicity of the Big Media in ignoring or downplaying the Benghazi story during the last weeks of the campaign, the Obamaites may get past the post on Nov. 6 without being called to account.

But the truth is coming out, and an accounting is coming. For the character, competence and credibility of Obama's entire national security team have been called into question.

Hillary Clinton said she takes full responsibility for any security failure by her department at the Benghazi compound. But what does that mean? Did she see the Aug. 16 secret cable sent to her by Stevens describing his perilous situation? Was she oblivious to the battle in her department over security in Benghazi?

This failure that occurred in her shop and on her watch, that Stevens warned about in his Aug. 16 cable, resulted in his death and the most successful terrorist attack on this country since 9/11.

Why has Hillary not explained her inaction -- or stepped down?

The CIA has issued a terse statement saying it gave no order to anyone not to try to rescue the ambassador or not to move forces to aid Doherty and Woods, who died because no help came.

Who, then, did refuse to send help? Who did give the orders to "stand down"?

The president says he is keeping Americans informed as we learn the truth. But is that still credible?

When did Obama learn that State was following the Benghazi attack in real time, that camera-carrying drones were over the city that night, that a seven-hour battle was fought, that desperate cries for help were being turned down.

The CIA had to know all this. Did Tom Donilon of the NSC not know it? Did he not tell the president?

Five days after Benghazi, Susan Rice went on five national TV shows to say the attack was a spontaneous protest over an anti-Muslim video.

Did the president not know she was talking nonsense? Could he himself have still been clueless about what went on in Benghazi?

Pat Buchanan

Pat Buchanan is a founding editor of The American Conservative magazine, and the author of many books including State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America .
 
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©Creators Syndicate


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 20120605; 20120611; 20120815; 20120816; 20120911; 20121011; abuahmed; adelshehato; alkashef; alqaeda; alqaida; ambassadorstevens; andrewwood; ansaralsharia; benghazi; biden; bodies; bombing; britain; cable; chrisstevens; clinton; clueless; democrat; democrats; diplomaticcable; diplomaticsecurrity; doherty; donilon; drones; egyptianislamicjihad; eij; glendoherty; globaljihad; hillary; hillaryclinton; jaycarney; jihad; joebiden; josephbiden; kashef; libya; militias; muhammadkashef; nowot; nsc; obama; patbuchanan; redcross; rescue; rpg; seal; seansmith; shehato; sheikhadelshehato; statedepartment; susanrice; tomdonilon; trainingcamps; tripoli; tywoods; uk; usembassyplots; wood
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To: TigersEye

As bad as this all is, I don’t think many voters are paying attention at all. They don’t know where Benghazi is or anything about this. I think we’re wasting our time talking about Benghazi, to be honest.


21 posted on 11/02/2012 3:28:38 AM PDT by gub821
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To: Travis McGee

Ping.


22 posted on 11/02/2012 4:17:40 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: GonzoII
As soon as a mission is under attack, it sends a flash message; it is a canned message and it goes to the various emergency operations centers at the white house, state, DOD, and the entire national security apparatus operations centers - this the major priority message anyone anywhere would see at that point in time, period. When you have read that 400 people may have gotten emails, well that is probably true. If someone sends this message by mistake they can be relieved - it is that serious - it literally gets the entire security operations attention.

It appears that "everyone" knew the consulates situation - of course we know Obama and his former CIA now head Sec Def was with him (exactly the same room togetherness that killed Osama Bin Laden...).

The US can dispatch immediately within seconds the appropriate response for any situation. Let me repeat that. We have a tactical operations center to do this, but all Emergency Operations Centers/Command Centers are tied together For example, if a grid coordinate needs watched we have an assortment of sat's, drones, aircraft, electronic signal intercepts, on the ground assets, as well as other countries Information all pour into a command center. There are computers to make split second decisions on what response options are available, and then a final judgment made by an officer to dispatch what the computers identify. We can dispatch many types of assets, a few which come to mind are cruise missiles, artillery, quick response teams, aircraft, drones, etc.

Still remember this - the emergency ops centers knew the situation and Obama was present. There is only one commander in chief of the armed forces and only one head of the civilian government. The president appoints every Sec State, CIA, Sec Def (Sec Nav, Sec Army, Sec AF, etc.) so if incompetence ruled the day it was all because of his due diligence or lack thereof. It was no more Hillary’s fault than the man in the moon.

What we learned from Obama's personal touch being on the kill button for Osama Bin Laden is he took full credit - he was president or present if you will again so what is different this time with the exception that our Nation failed to act. We also have reports Obama went to bed 45-minutes after leaving the briefing/command center so the decision was made early on. Now we have a one-star general and the commander of the Stennis carrier group relieved. Obama made that call just like with Bin Laden.

Got this picture of Obama and his staff burned in your heads yet from the OBL raid because nothing changed and president and DNC along with the media has made sure you see Obama as the Strong Leader of the Military and foreign policy, executing policy to protect America. The media and DNC is so sure they can tell their party faithful that OBL was personally dispatched by Obama, and we do know Obama was president as president do we not....

It would have been normal for an IT guy to be one of the final few with the chief of mission (in this case the Ambassador) remaining until the end - due to communications requirements and being located in a safe haven area of the mission) as was the case for Amb Stevens.

State would have not had to make any request for security in this situation, nor would they be an approval authority, rather they would just meekly accept the judgment of higher ups (the president in this case) or professionals like the military and Intel agencies. They are not a security or combat outfit. When making the point they are responsible for their own security, so is a bank, a shopping mall, etc., and each has a limited capability. State has as some missions abroad Marine Security Guards, Local National Guard Forces, Regional Security Officer (actually diplomatic security specialists), possibly contractors who used to be US vendors like the evil Blackwater (no US Dept of State personnel ever died under Blackwater’s security).

Some countries I am familiar had a Special Forces team located nearby for several purposes, like security of important things and keeping watchful eyes on, for the most part the arrogant State Department mission (our diplomatic security specialist/agent actually told the SF Team she didn't need their help for the mission as she could handle it - a first tour DS specialist no less). I am sure our Nation had operatives roaming around who never set foot nor have any contact with anyone stationed in that country who were totally independent.

Hllary and O made sure that trans-formative social engineering is the primary mission at State and diplomacy second. Liberals ruined the workplace with group-think. To dissent is to be unsupportative at State.

Liberals have failed to understand that diplomacy, national security, or even GM and banks need to be run by the professionals and not some CRAZ or appointee. Of course, they can be forgiven for this failed judgment as all the nice Embassies get political campaign supports appointed as the Ambassador (Europe or any place you would want to visit) and the career diplomats go to the hell holes.

23 posted on 11/02/2012 4:51:09 AM PDT by Jumper
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To: Jumper
"and then a final judgment made by an officer to dispatch what the computers identify."

Could there have been free movement in that regard without the President? It seems an aggressive SOP would be in place for such events as Benghazi without having to go to far up the COC in order to protect life and limb?

24 posted on 11/02/2012 5:20:48 AM PDT by GonzoII (Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea...Quare tristis es anima mea?)
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To: GonzoII

Smoking gun? It’s a bonfire.


25 posted on 11/02/2012 10:53:21 AM PDT by Hotlanta Mike (Resurrect the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)...before there is no America!)
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To: gub821; LUV W; BIGLOOK; ConorMacNessa

Nobody spoke for them when they needed help, and it cost them their lives.
If we don’t speak for them now, it will cost us our honor.


26 posted on 11/02/2012 10:57:52 AM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: gub821

Speak for yourself. I’m not wasting my time. I have changed the course of conversation here on FR and I have seen those changes bleed onto Youtube threads and onto Fox News reports. I have seen things other FReepers have pushed change the course of reporting on Fox too.


27 posted on 11/02/2012 11:10:29 AM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: gub821; Jim Robinson; Admin Moderator; Lazamataz

You joined up today to tell me I’m wasting my time? Who do you work for? 0coward? Hillbilly? One of their buttmonkeys? Go back and tell them there is only one way to shut me up. Bring more than one body bag.


28 posted on 11/02/2012 11:15:57 AM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

The actions, or I should say the inaction, of this administration in response to the attack at Benghazi is the most despicable dereliction of duty that I can recall in my lifetime. My heart goes out to the gallant warriors who fell in that attack.

Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were brave heroes whose behavior reflected their abundant Honor. The Kenyan-in-Chief is devoid of Honor. God willing, we turn him out Tuesday!


29 posted on 11/02/2012 11:34:09 AM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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To: TigersEye; gub821

gub821, horrific timing. Very concern-troll-appearing. You will probably be gone. If you are genuine and conservative, sign up later and don’t concern-troll.


30 posted on 11/02/2012 11:35:01 AM PDT by Lazamataz (The Pravda Press has gone from 'biased' straight on through to 'utterly bizarre'.)
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To: Lazamataz
Thanks, Laz. A more objective view was needed. This story has me so freaking mad I'm ready to jump on anyone who appears to be giving resistance.

I am skipping things I want/need to do while there is still some warm weather to apply all of the meager skills I've developed over the years to keep this story moving and hopefully help in the process of collecting and clarifying the mountain of info coming in. Most of which has been deceptive nonsense thrown in to muddy the waters. I'm not in the mood to be blocked or discouraged from going after it.

31 posted on 11/02/2012 11:45:07 AM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: TigersEye

Interestingly, on occasion mitt Romney 2012 Facebook page does mention Benghazi. It is obviously a strategy by his campaign to let supporters know he is On It but that he knows if he says anything in front of the mouthpiece media they await strangling him with “he made it Po Lit I Cal!!” He’s not playing.

This is something that will completely decimate Obama’s chances of any legacy. I hope we don’t have to wait long. Mitt needs do nothing — the truth unravels day by day. One day some journolist will awaken on the wrong side of the bed, go for it, and earn an easy Pulitzer.


32 posted on 11/02/2012 12:08:18 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: TigersEye

One post does not a concern-troll make, unless the tactic shifts to have many people sign up and do one concern-troll post each. I haven’t seen evidence of that.

But I do understand your twitchiness. :)


33 posted on 11/02/2012 12:08:44 PM PDT by Lazamataz (The Pravda Press has gone from 'biased' straight on through to 'utterly bizarre'.)
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To: Yaelle
I am far far away from being a Mitt fan but IMO he considers this scandal to be too serious to make into a campaign issue. I think that's intelligent and mature. He's not an elected official, he's not part of the press and he isn't a law enforcement officer. He's applying for the job of POTUS and if he is hired he will be the top LEO and he can deal with it from that position.

Second guessing now whether he will or won't is pointless. If he doesn't win it won't matter what he thinks about it at all to anyone.

34 posted on 11/02/2012 12:30:29 PM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: Lazamataz

Thanks again, Laz. When I’m trying to keep a fire going it rubs me the wrong way when someone tells me it will probably rain and put it out. At least draw me a weather map if you’re going to volunteer a forecast! lol


35 posted on 11/02/2012 12:40:41 PM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: TigersEye

I am a mitt fan now, for the sake of the country. I became one at the debates. He is helping us get rid of Obama. He’s doing a damn good job.


36 posted on 11/02/2012 1:31:31 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: Yaelle

Anything any politician says in any campaign for any office should be taken with a grain of salt. I never pay any attention to it. It’s all just gas and it always is.


37 posted on 11/02/2012 1:42:17 PM PDT by TigersEye (dishonorabledisclosure.com - OPSEC (give them support))
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To: Cindy

Hey....good stuff, I have not seen your posts for quite some time...good to see them.


38 posted on 11/02/2012 2:04:36 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach ((The Global Warming Hoax was a Criminal Act....where is Al Gore?))
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To: gub821; TigersEye

He may be an O’Reilly fan....Bill said about the same thing on his show a few days ago,....hacked me off!


39 posted on 11/02/2012 2:08:15 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach ((The Global Warming Hoax was a Criminal Act....where is Al Gore?))
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Just one more incident that for the past four years we haven't had a CiC. This one is the most blatant and damning.

Godspeed to our lost and give us aid to evict, if not convict, this fraud.
40 posted on 11/02/2012 2:56:20 PM PDT by BIGLOOK (4 days, a hook and a wake up.)
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