[Ron C.]

Another big question - the Seals asked for permission to assist and THREE TIMES they were told to 'Stand down.'

But on the third denial of permission the Seals decided to go anyway.

Why were they denied permission to try to save the other people? I think this was a set-up, else why the denial.

[Alberta's Child]

The good news is that they went anyway. I see this as compelling evidence that a lot of military and civilian personnel serving overseas have completely lost faith in their chain of command.

Is it any wonder that the U.S. soldiers at that base in Afghanistan were all disarmed when Leon Panetta showed up for a visit? I've suggested before that a full-blown insurrection among U.S. military personnel may not be such an outlandish possibility.

[sarasmom]

Just to keep things clear, these awesome men were former SEALs, working in some civilian capacity either with or for the CIA. The exact nature of their employment has not been clarified, and may well never be clarified.

Congress did not authorize the Obama/Clinton pseudo-clandestine operations in Libya.
We are not at war with Libya.

Only the POTUS as CINC, could authorize USA military forces to assist the USA representatives in Benghazi, and only Obama had the authority to do so.
And let's all be clear on that point.

He obviously choose to NOT allow any of the readily available military forces under his command to act to save USA civilian employees working for his CIA and his State Department, while they were under attack in Libya.