Ping.
My guess is that it’s plausible that he didn’t give the order, but the order came nevertheless.
My assumption is partly based on the idea that the military will do what it thinks best, if no contrary order is given otherwise.
The Lt. Col. was VERY specific and if he did not think he understood it, he would have asked again. PLus an order like that was not a no or go it is specifically engage or stand down. There is no wiggle room in that order.
I think somebody gave the order to stand down. Woods, Doherty, and five CIA officers essentially hijacked a jet in Tripoli to get there. Th ltCol was furious because he knew they were ordered not to go.
I seem to remember it was Sec. Defense that launched the Benghazi raid and then called Obama on the Golf Course and told him it was on.
I understand Valerie Jarrett shat herself when she found out.
Lt Gen. Thomas McInerney: ‘There Is Only One Person Who Can Say, Stand Down – And That’s The President’
present.
entirely possible...I hope we can find out in the next round of hearings. There’s lots to learn on many fronts - stand down order, talking points revisions, demotion of Hicks, who pushed the video, who’s hiding the victims and why, who denied multiple requests for embassy security, where was Obama during critical period etc.
I’m sure there are others......I hope someone can list and publish a comprehensive list of unanswered questions.
“Mr President, we have American Citizens in harm’s way in Benghazzi. Do we have your permission to try and save their lives?”
(.....Crickets......)
Any answer, or non-answer, other than “Permission Granted” demands an explanation to the families of those lost, and to the American people.
The retired Special Operations General on Huckabee tonight said he expects the hearings will disclose a breakdown in the chain of command. He’s been there, done that, and his speculation is probably better than most anyones.
This is purely MY speculation (which isn’t worth anything) but suppose Obama wouldn’t make a decision (ala a repeat of his 6 months to study option for Afghanistan). Given his tendency to fiddle around, it could be a failure to act rather than a direct order not to.
Standdown orders have to come thr prez.
Damned scary to think this MASCOT of the White House has his finger on THE button...or, maybe he doesn’t.
He probably gave the responsibility of the n-clear football to the “Iranian of the Day”!
Valerie Jarrette:
http://iranian.com/main/singlepage/2008/valerie-jarrett
(OOOOPS! It’s been scrubbed! Whaddaya know?)
I was watching the attack on the consultate in the days after it happened and the news station had a tape and I heard “Stand down” supposedly on a tape. I usually watch FOX but I have no idea which news it was on. I realize this qualifies as a rumor, but I know what I heard.
Spot On!
You’re on your own!!
Possible. One thing we know for sure, is that the President is the only one that can give the cross border order, and that didn’t happen, so the only effort for rescue would have to come from within the country.
Initially I read that a group was being sent from Tripoli, then I read that that group had been ordered back to Tripoli.
I guess it is possible that they didn’t want leave the embassy in Tripoli undefended due to the violence in other locations of the Mideast at our other diplomatic locations. Figuring that Tripoli could be next site to be attacked.
Obama took one phone call early on as events unfolded. After that, nobody knows where he was for the remainder of the evening. We need to pin somebody down, under oath, to specifically describe where Obama was, and what he was doing during these “lost hours.”
What do I think? Glad you asked. To dither is the same as saying “no go.” The b@st@rd is equally guilty either way.
It’s not just a matter of calling for action, it’s a matter of legistics. Would you ready men and materials on the outset of an attack? Or, would you rule it a protest and let what may happen...happen? Knockoff at 5pm and have fish tacos and watch TV -this was Obama.