General’s opinion on Benghazi draws a rebuke

Associated Press ^ | May 1, 2014 11:03 PM EDT | Deb Riechmann and Donna Cassata

[Olog-hai]

A retired U.S. general came under sharp criticism from a Republican committee chairman on Thursday after testifying that the Obama administration reacted weakly to the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert Lovell, the star witness at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, testified that U.S. forces “should have tried” to get to the outpost in time to help save the lives of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. He blamed the State Department for not making stronger requests for action.

A few hours later, the powerful chairman of the Armed Services panel, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., challenged the testimony of Lovell, who was in U.S. Africa Command’s headquarters in Germany monitoring the attack. …

[palmer]

Despite this corruption, the Rats will almost certainly recover and win back their supermajority in the election this fall.

I would have no problem with that if we can just get rid of the all the RINOs like those CA "Republicans" like the moron defending Obama in this piece. Let's have a real opposition party even if it is smaller at this point in time.

[palmer]

Your theory is plausible, although I wouldn’t expect any plans by the administration to succeed, they are just too incompetent to anything right or wrong.

[lowtaxsmallgov]

McKeon is really old, like 143. He should have been termed-limited about 37 years ago. But at least he’s retiring.

Heritage only gives him a 43 rating, so it’s not like he’s a conservative stalwart.

He is a porkapotamus. His departure will have a materially favorable impact on our deficit.

[Safetgiver]

It all went to hell when a couple of SEAL team members started shooting and defending the compound as they were trained to do...I Distinctly remeber reading on Sept. 12th or 13th an interview from a hired guard who said “ One of the attackers ran up the compound and yelled ‘Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! Dr. Morsi sent us!” I remember it because I’d never heard Morsi was a Dr. of anything. I Googled it found he was.

[reefdiver]

Nothing will come of this. I thought they had zer0 more than a couple of times over the last 5 years, but no. He will skate on this as well.
He has to many water carriers in the press that cover up anything.

[Lazamataz]

California Republicans used to be called Democrats.

[Future Snake Eater]

at one point saying more should and could have been done to rescue those under attack

I heard on Hannity's radio show yesterday that BG Lovell was a cog in the AFRICOM G2. That would likely mean he wasn't fully aware of what capabilities were available and where they were. Perhaps someone from the AFRICOM G3 should be brought in to testify? There should be no shortage of general officers, colonels, and lieutenant colonels who can testify as to the specifics of what was available and what specific orders were given (or not given) and by whom.

[ArtDodger]

That would be hard to believe but anything is possible with this bunch o’ bananas.

[don-o]

Another person who testified said that he never saw Obama in the Situation Room (where Bammy claimed to have been monitoring things) and in fact that Obama could not be found or contacted that night. I wish I could find that info. Someone posted it here yesterday.

Saw that as well - it's from Bret Baier interviewing someone who WAS in the Situation Room - if that helps.

[don-o]

Baier coming up on WMAL at 8:35

http://player.listenlive.co/26491

[metesky]

"He's grown in office."

/Progmode

[Night Hides Not]

I heard on Hannity's radio show yesterday that BG Lovell was a cog in the AFRICOM G2.

I agree with you the G3 should have been the one to testify. The G3 is the section responsible for operations and planning.

I'm no expert, though. However, I did stints on battalion staff during my tour in Germany: 6 months as Asst S-3, and 18 months as the S-4.

[Night Hides Not]

Saw that as well - it's from Bret Baier interviewing someone who WAS in the Situation Room - if that helps.

No, it doesn't help. C'mon "dude", that was nearly two years ago...what difference does it make now?

Please note that my ire is not directed at you, don-o. How did that pinhead ever get the security clearance for his job?

[don-o]

I wish I could find that info. Someone posted it here yesterday.

---

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/05/01/fmr_nsc_spokesman_tommy_vietor_obama_was_not_in_the_situation_room_during_benghazi_attack.html

[Sequoyah101]

Yes, but I have to wonder if Stevens only thought the was supplying arms.

This is just one strand in a web of intrigue that has been cast by this administration. Jarrett, obarry, soros, dorn, ayers et al are the strategists and the stupid dolt interviewed by Bret Bayer yesterday are the tactical pawns. Ignorant ideologues that either think they will be protected from prosecution forever or are too stupid to know what they are exposed to.

The likes of Stevens are the collateral damage.

[ArtDodger]

My trouble with thinking Stevens was in the weapons running loop is that he was concerned about his safety and was asking for more security. Also, it would be easier to contain an information leak if he were in the dark. He was just, as you say collateral damage, or Lenin’s ‘useful idiot’.

[Intolerant in NJ]

There should be no shortage of general officers, colonels, and lieutenant colonels who can testify as to the specifics of what was available...my impression from the way he talked was that Gen. Lovell wanted to be there testifying - up until now it's probably been difficult to get people in the know to come forward because of pressure from the administration and threats of retaliation - with the new and long-overdue special investigating committee, with Trey Gowdy let's hope in charge, that hopefully will change and we'll finally get people forced to give evidence under oath and subpoena if necessary......