Benghazi Public Relations Disaster [Archive]

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SF-TX

11-26-2012, 08:54

I don't have any confidence that President Obama and his administration consider Benghazi anything more than a 'public relations disaster.'

Obama may get chance to end Benghazi PR disaster

ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House could finally have its chance to close the books on its Benghazi public relations disaster, as key Republicans signal they might not stand in the way of U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice to become the next secretary of state.

"I think she deserves the ability and the opportunity to explain herself and her position," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told "Fox News Sunday." ''But she's not the problem. The problem is the president of the United States," who, McCain said, misled the public on terrorist involvement...

Link (http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Obama-may-get-chance-to-end-Benghazi-PR-disaster-4065986.php)

mark46th

11-26-2012, 09:33

An American Ambassador was left out to dry and killed. Nothing to see here, move along...

Democrats get a lot of people killed because the real world doesn't fit into their ideas on the way things should be...

Detonics

12-13-2012, 15:55

An interesting take on the Benghazi debacle.

Canada Free Press: Benghazi Explained, Interview with an intelligence insider (http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51346)

afchic

12-13-2012, 16:03

She just announced that she asked to have her name pulled from the "short" list

Streck-Fu

12-14-2012, 08:24

An interesting take on the Benghazi debacle.

Canada Free Press: Benghazi Explained, Interview with an intelligence insider (http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51346)

That seems to play well with this: LINK (http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)

U.S. to send troops, Patriot missiles to Turkey

(CNN) -- The United States gave the go-ahead Friday to deploy Patriot anti-ballistic missiles to Turkey along with enough troops to operate them as the heavily embattled government in neighboring Syria again vehemently denied firing ballistic missiles at rebels.

The United States has accused Damascus of launching Scud-type artillery from the capital at rebels in the country's north. One Washington official said missiles came close to the border of Turkey, a NATO member and staunch U.S. ally.

Syria's government called the accusations "untrue rumors" Friday, according to state news agency SANA. Damascus accused Turkey and its partners of instigating rumors to make the government look bad internationally.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed the order while en route to Turkey to send two Patriot missile batteries and 400 U.S. troops to operate them. The surface-to-air interceptors will help in "dealing with threats that come out of Syria," Panetta said after landing at Incirlik Air Base, a U.S. Air Force installation about 80 miles from Syria's border.

Streck-Fu

12-14-2012, 08:46

More ...LINK (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/09/277127/3000-us-troops-secretly-return-to-iraq/)?

According to our correspondent, the US troops have secretly entered Iraq in multiple stages and are mostly stationed at Balad military garrison in Salahuddin province and al-Asad air base in al-Anbar province.

Reports say the troops include US Army officers and almost 17,000 more are set to secretly return to Iraq via the same route.

SF_BHT

12-14-2012, 10:44

Any validity to this: LINK (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/09/277127/3000-us-troops-secretly-return-to-iraq/)?

Well it would not be a SECRET if we verified it would it?:munchin

Streck-Fu

12-14-2012, 11:11

Well it would not be a SECRET if we verified it would it?:munchin

I should edit then....

Trapper John

12-15-2012, 08:32

An interesting take on the Benghazi debacle.

Canada Free Press: Benghazi Explained, Interview with an intelligence insider (http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51346)

First question: Has this source been vetted? Is it taken seriously? Or, is it viewed as a "rag"? If this is legitimate investigative journalism and the report has real truth behind it - well, then this is a game changer in my mind!

I am not so naive as to not recognize that there are always hidden agendas, disinformation, and misdirections. The whole Benghazi matter never passed the "smell test" for me. And, I have suspected for some time that, as reported in the cited article, "The U.S., NATO and other allies are engaged in a proxy war with Iran and Russia."

In that context, much of what is being reported in this article passes the "smell test". However, if that is the case, then I am not "outraged" as the author of the article suggests that I should be. I am, however, more insistent upon righting our economic ship because that is our Achilles heal! If the US Dollar loses "reference currency status" (and it could with another credit down-grade) then all hell is going to break loose. Very, very serious stuff!

I would really like to hear the take from others that are more in touch with the intelligence side of this then I am.

Thank you for a great post {Salute}

Trapper John

12-15-2012, 11:19

Ok, I have done some checking on my own and it appears that Canada Free Press is another ideological "rag". Doug Hagmann, the author of the cited article, is a self-proclaimed security counter-terrorism expert (Hmmm, seems I've heard that claim somewhere else) and radio talk-show host. Using an "anonymous" intelligence insider to promote the premise of the article as if it were a legitimate "interview" also does not "smell right" to me. Hagmann's credibility as a serious investigative journalist is questionable in my mind. I give Geraldo greater credibility than this guy.

Bottom line: I would take this story with a large dose of skepticism.

That doesn't mean that the premise is not correct, however. And as Richard would say "and so it goes".

cbtengr

12-15-2012, 13:34

XngZeRubicon

12-16-2012, 10:46

Detonics

12-16-2012, 14:24

Bottom line: I would take this story with a large dose of skepticism.

I agree. I don't know of a media source that I -wouldn't- take with a large dose of skepticism.

We live in the era of the 24 hour global news cycle and disinformation is the real coin-of-the-realm.

Trapper John

12-16-2012, 14:43

I agree. I don't know of a media source that I -wouldn't- take with a large dose of skepticism.

We live in the era of the 24 hour global news cycle and disinformation is the real coin-of-the-realm.

IMO David Brooks, Charles Krauthammer, and George Will offer thoughtful and balanced analysis of the issues. But in general, I agree with you. It's disinformation and misinformation seasoned with sensationalism appealing to the basest emotions and pandering for ratings and sales :mad:

Call me naive (and some will- Dozer ;)) but I really think Journalism has a higher calling than that!

I'm going to shut up now because I feel a rant brewing. :D

afchic

12-16-2012, 14:48

She was suppose to testify Thursday at a congressional hearing , I sure hope that she does not suffer irreversible amnesia from her concussion and that she will be able to testify at a later date.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2248653/Hillary-Clinton-suffers-concussion-fainting-recovers-home-just-days-insisting-shes-old-run-president-2016.html

While the timing does seem a little suspicious, shit happens. After having to deal.with the problems following a serious concussion with my daughter last year it is understandable that she won't be testifying. My daughter was out of school for 3 weeks. She was incapable of reading, no short term memory, and sketchy long term memory. Couldn't recall her best friend's name, her locker combination etc.

If Republican leadership.was smart they would wish her a speedy recovery and keep pressing the issues in other areas. Claiming conspiracies makes us look desperate, again.

cbtengr

12-16-2012, 19:18

While the timing does seem a little suspicious, shit happens. After having to deal.with the problems following a serious concussion with my daughter last year it is understandable that she won't be testifying. My daughter was out of school for 3 weeks. She was incapable of reading, no short term memory, and sketchy long term memory. Couldn't recall her best friend's name, her locker combination etc.

If Republican leadership.was smart they would wish her a speedy recovery and keep pressing the issues in other areas. Claiming conspiracies makes us look desperate, again.

I am not making any claims as to a conspiracy here, I would prefer the term convenient. The current administration which includes Hillary will ignore this until it does indeed go away. I do not think she cares how this looks, she's on her way out and already packing for her big move in 2017. Somebody let those men die in Benghazi without any attemp to save them, there is no accountability here. I would be hard pressed to believe I am the only cynical/skeptical individual following this administration.

alelks

12-16-2012, 19:25

Just remember. These two couldn't recall a damn thing when asked about past events but somehow managed to publish their memoirs.

I'm just saying!

Hand

12-17-2012, 06:10

Were there not some survivors of the attack? Ive seen this topic pop up in the blogosphere. Maybe they could let them stand in for Sec of State Clinton and answer questions.

MR2

12-17-2012, 07:56

Were there not some survivors of the attack? Ive seen this topic pop up in the blogosphere. Maybe they could let them stand in for Sec of State Clinton and answer questions.

They too all seem to be "unavailable." Congress has been trying to find them to no avail. Maybe those "dark sites" are not gone after all...

Richard

12-17-2012, 08:23

It is a PR disaster for this nation - I just hope what we're seeing is merely the 'open' side of it (the PR issues) and that the 'behind the curtain' issues are being taken care of by those responsible for doing so. However, I do have to wonder...

Richard :munchin

Trapper John

12-17-2012, 09:10

This whole Benghazi tragedy, and for that matter many of the missteps (MOO) in Middle East foreign policy, are beginning to look like a DoS/CIA CF. Obviously, I have no "hard intel" to support that assumption - only a series of actions/non-actions since this administration took office. This also plays well (IMO) with my perception of BHO as an egocentric control freak and his apparent mistrust of others with opposing views and in particular the military. I think that if SOCOM and the TSOCs were running things there would be very different outcomes. As I said, can't know for sure and will just have to watch and see to figure out what makes sense. Thus far, I am thinking that we are going down a path that ultimately the military is going to have to bail us out and the human cost is going to be huge.:mad:

My prediction: Nothing will come of the Benghazi investigations. Why: It is not as it seems and DoS/CIA needs to protect assets and ass.

Badger52

12-19-2012, 09:25

DoS link here. (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/202446.pdf)

MSM take on things here. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/18/benghazi-report-cites-state-dept-for-security-failures-confirms-no-protest/)

A sad thing to read.

ddoering

12-19-2012, 10:20

The sad part is that no one will be held responsible.

Detonics

12-19-2012, 18:08

The sad part is that no one will be held responsible.

This is another example of the old axiom "The people get the government they deserve."

Her confirmation by the Senate as Secretary of State was only opposed by 2 Republican Senators, even after the Whitewater investigations; her having answered "I have no recollection" a few -hundred- times while testifying under oath and her taking 180 days to produced documents under subpoena by Congress (they were "found" on the sitting room table).

Bush could likely have spared us further participation in public life by the Clinton's had he released the final reports on the investigations or had the Senate done their sworn duty during Slick Willie's impeachment proceedings.

Instead we have Bill Clinton pontificating on political matters as an "Elder Statesman" and we'll likely see Hillary as a 2016 candidate. Even after that we'll have to suffer with daughter Chelsea (who's wedding festivities were reportedly paid for by George Soros) entering into political life.

It's Kabuki Theater at its finest.

SpNkid

12-20-2012, 08:25

First question: Has this source been vetted? Is it taken seriously? Or, is it viewed as a "rag"? If this is legitimate investigative journalism and the report has real truth behind it - well, then this is a game changer in my mind!

I am not so naive as to not recognize that there are always hidden agendas, disinformation, and misdirections. The whole Benghazi matter never passed the "smell test" for me. And, I have suspected for some time that, as reported in the cited article, "The U.S., NATO and other allies are engaged in a proxy war with Iran and Russia."

In that context, much of what is being reported in this article passes the "smell test". However, if that is the case, then I am not "outraged" as the author of the article suggests that I should be. I am, however, more insistent upon righting our economic ship because that is our Achilles heal! If the US Dollar loses "reference currency status" (and it could with another credit down-grade) then all hell is going to break loose. Very, very serious stuff!

I would really like to hear the take from others that are more in touch with the intelligence side of this then I am.

Thank you for a great post {Salute}

I do not know with what is there to argue.
America has set a goal to remain a world leader as long as possible and to prevent the emergence of real competition on stage.
Russia seeks to regain its status as a global player and again become an alternative pole of power.
Russia's goal is not compatible with the aim of America.
Everything else - the decorations and dancing with shamanic drums around the primary dispute.
Modern realities differ from the reality of the last century, only the emergence of new centers of power, such as China and the revival of old, such as the 4th Reich - aka the EU.
Isn't it?

mark46th

12-20-2012, 12:02

Hillary had Benghazi Flu....

XngZeRubicon

12-21-2012, 17:04

Such Clinton-like tactics. Nobody's going to care when she finally gets around to testifying next year. She won't even be SecState at the time.

Trapper John

12-21-2012, 17:47

I do not know with what is there to argue......

Isn't it?

I am not sure if that was a rhetorical question or a direct question arising from my post and requiring a direct answer? Please advise.

Trapper John

12-21-2012, 18:07

Sorry, the corrected post is below. I just couldn't see how to delete the duplicate here. :confused: I may be banished to the knuckledraggers thread...:o

Oh, Oh wait! I had a concusion. :D

SpNkid

12-22-2012, 09:23

I am not sure if that was a rhetorical question or a direct question arising from my post and requiring a direct answer? Please advise.
just caught the thought. I did not pulled the answer:)

BrokenSwitch

12-23-2012, 14:25

Caveat: Trapper John already pointed out that the CanadaFreePress link posted earlier in this thread is just a rag, and not a good source.

With that said, and having read through part 3 of that interview, I will say that another part of it jives with today's news-- Israeli radio (not sure which station; my employer happened to have it on) reports that Iran is saying the Syrian rebels used chemical weapons against Assad's troops.

Since it's the Iranians are saying it, it's suspect. Still, it will be interesting if any acceptable sources confirm this. :munchin

Paslode

12-23-2012, 21:22

pcfixer

04-26-2013, 06:08

http://www.politisite.com/2013/01/17/retired-4-star-admiral-blows-whistle-on-benghazi-new-evidence/#.UXprTMrXrby

This could get quite interesting from now on.

According to a report from the Washington Times, retired 4 Star Admiral James Lyons reveals the entire plot that led to the deaths of Americans in Libya that could have been prevented, who gave the orders, and why events took place as they tragically did. Admiral James Lyons is probably the highest ranking figure ever to intervene in a federal government criminal case, and testify. Thanks to this man’s dedication to his country and the truth, we will finally know the truth and who was responsible.

In his words Lyons says that the attack on Benghazi was a bungled kidnapping attempt to be perpetrated upon Ambassador Stevens. This was to appear to be a hostage exchange for a terrorist prisoner who was to be released in trade for a supposedly captured US ambassador. The trade would have been for Omar Abdel Rahman an international prisoner, known as the Blind Sheikh.

This apparent abduction by terrorists of our ambassador and then negotiated trade for the Blind Sheikh would have been the “October Surprise” that would have elevated President Obama’s flagging popularity and boosted his approval ratings for a re-election. A dramatic prisoner exchange that saved our ambassador’s life However, something went horribly wrong. A cunning and illegal bit of treachery by the Obama White House turned into something entirely different. Obama’s October surprise turned into a carnage orchestrated by the White House itself as the President, Leon Panetta, and CIA Director, David Petraeus watched via a UAV real-time feed as a 7 hour attack on the Benghazi Embassy raged. Reportedly, stand down orders were given several times to different units within striking distance.

Also Related..

http://www.politisite.com/2013/04/08/read-letter-special-ops-vets-demand-benghazi-congressional-investigation/#.UXptj8rXrbw

The undersigned are a representative group of some 700 retired Military Special Operations professionals who spent the majority of their careers preparing for and executing myriad operations to rescue or recover detained or threatened fellow Americans.

http://www.onecitizenspeaking.com/2013/04/benghazi-who-owns-speaker-of-the-house-boehner-and-why-is-he-becoming-a-liberal-democrat.html

John Boehner Says He’s Not Allowing Select Committee Investigation Into Benghazi

You read that right. Speaker of the House and RINO extraordinaire John Boehner (R-OH) is denying a select committee probe that would investigate the Benghazi attack, even though there is mounting support in the House for doing just that.

However, Boehner defended his position on Monday. “The reason I haven’t called for a select committee yet is that I don’t think it’s risen to that level,” Boehner told Fox News.

Trapper John

04-26-2013, 06:47

Where in the Washington Times article or Adm Lyons say that Benghazi was a botched kidnapping attempt? :confused: I have seen this theory elsewhere but it is "tin foil hat" IMO.

Badger52

04-26-2013, 09:35

Where in the Washington Times article or Adm Lyons say that Benghazi was a botched kidnapping attempt? :confused: I have seen this theory elsewhere but it is "tin foil hat" IMO.:cool: Yep, and different colors of smoke cause problems.

http://usactionnews.com/2013/02/adm-james-lyons-ret-on-growing-benghazi-scandal/

ARONOFF: I want to give you, first, the opportunity to clarify a quote that has been widely attributed to you—it was on numerous websites. You were said to have told The Washington Examiner that Benghazi was actually a bungled kidnapping attempt perpetrated upon Ambassador [Christopher] Stevens, and that it was going to be part of a hostage exchange for the “Blind Sheikh,” Omar Abdel Rahman, who sits in jail in the U.S. for his role in planning the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993. I’m sure you’ve seen that—

ADMIRAL LYONS: Right. First, yes, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify because, first of all, I’ve never talked to The Washington Examiner. Where this came up: I was on Lou Dobbs’s show, and somebody must have copied down from that show, maybe submitted a report or something, to The Washington Examiner. Lou asked me, “What do [you] think went on? What [do you] suspect happened?” I said, “Well, if I had to speculate, I believe this was a bungled, a bungled attack—a kidnapping attack, to kidnap Ambassador Stevens, and hold him in exchange for the Blind Sheikh.” You know there’s been a lot of pressure, certainly from [Egyptian President Mohamed] Morsi; that’s one of his objectives, to get the Blind Sheikh released. Now, again, [Dobbs] asked me what I thought, and I speculated, because nothing else made sense to me. We know that Ambassador Stevens was concerned over his safety there. I mean, why would he stay there—first of all, why was he even there on the night of 9/11? You have the significance of the date of 9/11—most places, people hunker down. Then we had a lot of not only tactical, but strategic warning of this attack. We can get into that now, if you’d like.

Bit of difference between personal speculation, then spun & extrapolated by media, served out to other outlets vs. explicit knowledge.

To be sure, Adm. Lyons says some unflattering things but, especially in this case, words matter. In my view it is counter-productive to give those you want the truth from the latitude to accuse you right back of substantiated exaggeration.

pcfixer: You may want to update the first link you give; it might be HTML for "whatever our latest front page says" instead of the actual story you're quoting from. It now appears to be running an article about Holder being found in contempt.

Dusty

04-26-2013, 09:57

In my view it is counter-productive to give those you want the truth from the latitude to accuse you right back of substantiated exaggeration.

That's their MO.

pcfixer

04-26-2013, 10:35

Where in the Washington Times article or Adm Lyons say that Benghazi was a botched kidnapping attempt? :confused: I have seen this theory elsewhere but it is "tin foil hat" IMO.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/28/lyonsobama-needs-come-clean-what-happened-benghazi/?page=all

THE Washington Times article maybe better written.

Somebody high up in the administration made the decision that no assistance (outside our Tripoli embassy) would be provided, and let our people be killed. The person who made that callous decision needs to be brought to light and held accountable. According to a CIA spokesperson, “No one at any level in the CIA told anybody not to help those in need.” We also need to know whether the director of CIA and the director of National Intelligence were facilitators in the fabricated video lie and the overall cover-up. Their creditability is on the line. A congressional committee should be immediately formed to get the facts out to the American people. Nothing less is acceptable.

Retired Adm. James A. Lyons was commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and senior U.S. military representative to the United Nations.

Obviously there is a cover up and credibility issue with all involved.

pcfixer

04-26-2013, 10:47

:cool: Yep, and different colors of smoke cause problems.

http://usactionnews.com/2013/02/adm-james-lyons-ret-on-growing-benghazi-scandal/

Bit of difference between personal speculation, then spun & extrapolated by media, served out to other outlets vs. explicit knowledge.

To be sure, Adm. Lyons says some unflattering things but, especially in this case, words matter. In my view it is counter-productive to give those you want the truth from the latitude to accuse you right back of substantiated exaggeration.

pcfixer: You may want to update the first link you give; it might be HTML for "whatever our latest front page says" instead of the actual story you're quoting from. It now appears to be running an article about Holder being found in contempt.

I did go back and look at the first link. After reading your post, I would think the writer could have misquoted, use of political spin etc is possible also.

The quote is posted from 2nd paragraph "The story as it truly unfolded".

The reporter also wrote in his second sentence of the article.
"There have been many theories and accusations about the Benghazi fiasco...."

I think of Paul Harvey when reading some of this. "Standby for News, Good Day"

Kenny

The Reaper

04-26-2013, 16:56

This is why we should execute terrorists after their convictions.

TR

BryanK

08-21-2013, 07:17

I wonder if they were subject to sequester while sitting at home shitting kittens worrying about the results of the investigation report. I don't fault these particular 4 individuals, just the department in general. No one will be held accountable however, just the regular display of smoke and mirrors while Americans lapse further into the idiocracy. At least it's being reported on, but for people to sit idly by whilst Rome burns is disgusting to me.

WaPo article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/state-dept-officials-placed-on-leave-after-benghazi-attacks-are-reinstated/2013/08/20/fb107928-09af-11e3-8974-f97ab3b3c677_story.html)

Snip:

Four State Department officials who were placed on paid administrative leave after last September’s terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, have been returned to active duty and will face no further disciplinary action, the State Department said Tuesday...

...Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the action proved that the State Department’s response to the Benghazi attacks “was more of a public relations strategy than a measured response to a failure in leadership.”