Panetta’s Turn To Be On The Hot Seat *Open Thread*
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee today on what happened in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. Considering my senator, Sen. Lindsey Graham, will be one of those asking questions, I HOPE we will get some real answers this time around. I’m not holding my breath, mind you, but I am hopeful.
Why? Because of this interview Sen. Graham had the other day with Greta van Susteren:
If you were able to watch the video, no doubt you caught what Senator Graham said about the rescue time for the British Ambassador – TWENTY MINUTES. And who rescued him? The US Military. So why in the hell were they not called in to help OUR people? Secretary Panetta said it isn’t like calling 9/11. I can appreciate that, but this battle raged for HOURS, not minutes, and they surely COULD have sent someone in, couldn’t they?
It would seem so, especially considering what has now come out about the FAST team from Rota, Spain, as well as Special Operations team in Croatia that could have gotten there quickly. What is even more disturbing about the FAST team is that they were told to deplane and change into CIVILIAN clothes so there would not appear to be a “military presence” in Libya. What the hell?? For more questions, and facts, on the timeline and what our government did NOT do, click HERE.
One other note about Senator Graham, and this has to do with the drone issue. He supports using drones in general. He stated that American citizens who turn against their nation can be captured or killed. I totally understand that. But one issue he mentioned – and it is a BIG one – is that dead men do not talk. Meaning, there is no way to gather intelligence from someone who is dead. No kidding. And it begs the question, again, why bin Laden was killed rather than captured. Why the government chose to blow up Anwar al-Awlaki rather than capture him, and get intel. THAT is a big problem, especially in these dangerous times.
Well, the hearing has begun, and Secretary Panetta has already started lying by saying there was no proof that Benghazi was going to be attacked, no proof of any plans. Uh huh. Right. Like the many memos from Ambassador Stevens? Like his contacting them that VERY DAY? Like an attack happening on 9/11??
Good grief, how DO these people sleep at night?
Feel free to talk about the hearing, about Benghazi, the Drones, or perhaps the recent CBO report.
That report was VERY discouraging, btw. Despite the media focusing on the “less than a TRILLION in deficit this year!” piece, instead being in the $800+ BILLION range, the rest of it was even worse. Like us borrowing 77% – that is SEVENTY-SEVEN percent – of the GDP by 2020. That is SEVEN years from now. Just click on the CBO report and take a look at the very first graph shown. It is startling. We are in for a world of hurt, and all the MSM can do is celebrate this one tiny little piece, which is STILL not good. Sheesh.
Enough from me. It’s all yours!
Thank you for alerting me to this. From what I’ve heard from Panetta so far, I assume there is no fast team. Big difference between Sen. Graham’s questioning and the Democrat, Sheheen, following.
Graham is something, isn’t he? He was a JAG, and just left the service a couple of years ago. He’s a tough guy, and I am glad he is standing up for those 4 Americans who seemed so expendable to this Administration.
Benghazi is just lost on low information voters. They just do not care. Its so discouraging. It didnt happen for them. And of course the media says Fox news is talking about it, so everyone else should ignore it. Its a Fox witch hunt! And its racist and sexist!
I was at a dinner with people from State after our ambassador was dragged around town for 10 hours and then dumped, and the people at State really didnt seem to care either! Seriously. They said it was so nice that the coffins were brought back with flags on them! That, I guess, made it all OK.
May I say as an aside that the people I met from State were a bunch of freaks. Of couse they were super lefty bureaucrats, but they also had terrible manners and didnt appear to be particularly bright. We send these people overseas to represent us. Maybe you might want to make sure they arent embarassing? I had one gringa correcting my arabic! Seriously! I just nodded at her, and smiled, and moved away. But thats what we send overseas folks. FREAKS.
I am sick to death of idiots who vote and the government they bring with them. Yes, I get it, they get a free phone or all their relatives from Mexico get to come here and collect welfare or they get to keep hiring their friends and family into a massive federal bureaucracy.
Its just very ugly to me that this is where we are. Collectivism, and man, the collective isnt lookin so hot.
hc, thank you for that insight into these State Dep’t people. That an American would think she knew Arabic better than you sure speaks volumes, doesn’t it?? Wow. Talk abt hubris, huh?
And that is telling, too, abt their manners. I understand big companies, when they are hiring people for upper management jobs take them out to eat just to see how their manners are. Sounds like State could do that, too.
Right there with you abt being sick to death of these people who vote with no information abt for what or whom they are voting. Very disturbing.
Ugh.
HC its lost on the same voters who are and keep screaming about the war that GW lied to get us into..
Nothing seems to make sense about the Democrats anymore…H3LL I am still trying to figure out if there are any Democrats that I truly do honor anymore…Even past Democrats…
Thank You RRRA…Wow Graham is really something isn’t he…Maybe he should consider stepping up higher… I truly pray that whatever is burning inside of Graham does not go out and if anything gets even hotter… But you know I said this with Speaker Boehner when he spoke about Obamacare, however it seems that the fire that was burning within Speaker Boehner at the time is barely flickering.
This whole Benghazi, Bin Laden assassination, and drone killings just totally blows me away…Yes I said Bin laden assassination..for that is exactly what it was…One cannot tell me that if they could get his dead on the helicopter, they couldn’t have gotten his live body on the helicopter. H3LL if nothing else by drugging him..Which from all reports it looks like that would have been just as easy as shooting Bin Laden as they did…..
Ok on another level did you know that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr is under indictment and is facing some serious jail time…Looking like his wife is involved too. Wasn’t he the one that won another term while in a drug clinic or ???
What is happening with the with the Democrats and being ignored is seems to get crazier and crazier.
SNEED EXCLUSIVE: Pending Jesse Jackson Jr. plea deal includes ‘significant jail time,’ source says
By MICHAEL SNEED msneed@suntimes.com February 6, 2013 9:41PM http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/18059047-452/sneed-exclusive-pending-jesse-jackson-jr-plea-deal-includes-significant-jail-time-source-says.html
Oh, I am not ONE bit surprised that JJJ is under indictment. That seems to be the case with a number of Obama’s cohorts (remember Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit?). Uh, yeah. Remember that JJJ is the one who threatened all the black reps who supported Clinton. He’s a piece of work.
And yes – Graham is something else, isn’t he? Here is his complete questioning of Panetta and Gen. Dempsey:
I agree completely – they COULD have taken bin Laden alive. Interesting indeed that the chose to kill him. Still surprising that they did the whole Muslim burial thing, and dumped him at sea. Curious, that…
For over 8 hours Not a F**** thing was done…This is what is so frustrating about the whole Benghazi mess… We had 2 Ex Navy Seals who were holding off the attack for F*** hours…
I think that is why so many are so F*** frustrated…The Egyptians did not just go in there blow up the place and then disappear……
From all accounts it looks like at least 2 people, if not all 4 people could have been saved 4, 5 and even close to 8 hours after the attack
H3LL in that time fighter jets from England could have been flown in….Shit look at all our air force and military bases in the world and they could not send in anything BULLSHIT
Like Graham asked and said you mean Obama never asked what was going on during that time or if it was under control yet or anything?????
H3LL the Dems would have GW or any other Republican president cannibalized by now if anything close to this had happened under their watch…H3LL they are still trying to cannibalize GW for Iraq…
Thank you Amy for the video…
You said it, Kin – it does seem that they could have saved lives had they given the order to let the military come to their aid. But, no.
I just cannot get over Panetta AND Dempsey acting like there was just NO way to predict this, it was just out of the clear blue sky, who woulda thunk it possible?! GRRRR. Honestly, these people have no business handling OUR business given how incompetent they are. Lives have been lost, and other lives have been changed (those mysterious 25 – 30 people who DID make it out).
The hypocrisy is just ridiculous. You are so right – they are still attacking GWB, and will always find a way to blame him. So much easier than putting the blame where it belongs…
Yea Amy the mysterious 25-30 people what the H3LL ever happened to them…
HMMMM.
When Ayotte got Panetta to admit Obama did not lift a single finger, including so much as a phone call, I almost came unglued. Then I remembered that the Obamabots would never, ever watch C-Span about crucial issues, and the media that they do watch could give a shit less.
I really like Ayotte. She is strong, and doesn’t let things slide. And yes, she boxed Panetta into a corner, and made him tell the truth. That seems to be a hard thing for these people to do, doesn’t it?
Sadly, I fear you are right…
Ayotte is razor sharp, and I think she could soar through the ranks, but (not sure how to put this without being petty), I want to clear her throat FOR her. I know she can’t help it, but I guess it makes my OCD kick in. Apologies.
This is why there are so many conspiracy theories floating around. Our government flat out lies so much, you think they must be secretive and evil because they can’t possibly be this incompetent.
At the moment the biggest conspiracy theory of all is that President Obama is good and wonderful and knows what he’s doing. Some people are so caught up in this idea that not even facts will make them reconsider.
Yttik I take it you have not drinken your alloted portion of Obama Koolaide…or was it the pill that comes with the drink that you forgot…
Good One YTTIK>..ROFL>>>>
TRUE THAT, yttik! That IS the biggest conspiracy theory! Well said!
And yes, I’m afraid Kin is right – you aren’t drinking enough Obamaide!
I smell a cover-up. If there are any patriots in this administration, they need to step up and take a stand. enough is enough.
Does not take much to smell the stench coming from the White House right now..
Amen to that, Ferd, on BOTH counts!
I just had to share this because I think it is so wonderful. The man speaking is wonderful and easy to listen to. And that the Obamas’ had to listen too.
Obama At Prayer Breakfast Forced To Hear Amazing Speech By Conservative Black Doctor Decrying Political Correctness, Moral Decay And Fiscal Irresponsibility….
Dr. Benjamin Carson is a neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Kenosha – that is precisely what I was going to put up for today’s post! I listened to him earlier this morning. AMAZING man. Thanks!
I should have realized you would find and highlight this wonderful man and his wonderful speech. I have listened to it twice and will probably listen to it again for inspiration.
I wonder if Obama realized, as he sat there looking bored, as he does when he isn’t the center of attention, the he acts like the “Destroyer” in the parable, and the American People will, in time, be that Lighthouse.
You are too kind! After I saw it, I KNEW I had to write it up. What an incredible man he is, what a powerful speaker. Obama cannot hold a CANDLE to this man. For starters, Dr. Carson wrote the speech himself (I am assuming), and he had no TOTUS!!!
You nailed it, too. Obama always looks bored when it isn’t all abt HIM…
Dr. Carson is all that Obama is supposed to be and isn’t. I hadn’t heard of him before and am so glad I’ve found him now. If anyone should be compared to Dr. King it is Dr. Carson. And how wonderful that he has solutions and not just pointing the finger and blaming others. He make Obama look like the little man he really is. High office can’t change that.
AMEN TO THAT, Kenosha! You said it!
I hadn’t heard of him, either, even though he won the highest civilian honor. BUT, he got it from Bush, so ya know, why would I have paid attention to THAT?? (I say with embarrassment.)
So glad to know of him now, though. Indeed, he is MUCH more in the mold of MLK than Obama could ever HOPE to be…
Ok I am so very very confused now…
For it seems that Sen. Lindsey Graham is behind the Drones…Something dont sound right..
When I get home from work, I will look more into
That is confusing. Graham has always been in support of using drones, though. He has been very clear abt that. I had gathered that one of the problems he sees with it is that you cannot get any intel from dead terrorists.
Huh. Just when it seems like they have Obama on the ropes, leave it to a REPUBLICAN, one who had been hammering away at him just yesterday, to give him an out. Good grief.
Was confushing to me…
But maybe he has his reasons..;LIke I said I will do more research
Thanks, Kin. I have heard him talk abt it a lot the past couple of days, and not ONCE did he talk abt how AWESOME Prez. Obama was, not once. So, that is why it strikes me as odd…
Btw, here is Sen. Graham from “Hannity” last night, talking abt how he is going to hold the president accountable on Benghazi:
The questions to and testimony by Panetta and Dempsey was chilling.
Obama was not present or involved nor did he want to be. I guess Obama never counted on someone as honest as Panetta to draw a line on blind support.
The consulate in Benghazi was under attack – Obama knew it – went to sleep – and did not even bother to find out what was happening.
During the Constitutional Convention when the delegates were having a rough time coming to an agreement to replace the Articles of Confederation, there was one event that dramatically changed that – Shay’s Rebellion. The national government had no way of fighting the insurrection because they had no way of commanding a national army. The result of that event brought together all factions.
That is why the first seven words in the U.S. Constitution in reference to the duties of the President states: “The President shall be Commander in Chief . . ” It is also why they brought Washington out of retirement to be the first President.
It is the primary responsibility of the President to be the Commander in Chief and Barack Obama on the night of September 11, 2012 committed a gross dereliction of his duties. And bother Panetta and Dempsey testified that he was AWOL.
Unfortunately you cannot impeach a president over gross incompetence and dereliction of duties.
But you can impeach him over the cover up.
So very nice to *see* you again! And thank you for your comment. I could not agree more – Obama was derelict in his duty. As I understand it, the House COULD decide that dereliction, or incompetence, were sufficient for impeachment, but that would be way harder to prove. Coverups, or rather, being CAUGHT at an attempt to coverup, would be an easier path, I would think. Regardless, Obama seems to have passed that threshold, wouldn’t you say? (And for those who are interested, here is a link on standards of impeachment: http://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/2/essays/100/standards-for-impeachment.)
I swear, I cannot even THINK abt the responses from Panetta and Dempsey without getting angry. Their BS responses, in the face of four dead Americans, were beyond the pale. That they tried to claim that there was just nothing they could do, they had no idea, gee, what a big surprise this all was, made it all the worse.
I might add, I would think that sends a message to ALL of our State Dept staff in those areas of the world, don’t you? That this Admin. cares more abt its policies and appeasing certain elements than it does abt its diplomats, or its military. Grrrrr.
Again, so nice to hear from you!
I think the Washington Center for Journalism’s article on Hillary’s testimony “What difference, at this point, does it make?” When asked about how four innocent Americans died during the attack in Benghazi, she cleverly gave the media a way to write her guilt away with that line.
From Washington Center for Journalism
http://www.westernjournalism.com/a-what-difference-at-this-point-does-it-make-update/
At What point does a death make a difference…I will make a bet that the parents of those slain at that Newtown Elementary School still feel their Child’s death still makes a difference..And I know damn well the father of the Navy Seal involved feels his son’s death still makes a difference..