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1. 

   Adrian Snare said, 11 months ago

   NO ONE can overcome thousands of years of fear and ignorance, NO ONE.
   But Jesus..
   This from watching thousands of movies on TCM for 50 years…
2. 

   Peabody-Martini said, 11 months ago

   Yelling in a echo chamber does not make a scandal. I’ve yet to see a shred of proof that the President or the Secretary of state are either culpable of events in Libya or have attempted to cover anything up. There is however plenty of evidence of malfeasance by Republican members of Congress and the media, particularly fox news in regards to this.
3. 

   mikefive said, 11 months ago

   @Peabody-Martini

   “I’ve yet to see a shred of proof that the President or the Secretary of state are either culpable of events in Libya or have attempted to cover anything up.”
   •
   In Pickering’s report it isn’t the criticism that is so damning, but the recommendations. The progression of the revisions in the talking points memo does seem to indicate a strong desire to avoid expressing any responsibility for security shortcomings.
4. 

   Peabody-Martini said, 11 months ago

   @Gore Bane

   That’s no proof of any wrongdoing by anyone in the administration. I read the article in question and it seems to be filled with the opinion of the author and not much else. Once again all sizzle and no steak. This is a Republican obsession, but if the Republican Party wants this nonstory to be the hill they die on much as Mitt Romney did before the last election I say they should keep right on going. But how do you think that the American public is going to react to Congress spending all of its time endlessly rehashing this issue when there are real problems in the country that need to be addressed. I must say that if you get what you seem to want here it will be very good election night in 2014 for the Democratic Party.
5. 

   Peabody-Martini said, 11 months ago

   @Harleyquinn

   The President’s comments in the Rose Garden the morning after the attack. You and Mitt Romney both forgot about that. That more or less destroyed any chance that Mitt had in the election, as if he ever really stood a chance. Thank you for allowing me to bring up one of the greatest debate screw ups of all time. I would suggest that you do more than repeat RWNJ talking points.
6. 

   Peabody-Martini said, 11 months ago

   @Gore Bane

   Yes, your hatred of the Democratic Party is all the proof you need. I forgot that it’s unfair of me to argue facts and logic against your opinion.
7. 

   Robert Landers said, 11 months ago

   @mikefive

   Does that report also allow for Congress cutting the funds for diplomatic security? A House of Representatives that cut the funds in order to make the current president look bad (their ONLY goal, certainly NOT to serve the people of the USA!) regardless of the negative consequences to the people of the USA, and the incredibly brave people that serve in our diplomatic core?
8. 

   Dry said, 11 months ago

   And in the meantime, 4 families still have no answers as to why or how or whose fault it was that their loved ones died senselessly. While you’re debating politics, think about them!
9. 

   mikefive said, 11 months ago

   @Robert Landers

   " A House of Representatives that cut the funds in order to make the current president look bad…"
   ♦
   To me that argument is purely political and specious. The House is Republican. The Senate is Democratic. The President is Democratic. All three had to OK that cut in funds. Also, the Pickering report does not excuse the fund cut for the denial of security in Benghazi, and does make some recommendations.
   •
   The criticism of the State Department is as much in the report’s recommendations as any where else.
   •
   “5. The Department should develop minimum security standards for occupancy of temporary facilities in high risk, high threat environments, and seek greater flexibility for the use of Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) sources of funding so that they can be rapidly made available for security upgrades at such facilities.”
   •
   “The support cell should work to expedite the approval and funding for establishing and operating the post, implementing physical security measures, staffing of security and management personnel, and providing equipment, continuing as conditions at the post require.Contingency Operations funding to respond to emerging security threats and vulnerabilities and operational requirements in high risk, high threat posts.
   •
   The following incidents are listed in the report:
   • March 18, 2012 – Armed robbery occurs at the British School in Benghazi.
   • March 22, 2012 – Members of a militia searching for a suspect fire their weapons near the SMC and attempt to enter.
   • April 2, 2012 – A UK armored diplomatic vehicle is attacked after driving into a local protest. The vehicle was damaged but occupants uninjured.
   • April 6, 2012 – A gelatina bomb (traditional homemade explosive device used for fishing) is thrown over the SMC north wall.
   • April 10, 2012 – An IED (gelatina or dynamite stick) is thrown at the motorcade of the UN Special Envoy to Libya in Benghazi.
   • April 26, 2012 – Special Mission Benghazi principal officer is evacuated from International Medical University (IMU) after a fistfight escalated to gunfire between Tripoli-based trade delegation security personnel and IMU security.
   • April 27, 2012 – Two South African nationals in Libya as part of U.S.-funded weapons abatement, unexploded ordnance removal and demining project are detained at gunpoint by militia, questioned and released.
   • May 22, 2012 – Benghazi International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) building struck by rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).
   • May 28, 2012 – A previously unknown organization, Omar Abdurrahman group, claims responsibility for the ICRC attack and issues a threat against the United States on social media sites.
   • June 6, 2012 – IED attack on the SMC. The IED detonates with no injuries but blows a large hole in the compound’s exterior wall. Omar Abdurrahman group makes an unsubstantiated claim of responsibility.
   • June 8, 2012 – Two hand grenades target a parked UK diplomatic vehicle in Sabha (800 km south of Benghazi).
   • June 11, 2012 – While in Benghazi, the British Ambassador’s convoy is attacked with an RPG and possible AK-47s. Two UK security officers are injured; the UK closes its mission in Benghazi the following day.
   • June 12, 2012 – An RPG attack is made on the ICRC compound in Misrata (400 km west of Benghazi).
   • June 18, 2012 – Protestors storm the Tunisian consulate in Benghazi.
   • July 29, 2012 – An IED is found on grounds of the Tibesti Hotel.
   • July 30, 2012 – Sudanese Consul in Benghazi is carjacked and driver beaten.
   • July 31, 2012 – Seven Iranian-citizen ICRC workers abducted in Benghazi.
   • August 5, 2012 – ICRC Misrata office is attacked with RPGs. ICRC withdraws its representatives from Misrata and Benghazi.
   • August 9, 2012 – A Spanish-American dual national NGO worker is abducted from the Islamic Cultural Center in Benghazi and released the same day.
   • August 20, 2012 – A small bomb is thrown at an Egyptian diplomat’s vehicle parked outside of the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi.
   •
   Under these circumstances, using funding as an excuse to not supply Benghazi with security is disingenuous.You could yell at me in caps if you desire, but you will not convince me that State was not negligent or criminally negligent for not supplying more security, let alone reducing security. If State had so desired, funds could have been made available for Benghazi.
10. 

    dtroutma said, 11 months ago

    The photos in the ’toon just remind me of the thousands of IEDs and destroyed American equipment, and American lives, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yup, nothing for "W"s folks to cover up. Oh, right, they had no warnings before 9/11/01, but still took action to prevent the attacks on New York and D.C., which of course, never happened…
11. 

    sclark55 said, 11 months ago

    dtrout: what’d anybody try to cover up? I don’t remember Bush blowing anything off; he never said something pathetic like “What difference does it make?”
    .
    Don’t hit the girl, and don’t blame the black guy. Especially liberal girls and black guys.
12. 

    mskemple said, 11 months ago

    @Peabody-Martini

    Stick your hypocritical liberal head in the sand and keep swilling martini’s!!!
13. 

    mskemple said, 11 months ago

    What Benghazi represents that is the most disturbing is an administration that does not have the BALLS to protect American citizens on American soil. Any foreign embassy is considered American soil is it not. Further proof of this administrations incompetent stance on foreign affairs – Syria and its use of chemical weapons on its own people. How many times do they have to cross that line before Obama reacts? At this point in history we are seen worldwide as a joke of a former superpower. Led by incompetents, all mouth no teeth, easily defeated, willing to educate and subsidize our enemies!!! Enough is enough – Impeach Obama for dereliction of duty on four counts , Clinton never again should be allowed to serve in public office for complicity, conspiracy to defraud if nothing else!
14. 

    Rad-ish said, 11 months ago

    If the Republicans had not blocked funding for embassy security this would never have happened. Issa voted against money for security.
15. 

    bobwinners said, 11 months ago

    Tasteless, Breen. But I do agree, we will probably need Obama for an extra 4 years…. Hey, Bloomberg did it!
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