Emails show White House knew of terrorists’ Benghazi claim within two hours. So why blame a video for two weeks?
The Obama administration/campaign’s story about what happened in Benghazi on Sept. 11 keeps having run-ins with the facts. The latest comes from Reuters:
Officials at the White House and State Department were advised two hours after attackers assaulted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11 that an Islamic militant group had claimed credit for the attack, official emails show.
The emails, obtained by Reuters from government sources not connected with U.S. spy agencies or the State Department and who requested anonymity, specifically mention that the Libyan group called Ansar al-Sharia had asserted responsibility for the attacks.
The brief emails also show how U.S. diplomats described the attack, even as it was still under way, to Washington.
U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the Benghazi assault, which President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials ultimately acknowledged was a “terrorist” attack carried out by militants with suspected links to al Qaeda affiliates or sympathizers.
Administration spokesmen, including White House spokesman Jay Carney, citing an unclassified assessment prepared by the CIA, maintained for days that the attacks likely were a spontaneous protest against an anti-Muslim film.
The story goes on to say officials referred to evidence that the violence “erupted spontaneously” — an apparent reference to the alleged protests about an alleged anti-Muslim video. But as we now know, there was no protest leading up to the attacks on the consulate, so it’s hard to understand what sort of evidence they could have been describing. A claim of responsibility by an al-Qaida affiliate, on the other hand, would seem to have been sufficient evidence not to frame the issue even once as a matter of First Amendment freedoms gone wrong.
Unless, of course, one happened to be running for re-election and basing one’s pitch to voters in large part on the idea that al-Qaida is on its way to defeat.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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382 comments Add your comment
hsn
October 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
AtlCoug
October 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
“Think of how much world attention was brought (falsely) on the video by Obama and others in his administration. They created more violence and protests by perpetuating an untruth.”
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Sure, they “created more violence and protests by perpetuating the untruth” more than the LIES that led to 4000 members of our troops dying and 100,000 Iraqis killed by the previous administration.
And you surely, rewarded that administration with 2 terms. Now your excuse is “Bush is no longer in office anymore.” Do you see an image of yourself in the mirror anymore?
Can you say, Obama's campaign is in trouble
October 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
How can you trust a friend who lies to you? How can you vote for a president that lies about the events on his Bengazi that costs 4 lives?
Old News
October 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
Kyle already knows that the election is over. He admitted as much in his little video chat. He’s just trying to fill his quota for the day. Apparently, by continuing to circle around a month old turd.
Scooter
October 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Have you not been paying attention? The transparent and responsible Obama White House wanted to make sure they had all the facts before commenting. So that’s why they continually commented about the spontaneity of the attack on 9/11 as a reaction to an obscure video, even though that wasn’t supported by facts. Sarcasm off.
cc
October 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
“The problem with being bugeyed crazy is you apparently don’t realize sane people are staring at your bugeyed craziness.”
Yes, Aquagirl, you are “certifiable”.
Partisay
October 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
“When 90% + of the media votes Democrat…”
This is absolutlely not true, and is in the same room as the whopper “Al Gore said he invented the internet” that the right has been peddling for years.
Old News
October 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
Kyle knew the election was over as soon as Mitt got nominated. I go to church with Johnny Isakson, not even he is willing to fully support Romney.
Partisay
October 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
“These people don’t respresent me.”
So DawgDad…your not an American citizen? Wow…who knew?
MarkV
October 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
What Kyle and virtually everybody who attacks the Administration in this matter ignores is that the motive cannot be ascertained from the method of the attack. They keep harping on the Administration’s references to the video, as if they had evidence that the video did not play any role. Perhaps it did not, perhaps it did.
So Kyle, tell was what the motive of those attacking the consulate in Benghazi was, and mainly, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?
Jack
October 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
As Rev Wright said, the chickens have come home to roost. Problem is, they’re roosting on the White House.
Old News
October 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
The October surprise is the number of loyal Republicans that will not bother to vote this year.
carlosgvv
October 24th, 2012
2:52 pm
This attack occured as Muslims all over the world were rioting over that anti-Muslim film on youtube. It was only natural that Obama should think it was a violent street demonstration. As intelligence begin to come in, it was clear that no one knew exactly why the attack happened. Eye wittnesses gave and continue to give conflicting stories.
However, the main thing to remember is that in this violent and unstable part of the world, a planned terrorist attact and a violent street demonstration are virtually the same thing. Republicans know this and are stiring up trouble over it because they have no positive agendas and know their electorate will believe any lie they are told.
This “controversy” is a tempest in a tea pot to those who can see clearly thru desperate Republican lies.
Old News
October 24th, 2012
2:56 pm
Back in 04, I saw “W” stickers everywhere. In 08, they were gone, it was if “W” never existed. Some of them were replaced by some lady named Palin. This year, I can count on one hand the amount of Romney stickers I’ve seen.
Old News
October 24th, 2012
2:59 pm
Paul Ryan is so nice. It only costs $1,000 to get a picture with him.
MarkV
October 24th, 2012
2:59 pm
After the feckless performance of Romney in the last debate, in which he did not dare to bring up this subject, it is now up to his surrogates, like Kyle, to try to make some political hay of it.
Malthusian way
October 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
Kyle, again I commend you on your work ethic. I personally could not tolerate the non-sense you have to endure…..
The partisan politics played out here will always have nothing to do with the topic.
It comes down too, what the meaning of “is” is. Have you seen my cigar?
Thanks again Kyle!
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
Paul Ryan is so nice. It only costs $1,000 to get a picture with him.
Does he take off his shirt?
Dusty
October 24th, 2012
3:07 pm
Well this is getting absolutely rediculous. Americans were killed by terrorists and the government is still “investigating” two weeks later after one government agency knew within two hours. Wow!I It was just a little unhappy incident!!! Just a uh-oh,not a yes it is. Washington is getting to be Wonderland.
I suggest we should STILL investigate 9/11 because there were no signed confessions from terrorists saying they did it! Just think! If terrorists later claimed success, do you believe a terrorist??? Ha! So say our liberal friends.
I am going to do some early voting. We must get Wonderland out of Washington and let truth prevail. “The time has come” the Walrus said ” to speak of many a thing. Of debts and dabbling and the man who thinks he’s a king” !.
Give us Romney, the honest man! .
hsn
October 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2012
12:51 pm
hsn @ 12:49: I’m not an objective journalist. I’m an opinion writer. And I don’t ban people for expressing their opinions.
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Well, then your “opinions” are highly skewed against integrity, and in favor of partisanship and division. But, I know that in your “conservative cycles,” the display of “integrity” and “objectivity” are regarded as a “weakness.” So, why bother with being “opinionated” but “objective”?
4000 soldiers and 100,000 Iraqis’ blood spilled in the killing fields of Iraq from a war based on LIES for 8 years. No problem. No investigations needed. In fact, you SUPPORTED REWARDING “THAT” administration with 4 MORE YEARS in office.
You cons-of-a-job are the most disgusting, evil and ugly Americans ever to grace the surface of this beautiful country.
And oh, you have “banned” me for calling you out on giving Republican posters who call the president names a pass, while banning Dem supporters who do the same.
Just Saying..
October 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
With the help provided by Mourdock, Allred, and Trump, I wonder if today’s the day Mitt learned to cuss…
jeffrey
October 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
This is obviously a big big deal. So my guess is that if obama takes these guys out by next Monday y’all will be voting for him. Right?
Just Saying..
October 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
“Give us Romney, the honest man! .”
And just when all humor seemed squeezed out of the day…
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Old News…..not sure about bumper stickers you have seen but get ready to address Romney as Mr. President after November 6th.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
October 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
obviously HSN doesn’t understand the difference between expressing an opinion and spewing hate speech………….
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
hsn @ 3:08: “You cons-of-a-job are the most disgusting, evil and ugly Americans ever to grace the surface of this beautiful country.”
But I’m the one who’s partisan and divisive. Uh-huh.
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
hsn (home shopping network):
Bookie man is calling for you to come back to his blog………
cc
October 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
MarkV:
“it is now up to his surrogates, like Kyle, to try to make some political hay of it.”
What are YOU? You are the consumate Obama surrogate, and you go to great effort to prove this time and again.
Kyle Wingfield
October 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
P.S. to hsn: If I banned you, why are you still posting here?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
Romney is out in front. Feels great, don’t it Cons?
I give up. Obama can’t win. It’s ovah. Turn off the lights.
(Yes I am trying to help with the Con buildup so the post election depression is that much deeper.)
Go Cons! You got this wrapped up!
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Looks like 0Bummer will have a lot more flexibility after the election…..he can spend his days hangin’ with his Marxist friends after 1/21/13 as he will have nothing else to do….
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
get ready to address Romney as Mr. President
What do we call his magic cult underwear?
And which of his sister wives will be the first lady? I guess he will have a 2nd and a 3rd lady as well?
fair and balanced
October 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
White House visitor records show that administration officials have hosted numerous White House meetings with a series of U.S.-based Muslim political groups that have close ties to jihadi groups and push to reduce anti-terrorism investigations.
The visits were discovered by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, which compared the Obama White House’s visitor records with its database of Islamist advocacy groups.
For example, the records show that officials from the Council on American Islamic Relations have visited the White House 20 times, according to the organization’s report.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/22/report-islamist-radicals-find-warm-welcome-in-obama-white-house/#ixzz2AFKzoWDU
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
Finn:
Another break from midterms……Still working on that degree? LOL….you are going to have 4 years to complain on Kyle’s blog…..you should be in hog heaven.
getalife
October 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Eyewitnesses that said the local militia told them it was the movie or the right focused on getting our President and not the local militia that did it.
I think I will go with the eyewitnesses on this one.
It was the movie and Hillary is playing with the media on her way out.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:26 pm
Dusty, you gonna share what you are smoking today??
getalife
October 24th, 2012
3:27 pm
Gallup shows mitt’s numbers are dropping.
Four more years!
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:27 pm
Finn:
Are you proud of yourself for disparaging the Mormon religion. Do you think you could come up with some jokes for the most loyal constituency of the democrats? We will wait with baited breath.
cc
October 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
I told y’all yesterday via of announcement that Bookman’s blog was missing an idiot. hsn@3:08 pm bears witness to the truth of my statement.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
getalife, shhhhhh. Let’s build up their delusions.
UPGRAYEDD
October 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Here is what Obama should have said instead:
“We know there are known knowns: there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns: that is to say we know there are things we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
Oh wait. That was Rumsfeld in 2002. Keep forgetting that Republicans are and have always been full of fecal material.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:30 pm
cc, I claim the “idiot missing from Bookman’s blog” title, dangit.
Oh, this isn’t my week? We are alternating every third week, right?
POTUS Romney
October 24th, 2012
3:30 pm
“Nanh Nanh Nanh Nanh, Nanh Nanh Nanh Nanh, Hey Hey Goodbye”, Obama
Rush
October 24th, 2012
3:33 pm
And to hear the derisive cries of the libtards……they know the music has stopped and the party is over. Rosie O’ Donnell is warming up the vocal cords……
getalife
October 24th, 2012
3:33 pm
Finn,
Well, it is pretty obvious after mitt endorsed our President in the last debate
cc
October 24th, 2012
3:35 pm
Finn:
You’re like very bad weather: not pleasant, but everyone knows you’re coming . . . and so very predictable.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:35 pm
Disparage the mormon religion? Heck, I disparage them all. Christians also have some kooky stuff they believe in as well.
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
Go Cons! You got this wrapped up!
With assists from re-Birther Trump, Ann Coulter tweeting about “retards” and Richard Mourdock sharing the rapist love, Romney is a shoo-in.
Mitt’s running to the middle but the loons are sticking tighter than his magic underwear.
UPGRAYEDD
October 24th, 2012
3:37 pm
“From a marketing point of view, you don’t roll out new products in August.” —White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, on why the Bush administration waited until after Labor Day to try to sell the American people on war against Iraq, “New York Times” interview, Sept. 7, 2002
Obfuscation and playing politics with matters of national security are not foreign subjects to Republicans.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 24th, 2012
3:37 pm
Romney won’t get to 200 electoral votes, much less 280.
mwuahahahahahahaahha
MarkV
October 24th, 2012
3:38 pm
Dusty @3:07 pm
“Well this is getting absolutely rediculous. Americans were killed by terrorists and the government is still “investigating” two weeks later after one government agency knew within two hours.”
Dusty,
Are you paying any attention? What did the government agency know within two hours? Tell us.