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Molly Riley / Pool via Getty Images, file
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hold their hands over their hearts during the Transfer of Remains Ceremony for the return of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three Americans at Joint Base Andrews on Sept. 14.
The father of an American bodyguard injured in the deadly attack on the U.S. mission in Libyan city of Benghazi said Wednesday the State Department should own up to what he said were its mistakes and release more information about what occurred.
David Ubben, a 31-year-old State Department employee, suffered broken bones and other injuries in the Sept. 11 attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans.
As David Ubben recuperates at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, his father, Rex Ubben, said he did not blame the State Department or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for his son's injuries.
But he added, "I do find it troubling that they have not owned up to their shortcomings; in government, in the military, and in business, if something goes wrong, you admit it, correct it, and move on."
"If you were in charge, it was your fault," he said in an email exchange with Reuters.
Rex Ubben's comments came after some congressional Republicans on Tuesday called for Clinton to provide more information about security at U.S. compounds in Benghazi in the days, weeks and months leading up to the attacks.
The administration is under more fire from Congress over its handling of the Benghazi attack – with new questions about security and intelligence failure. Ambassador Chris Hill joins Andrea Mitchell Reports to discuss.
Sensitive documents left behind at US consulate in Benghazi, Libya
In a letter to Clinton, Reps. Darrell Issa of California and Jason Chaffetz of Utah recounted a number of attacks in Libya this year and alleged that requests from U.S. officials in the country for heightened security went unheeded.
Debate over whether President Barack Obama's administration was caught unprepared by an assault by militant groups has become U.S. election-year fodder.
At the consulate where four Americans died security consisted of one U.S. regional security officer and a local militia. Ambassador Chris Stevens often had little personal security detail. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.
Ubben said people understood "mistakes and lack of foresight do happen," but, "to attempt to delay or cover information up, upcoming election or no, might put other people's lives at risk and fools no one."
Clinton vowed Wednesday to pursue a full accounting of the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi "wherever that leads," but cautioned it could take time for a complete picture to emerge.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., joins Morning Joe to discuss a grim milestone for U.S. troop deaths in Afghanistan, President Obama's relationship with U.S. military leaders, the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya and the upcoming presidential debates.
"There are continuing questions about what exactly happened in Benghazi on that night three weeks ago. And we will not rest until we answer those questions and until we track down the terrorists who killed our people," Clinton said in Washington.
Federal officials told NBC News on Thursday that members of an FBI team sent to Libya are now in Benghazi.
Military forces secured the site to permit the FBI to conduct an investigation of the site in an effort to collect forensic evidence and recover any U.S. documents that may have been left at the scene. The FBI had not visited the site until now because of the potential threat from regional militias.
The Benghazi attack killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, information technology specialist Sean Smith and security guards Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
FBI agents keep out of Benghazi
Ubben said his son was on temporary assignment in Libya and that his deployment came in July, after - and perhaps in response to - earlier security incidents.
Mohammad Hannon / AP, file
A Libyan man explains that bloodstains on a column are from one of the American staff members injured on Sept. 11 in the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
On June 6, an improvised bomb was placed at the north gate of the Benghazi mission. It blew a hole in the fence.
Rex Ubben, 60, said he was a 24-year Air Force veteran who retired in 1995 as master sergeant. He was based at various U.S. embassies. Since retiring, he has been a computer programmer for several banks.
Son said it was an attack, not a riot
He said David Ubben described the violence on Sept. 11 as "obviously an attack and not a riot," and sketched out what appeared to be a sophisticated mortar attack during the second wave of the assault. That took place at another compound where U.S. and Libyan personnel retreated, and resulted in the death of Doherty and Woods.
"What I wanted to know was whether the second part of the attack was pre-planned. The first (mortar) dropped 50 yards short and the next two were right on target," he said, adding his son "was not conscious for any more."
Libyan president to NBC: Anti-Islam film had 'nothing to do with' US Consulate attack
"This indicates to me that someone was either very, very good, highly trained and skilled, or that the mortar was already set up and pointed at the safe house and only minor adjustments were needed," he said.
Thousands of Libyans stormed the headquarters of an Islamist militia group in Benghazi Friday night in a deadly exchange. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
Ubben also questioned why it took so long for his son to reach a hospital after the attack, saying of his son's condition, "by my count, there were five or six broken bones (one completely smashed, thus the operations) and shrapnel damage head to toe. I was surprised at how many parts of him were injured."
Libya arrests four suspected in deadly US Consulate attack in Benghazi
David Ubben is having a series of surgeries and his father expects him to be hospitalized for several months.
Several questions still remain as to why top U.S. officials offered the wrong initial assessment of the Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans. Was there a cover-up? Or were they trying to avoid acknowledging mistakes so close to the presidential election? The Obama administration has denied any wrongdoing. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Rex Ubben said his son did not share many details of the attack with him, but added: "He seems to have been blown up twice, and kept going after the first one. ... I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to whoever did the first aid the first time, the second time, and maintained the tourniquets until they could get him out of there."
Ubben said he was bothered that "people do not seem to realize that this was a much bigger disaster for the people of Libya than it was for us, that they were attacked just like we were."
NBC News' Pete Williams and Jim Miklaszewski contributed to this story.
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Leave a Comment:
Only people who arehappy to see these stories are our enemies. Were ther mistakes made in that country? Probably but were they criminal? No. You see we have to trust the new governments in this new world over there and sometimes that is not enough. Right now we do not know who or what will control those governments that are emerging. Funny thing is the theme for these so called demonstrations the film was up for months even before this happened. I stated that they were planned attacks to influence the election here in the US because for sure Al Queda and the other enemies really want to rid themselves of obama who has decimated their leadership over and over and killed their saint Osama. We are at war with them make no mistake about it. We are going to win a lot of battles and we are going to lose some. Quietly fixing known issues is the right way to go not running around chasing shadows. That only aids our enemies.
What happened in Benghazi and elsewhere is a direct result of this administration allowing these third world leaders to dictate to us and stop us from using our own Marines to guard our diplomatic facilities. Instead, these third world governments tell us that we have to use local personnel for security when neither the competence or loyalty of those personnel can be guaranteed. A US consulate or Embassy is considered sovereign US soil and we have a right and a responsibility to defend the facility and the people working in it. To leave this task to locals who have no loyalty what-so-ever to the US is inexcusable, particularly in a country like Libya with a completely unstable government which has minimal if any real control of the country. Add to that the fact that there were repeated warning that an attack was coming and that the administration ignored repeated requests for additional security and you can only reach one conclusion, this administration really does no give a crap what happens to our overseas personnel. The administration's gross negligence in failing to provide adequate security and failure to respond to a clear and imminent threat is completely inexcusable. This failure must not be swept under the rug and those responsible must be removed from their positions. Their failure to do their jobs was a major contributing factor in the death of four Americans and this can not go unpunished.
SHAME on Obama and Hillary for lying and trying to cover this up!
I will tell you what Aides our enemies. Having Obama Re-elected. And you know what ticks off the American people worst than anything, that the Obama administration used what was obviously a terrorist attack as political fodder. The Obama administration lied about what had happened at the US consulate in Lybia. It tried to cover up an embarrassing death of an Ambassador (for the first time in many years). And than tried to blame the death of the Ambassador and the attack that preceded it on an anti-Muslim film. Those where shameful lies on the part of the Obama administration. But this lies show you how shameless Obama is when it comes to using anything to enhance his Political future. Obama has done this time and again and the American people are finally fed up with it!!! Come November 6 2012 so we can properly dispose of this lying, cheating, deceiving President.
So the attck on the American embassy was Carter's fault??.
So when the marine barracks where bombed during reagan presidency, ronnie was to blame?
So all the terrorist activity under Bush sr. was his fault?
So the first attack on the WTC was clinton's fault?
So 9/11 was Bush jr.s fault?
if the answer is "YES to "ALL" of these questions, then I will blame Obama for this Attack. Otherwise just stfu.
Yep, Mr. Obama's campaign is more important to him than the lives of hundreds of thousands of US troops and diplomats scattered around the world - some Commander and Chief he is!
"Clinton vowed Wednesday to pursue a full accounting of the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi "wherever that leads," but cautioned it could take time for a complete picture to emerge."
So, she has commissioned a task force to investigate what happened when everyone already knows what happened....These things take time you know.....at least 34 days....Her only mission is to keep it on the hush-hush till Nov.7th....
Too dangerous for the FBI to go to Benghazi ??.....I though P.Obama parked 2 Navy ships full of Marines off the coast of Libya....Another show ??.....send 200 Marines to "protect" the FBI....so called Journalists already found the Ambassadors personal journal....reporting files and documents are just scattered about the Consulate and Safe House....How do you do a Forensic Investigation of the scene 30-40 days after the event.....Seen Hillary lately....She's so busy covering up and doing Obama's job at the Meetings with foreign leaders at the UN, she hasn't even had time for her Lifestlye Lift...She's watching her 2016 aspirations swirl down the toilet....She'll never be able to disconnect with the Failed Obama " On-the-Job-Training" Presidency.....
Hey Fed....President Romney will get to the bottom of the Cover-Up....Attorney General Rudy Giuliani will make quick work of this....
In the name of free speech few folks chose to antagonize the world of Islam that does produce nothing but violence. But it was obvious that it was done for political gain considering that they would pick the tense political season to release such video. Regardless; safety is a matter of local US personnel at the point of assignment. When you feel insecure and the intelligence report suggest to consider the alternative to relaxed atmosphere, you do so. It could happen to anyone. 911 did happen although our intelligence had early warning in place. t happens to everyone.
The Father should blame his own son for having the job his son took. Crazy terrorists attack daily all over the world. The only way to prevent these small attacks is remove Americans all over the world . .....I don't think so.
The only other way to protect Americans all over the world would be to assign a battalion of Marines to each American....I don't think so....
Bush quit looking for the terrorist Bin Laden after Bush allowed thousands to die in the 911 attack. Romney hires 17 of 24 of Bush advisers to be his advisers. Romney wants more of the same failed republican past.
Romney said it was too expensive to look for Bin Laden...Romney another quitter. Romney failed already.
President Obama and Team America got the job done, killing Bin Laden and picking off most of the top terrorists one by one. Vote Team President Obama/Biden and Team America!
The problem with Americans today is they are always looking to blame someone else for their errors did someone hold a gun to his sons head to join the armed service of our country, do we have people that can read peoples minds to some how know what they are going to do one moment from now? People need to own up and cut the BS, did Obama start this WAR?
I really appreciate the coward-ness our White House is engaging in for political game. Politics sadly seem to take the lead in elections over principle, but when American lives are being covered up by a cowardly administration owning up to their failure to respond to a repeated call for greater security, then we fail as a country greatly. Thank you Hilary Clinton for being such a brown-noser to the biggest butthole of a president we know.
Dad should admit that son was a mercenary (proper name for privitized soldier). I am so glad to see the right wing hate mongers taking advantage of the situation to advance their "make theworld America" agenda. That should balance the budget and make America safe fr white people again.
sorry for your loss, Dad. but good luck with holding anyone accountable. a drug-head marine ran over my son at a stop sign on base, and all we got was 3 years of denial, followed by a threat to sue us for asking questions. how dare you, or any of us for asking our all-mighty military machine to answer our petty little questions. honor and dignity went out the window with WWII, we are left with war-for-profit and cowards behind the desks, with all due respect to the brave soldiers in the trenches.
I see three gutless sons-of-bitches blaming the victims of this travesty.
Hey Mike! Top of the morning to ya!
LOVED that debate last night! Romney was kicking ass and taking names! All Barry could do was hold his head down in shame!
Im sure Michelle made him sleep on the couch last night!
The best part was watching the left wing media flipping out over it. Let the spin lies begin!
Wow your name has to be perfect Giantego. I mean if you can interpret what is happening over there as a result of Obama's success, then I have to hand it to you, that is some of the best self delusion I have ever seen. Obama essentially has turned his back on Israel, both Iraq and Afghanistan are train wrecks with Al Qaeda and the Taliban alive and well because he didn't have the common sense or conviction to finish the job. Syria is a total disaster but he has done nothing while people are suffering. Iran should have been put in its place two years ago, but Obama has done nothing but utter a way overdue cautious warning to Iran. I mean Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said he is planning to destroy Israel. China is in complete control of the global economy and nothing has been done about their currency manipulation and dirty trade tactics. They have become a bully to Japan, the U.S. and others but Obama doesn't want to make waves.
Teddy Roosevelt said once "Speak softly and carry a big stick". That applies to foreign policy. Obama speaks softly alright, to the point of apologizing to the ones who attack us, but unfortunately he has forgotten the "stick". He doesn't even have a twig. This has been the worst President in my lifetime and I have seen 7 of them. He has failed on an epic scale on foreign policy, the economy is in shambles, and we have no military credibility right now. The dream is over and your ego is in for a meltdown in about a month.
241 US service personnel died in the 1983 Beirut bombing. The Marine barracks sentries were ordered to keep weapons at condition 4; unloaded, no mags or chambered rounds. I blame Ronald Reagan for sending our service men and women into a known war zone without the proper rules of engagement. I blame Ronald Reagan for packing up our troops in Lebanon shortly afterwards, turning tail and running from the enemy, without immediate, or long-term strategy for search and destroy of the Islamic Jihad movement responsible. Thus, I blame Ronald Reagan for supporting the cause of Hezbollah, and at the time, raising that terrorist organization to the height of which we see it today.
17 American civil, special service, and military personnel died in the 1983 Beirut US Embassy suicide bombing. Again, I blame Ronald Reagan and his administration for not providing our American citizens the proper security measures to prevent terrorist attacks on US soil in Lebanon. Again, the once-fledgling Hezbollah terrorist organization, backed by Iran, was given a free pass to kill and maim Americans in Lebanon. Again, Ronald Reagan and his administration allowed Americans to be killed by terrorists, with no reprisals.
The 83 Marine Corps Barracks attacked killed more Marines than any other incident since Iwo Jima during WWII. The overarching difference is that the Marines were allowed to succeed in defeating the enemy on Iwo Jima, and not ordered to turn away and flee, as in the Beirut aftermath. To be sure, the Democratic administration during WWII provided our American forces the necessary strategy and means to engage the enemy, and overcome. To be sure, the much-lauded Republican administration of Ronald Reagan had failed our service personnel by dishonorably disengaging from the enemy, and forever forgetting their sacrifices on the field of battle.
It is very transparent that the rightwing political offensive against this have little substance in policy other than pointing fingers and placing blame. It is very sad to see Senator John McCain jump forward and blast off against this administration for the results of this Libya terrorist attack. It is sadder more-so to see that a once "Maverick" center-right senator has fully sold out to the idiotic extreme wing of the Teabagger organization. I blame Ronald Reagan and his administration for selling out to the Jerry Falwell rightwingnut extremists of the 80s for the current state of affairs of the once proud "Fiscally" conservative GOP.
No Obama did not start this war - TERRORISTS DID!! Everyone gives Obama credit for Killing Bin Laden - I believe he was safe at home while this went down. Our Brave men and women of the Military and Special Forces have done all the work. Obama's solution to the war: Cut military spending, shake the hands of terrorists and apologize for our Country being successful. Really???
We need a leader that will not tuck tail and hide under the table every time something like this happens. We need a president that will actually show up - tell the freaking truth - and do something about it. Those families that suffered the most horrible of losses deserve better than what they are getting. Hillary needs to go home and put on an apron and keep her man in check.
For you people to imply that these guys had it coming because of the job they took - is just plain sick. And you "Leftists" call Right wingers hate mongers?? Without those people in these foreign countries - you wouldn't have the liberties to do what you do today. Our country would look like all the other dysfunctional, war beaten, poverty stricken countries. Which is what Obama would like in the first place.
Oh and by the way starsailing....Bush did not ALLOW the 911 attacks. That is an ignorant statement. When Clinton was in office - we were attacked at the (1) World Trade Center, (2) Dharhran, Saudia Arabia, (3) Nairobi and (4) Dar es Salaam Kenya, and (5) Yemen - USS Cole Navy destroyer - by the same group of nuts - and HE did NOTHING. Clinton set our country up to be attacked - because after all - they had gotten away with it before - numerous times. Bush had the guts to show up to work, tell the truth and send troops overseas to deal with this. Go cast your vote for Obama - and then lets see where we are in the next four years....you can kiss your paycheck and your freedom goodbye!
Obama did nor answer the 3AM call, he was in Vegas. The next debate will be about National Security, Obama will have another lost, Osama is dead but AlQaeda is killing Americans. Ambassador Stevens call for help and Obama's administration refuse. someone has blood in their hands and is not Bush.
SSgirlie....You.......better do a little search on Bush allowing 911 attack. Include Condi Rice......Then come back and post your apologie! They got the warnings in writing...in hand...and like Bush said when told right to his face..."ok you covered your ass!"
I do blame the President and the State Department. They had so many warnings that this type of attack was likely that Obama should have called the President of Libya (he's on our said) and asked for troops to be assigned to our embassy for additional protection. As a matter of courtesy, I do not doubt that they would have been provided. Also, there should have been a "safe house", the location of which, was not a matter of public knowledge.
How curiously phrased... he mentions government, the military, and BUSINESS when talking about a riot that may not have been a riot?? The ax he's grinding looks to be more than about his injured son. Reads like any other post wanting to blame Obama for something, anything.
Starling
You have brown matter inside your head. The path to 9/11 comes way back from Clinton , go back to your history book if you have one. However you are free to be part of the 9/11 truther.
This is about Obama the Campaigner in Chief, he is the one who have to defend himself , his credentials has Commander in Chief and his record in order to be reelected not Bush.
SSgirlie.......Next do search on ........Bush lies nation into Iraq war.
Spend the rest of your life reading how Bush and Cheney lied the nation into war for war profits in NO BID contract for Cheney's company Haliburton. Many of the sites quote the hundreds of times Bush outright lied about WMDs in Iraq etc, then Bush finally admits there were no WMDS while on Face the Nation show. Bush/Cheney killing thousands of our troops , wounded and still more dying, families ruined , being split up, having to take care of their dead and wounded, people losing their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters, their children....for war profits and for Bush to be "known as a war president because war presidents are remembered."
To make matters worse during press conference, Bush walked around on stage looking under objects as if he lost something. Then walked up to the microphone and grinned, saying, no weapons of mass destruction there!...As if saying so what...what are you going to do about my lies....really funny...grinning!
Romney hires 17 of 24 of Bush advisers...more of the same failed people with Romney! Romney the quitter said it was too expensive to go after Bin Laden.BUSH THE BUTCHER AND ROMNEY THE QUITTER!
you do know they got warnings about this also right? I think the ambassador even requested protection if I am not mistaken. Oh, by the way, I am very thankful that our brave men and women do volunteer and go over seas for our freedoms.
Geez...starsailing....how many warnings did Obama have recently. To leave any type of American embassy unguarded on 9/11 - genious!! Clearly - you are watching too much NBC...everyone there plays the blame game. Lets blame Reagan!! The 16 trillion in debt and the 47% on food stamps must be Bush's fault!
The wars and 9/11 attack - lets blame Bush again!!
Say what you will - you would have NEVER seen Reagan or Bush shake the hand of a terrorist. You would have never seen either of them passing out free phones to people that will NOT work or paying $11.00 an hour to carry "Vote for ME" signs. Maybe you need to do your research.....
Every president inherits a mess from the prior president... beginning with George Washington's administration. This is not new...but what the next president does to fix that inheritance is crucial....
When you have a president that has zero loyalty to his country, lies and blames and covers up the truth and dare I say - has no integrity - then we have a real problem.
SSGIRL....guess you better start looking at all the photos of Reagan and Bush shaking hands with the terrorists........once again, come back and apologize.....Clearly you watch fox news.......
Do search on Fox news dumber...and see actual studies that prove people are actually dumber after watching Fox news....That'ssearch on....... Fox news dumber......
Romney hides most of his money in offshore accounts to avoid paying tyaxes. Romney WON"T show his taxes except for one he just rigged to pay more taxes trying to look good. Right after election Romney will amend his taxes and take those takes breaks.
ROMNEY THE COWARD DRAFT DODGER RAN AWAY TO FRANCE TO AVIOD DRAFT, Then a few years ago says to our troops , he wished he could have been a part of it. HE COULD HAVE!. All the lying coward had to do was sign up!!!! ROMNEY HAS ZERO LOYALTY TO OUR COUNTRY< only loyalty to money.
This is what Obama gets when he puts an ex-Presidents wife with NO experience in charge of being Secretary of State. What in the hell was he thinking. But then again he got her husbands endorsement on TV. But then again Bill Clinton is a liar, was impeached and disbarred by the U.S. Supreme Court for his lies which originated from his adulterous nature. But with Democrats that still a good endorser? Putting her in charge is like Microsoft putting one of their janitors as the CEO of that corporation. The socialists just don't get it.
Wow...got you all riled up!! it's funny how the truth makes some people get defensive!! I believe we saw a little of that last night.
And by the way - I never apologize for what I know to be right.
Something terribly sinister has been going on within the Obama administration and Clinton's State Department. Like most Americans, they may be foundered in the sea of good intentions but there are insidious lies, treachery, cunning, vicious skulduggery, malicious and conniving, falsehood, pernicious and deceitful elements not only at our door but inside our house (especially the White House) and practically every room of governments. Wickedness, the likes of which Americans in their morally indignant naivety could not in the wildest stretch of their imagination contemplate, is the clear and present danger to citizens unaware of the powerful, pervasive forces of Islamic disinformation and the penetration of Islamic jihadists into every level of societies, even to the very heart of ruling bureaucracies not only in Europe but right smack in the U.S. of A.
HOW DO YOU GET THIS DAMNED mCdONALDS AD OUT THE WAY OF TH
E COMMENT SECTION?
Official Response to the injured bodyguard:
Clearly you weren't prepared for an organic uprising because of an offending movie trailer. Correct that- it was a terrorist attack. Correct that- We don't know if it was a terrorist attack. Correct that- Libya is saying that it was a terrorist attack, so it was. Correct that- We don't know and believe that it was due to offending Islam. Correct that- They found State Department memos on terrorism that imply that something was brewing? Well, those were general contacts with nothing solid behind them.... just business as ususal mailings. Correct that- They found the Ambassador's diary and papers stating his concerns on terrorism?!? Well, we have no comments.
Libya - the gift that keeps on giving.
Most people dont know that the FIRST foreign deployment for the U.S. Navy (in the late 1700's) was to Libya as interdiction against Libyan pirates who preyed off all other countries' ships in the area.
That's where the U.S. Navy's anthem comes from. "From the hills of Montezuma to the shores of TRIPOLI".
They've been a pimple on our butts for so long, it makes Castro look like an amateur.
SSGirl - "it's funny how the truth makes some people get defensive!!" - LOL
"And by the way - I never apologize for what I know to be right." - that's why like others suggested, please go and read a few things so you know what's right.
It's funny how the right attacks our President--but ignores the quote from the guy's own father:
The federal government and military isn't going to admit a damn thing. One other annoying thing that gets old. It's not commander and chief , it's commander in chief,in,in,in damn it.
Jeff...it's the 1st foreign deployment of the USMC and it took place in 1805, recorded officially as the Battle of Derne; an operation ordered by Thomas Jefferson against the Barbary Pirates. Nothing jerks my jockstrap like some nincompoop who doesn't know squat, trying to pontificate and cite history about which they have no clue.
Semper Fi
I'm really mad at how we Democrats let the Republicans get away will this crap all the time.Clinton should tell the American people in a speech that the Republicans in Congress are trying to play politics with American lives and to STFU. And fight them tooth and nail with their crap. I'm tried of us always being the nice guy.They want to fight dirty, then we need to fight them dirty.
Exactly !
http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/259677-report-libya-consulate-subject-to-previous-threats-attacks
US Consulate received repeated threats, had requested more security
whistleblowers report that the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was attacked and threatened 13 times before the incident last month that killed four Americans.
“In addition, multiple U.S. federal government officials have confirmed to the Committee that, prior to the September 11 attack, the U.S. mission in Libya made repeated requests for increased security in Benghazi. The mission in Libya, however, was denied these resources by officials in Washington.”
And yet Obama plans to CUT Non defense discretionary spending, which includes embassy security!
Bubby's grandpa: (post 1.36)
I am not so arrogant as to believe that I am always right, and, I DO stand corrected; However, I wonder if YOU are such a man. I doubt it.
The USMC's first deployment was, in fact, to the Bahamas on March 3, 1776, under the command of Capt. Nicholas.
The NAVY's first deployment was against France in 1794, after the french revolution toppled that country's monarchy, the American government came to an agreement with Great Britain under the Jay Treaty.
I have the stones to admit when I'm wrong...do you ?
btw - is there anything IN your jockstrap to jerk ?
Shame on the GOP for cutting the State Department security budget and then make it a political issue. The GOP doesn't give a rat's a$$ about the truth, only how they can use this to get back in power and make more profit off it.
The sad thing is that it wasn't the GOP leadership that was there.
What this retired AF Master Sgt doesn't seem to realize is that investigations TAKE TIME. Just because the attacks happened 3 weeks ago and little information is publicly known does not mean there has been a cover-up. Even if this attack had happened here in the US, it would take time for the investigation to show what had happened. The fact that it was an attack that was distant from our country means that it WILL take longer for the investigation to come to any conclusions about what had happened. His PUBLIC speculation about the timeline of events and the events themselves actually HURTS our country.
what you seem to understand is that this is a cover up, plan and simple. The Nonothing do nothing Nobama administration wants to distance themselves from this as much as possible!!
John
Yep, takes time and as of this morning the FBI who are "investigating" the Benghazi Consulate tragedy are still 400 miles away. Kind of difficult to secure evidence. They don't seem to have any luck getting a Mars Rover to do it remotely either.
An interesting fact is the mortar strike was short by 50 meters on first round and then hit the Consulate safe house dead on on rounds 2 & 3 (fore for effect). Indirect fire weapons, of which a mortar is, have to be zeroed in to be effective. In order to be effective on rounds 2 & 3 as well as they were, requires on the ground accuracy of range and azimuth (direction) to target - maybe direct sight. I believe Mr Ubben' son, being in the safe house as a target knows what he is talking about.
Mr Ubben Sr. is spot on requesting the current administration of POTUS & Sec State to give the American people the truth in a timely manner - not after the 6 of November elections.
Even the liberal news media has admitted it was a preplanned attack and not a riot. The pre warnings indicated that and the preventative warnings were sounded but went unheeded. This is an outrage and although the father is shielding his son from revenge it is obvious he knows the truth.
Cat 1200657
However, after the OKC bombing of the Murrah Bldg, the fbi, atf, stae & local police had information using the 5 W method of Who, What, When, Where and Why very quickly.
and now you blame the victim/victim's family? Again, a question is how long a time is all right with you, next week, next month, next year or just until after the election?
What has been covered up? do you even understand the concept?
Where they slow getting proper information? yes.
Did they correct themselves when the intel came in? yes.
Did the FBI say it's too hot to go there now? yes.
SO PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IS BEING COVERED UP. ill wait, and wait and wait......well?
On any crime scene the police do not reveal their knowledge so they don't tip off to the criminals on how much they know. Same with this attack. It is being treated as a crime scene. The Navy seals will respond soon as possible.
Bush ignored 911 attack when warned and told the informer, "ok you covered your ass." Bush attacked Iraq instead of pursuing Bin Laden. Bush then kills thousands of our troops and wounds thousands more with more dying from their wounds.
Romney said it was too expensive to find Bin Laden and would have given up if in charge just like Bush. ROMNEY THE FAILED QUITTER SAYS IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIND BIN LADEN AND MET OUT JUSTICE! ROMNEY FAILS THE TEST TO BE PRESIDENT AND PROTECT AMERICA!
President Obama and Team America taking out Bin Laden and terrorists never would quit on America like Bush and Romney!
Romney would send your son, daughter, husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother to fight his impending war with Iran. All the while, his military-capable sons (5 of them, mind you, as we are constantly reminded) will be enrolled in Ivy League universities, or trapsing around the globe on Mormon peace missions.
Yes, you teabaggers blogging way here need to get back to your measley, low-wage, non-union, scab jobs and work this week's 100 hours so you can donate to the Romney corporate slave-owner machine.
I think the first thing we do is tell our enemies are game plan tell them all of are weakness and strengths. That makes total since tell them all are communications what we knew and what we didn't know. That is what this guy is asking for. That should be released 50yrs if ever. This was a planned attack including doing it after stirring up a riot. Use the civilian population to cover your attack brilliant tactic since, no matter what happens the US looses. We defend and kill civilians the world crucifies us, we don't and US personnel die win win for our enemies(and GOP).
Heres a nice tidbit of info, All US consolates, Embassies and safe houses are required to meet a minimum standard as far a defense and protection is concerned, This is not only for personnel, but also to protect secret communications,Plans,etc. The US State Dept. headed by SOS Clinton waived those minimum standards in regards to the Libyan Consulate. This was due to the Libyan Govts denial of US Marines in Libya. If you cannot protect OUR soil in another country, you dont send Ambassadors and support staff there, and you stop all aid until they allow you to protect your soil. There were several requests for extra security, NOT JUST NORMAL SECURITY, BUT EXTRA SECURITY fot that consulate and safe house, all which were either denied or ignored(depending on who you believe). This entire situation falls squarely at the feet of SOS Clinton and also obama being he is the HMFIC.
JK...Romney can't send any of my family that has not volunteered to fight a war.
"I do find it troubling that they have not owned up to their shortcomings
The average life span is what, 72 years? Nobody has enough time for the government to own up to their shortcomings.
Good one! chuckle chuckle.
Politicians are taught to never show weakness, never admit a mistake and never, ever admit one's own shortcomings (but feel free to cast a spotlight on the shortcomings of others, especially one's opponents for elected office)
As David Ubben recuperates at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, his father, Rex Ubben, said he did not blame the State Department or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for his son's injuries.
But he added, "I do find it troubling that they have not owned up to their shortcomings; in government, in the military, and in business, if something goes wrong, you admit it, correct it, and move on."
Sounds like he just wants someone to be honest, but it's the government ( Not going to happen),
You're 100 %b right, Obee k' Nobee, Hillary, & Anniee Puturrsun (the NO AMMO GIRL) all are under thaa PROTECTION VEIL of BIGGGG BRO, THEREFORE they du NOTTTT need to be fer telling YU or me anything close to the TRUTH!!! >>> BECAUSE that will NOT get them any votes at all!!!
The president has apologized to the Middle East for what he feels was our incompetence in the past. The least he could do is apologize to these victims for his incompetence now. Don't say the investigations take time. They knew enough about it to cover it up almost immediately.
Thank you....well put
These attacks were only being reported in Middle Eastern newspapers and on the radio over there for 3 weeks before they happened. The Libyan government gave them warning 3 days before it happened. Even the embassy gave the president warning asking them for more security, which was ignored. Then Mr. Obama is left doing the political two-step as he denies everything.
gsp: "The president has apologized to the Middle East for what he feels was our incompetence in the past. The least he could do is apologize to these victims for his incompetence now."
OH WHAT A GIVEAWAY! Obama apologizes (actually it's been fact checked and he hasn't) and the right insults him as the "apologist in chief." Then he does NOT apologize and the right attacks him saying he SHOULD.
Obama could walk on water, and the "right" would point and sneer, "See! Obama can't swim!"
Tell the truth. There's nothing Obama could do to please some people, is there?
Yes there is------resign now.
TheKhan...ET AL.....you seem to know so much and writing with such authority, so why don't you enlighten all of us where you got your information from on this issue?
Perhaps the FBI should be interviewing you too as you seem to know about the warning and everything.
Like has been oft noted..... 'flapping or loose lips sink battle ships'... but then everyone or most folks who do not have the capacity to think for themselves want(s) transparency no matter if it would harm our own country and its personnel abroad.
Just because a camera is shoved in one's face does not mean one should talk off the cuff before thinking through what one is going to say. Enough of that talking off the cuff - by some folks in govt and some who want to be in govt - that has been done already and to the detriment of our country.
There are those who would like the US(A) to continue to be the strutting peacock like in the not so distant past, not realizing one's arse is being exposed.
Libya is still a sovreign country, no matter what one believes or whether they get financial aid from the USA or not. The FBI need the time to do their thorough investigation and to keep their info close to their chest at this time.
It would be pointless if everytime the FBI and other investigators into this incident find out something they blabbed it wouldn't it? Wouldn't that be warning the enemy and as is often noted... 'to be forwarned is to be forearmed'...
Thus folks need to just stop and think for a change instead of the kneejerk reaction of ' they (govt) aren't doing anything blah blah blah' to every thing that happens at home and abroad imo.
Peace......
point: politicians and leaders are conditioned against admitting mistakes and taking responsibility is contra-indicated at all times as effective political suicide. All people in politics work under the belief that if they admit a mistake, their career is absolutely over. Meanwhile, most constituents would like their leaders to admit that a mistake was made and then steps can be taken to correct it.
point: investigations take time, as such, occasionally unconfirmed information gets released, which is occasionally wrong. the administration was doing the responsible thing in not jumping on the terrorism bandwagon early as that could have aggravated the situation if proven wrong, (i would expect it would be more desirable to err on the side of not causing more violent protests/riots/deaths unnecessarily) If Obama jumped on the "it was terrorist attack" bandwagon as early as many wished he did, Obama would have been seen as looking for an excuse to retaliate, which would have made matters worse.
observation: given that the attack was planned, I would not put it past the terrorists to have brought the video to the attention of many with the intention of starting protests as a distraction, right on schedule on the desired day. (video was available online for months before the protests)
Absolutely! The attempted cover-up by the Obama administration has gone on long enough and they should admit that they just plain screwed this one up.
Terrorist attacked our embassy, killed our Ambassador and three others, and they were not adequately protected in a very dangerous and hostile environment, and the administration had warning prior.
Step up, say they blew it, explain why it happened, apologize and stop trying to point the blame, and make excuses.
This WAS NOT an embassy or a consulate. It was a PRIVATE compound leased from a local. It was not American territory. You can't just bring in your own troops, not if you want to keep it low key. Looks to me more like a CIA outpost.
Roland-3149016
While they died at a "safe house", the attack was INITIATED at the US Consulate, which needed to be evacuated due to the LACK of American security.
Roland; Why did they need to run from the US Consulate which IS sovereign American soil?
This is what Obama is about, cover up or aplogize for the actions of American. American he is NOT. I really hope that he goes down in ball of flames. America, wake up! Obama is as bad as Carter or worse!
Ok, the cat is out of the bag, now what? The crap that went down in Libya should not have happened. It would not have if someone was doing their job and paying attention. I think it could have been avoided. The same with Fast and Furious. Both were mistakes. Mistakes that took life. Who is responsible? What is going to be done about it? This day and time there are not excuses. We have way too much technologlie for flimsy excuses.
...
Well this does it for me.
We should ban any type of religious movies that involve Islam.
.
Obama / Biden in 2012.
...
You are crazy! Give up our freedom of speech. Then what give up more of our rights because some religion is going to be offended? You want to give up freedom of speech for Muslims, what about Christians? We are offended daily because people want to take down anything that resembles Christ. Get real!
You're an idiot!
People are researching the origins of the movie now evidently used by the 'blame the other guy' administration to excuse a terrorist attack on our nation, and, finding the author wasn't a coptic christian, just another muslim from Bethlehem.
your a f**king MORON
The Obama Administration make mistakes? Impossible, this is clearly Bush's fault.
Yes it is. Do you think history will give "W" a pass on screwing up the Middle East with his illegal war in Iraq? Only in rightwingnut textbooks contrived in Texas under the oversight of someone like Rick Perry would GW Bush go un-noticed as the 21st century's first war criminal.
JKfromPA you sir have issues it was the democrats that want to take all mention of the "BLACK PANTHERS" and the reign of violence that they did, all they want is the KKK in the text book and how the poor black man was treated, they also do not want Malcolm X mentioned in the text book because of the violence he created the fact is the democrats only want to tell a lie about history to justify why we should just give everything to the black man the true facts are both sides had violent people who did things that should not have been done but they were and we need to learn from our mistakes but the problem is neither side wants to admit there mistakes.
JK, are you talking about the ILLEGAL war that all but 1 Democrat signed off on? If approved by Congress not an ILLEGAL war at all. Get a history lesson
JK, you think the mid east was not screwed up before Bush?
Hill and o dumbass should be boiled in oil
Folks, I have some very enlightening news for you. Barry Borrock Soetoro Hussein Osama is in WAY OVER HIS HEAD. The responsibilities that go hand-in-hand with the Office of The President of the United States are far too dynamic and complex for an inept Community Organizer from Chicago. I know it. You know it.
Come On ... How can obama be expected to address this when he has his campaign to run???
Where in the heck is this fathers priorities??!!
Maybe if the father of this dead state department employee would offer, say $20,000.00, for a fundraiser dinner- obama may speak to him about it.
you must be kidding MSNBC. Nothing about last nights debate? Was the president really that bad?
It always saddens me when we see people faithfully serving our country loose their lives. It is even worse when it occurs unnecessarily because of lack of leadership by those we have entrusted with the safety of all. Time for a change. And for those partisan Democrats out there, I would be saying the same thing if it were a Republican.
To Olddog: Well said!
Thank you, Bear, for your typical, violent comment.
"Dad of US bodyguard 'blown up twice' in Benghazi says State Department should admit mistakes"
The State Department should admit that this happened because they didn't want their policies to look bad in a election year.
If anything was covered up, it was the ambassador who covered it up. If there where previous warnings, he knew of them. At any time an ambassador can call for evacuation, which usually starts with shredding sensitive materials. This is what the FBI is looking to see. nobody, not even this guys dad, knows the truth yet. so stuff it.
George paul john
So let's see... The wars and economy are bush's fault.
These deaths at the embassy are the ambassadors fault.
The lack of jobs / continued unemployment is the republicans in congress fault
The downgrading of the US credit rating is the federal reserves fault.
WHAT THE HELL - OBAMA MUST BE TEFLON???
I fail to understand how any American is unable to see the horrendous cover up here. When will enough be enough? Just one more example of how we have once again been duped. These men were fathers, sons, brothers just as the previous 2,000 plus spldiers we have lost. Why? Because of a huge failure in that big white house on the hill! If you or I were hired to do a job that we swore we could do. Making numerous promises, yet failing miserably. We would be replaced. We would be terminated. There would be no notice given. We would simply be out of a job! Wake up America ! By the way I am neither republican or democrat... I am simply a U.S. citizen that deserves answers & deserves far better than what we have gotten!
Sec of State, Hillary Clinton: "We came, We saw, He died".
Karma is a b*tch.
George bush: I went to florida, sent the airforce to alaska and people died on 9/11. gfys
Very Weird
I agree. The Obama administration's first response was to try to sweep the deaths of four American citizens murdered in cold blood under the rug and pretend it never happened. While there were obviously lapse in the security the first and foremost mistake was helping the Libyan rebels at all. They were clearly anti-western Muslim terrorists from the start, a fact that our State Department chose to ignore and the result was four murdered Americans. If there was any justice Hilary Clinton should be fired. When it comes to the Middle East this administration is in way over their heads.
It is baffling that citizens who volunteer for the Foreign Service ignore the fact that they are placing themselves in harms way. They are literally volunteering for a dangerous mission. Foreigh duty is glamorous until the action starts and then the President is at fault, not the person who freely signed on the dotted line. This recrimination senario happens every time one of our embassies is attacked. Wake up! The rest of the world hates America and all of its citizens guilty or not. This government has been meddling for too long in other people's affairs. We should stop playing world leader and first tend to our own business at home.
First, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know Susan Rice was lying through her teeth about what happened, as she was spewing her lie, a You tube video played showing terrorists with rocket propelled grenades running up to the embassy. She needs to be fired, pure & simple.
Second, 3 weeks have passed and the FBI investigators still haven't been allowed to the site? Trust me if we wanted to be at the site we would be. Obama has dropped the ball and broom Hillary should leave now too.
The red meat is out there on this one -- republican goblins and trolls are having a field day here just like the fast and furious fizzleout -- thanks to the stupid anti muslim film that inflamed the entire middle east and treasonous republicans who scream fire where there is just pissed on straw...
Again and again Issa dreams the dream of the deluded, a wannabe Elvis, who seeks at every turn to expose the goblins of his fantasies.
Issa and Paul Ryan and other gop leeches were all part of the dinner party on Jan 21, 2009 where they raised a toast on the 1st day of Obama's presidency to obstruct EVERY instance of anything to repair our country's economy. Isn't that treason? To intentionally work against the country in time of war? We were in TWO WARS AND A NEAR DEPRESSION while republicans conspired to do all in their power to obstruct any and all efforts to sustain our country.
I am not a fan of Obama or Clinton, but I seriously doubt that the repubs could or would have stopped it. Our gov allowed this to happen...just like dubya allowed 9-11 to happen. I am wondering what the ambassador did to piss off Obama/Clinton/ Boehner, McConnell, Cantor etc...
Wrong . Clinton had bin Laden and let him go before the 911 attacks. Now you can blame President Bush but Clinton is the real Blame just like Obama is the real blame here.
I believe the prince of Saudi Arabia was standing right next to Bin Laden when they had to cancel that attck with Cruise missle....war with Saudi Arabia....? not with any president of our nation....Clinton was loobing cruise missle at Bin Laden......Bush ignored Bin Laden, then quit trying to get him, and Romney said it was too expensive to go after Bin Laden. Bush the Butcher of our troops and Run Away Romney the coward and QUITTER!!
They were on a damn plane and Clinton said not to arrest him get the facts straight.That is right a Liberal never cares about facts.
This is what Obama gets when he puts an ex-Presidents wife with NO experience in charge of being Secretary of State. What in the hell was he thinking. But then again he got her husbands endorsement on TV. But then again Bill Clinton is a liar, was impeached and disbarred by the U.S. Supreme Court for his lies which originated from his adulterous nature. But with Democrats that still a good endorser? Putting her in charge is like Microsoft putting one of their janitors as the CEO of that corporation. The socialists just don't get it.
Obama DIDN't DISCIMINATE Al Quada anything. He is currently "pretending" that he is a proud American - if re-elected he will go back to bowing to the Muslim authority when he travels....he will continue to use tax dollars so he and Michele can take their vacations and be on late night and day time television programs instead of TRYING to lead the United States. And I laughed out loud last night when he said "if you own a corporate jet you need to be ready to pay higher taxes for that"... oh really - and who pays for the "corporte jet" Obama and family use so often.... Usually one for him, one for her and at one point - another one for the dog!!! Okay - so Barrack and Michele had a scheduling "conflict" and couldn't go on the same jet...but the dog? Did he have a scheduling conflict so important that it took yet another jet to get him to the family vacation. I have NEVER seen such waste from any President in my entire 65 years.... He is leaving a footprint of debt and disaster for our children and grandchildren.......