General Political Thread

[calvino]

Definitely need to find out what happen in Bengazi. The procedure could be done without so much grandstanding  - but all the facts should and need to come out.

 

At times, it does appear this is being done less for the relatives involved, but for politically reasons - but that's the name of the game and facts are facts.

[KevinG]

I think the best way to prevent something like this from happening again is to find out exactly how it happened in the first place. Even Hillary said, "It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again".

 

I'm sure the families that lost a relative at the embassy don't think it's pretty stale...

 

So in the days after the attack it was blamed on a video and was called an act of terror.  Eventually the video theory was debunked and it is roundly assumed that it was an act of terror.  Everyone admits it no one is disputing that fact.  So you now have your reasoning, act of terror.  It is not like anyone is hiding or running from that.    

 

I have never lost anyone in any type of tragedy (and I count my blessings for that), but I still don't understand the reasoning why matters.  Is it going to bring these four people back?  What congress should be focused on is 1) was there anything that could have been done to prevent this and 2) was there anything that could have been done while the attack was occurring that could have saved lives.   But they are so focused on the "cover up" and trying to take Hillary down a few pegs, it is sad really.  The GOP is using the deaths of four Americans to score political points.  

[Tweedling]

Are you watching the hearings?

I think if there was a cover up then both of your points could be addressed.

[calvino]

I think one has to learn from mistakes made. Of course it will not bring anybody back, but it may prevent other tragedies like it.

 

Public hearings to figure out what went down is the only way the public is going to find out anything. If some feet have to raked over the coals, so be it.

 

I am a Democrat, but if I was at the table asking question, I would want to know everything.

 

And of course the GOP is using the event to score points - that's what they are very good at - shaping the narrative  - something I wish the Democrats were better at. And from the very beginning, the Obama administration  did not do a good job shaping the narrative or conversation and I am sure they learned from their mistake, while "discussing" it in their own administrative meetings. 

[KevinG]

Are you watching the hearings?

I think if there was a cover up then both of your points could be addressed.

 

No I am not watching the hearings, I don't think many people are.  Are you?

 

What did the Administration cover up?  

 

Plus I have really no idea what what you last sentence is trying to say.  

[lost highway]

I'm sure the families that lost a relative at the embassy don't think it's pretty stale...

 

You don't think someone using their loss of life as a political chip would get stale?  If I lost someone I loved I would find a Fox frenzy very stale.

 

They have, and will be investigating.  That's just proper procedure.  Several of these types of attacks happened during the Bush years and no one made much of a story about it.

[Winston Legthigh]

The issue isn't about how it happened, right? Isn't the issue trying to uncover a possible cover-up?

 

I mean, embassy attacks are pretty much commonplace over the last 30 years or so, no? How do they happen? Well, our enemies fucking hate us, and have the will and means to attack us, that's how. 

[KevinG]

The issue isn't about how it happened, right? Isn't the issue trying to uncover a possible cover-up?

 

I mean, embassy attacks are pretty much commonplace over the last 30 years or so, no? How do they happen? Well, our enemies fucking hate us, and have the will and means to attack us, that's how. 

 

Will some please tell what did the Administration cover up?  Certainly not the fact that it was a terrorist attack since that is widely accepted.  Maybe it is this craziness from Geraldo: My Sources tell me Benghazi was about running missiles to Syrian rebels.

[Winston Legthigh]

Will some please tell what did the Administration cover up?  Certainly not the fact that it was a terrorist attack since that is widely accepted.  Maybe it is this craziness from Geraldo: My Sources tell me Benghazi was about running missiles to Syrian rebels.

Here are the Fox News talking points. 

 

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2013/05/10/giuliani-benghazi-smelled-cover-day-one

[Tweedling]

You don't think someone using their loss of life as a political chip would get stale? If I lost someone I loved I would find a Fox frenzy very stale.

 

They have, and will be investigating. That's just proper procedure. Several of these types of attacks happened during the Bush years and no one made much of a story about it.

They thought it was so stale they attended the hearings.

I don't think any diplomats were killed at mbassy attacks under Bush.

[lost highway]

I don't think any diplomats were killed at mbassy attacks under Bush.

 

Not true.  David Foy, March 2, 2006, Karachi.

 

Several Americans, and scores of U.S. hired security guards, and police have died as well in 13 embassy attacks in the last 11 years.

 

Also, while Smith's mother has stated publicly that she thought Obama killed her son (for some political gain I suppose, I thought the story says they were covering it up for damage control), I don't think we can synthesize the rest of their families' opinions.  I merely wanted to indicate that some of the media usage was cheap drama for selling ad revenue.

[Winston Legthigh]

Here's a decent Benghazi explainer.

 

http://gawker.com/what-the-fuck-is-all-this-benghazi-shit-an-explainer-499776059

 

[IRememberDBoon]

They thought it was so stale they attended the hearings.

I don't think any diplomats were killed at mbassy attacks under Bush.

 

 

Parsing Republicans

BTW when did the right give a flip about The State Dept? They don't even like diplomacy or diplomats

 

They thought it was so stale they attended the hearings.

I don't think any diplomats were killed at mbassy attacks under Bush.

 

 

Parsing Republicans

BTW when did the right give a flip about The State Dept? They don't even like diplomacy or diplomats

[KevinG]

Here's a decent Benghazi explainer. http://gawker.com/what-the-fuck-is-all-this-benghazi-shit-an-explainer-499776059

 

Pretty good (language aside).  

 

I really want to hear form those who support the congressional hearings on what they really hope to accomplish, and be honest with me and themselves.  

[calvino]

In theory, these hearings are the only way for the public to find out what happened in an event - it usually turns into a political circus, which is unfortunate. As a citizen, I want to know what happen. I suppose one can take the word of the State Department, the Defense Department, the Executive Branch, etc...but I believe as being part a democracy, I want my Representative to ask some questions when somebody or some Department f's up. If in these hearing, it's determine no mistakes are made - great - if some mistakes were made, learn from them and don't make them again.

[KevinG]

In theory, these hearings are the only way for the public to find out what happened in an event - it usually turns into a political circus, which is unfortunate. As a citizen, I want to know what happen. I suppose one can take the word of the State Department, the Defense Department, the Executive Branch, etc...but I believe as being part a democracy, I want my Representative to ask some questions when somebody or some Department f's up. If in these hearing, it's determine no mistakes are made - great - if some mistakes were made, learn from them and don't make them again.

 

that is not what these hearings are about, it is  to politicized.  all about laying blame.  just another example of our current dysfunction.

[Hixter]

Lies and coverups by government officials should always be investigated and those responsible should be punished. Look at Watergate: it was only a couple of burglaries but it brought down a president. Nobody died at Watergate; four Americans died in Benghazi.

[IRememberDBoon]

yawn

[Hixter]

yawn

Thanks for making a significant contribution to the discussion! 

[Winston Legthigh]

Lies and coverups by government officials should always be investigated and those responsible should be punished. Look at Watergate: it was only a couple of burglaries but it brought down a president. Nobody died at Watergate; four Americans died in Benghazi.

Yeah, except the "only a couple burglaries" were committed by "our guys". 

 

What crime is being alleged in the Benghazi incident? Oh, there's not one?

[Guest Jules]

incompetence

[Tweedling]

Is the IRS news worthy of a congressional hearing?

[Hixter]

Yeah, except the "only a couple burglaries" were committed by "our guys". 

 

What crime is being alleged in the Benghazi incident? Oh, there's not one?

President Nixon didn't break into a building, his downfall was trying to cover it up.

 

President Clinton didn't commit a crime when he got a BJ in the Oval Office, he was impeached because he lied about it.

 

President Obama didn't break any laws in Benghazi, but if it can be proved that he and his administration didn't act on requests for more security, then he needs to be called on the carpet for it. The same goes for placing the blame on a Youtube video instead of admitting that it was a September 11th attack by jihadis. The American people should not be lied to by their elected leaders.

[KevinG]

Is the IRS news worthy of a congressional hearing?

 

No

[Tweedling]

No

How did I know?