Good or Bad for the Jews

"Good or Bad for the Jews"

Many years ago, and for many years, I would travel to Morocco to visit uncles, cousins, and my paternal grandmother. Some lived in Tangiers;...

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Politicizing Benghazi

As readers of this humble blog know, a lot of things about the Benghazi disaster deeply trouble me.

One in particular stands out: The breaking of the bond between Americans sent to do dangerous things in dangerous places and the government that sent them. Lots of us have served in dangerous posts. Yes, of course, in the Foreign Service there is a band of officers whom I call the "Pierre Cardin crowd" because of their penchant for London, Paris, Rome, and Washington. Most of my friends in the Service, however, definitely belonged to the Cockroach-Terrorist-Iguana crowd. We wanted to go to the tough and rowdy posts. We went, however, with the knowledge that if the poop smacked the fan, our folks would come get us or at least make the effort. We had a very close bond with our military colleagues; we deeply respected their skill, capability, and courage. They, in turn, often thought we were nuts, but admired us for going to live in the places we did, and to work there with what struck them as minimal security. That bond was shattered in Benghazi by the National Command Authority; remember, even the hapless Jimmy Carter approved a far-fetched and dangerous rescue operation for the hostages in Teheran.

Our people were attacked and, as far as we know, neither the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, nor, most important, the President said, "Let's go get them!" Our people were left to die lingering, horrible, and degrading deaths at the hands of the Islamic jihadis for whom we had knocked off Queen of the Desert Moammar Gaddafi. Once the disaster became apparent, then the White House and its minions, with the connivance of the media, swung into action with a relentless campaign of lies, half-truths, distractions, and savaging of anybody who suggested things had not been handled well. There was an all-out effort to save Obama's re-election campaign, and it was so successful that the Republicans hesitated from making Benghazi an issue for fear of "politicizing" it. The "politicizing," of course, already had occurred.

For two years, the White House, the Democratic party, and the media have tried to ignore and bury Benghazi with epithets such as "phony scandal"; explanations that it was all caused by a "despicable" video seen by almost nobody; and charges that anybody who raised the issue was obviously some deranged Tea Partier, a racist, a fool, somebody who wanted to waste time on the past instead of "moving forward," or all of the above and many more. Now that the House finally has named a Committee, under the very estimable Trey Gowdy, the Democrats and their friends in the media are having a conniption.

The old canard of "politicizing" has been dug up; crazy Nancy Pelosi even has said that the families of the Benghazi victims do not want an investigation. Pelsoi also claimed that the Committee is unfair because it will not have the same number of Democrats as Republicans. That didn't seem to bother the party of the KKK, Jim Crow, and Alger Hiss when Congress named Democrat-majority committees to investigate Watergate and Iran-Contra.

Time to remind one and all when the politicizing took place and by whom. It wasn't now and it wasn't by the Republicans. The White House owns this disaster; yes, Mr. President, you did build that, and you did dishonor a bond of over 200 years between our military and diplomats--and that does make a difference.

28 comments:

  1. I realize Diplomad some are gonna take me as "traitot" but you Sir, I think, understand how the beltway works.

    I admit to no understanding of Foggy but realize we all generally landed at National, & so a link (but this isn't actually my point) ... this guy maybe Diplomad you've maybe experienced at least "the type"

    http://20committee.com/2014/05/03/ground-truth-about-benghazi/
    _________________________

    My main concern in all this is Yep, we (meaning Independents & the Main and Generally Republicans) can in all likelihood

    Pre-Empt Hillary.
    ______________________

    But just getting Hillary out isn't gonna get what needs to be done ... done.

    Just my personal feeling (I am after all Arkie - not that, that gives me particularly effective "opinion" to quiet everybody on our side's concern)

    We (meaning Conservatives) MUST have something else in our toolkit.

    Benghazi will take Hillary out - but just taking Hillary out doesn't mean much 'cause 2016 comes soon.
    ____________________

    I mentioned months ago Rand Paul and Kelly Ayotte & figured to see some alternative stuff hereabouts on Dip 2.0 - I realize there may be some stuff going on "home turf"

    but just knocking Hillary off isn't gonna cut it.

    Arkie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arkie...I agree too, there must be something-someone of substance. Following the travesty of Obama, the person to follow must issue a call for clarity of what is right and proper about America. That ranges from who we are, what we are, our purpose and the lawful way we go about conducting our political affairs. If the Rs follow with a moderate light weight "get along" type, then I'm afraid the Left's ill gotten gains will simply be locked in as legitimate. They aren't.

      Sharp contrasts will be needed for Americans to recapture their best nature. It is also necessary to not worry about "getting along" or being civil....screw both of them. That will make some angry--and so what! What will be needed is a street fighter, someone that understands the Left fully and won't mind smashing a 2x4 over their heads when they aren't looking. This person must understand this enemy and what drives him.

      Delete
  2. For the number of people involved, the fact that no one has talked, sure indicates a thorough case of intimidation. On the other side of the coin, there must be a lot of people now starting to fear the day of departure of Obama. These people know that if this "really" comes out retribution will be severe and no Clinton will save them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw on the net the other day a list of folks that died of "interesting circumstances and times" around the Clintons. it approached 50. possibly that might answer your question.

      Delete
  3. Mr. Mad
    I bet morale at State is just terrific over all of this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's interesting to me that the Left seems to revel in politicizing everything, even mundane daily events that historically have been outside the realm of politics (like buying a soft drink), while Republican politicians seem terrified of being seen as "politicizing" anything, including things that are fundamentally political, like immigration, foreign policy, etc.

    I do not like where this is leading. At all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. paul vincent zecchinoMay 15, 2014 at 6:01 AM

      The Left politicizes everything because it is faithfully obeying the command laid down by its hydrocephalic, murderous, false god, lenin who said, "everything must be politicised'.

      The Left is hate. Revenge is its pastime. Genocide is its legacy.

      Delete
  5. Anyone see Trey Gowdy's press conference? He shamed the press corps, asking how come you don't know the answers to these simple questions after a year?

    Devastating.

    http://www.westernjournalism.com/took-congressman-just-three-minutes-shut-obama-loving-media/#XIKTYDH3Y5dRH3PH.01

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I did!! That is what you call a verbal beat down. A major B-slap. Thanks for the link.

      Delete
    2. Additional----I've watched this video of Gowdy some more and enjoy it even more now. In essence he is shaming some presstitutes on the front row of a tent revival.

      Delete
    3. Good way to describe them - "pressitutes". Gowdy looks like a great pick for the job and has just the right attitude, one that I look for in a Republican office holder.

      It's going to be some great hearings. Put him in charge of the IRS probe too.

      Delete
  6. Tell me about the "Pierre Cardin" crowd. My FSO dad was held as a POW for 5 years in Vietnam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think he would be appalled by some of the folks now in key slots in today's Foreign Service.

      Delete
    2. Or how about John F'n Kerry as our Secretary of State. God help us! No wonder patriots fear for America. Sincere prayers that Truth finally outs!

      God Bless Us Everyone!!!

      LibertyGrace'sGrandma

      Delete
  7. I'm just sad that it's not going to make a difference. Hillary will call on the female vote and she'll dominate it. The media has assaulted us for decades about how much identity is more important than ideology or personality. I just don't see any hope for a challenger when she's going to up the female vote by 25% and take 75% of the whole thing.
    Obama showed the way.

    - reader #1482

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hillary has not got this woman's vote, nor the vote of my daughter, the two-hitch Marine. Frankly, I've begun to be quite annoyed with the assumptions of public pundits (present company excepted) that I would vote for the vicious harridan just because ... woman.

      Delete
  8. Mr. Amselem, I'm of the mind that the O's and Shrillary's favorite Foreign Service types were the "Pierre Cardin" crowd--which is why they let us tumble into the disgrace of fighting al-Qaida's battles for it in Libya and Syria. Had they listened to some of the folks with more experience of the lands of the long visa line, they might have had a bit more sense about what was what. Heck, even Newsweek had reported that Eastern Libya was full of MB and Qiada sorts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My sense is that Hillary gave away any hope of a viable run at the presidency with her, "What difference does it make?" outburst. The negative campaign video possibilities are now endless.

    Hence, the many will-she-run/will-she-not-run trial balloons we are seeing in the media are mere attempts to convert the excuses for not running into a mandate to run. A futile strategy, unless like "a Pelosi" it works.

    That aside, the only way the truth of Benghazi will ever be publicly known is if true patriots within the State Department or with comparable knowledge start leaking to the press.

    Our nation may, perhaps, endure without a full accounting. But if that is to be our fate in this instance, then an opportunity for cultural/political advance will have been lost, unutterably.

    Keep up the GREAT work, dear DiploMad!

    Sincerely,
    John Anonymouse

    ReplyDelete
  10. There is no such thing as inevitability. There is a media-created "reality" and a genuine reality and in the end reality trumps "reality." The trend of events in the real world seems to be accelerating, and the trend is ugly for the West. China is on the move, Japan is reacting gingerly. Low level conflict has broken out in Europe as Putin re-creates a greater Russia with Peter the Great as his model. Islamofascist groups will coalesce and the Islamic world will become more so, and it will be the polar opposite of the sex-drenched libertinism of Hollywood. The time between now and 2016 will be filled with conflict and I expect that unless the eyes of America are focused inward, the world of 2016 will not be a cakewalk for anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Here's an informative video for all Israel supporters
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NW0W_68E3E

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sickening antisemitism. It's not the least bit "informative". It's just a hate-tape.I could hate without it, or, as I choose, love.

      Having trouble making the other comment platforms work. I'm not anonymous. I'm Michael Adams of Austin Texas!

      Delete
    2. Oh my God. Really? I haven't seen anything like that since flipping through some of the old Goebbels top hits, and his stuff was a lot more classy than that. What is up with hating the Jews anyways? I just don't get it.

      Delete
  12. Dear Dip,
    As the mother of a serving son (12 tours to his credit) and wife to one that served faithfully for 22 1/2 years.....I have a carved in granite view that when our people serving need help, we go. We try to save them, making valiant efforts to bring them home. Even the fool, Jimmy Carter made an attempt to rescue the Iranian hostages....and that is far more than "practice my debate skills, brief Candy Crowley, and go to bed..... now and let others watch as brave men are slain, Obie.
    This has been an abomination to we who serve. And we know that if it happens again, unlike the Dems talking points of "We want to make sure it doesn't happen again...now get off the topic of Benghazi.." Blather.......it will happen again. And I pray (selfishly) that it isn't mine next time.
    Preach on, Dip.....you are being heard....
    East Texas Rancher

    ReplyDelete
  13. While Diplomad, we're on the subject (or not) of politicizing ... I happened to visit a couple of other takes; disclaimer: a single author

    http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2014/05/black-privilege.html

    & since Bill makes the point of never having been a Southerner - as for myself if my "occasional" lapses in syntax hasn't made it obvious

    http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2014/05/are-rednecks-people-of-color.html

    Arkie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read that the other day. Just some color. Not enough to be useful.

      Delete
  14. Here's Boko Haram responding to the US...

    https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1535036_674630672585276_5472419627582418876_n.jpg

    - reader #1482

    ReplyDelete
  15. More on the video: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/63152

    ReplyDelete