As TeaPublicans howl, stamp their feet and demand that America join them in their many failed attempts at turning a terrible tragedy into a scandal, the Benghazi political circus leaves town.
Buh-Bye!
"I’ll hear from Republicans that say, ‘But there are unanswered questions!’ Well, no, all the questions have been answered," he said. "There’s just some people that don’t like the answers, that wish the answers were somehow more conspiratorial, I guess."
Todd said that there were a number of issues, like policy or the United States' response to Arab Spring, worth discussing. "But to sit here and investigate talking points seems to be totally missing the larger point here," he added. "It’s like investigating who cut down one tree in a forest that’s been burned down."
22 comments:
The recent escalating arguments over whether there should be further congressional hearings on Benghazi are quite troubling. The very fact that there are substantial numbers of people who feel that there is nothing more to investigate when four American lives were lost, and no one has answered for this crime, provides an indication of how far our sense of justice has slipped.
This should not be a partisan issue, because the implications of ignoring or prevaricating about the underlying mistakes will have far-reaching consequences. The United States has diplomatic establishments throughout the world, and if these can be attacked without consequences, it greatly diminishes our influence and respect despite the protestations to the contrary by those who claim that there is no diminishing of our stature internationally.
It's just the teapublicans realizing they could actually add "Benghazie" to their limited vocabulary.
For Anonymous and the rest of the people demanding answers, please tell us...
What answers are you looking for? Is it possible that perhaps, the answers you are looking for, that it was a big Obama screw up and then a bigger coverup, just are not supported by the facts?
If people are convinced before any hearings are held, of a specific narrative, then no amount of hearings are enough unless that result is found.
It's as if many are demanding proof that something nefarious did not happen, forgetting all the while that they are asking the Obama Admin to prove a negative.
So I'll ask again to you anon, of any of the other conservatives that are strong on demanding more answers regarding Benghazi...
What questions do you have that you want answered? Please be specific, as many Americans do agree with Chuch Todd that after numerous GOP led hearings, this should be over as an issue.
Anonymous: "The recent escalating arguments over whether there should be further congressional hearings on Benghazi are quite troubling. The very fact that there are substantial numbers of people who feel that there is nothing more to investigate when four American lives were lost, and no one has answered for this crime, provides an indication of how far our sense of justice has slipped."
Anon, if you mean by "no one has answered for this crime," that the people responsible were not brought to justice after almost two years, yes that is a shame. I'm wondering if you felt this way when it took 9 years to bring Bin Laden to justice after he was responsible for the deaths of 3,000 Americans. See, the incessant howling for "justice" when not even two years have elapsed seems a bit hypocritical when we heard nothing approaching this outrage when it took 9 years to punish the perpetrator of the deaths of 3,000 Americans.
Anon: "This should not be a partisan issue, because the implications of ignoring or prevaricating about the underlying mistakes will have far-reaching consequences."
Perhaps, and perhaps not. (See above.)
Anon: "The United States has diplomatic establishments throughout the world, and if these can be attacked without consequences, it greatly diminishes our influence and respect despite the protestations to the contrary by those who claim that there is no diminishing of our stature internationally."
Actually, Anon, our diplomatic establishments WERE attacked numerous times in the past. For example, 13 times during the Bush Administration, and after each time there was no investigation into the underlying reasons for the attacks and consequent deaths. Perhaps you're right. Those 13 embassy and consulate attacks during the Bush administration may have emboldened our enemies. Or maybe it was the deaths of 220+ US marines in Lebanon that emboldened our enemies. Do you remember when that breach in security happened and 220 Americans died? IIRC, some Democratic pol said that was not the time for partisanship, that we should all come together to honor those who died? That happened before we became a politically divided country. And that's what is driving all of this demand for "investigations." It's a shame the zealots in the GOP were not screaming bloody hell for an investigations for all those attacks.
Perhaps that's why our enemies attacked us in Libya?
What is a shame IMO is the blatant partisanship over this tragedy.
As I recall help was denied. And were you equally dismayed when Bin Laden was handed to Bill Clinton on a silver platter an refused?
Maybe they should have deployed the agents they sent to the Bundy Ranch
Ann Coulter made a fool of herself so it's Michelle Obama's fault.
And BENGHAZI!
At this stage Shaw what does it matter? I mean talking with the unreasonable in hopes of steering them to a reasonable course and understanding seems rather pointless after two years. I won't get into my thoughts on the reasons behind the Benghazi Conspiracy theorists efforts.
Reasonable people realize it is time to move on. Sure, lets all talk about the need to beef up security, how we can improve response times when terrorist attacks do occur, and improving our ability to capture and bring to justice those who would do our citizens harm. But the incessant howling on this one has even me just shaking my head...
Time for the Republicans to get over Benghazi and segue into their next smear campaign.
Anon: "As I recall help was denied."
That is so typical of the people who continue to try to make this tragedy worse than it was: They spread lies they've heard, and don't bother to find out if what they spread has any basis in fact.
Go to any of the usual rightwing blogs and you'll read the same misinformation and lies over and over and over, as if repeating them will make it the truth. Actuall they're tactics are a variation on the old saying..."If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it's true."
The variation to that is this:
"IF you repeat a lie, chances are you read it on a conservative blog.
And the bin Laden comment is a real cock-up as well.
That's two in one comment. Anon, are you really our dear friend, skudrunner?
Actually Anon, help was not denied. Can you provide a link that discredits the sworn testimony before numerous GOP led hearings that proved this?
I understand the emotions behind this, but sometimes, there is nothing that can be done.
Sadly, that may be the case here.
Again, what specific questions do you have? If you were on the Gowdy panel, what questions would you ask?
Tell us... please.
Failure to do so just shows like many, you value complaining over solutions.
RN... you are probably right [no pun intended].
But remember, that what does it matter line did not work to well for HRC...
I suppose the parents of the young men killed must be "Right-Wing Nutjobs," because they would certainly like to know more about how and why their sons died, and THEY would like to see the perpetrators tried and punished?
Not only that, a highly placed general, now retired, publicly stated just last week that the military should have at least TRIED to intervene on behalf of Ambassador Stevens and those trapped there trying to help him.
YES, of course the Republicans are trying use this sad issue to weaken Democratic chances of maintaining their dominance in Washington, but isn't that exactly what Democrats do all the time to Republicans -- and far more effectively, I might add, because Republicans always cave in to pressure while Democrats are world-renowned experts at stonewalling?
It's frankly silly to rail on about how badly Republicans present themselves when virtually the same image is available to Democrats, if only they'd take a good long look at themselves in the mirror.
It's GAME, everybody. The game is called POLITICS.
As Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government ever devised -- except for all the others."
Mutual vilification isn't going to move Civilization forward one iota, but neither is capitulation to the tyranny of One-Party Rule, which is what Democrats appear to mean when they talk of "bi-partisanship."
I do not approve of "bi-partisanship." It's a flawed concept. We are supposed to be continually at odds. The incessant threshing and grinding -- and even the occasional fist fight -- not only retards making foolhardy decisions in haste, it also refines the quality of thought put into the process.
My father often said, "The sober second thought is seldom wrong."
Then we have "Sin in haste, repent at leisure."
And finally, my favorite from James Thurber:
He who hesitates is sometimes SAVED." ;-)
David
Agree this should be over and it was for the most part. Then the document about the talking points came out.
Did someone screw up, of course, will an investigation get to the bottom of this, of course not.
This is all about politics and making obama and clinton look bad. This is no different from what the other side would do if they had the chance.
Let it run it's course and it will be over. One of the issues is now it won't be over before the next elections, something that could have been prevented by not requiring a law suit to uncover sensitive documents.
Our elected elite will pontificate before the press and then go to dinner with each other expressing what wonderful people they are.
WE WANT THE TRUTH, thats what we want! We want those responsible like Hillary and Obama to Man up to the truth, and pay for their LIES!
Well, I for one, believe in Benghazi. It is a known fact that he comes down the chimney every Halloween and leaves colored eggs,toys and campaign donations for all good Republicans. And, if you catch him by the toe you get three wishes and a pot-o-gold. Golly, what is NOT to believe in??
The pistachios are out there in nutland:
Obama Scandals: Benghazi, IRS, Climate Change
Jade... What specific lies related to Benghazi are you referencing? Please provide links...
In the Lebanon Marine Barracks Bombing (1983), the American death toll was actually 241 (220 marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers). It occurred during the administration of President Ronald Reagan (R)
Other attacks on U.S. facilities during Republican administrations:
1983 – Beirut Lebanon, U.S. Embassy, 63 dead (Reagan administration);
1984 – Beirut Lebanon, Embassy Annex bombing, 24 dead (Reagan administration);
2002 – American Cultural Center, Calcutta India, 2 dead (Bush #43 administration)
2002 – Karachi Pakistan, U.S. Embassy, 12 dead, 51 injured, (Bush #43 administration)
2002 – Bali Indonesia, 202 dead (Bush #43 administration)
2006 – Karachi Pakistan, Marriott Hotel, 4 dead, (Bush #43 administration)
2008 – Sana’a Yemen U.S. Embassy, 18 dead, 16 injured (Bush #43 administration)
Anon,
You see, here is the problem. It is much easier to scream, “Benghazi, Benghazi” - sorta reminds me of leading a charge with “Banzai” (Long live the Emperor) than it is to yell, “Beirut, Beirut, Calcutta, Karachi, Bali, Karachi, and Sana’a.” Short and pithy is what a political hit job is supposed to sound like, not some multi-syllabic string of mumbo jumbo.
Benghazi has that certain Banzai ring to it.
Now, if you want to litigate the Benghazi matter, then lets litigate Beirut, Beirut, Calcutta, Karachi, Bali, Karachi, and Sana’a first since they came first. Deal?
skud,
If you want to assign blame perhaps you should put it on the republicans who cut funds for security.
Jade, are you Anerican Jihad who comments at Geeez, or are stealing his comments? The exact same comments have benn posted at multiple sites under different names...
Shaw, let me add a question... Why do you conservative trolls feel a need to copy my comments here and post them at Geez? She's said she doesn't want that. Are you unable to join the discussion here where you'll be expected to logically defend your points?
And now they're digging up another corpse, the IRS thingie, and parading it around in hopes of getting someone's attention.
IRS-GHAZI!
They're gonna keep this up. It's all they've got.
Oh...wait. The brain damage that Hitlery faked!
So there's that.
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