Sunday, December 29, 2013

New York Time report finds that assault on Benghazi did NOT involve terrorist organizations and WAS partially inspired by the US made anti-Islamic video. That sound you hear is hair being pulled out of Republican heads. Update!

Courtesy of USA Today:  

A lengthy New York Times investigation of the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, found no involvement by al-Qaeda or other international terrorists groups and was accelerated in part by anger at a U.S.-made video denigrating Islam. 

The attack left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. 

The six-part report on the investigation is written by David D. Kirkpatrick and was posted Saturday on the Times' website. It centers on extensive interviews with Libyans in Benghazi who, the newspaper says, had direct knowledge of the attack and its context. 

"The attack does not appear to have been meticulously planned, but neither was it spontaneous or without warning signs," the Times concludes. 

The newspaper notes that Republicans have argued that the Obama administration was trying to cover up al-Qaeda's alleged role in the attack. 

"It was very clear to the individuals on the ground that this was an al-Qaeda-led event," Rep, Mike Rogers, R-Mich., who is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said last month on Fox News. "But the Republican arguments appear to conflate purely local extremist organizations like Ansar al-Shariah with Al Qaeda's international terrorist network," the Times report says. 

"The only intelligence connecting Al Qaeda to the attack was an intercepted phone call that night from a participant in the first wave of the attack to a friend in another African country who had ties to members of Al Qaeda, according to several officials briefed on the call. But when the friend heard the attacker's boasts, he sounded astonished, the officials said, suggesting he had no prior knowledge of the assault."

First CBS is forced to retract their Benghazi story and now this.

In light of this report if Fox News had a shred of journalistic integrity they would simply fold up shop and go out of business. You know, if they had a shred.

It is almost like a crazed Right Wing conspiracy can't catch a damn break anymore.

When reached for comment Darell Issa started frothing at the mouth. rending his clothes, and  shouting "Benghazi! Benghazi! Benghazi!"

Update: I just watched Issa on MTP this morning, and he was  incredibly duplicitous in his response to questions, suggesting that the attackers "had ties" to al-Qaeda, which according to his rather loose interpretation could be defined as simply being sympathetic to their cause.

He also has this extremely annoying technique of seeming to agree with somebody (In this case Andrea Mitchell and the New York Times reporter.), and even complimenting them, and then modifying what they just said right in front of them to fit his narrative and almost daring them to correct him. Which I have to say neither of them did effectively.

As you might imagine Issa is not the only Republican who is fighting back against this report.

“I dispute that, and the intelligence community, to a large volume, disputes that,” Michigan GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told “Fox News Sunday.” 

 He also repeatedly said the story was “not accurate.”

It is important to note that the New York Times piece does not give the administration a free pass. but it does completely blow out of the water any idea that there was a conspiracy to  lie to the American people about Benghazi.

50 comments:

  1. Sally in MI6:07 AM

    Happy New Year, GOP. May you rot in hell for what you have done to this country's credibility here and around the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:38 AM

      Who funded the making of the Video?
      Remember Mittens met with anti-muslims a month before this happened, and suddenly a guy who just gets out of jail gets the $ to film a video to incite?
      Remember this happened during the '12 election, remember Johnny mac etc.
      I hope this new info is not buried.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:59 AM

      What about Reagan's treacherous deal with Iran before the election?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:29 AM

      Who funded the making of the Video?

      Who allow the maker to get off so easy? I think Pam Geller and her connections were involved. What about investigating the films funding and history for it's part?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:30 PM

      What do you mean get off easy? He spent months in jail, and when he was released, he wouldn't talk specifics about anything!

      Besides...why shouldn't he have a right to make any damn film he wants. Why isn't anyone here asking why get so worked up over a film, anyway? So many commenters are so set against anything religious, and say so, yet no one says...these muslims are so stupid to get so worked up over a stupid film about a "man" that didn't even exist!

      I hate hipocracy!

      Delete
  2. They’re down to throwing sh@t at the wall to see if anything sticks.

    It’s a dangerous world, though, and we’re going to need a savvy president in 2016. I love Elizabeth Warren, but she knows economics. Hillary knows everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:33 AM

      I think Hillary and Elizabeth would make a great team - on the same ticket in 2016. H for Pres and Eliz for VP. Know I'd vote for them!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:35 AM

      I think that Elizabeth Warren is so strong that she actually is needed in the Senate. I'd like to see her as Majority Leader when Harry Reid retires. She has exactly the right temperment to keep the troops in line.

      Delete
    3. Well that, and gerrymandering districts, voter suppression.

      I'm sure we'll see those Diebold machines getting a workout flipping votes too.

      Remember, every democratic candidate must win by MORE than 10% to prevent flipping.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:47 PM

      http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/09/cherokee-genealogist-to-elizabeth-warren-your-native-american-issue-has-not-been-put-to-rest/

      Anon 10:35 and 7:33

      Is this the same Elizabeth Warren that stated multiple times that she had native american blood, but not really, and refused to grant an audience to any native american groups that tried to discuss this with her?

      What you do when no one is watching tells a lot about a soul. She is not the one that this country needs. She led prospective employers to believe she was something she is not. We will be in poor shape if she is considered.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous6:12 AM

    It will be interesting to see how the media covers this-note: Fox is entertainment, not news!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous6:42 AM

    Fox is a SATIRE show, not News. March 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)reclassified Fox News from a valid news source to that of satire.

    The FCC cannot classify Fox News as purely entertainment-based fiction because their stories contain the names, places and actions of legitimacy.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leland7:00 AM

      @6:42

      Could you provide links to that action by the FCC? It would certainly help with discussions with those crazies who are TPers!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:32 AM

      Nope.

      http://www.snopes.com/politics/satire/foxnewsfcc.asp

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:33 AM

      Canadians want actual reliable news broadcast on their television screens so naturally they said no to Fox:-

      http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/crtc-ditches-bid-to-allow-fake-news/article1921489/

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:16 AM

      Love the fact the Canadians would not allow FOX across their airwaves! The United States of America needs to do the same thing - they assuredly don't have real journalists on their shows! And, it's obvious and proven the lies they spread!

      At least, the majority don't refer to them as a 'news' outlet anymore!

      Delete
  5. Anonymous6:43 AM

    Then can we start investigating the people who made this video? IMO, if anyone belongs at gitmo, it's the guy who directed this. He's an Egyptian Christian but he told the media that he was Israeli. Why would he do that? Hmmmm...is it because he was hoping to spark a war in the Middle East?

    This guy got the $$$$ and the idea for this from somewhere. Let's see where.

    I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up that the money came from some of those American wacko groups that are trying to bring about the apocalypse.

    This was in 2012 and remember what people thought was going to happen in December 2012?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. angela7:24 AM

      Actually, the man who made the video was put in jail for breaking his probation. He was to stay away from the internet . . . .

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:44 AM

      Yeah...he was out away for a year and should be out soon...but he was paying the actors and the $$$$ for that had to be coming from somewhere and I doubt that he raised it through petty crime.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous6:59 AM

    "This was in 2012 and remember what people thought was going to happen in December 2012?"


    ummm. that the New Year would bring 2013?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:25 AM

      Ha ha, no. I meant the dumb people that thought the world was going to end on 12/21/12.

      Delete
  7. Leland7:03 AM

    I can promise you that Issa will refuse to accept this since it isn't a "bona fide national intelligence agnecy.

    Of course, if it WERE a recognized agency he would say it isn't reliable because the administration runs it!

    That little shit is too stupid to figure out how to bang his head against a wall!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous7:25 AM

    Proceed Governor

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous7:40 AM

    Weak sauce:

    Issa Disputes NYT Benghazi Report

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/benghazi-new-york-times-issa-al-qaeda

    Lawmakers Throw Cold Water On NYT Benghazi Report

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/benghazi-new-york-times-report-schiff

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7:59 AM

    American non-profit Media for Christ obtained film permits to shoot the movie in August 2011, and the project was promoted by Morris Sadek by email and on the blog of the National American Coptic Assembly. By early September, the film was dubbed into Arabic and broadcast on September 9 on Al-Nas, an Egyptian television station; at this point it is prescient to reiterate the video “had prompted protests for hours the day before (the Benghazi attack) at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.” The extremist Christian pastor Terry Jones, known for a Quran-burning controversy that led to riots around the world and endangered American soldiers knew of the video’s existence prior to the Benghazi attacks and promoted it by announcing his plan to show the 13-minute trailer at his church on September 11, 2012.

    PoliticusUSA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:06 AM

      Media for Christ got their IRS filing status as non profit in 2009. Interesting.

      Delete
    2. Gtfoh. Thanks for the run down.

      My god, gop will do ANYTHING ROTTEN to take President Obama down? It makes them white hot that President Obama doesn't acknowledge their silliness, their ignorance and their silly ignorance

      gop listen..

      Check And Mate muthafuckers!!

      Proceed, assholes.

      Hahaha

      Delete
  11. SHARON8:06 AM

    Again we overlook the huge amount of lost lives during Reagan and Bush...amazing. I have read over and over the local Libyan police force was paid to protect our guys and when trouble started they ran away. Shit happens..you hire the best people to do the job and along with supporting them with funds, they do their job. It was well established that Chris was the right man for the job and Congress kept cutting funds for security. Benghazi wasn't an embassy and I have never read exactly why they were there. It's a dangerous world and seeing how the Libyan people were outraged about losing Chris was heartbreaking. Screw Fox.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous8:10 AM

    You can bet Republicans will come out in a well organized (say the same thing) negative response to the NYT Report on Benghazi.

    Dems need to get tougher and the interviewers on these Sunday shows need to get balls and stand up to them!

    Issa is a detriment to our society and needs to be done away with as to the committees he's on and heading in our U.S. Congress! I would NOT claim him if he was from my state!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous8:27 AM

    What a surprise. A GOP conspiracy turns out to be completely false.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous8:27 AM

    Issa is desperate. He's going the way of Joe McCarthy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't forget old coot mccain was running around huffing and puffing talking about it's obviously al Qaeda, President Obama is too inexperienced to know this. As if we missed out in electing his crazy ass. That old fool was front and centered with his old time conclusions which he used to ridiculed President Obama.

      War any one?

      Delete
  15. Anonymous8:29 AM



    You were wrong, Issa. And you knew you were being dishonest but you didn't care. Because you wanted to hurt the administration and were hoping against hope you could keeps bringing out scandals and one of them would somehow stick. You are so morally corrupt and dishonest it disgusts me to think you're the HEAD of an investigation commission. That's like putting Limbaugh as the head of the committee on women's issues. You refuse to admit AQ had no real involvement in this as we now KNOW, and that, guess what, the video DID have something to do with it.

    Shame! On! YOU! SHAME! ON! YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous8:33 AM



    Never heard a peep out of Republicans when the 12 attacks on US embassy's happened on Bush's watch.

    Bottom line is these attacks happen because people hate our country. Issa is simply trying to score political points. Turns out he is losing big time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous8:41 AM

    “Chairman Issa and members of that committee crusaded for over a year on what was really a fairy tale, claiming that the administration knew that Al-Qaeda was involved and wouldn’t admit it,” he explained. “Some of the information that came out early, although it may have been wrong, that was their best effort.”

    “Darrell Issa and others took that and crusaded against the administration in a way that, I think, has been a big distraction for the American people,” Castro added.

    Watch this video from NBC’s Meet the Press, broadcast Dec. 29, 2013.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/29/rep-joaquin-castro-rips-issa-on-benghazi-he-crusaded-for-over-a-year-on-a-fairy-tale/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous8:53 AM

    Gregory, Mitchell Grill Issa Over Benghazi Report: Did You Use al Qaeda as ‘Hot Button’ During Election?

    http://www.mediaite.com/tv/gregory-mitchell-grill-issa-over-benghazi-report-did-you-use-al-qaeda-as-hot-button-during-election-year/#comment-1180335867

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:04 AM

      What a dumb fucking question. Duh. He did. But what the fuck do you expect him to say to that? Yes?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous9:02 AM

    I believe the whole video thing was a planned "October Surprise" by the Republicans. They paid to have the video made and distributed it to people who would spread it around the Muslim communities. They fanned the flames and hoped for an attack to try to damage the President and Hillary Clinton. Romney was ready with his Presidential background and knowing smirk. He thought for sure this scheme would deliver him the win. The Rethugs were ready with their talking points. I just wish someone could find a definitive link and arrest them all for treason.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sally in MI9:31 AM

      I'm with you, but the video was a year old. Now, the GOP could have releaed it in August/Sept with some help, and fanned the flames. I wouldn't put it past them. And yes, the whole lot should be tried for treason.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:48 AM

      What about John McCain? He was pals with Chris Stevens and would go to Libya. Also, too, pals with Syrian rebels in need of a middle east broker to get them weapon deals.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:22 AM

      The video was a year old, but they had it translated to Arabic in 2012. Why if for no reason than to piss off Muslims. Also Romney was already "running" since 2010, so either it was a plan from the beginning or Pam Gellar shared the video with the right people and they had it translated and distributed to cause unrest in the middle east. Whether he was in on it from the beginning or not, Romney was in on it when he made his faux presidential statement after Bengazi. They were also hoping to bring Hillary into the controversy because they know there's a very high probability that she'll win if she runs for President in 2016. Romney "knew" he was going to win and feared Hillary in 2016.

      The Gop's outrage over the 4 deaths is so fake. To them it's just collateral damage just like the poor when they cut food stamps. Just a means to an end regardless of who gets hurt. Actually it's worse because they still use those killed to this day.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:22 PM

      Anonymous9:02 AM
      EXACTLY! They could take out POTUS and Hill at the same time they thought...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:23 PM

      Anonymous9:48 AM

      What about John McCain?
      ******
      Didn't McCain meet with Qaddafi?Also,too?

      Delete
  20. www.politicususa.com/ :):):)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:50 AM

    Sad how some of our fellow Alaskans are responding to this article in the ADN this morning. Only a few comments so far but those are predominantly discounting this story by either badmouthing the NYT or continuing the Obama conspiracy rhetoric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:14 AM

      more 'n likely NOT Alaskans, probably fuk'n inbred carpetbaggin' mo-fo's like joe miller and his ilk, drawn up here by that "free" socialistic PFD

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:55 AM

      Yep, 11:14 am. Alaska was a blue state in the mid-70's. Sure has gone to hell.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous10:58 AM

    If you have already read this amazing piece by Frank Schaeffer and blogged here by Gryph back on December 15th, it's time to read it again.

    Because Benghazi.

    If you haven't read it read, it's time to read it.

    Because Benghazi.

    http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankschaeffer/2013/12/the-slow-motion-lynching-of-president-barack-obama/

    Context. Because Benghazi has never really been about Benghazi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:38 AM

      (ooops!....that's supposed to have read: "If you haven't read it yet, it's time to read it.")

      Delete
  23. Anonymous3:17 PM

    Here is information on who made the movie:

    http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/us-identifies-the-man-who-allegedly-made-the-anti-islam-film-267158

    http://jordantimes.com/us-identifies-california-mans-role-in-anti-islam-film

    ReplyDelete

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