Category Archives: Middle East

Media, Middle East, Politics, War On Terror

On Benghazi Attack, Ignorance Abounds

At President Obama’s “news conference” today, when asked about eye witnesses (some in the State Department) being blocked, or barack_obama_presserotherwise pressured from coming forward, and requests by their attorneys for the necessary security clearances to represent them being ignored, President Obama claimed ignorance.

Q Ed Henry:   And on the Benghazi portion, I know pieces of this story have been litigated, you’ve been asked about it.  But there are people in your own State Department saying they’ve been blocked from coming forward, that they survived the terror attack and they want to tell their story.  Will you help them come forward and just say it once and for all?

THE PRESIDENT:  Ed, I’m not familiar with this notion that anybody has been blocked from testifying.  So what I’ll do is I will find out what exactly you’re referring to.  What I’ve been very clear about from the start is that our job with respect to Benghazi has been to find out exactly what happened, to make sure that U.S. embassies not just in the Middle East but around the world are safe and secure, and to bring those who carried it out to justice.

But I’ll find out what exactly you’re referring to.

Q Ed Henry:   They’ve hired an attorney because they’re saying that they’ve been blocked from coming forward.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m not familiar with it.

There was no “Yes Ed, if what you are saying has any truth to it, I will help them come forward so the American people may know the truth in the matter. As you know Ed, this administration prides itself in being open, transparent, and forthcoming with the truth.” Maybe the President should assign someone in his administration to watch FOX news, the only network carrying the story?

Adding to the ignorance is Secretary of State John Kerry (who served in Vietnam). In classic John Kerry, his response was bi-polar.

  • First chastising Republicans pressing for answers to what happened on the night of the attack, and for not simply accepting “the conclusions of the Accountability Review Board empanelled by his predecessor, Hillary Rodham Clinton.”
  • Then seeming to agree with Republicans saying “We have to demythologize this issue and certainly depoliticize it. The American people deserve answers. I’m determined that this will be an accountable and open State Department as it has been in the past, and we will continue to do that, and we will provide answers.”

The only problem with his statement is the “as it has been in the past” part. Because his predecessor, Secretary of State Clinton, was anything but forthcoming with facts. Was forthcoming with the false story about a YouTube video.

Then a State Department spokesman denied that any requests by attorneys representing the whistle blowers were made. Which doesn’t jibe with Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) complaint that he had not received responses to four letters he sent to the administration calling for whistle-blowers’ lawyers to get the security clearances needed to represent their clients. Further, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell flatly denied that any employee had been threatened or told to remain silent.

Whether we’re looking at ignorance, or a cover-up, based on statements coming from The White House and the State Department, there’s plenty enough reason (not even counting the surviving family members’ need to know) to get to the bottom of what happened on the night of the attack. Including why no help was sent.

Link: News Conference by the President  |  GOP persists with questions about Benghazi attack

Iran, Middle East, Politics, Russia, Venezuela

Chavez Dead At 58

hugo_chavezfireworks1Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the ruthless communist dictator and master over poor people, has succumbed to cancer at 58. Affectionately referred to here as the hemisphere’s idiot, the good Venezuelan people will now at least have a chance to change Venezuela from the impoverished communist nation that he built, into an economic power that the oil and mineral-rich country can be. Whether the reform party can actually have a fair election with the state-controlled media is another matter.

Venezuela has been the socialist/communist anchor in South America, and an ally to countries hostile to America like Iran, North Korea, Putin’s Russia, and Syria. His death just makes a sea change in attitude and political philosophy now possible. If there are block parties in celebration of Venezuela’s new-found potential in Venezuela, you won’t see them reported. There is one here.

Egypt, Middle East, Politics, War On Terror

Senate Says YES To Weapons Sales To Egypt

The U.S. Senate tabled the Paul Amendment to H.R.325, the debt limit bill. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) would have prohibited the U.S. government from selling F-16 military aircraft, M1 tanks, and similar military weapons to the Egyptian egypt_arms_transfergovernment. The amendment failed, 79-19.

On the motion to table the amendment, which effectively kills it, all Democrats with the exception of two, voted Yes. Two Democrats did not vote; John Kerry and Patty Murray.

Voted YES: Republicans that voted with the Democrats in favor of the weapons transfer were: Lamar Alexander, Kelly Ayotte, John Barrasso, Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, Saxby Chambliss, Thomas Coburn, Thad Cochran, Susan Collins, Bob Corker, Michael Enzi, Lindsey Graham, Orrin Hatch, John Hoeven, Mike Johanns, Ron Johnson, Mark Mark, John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Robert Portman, Patrick Toomey, Roger Wicker

I contend that some of these Republicans are RINOs. But all of them have no spine to stand up for what is right, and acted recklessly with advanced military hardware. What is right is to not send these weapons to a country that hasn’t recovered from its last overthrow, and is poised to go through yet another one, where radical Islamists in the name of the Muslim Brotherhood are in power. To ignore that reality would be to our, and Israel’s, detriment. What is right is to wait until the dust settles and we have some assurance that these weapons would land into friendly hands, not making the Middle East a more dangerous place for our ally, Israel. The over 200 of these F-16’s that that Egypt already has is plenty for an unstable regime.

The following Republicans voted in favor of blocking the weapons transfer.

Voted NO: John Boozman, Daniel Coats, John Cornyn, Michael Crapo, Ted Cruz, Deb Fischer, Charles Grassley, Dean Heller, Mike Lee, Jerry Moran, Rand Paul, James Risch, Pat Roberts, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Jefferson Sessions, Richard Shelby, John Thune, David Vitter.

2016 Election, Economy, Egypt, Media, Middle East, North Korea, Politics, Religion, War On Terror

So Much To Celebrate?

The Media, President, and Sec. of State seen here 'playing the fiddle while Rome burns.'
The Media, President, and Sec. of State seen here ‘playing the fiddle while Rome burns.’

If you watched at least five minutes of either the Senate or House hearings on Benghazi, you know that Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is the best Sec. of State that the United States has ever had. Which explains why we may never know why four Americans were left to die at the Libyan Consulate in Benghazi.

What’s not to celebrate? Beginning with the Arab Spring which quickly turned in to the Arab Winter, the President and Sec. Clinton rightfully deserve credit for dispatching Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak so that the Muslim Brotherhood could fill the power vacuum. Words like ‘democracy’ were thrown around like Egypt had their own Declaration of Independence. Two years later, Egyptians are still rioting in the streets over their new dictator President who is also head of the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization. Now Egypt has a new opposition group called the ‘Black Bloc‘ who don’t like the lack of religious freedom, worsening economy from what started the protests two years ago, and the dictatorial leadership from President Mohammed Morsi.

Then there is continuing high unemployment, record national debt in proportions amounting to generational theft, and a stagnant economy here. High energy and food prices. High, and getting higher, health care costs. Record number of people receiving government help, and growing.

Then there is a worsening Middle East, Syria in flames and alQaeda moving in, Iran nuclear, Northern Africa being overrun by alQaeda, North Korea nuclear, our Ambassador and three other Americans murdered by terrorists in Benghazi.

So much here to celebrate that there is speculation that, just like President Obama, Hillary Clinton may get a Nobel Peace Prize too! The interview on 60 Minutes even hinted at Sec. Clinton running for President in 2016. And why not? It is easier to throw gasoline on the fire by blaming everyone and anyone else than it is to accept responsibility for it and put it out.

Middle East, Politics, War On Terror

Terrorist Catch And Release Program

I know we’re all supposed to forget about the four Americans killed in Benghazi – that was ages ago, and we had a presidential election that validates all the lies Obama and his people told about the incident, so it’s a clean slate all around. Those four “bumps in the road,” as Obama called them, have been paved over with a steamroller.

But for anyone who still cares, all of those big investigations and partnerships with local law enforcement touted by the President have resulted in exactly zero terrorists in custody. The one and only person held thus far in connection with the attacks, was just released by Tunisian authorities.

Link: Total number of Benghazi attackers in custody: zero

2012 Election, Egypt, Media, Middle East, Politics, Religion, War On Terror

Why Benghazi-Gate?

The official (U.S.) response to the 9/11/12 terrorist attack in Benghazi was quite telling. The storyline began with we’re “still gathering facts.” Despite that, UN Ambassador Rice, Secretary of State Clinton, and President Obama were quick to proffer that the deadly attack in Benghazi was not only ‘spontaneous,’  but that it was in reaction to a YouTube video. They also said the attack was spawned from a “demonstration” in the street outside the safe-house that got out of hand, arguing that it was not a planned terrorist attack.

We now know that all aspects of their story were purposely deceptive. Not true. Lies. It wasn’t a result of the video. There was no demonstration at the “safe house” prior to the attack. And it was a planned terrorist attack by al-Qaeda. Right from the start, and for over a week after, the Obama administration pointed the finger away from them and to a private U.S. citizen.

Why would they say that if they knew it was not true? Because the event wholly exposed the naivete of President Obama’s “new direction” in Muslim/Islamic relations and foreign policy. That, and they aren’t accepting any responsibility for leaving our Ambassador virtually UN-protected in a known haven for al-Qaeda, and on 9/11 no less. A significant anniversary date for al-Qaeda. The spin about who and what was responsible began immediately.

The State Department is responsible for the security for our diplomats. The State Department is run by, and an arm of, the President as part and parcel of the executive branch. The assassination and murdering of our ambassador and three other Americans underscores the failure of President Obama’s so-called Muslim reset policies and apology tour.

It showed that killing bin Laden didn’t end the war on terror and, al-Qaeda still wants to kill us. It also showed the result of what a naive premise to the ‘war on terror’ can lead to.

After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, the administration established a consulate in the new Libya. The State Department, for whatever reason, set up the ambassador with no U.S. Marine security. In fact, they outsourced Ambassador Stevens’ security to a firm in Great Britain. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, and the Ambassador’s concerns for his security (as discovered by CNN, not FBI), our consulate was left to fend for itself, in a country rocked by terrorists, and on 9/11.

From start to finish, this tragedy is one that can’t be blamed on Bush. It is wholly owned by President Obama and his childish, if not suicidal, views about the war on terror and radical Islam. That’s why we’re being lied to. And that’s why we’re having Benghazi-Gate.

No doubt in my mind that, if there was a Republican in The White House, this would be the only story above-the-fold, from now until election day. Not a word from the MSM about lying to the American people for political cover for an election that is just weeks away. No demands for impeachment. Not even any demands for heads to roll.

Link: Benghazi-Gate: New Evidence White House Lied About Libya Terror Attack

Egypt, Media, Middle East, Politics, Religion, War On Terror

Liberal Pundit Arrested Defacing Anti-Terrorist Ad

Mona Eltahawy, a former Reuters correspondent, has been a recent favorite of CNN and MSNBC’s weekend morning shows to discuss Egypt. Now she’s gotten herself arrested for being an idiot in public, or vandalism.

See her make a complete fool of herself. No doubt boosting her street creds for MSNBC.

Link: NewsBusters

2012 Election, Egypt, Middle East, Politics, Religion, United Nations, War On Terror

No Obama-Morsi Meeting

One would expect President Obama to have already told Egypt’s (and Muslim Brotherhood’s) President Mohamed Morsi that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are among our core values. It’s been that way from the start. So get over it already. That didn’t happen.

But there was some talk about the two meeting sometime during the Star Wars bar scene at the U.N. General Assembly on Sunday.

Now that’s not happening either.

Having already put President Obama on defense by spelling out pre-conditions to a talk between the two, the president finds himself on the short end of the  foreign policy stick again.

Morsi pre-conditions . . .

If Washington is asking Egypt to honor its treaty with Israel, he said, Washington should also live up to its own Camp David commitment to Palestinian self-rule. He said the United States must respect the Arab world’s history and culture, even when that conflicts with Western values.

Not that it makes a difference who cancelled who, the result is the same. Like voting present. But Morsi seems to have as much reason to cancel a meeting between the two as Obama.

The Obama Doctrine seems to be in full-meltdown mode when it comes to the war on terror and radical Islam.

Brings to mind how in critical times in history, the right man for the right time comes along. The way the Muslim world is roundly condemning the United States and President Obama, it seems that he is not the right man for this time.

Links: Egypt’s New Leader Spells Out Terms for U.S.-Arab Ties  |  Obama cancels election-season meeting with Egyptian Islamist Morsi

2012 Election, Egypt, Middle East, Politics, War On Terror

Empty Oval Office

Remember how gruff and disrespectful the Clint Eastwood bit was at the RNC? I don’t either. It was a reflection of reality. A reality of an empty suit in The White House was parodied as the empty chair. And it wasn’t even a stretch.

Do you remember a national crisis where Americans were attacked and killed, like our Libyan Embassy people on Sept 11, when the American people were not addressed personally by the President on TV from the Oval Office within minutes if not hours of the event? I don’t.

Empty Desk!
Together again. The empty chair and desk.

It’s been thirteen days since the terrorist attack on our people and the president is still MIA. But he did characterize the 9/11 attacks as a foreign policy ‘bump in the road.’

Candidate Obama is the one who promised that he could change the hearts and minds of Islamic terrorists with his ‘new direction’ in foreign policy. The reality is that this direction is nothing new, where Barack Obama is concerned.

His ‘new direction’ alienates allies and emboldens our enemies. President Obama is merely doing in foreign policy what he is accustomed to do in law policies. This is his national security version of voting ‘present.’

2012 Election, Iran, Media, Middle East, Politics, Race Relations, Religion, War On Terror

Obama ‘Widened The (Islamic) Gap’

The recent killing of our Ambassador called a lot in to question. Lack of security at the Embassy and at the ‘safe house’ being only one. What is it about these murdering Muslims? Why do they continue to hate us now? President Obama told us he’s got this under control. Elect him and they will like us. Hope & Change. All that.

Jean Aziz, columnist for the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, believes it’s all our fault. That “the repeated mistakes of U.S. policy in the Middle East and vis-à-vis the Islamic world could lead to another 9/11.”

Continue reading Obama ‘Widened The (Islamic) Gap’ →