"Make no mistake. Justice will be done."
Those were President Barack Obama's words Wednesday as he publicly condemned those who killed ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in Libya. Those who believe that response, coupled with orders to tighten security at diplomatic posts around the globe and to dispatch 50 Marines from the elite Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team to Libya, is weak should remember that this president keeps such promises. It was on his order that Osama bin Laden was tracked down and killed for his terrorist attacks against the United States.
The four Americans who died in Libya were victims of an attack on the consulate by an armed mob. There's uncertainty about what prompted the attack. Some officials say it was a spontaneous uprising prompted by an amateur film produced in California that made fun of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Others suggested it was a planned attack that used fierce unrest over the film as cover. Whatever the case, U.S. reaction to the attack in Libya (a similar but non-lethal protest occurred in Egypt) assuredly will not be limited to Wednesday's response from the Rose Garden.
There will be more. The administration will use public and private diplomatic and military channels to seek justice. That is the proper way to deal with such a shocking attack. A show of force or criticism of the Libyan government would accomplish little and likely would be counterproductive. A multifaceted response to the assault on U.S. sovereignty is far more likely to produce a result that will honor those killed.
Obama pointedly noted that the Libyan government promptly apologized for what took place. He also noted that Libyan forces battled the mob, helped protect other U.S. diplomats and citizens and took Stevens' body to the hospital. Those are the actions of an ally, not an adversary.
Indeed, most Libyans understand that the U.S. aided the recent ouster of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi and has played a helpful role as Libyans seek to establish a democratic society and government. Obama properly reinforced that belief, saying that the attack and deaths will not stop that work or break the bonds between the United States and Libya.
Serious events like those in Libya and Egypt that put American lives at risk require equally grave responses, not politically inspired rejoinders. The president responded properly. Mitt Romney, his opponent for the presidency, did not. Though Romney condemned the Libyan attack, he said earlier that Obama is to blame for events in Egypt and that his response to Libyan officials was weak. That's the reckless position of an opportunist who apparently will say anything to promote his candidacy.
And it was the "enhanced interrogations" that Obama ranted against and then eliminated that gave us the intelligence to track down Bin Laden.
Barack Hussien Obama's apology issued through our Egyptian embassy prior to the killings resulted in the killings. Nothing, nothing, nothing, justifies the killings. And further attempts by Obama to blame free and open speech in the U.S. for this insanity is sickening.
President Obama's response to this attack was an appropriate one--find and sort the facts then take any necessary action. Romney's response was a typical right-winger one--take action then find and sort the facts that will justify the action taken.
Why were these embassy folks not protected ? Why were they in this area of chaos ? You will find the answers in Barack Hussien Obama's twisted Progressive mind set, that we must love and respect these radicals and not hurt their feelings by doing anything that would make them believe we didn't trust them. Therefore no security, no safe measures taken. Mr. Obama has a hell of a lot of things to explain.
eatn Mr. Obama will not be able to sort out the facts because he has limited the reach of the CIA, as to not offend his radical friends in the U.S. and Libya. These killings are the direct result of Obama's failures, nothing else.
The embassy was protected, they were just outnumbered.
It wasn't an area of chaos. Stevens had worked in Libya for years.
Staying on good terms with Middle Eastern countries is a solid policy. Any thought to the contrary is asinine.
There was security and safe measures. Obama has no explaining to do. He had no say in this.
Obama hasn't limited the reach of the CIA.
"These killings are the direct result of Obama's failures, nothing else."
You're a liar and a fool. You discredit yourself by making statements like this. No one should take your psychotic, hate speech seriously. Your ignorance and blatant disregard for honest dialogue reflects negatively on your character; of which you have very little.
President Obama's response was a proper one. He has taken the correct steps to get this situation taken care of.
easy I was watching a regime information outlet, CNN, and even they confirmed the ambassador was not protected.
Our Yemen embassy is now under attack. One of our people in Berlin may have been poisoned. Mr. Obama is achieving what he set out to achieve.
JonRoss,I wonder what it's like to live with your paranoid fantasies?Must be a sad existence.Though, maybe not, since so many on the right seem to wallow in such.
John boy, see you're still getting drunk off faux foxnetwork kool-aide?
Enhanced interrogations had nothing to do with Osama Bin Laden being found.
The Egyptian Embassy statement had nothing to do with the attacks on the embassy and were issued long before the attacks occured and was a response denouncing the film itself. The president had nothing to do with the embassy statement. Try to keep up Johnny. You're just like Romney and his right-wing gang*. Shooting off at the mouth before your brains are loaded.
To paraphrase the quote: "Always look for the one{s} who expect to gain advantage from the crime. For it is there you expose the guilty parties."
Who?! Who?! quickly jumped on this tragedy and attempted to use it to their advantage?
lr your comments are irrational.
Watching CNN over the last two hours. The dialogue has now swung full bore to blame the video for the killings. The text could have come right from Obama's mouth.
Embassy staff are an extension of the President. The fact the entire Cairo staff is not on a plane back to the U.S. to collect unemployment is proof that Obama approved the apology.
The embassy in Cairo issued their statement BEFORE the Benghazi compound was attacked, and was in regard to the video and the response to it. The attack on the consulate on Benghazi appeared to be planned in advance, taking advantage of the video protests as a cover or diversion. There does not appear to be any evidence that the ambassador's presence in the compound was known in advance (this is not the Embassy in Tripoli) and the ambassador died in the fire that was set, not assassinated. All of this came to light and was reported yesterday, JonRoss.
JonRoss has a personal reality filter. If information doesn't fit within his preconceived prejudices it conveniently evaporates.
You idiots are in the Obamazone. Any apology anytime, before or any event, is not acceptable.
So what the lefties here today are saying is that the next time Clay Bennett produces a cartoon that criticizes or denigrates Christians, which he has been known to do, a violent response on the streets of Chattanooga directed at him and the TFP building is not appropriate, but very very very understanable ? Correct ??
News reports are now that Obama skipped his national security briefing yesterday. He only read reports. Getting ready to head to Las Vegas. His arrogance and self importance will destroy us soon.
JonRoss,
"they confirmed the ambassador was not protected."
No, they didn't confirm that. The embassy was protected by Libyan guards. They were simply outnumbered. The attackers had AK-47's and rocket launchers.
"Embassy staff are an extension of the President. The fact the entire Cairo staff is not on a plane back to the U.S. to collect unemployment is proof that Obama approved the apology."
Embassy staff is not an extension of the President. They are an extension of our government. And your last statement is complete conjecture. You are making it all up as you go along.
"You idiots are in the Obamazone."
You seem to have a permanent home in the idiot zone.
"Any apology anytime, before or any event, is not acceptable."
The apology was given to ease the tension. There is no time for pride or hubris when people are dying, jackass.
"a violent response on the streets of Chattanooga directed at him and the TFP building is not appropriate, but very very very understanable ? Correct ??"
No. But history would show that radical Muslims will do things like this when provoked. They do it every time something like this happens. No one is saying it's understandable. I am saying that it isn't a surprise. But, as usual, you have deficiencies that won't allow you to grasp logic or reason.
"News reports are now that Obama skipped his national security briefing yesterday. He only read reports."
That "report" can from Dick Cheney. He said Obama misses security briefings. But I highly doubt Dick Cheney would know such a thing. But, of course, you believe it off zero evidence.
"His arrogance and self importance will destroy us soon."
The arrogance, stupidity, irrationality, and dishonesty of people like you will destroy this country before anything. Your hyperbole is nothing more than psychotic rambling. It is baseless and false. You have no credibility because you destroy it with every single one of your ridiculously fallacious, dishonest, hateful, and ignorant posts.
The ambassador was killed. Therefore he was not protected.
An embassy is soverign terroritory of the nation occupying it. The breach of it is an act of war.
The apology was a denial that first amendment rights exist in America.
If you think we should cower before the muzzies because they are offended by something in American society, see the sentence above.
The fact is that Obama routinely misses the national security briefings. No president has ever done that. Treasonous ? Perhaps.
It's a good thing JR is just some po-dunk looser who's panicking, irrational, dishonest, fear-based thoughts and feelings hold no consequence for the rest of us.
I'm thankful that those who are in power, (whether I agree with them philosophically or not) are at least calm and rational enough to make decisions aimed at quelling unnecessary violence instead of inciting it.
JohnRoss,
"The ambassador was killed. Therefore he was not protected."
The embassy was being guarded by Libyan guards. Therefore, he was being protected. The guards were simply outnumbered and outgunned. Your logical is fallacious.
"An embassy is soverign terroritory of the nation occupying it."
No, they are not.
http://integrity-legal.com/legal-blog/miscellaneous/laws-and-rules-regarding-extraterritoriality/
"The breach of it is an act of war."
False, you warmonger.
"The apology was a denial that first amendment rights exist in America."
No, it wasn't. And the attacks didn't happen in America. Your First Amendment rights mean nothing in Libya.
"If you think we should cower before the muzzies because they are offended by something in American society, see the sentence above."
We should do our best not to offend them. It would keep people more people alive. And no one said anything about cowering. However, pride and hubris will only get more people hurt. If you think otherwise, then you are an ignorant warmonger and you have no interest in the well-being of our citizens abroad.
"The fact is that Obama routinely misses the national security briefings."
Prove it.
"No president has ever done that. Treasonous ? Perhaps."
Presidents have missed plenty of security briefings. Are you psychotic? YES!
easy you have the desire to be a lefty, but you lack the education to do it in a credible manner. Nothing in your last post is true.
JonRoss,
"Nothing in your last post is true."
I bet you can't back that statement up with factual evidence.
The orderly must have forgotten to give you your lithium today.
Anyone NOT a Progressive/Obama supporter really believe anything will be done to stop further attacks on us?
Let us not forget that we had no significant terrorist attacks on US soil for at least 8 years following the downing of the Twin Towers. THAT is what Iraq was all about...and it worked.
These most recent embassy/et al attacks in Muslim countries is an Allah-sent blessing for The Obama -- he desperately needed some diversion from his atrocious jobs/economy record.
Look for nothing significant to occur from this Administration. Not even the SEALS, courageous and competent as they are, can pull his backside out of this fire.
This is what comes from kissing an Islamic king's ring...
Rolando,
That's what Afghanistan was about, not Iraq.
There is no fire. Therefore, no backsides will need to be pulled out.
And Obama never kissed any ring, much less an Islamic kings'.
Keep reaching.
There you go again, easy. Do not presume to correct me without substantial evidence.
Afghanistan was a taliban-removal attempt that failed badly. 9/11 was a pretext.
We deliberately and systematically destroyed Iraq's government, its military, its infrastructure, et al, and set its people free. It showed what happens when a country presumes to attack US soil. But that was under an administration that had cajones [at least in the first term]. The present one favors Muslims over Americans.
Missed the backside kissing video did you? The kowtowing? Are you at all versed in protocol matters? Read Machiavelli.
easy as I said before, your comments are not based on facts, your links many times disprove your own point as the snopes link. Perhaps you need to move over to CNN or NPR where knowledge of history and simple facts are not a requirement.
Sounds to me like maybe the planned attack on the embassy was prompted by Obama beating his chest of recent about killing Bin laden, rather than an all-of-the-sudden outrage about a movie clip on youtube.
And you can't protect anything without bullets in your gun, Barney...
http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/the-osama-spring-must-become-the-obama-autumn/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/news-agencies-us-ambassador-to-libya-killed-in-attack-outside-consulate/2012/09/12/665de5fc-fcc4-11e1-a31e-804fccb658f9_story.html
Several non-ObamaRegime sources are indicating that some who were breaching the walls of the Cairo embassy were shouting "we are all osama, obama". All the while our Marines were standing in the breach with no ammo for their weapons, as directed by the Obama administration.
easy said somewhere back there, "We should do our best not to offend them. It would keep people more people alive."
Good Grief, easy. Google Chamberlain and the resulting WW2 dead and wounded before making that kind of ignorant comment.
You must be a female or have feminine traits with that viewpoint [women are, after all, the givers of life; men are the takers -- and that's a fact].
Neville Chamberlain. The Barack Hussien Obama of an earlier generation. We can only hope the carnage that Obama is about to ignite will not be as bad as Chamberlain's damage, but with nukes in the hands of Obama's Muslim friends we could see 100s of millions die.
And then you go back to the folks who caused WWI with their belligerance and hostility. The ending of which set the stage for WWII.
History is full of lots of lessons. Try to learn more of them instead of just looking g for the ones that validate what you want to do anyway.
Of course, you could just lie about Jenkin's ear.
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