Benghazi is back in the
news. Oversight Committee Chairman Darrel Issa (R-California) refuses to allow
this massive failure of national security and territorial integrity to lapse or
disappear below the radar of national discourse.
9-11-01 was a national
tragedy, a disastrous failure of leadership from the previous administration,
in which President Bill Clinton insisted on civil law enforcement efforts to
deal with an international, terrorist organization. 9-11-12, a terrorist attack
massacred the US Embassy in Banghazi, Libya, the headquarters for the anti-Gadhafi rebellion, and an unshakable
sign of violence and chaos erupting in the region. While diverse reports
suggested that a YouTube video sparked sporadic violence, a growing chorus of
critics within the Obama Administration and throughout the diplomatic corp are
countering the initial reading. The diplomats stationed in Benghazi requested
further assistance, which they did not receive from the Obama Administration. Furthermore, the
assault on the consulate was more likely planned than spontaneous, and it
appears as if the Obama administration went out of its way to cover up their
negligence toward the diplomats and their insouciance to protect their state
officers.
Today (May 8, 2013),
Chairman Issa pursued further investigations into the matter, questions
whistle-blowers who indicated that the State Department's talking points,
repeated ad libitum (or ad nauseaum) by former UN Ambassador Susan Rice.
So, was it a demonstration that turned into a
demonized frenzy, or was it a terrorist attack?
South Boston Congressman Stephen Lynch attested to
the latter on a recent visit to
Fox News Sunday. Regarding UN Ambassador Susan Rice's talking
points, Congressman Lynch commented:
They certainly weren't accurate. I don't know
what the process was there. But absolutely, they were false and wrong. They
were. There were no protests outside the Benghazi compound there. This was a
deliberate and strategic attack on the consulate.
Lynch then repeated: "It [the talking points
report] was scrubbed. It was inaccurate."
When Chris Wallace asked
Lynch to explain why the report from the Obama Administration differed so
widely, Lynch waffled:
"It was a victory of hope over reality."
Granted, Congressman Lynch went on the defense for
his party in a terse debate with Congressman Jason Chaffetz
(R-Utah), but his candor about the misinformation from the Obama
administration's initial response and appraisal of the Benghazi attacks were
refreshing.
Thanks again,
Congressman Lynch, for speaking out, even if it went contrary to the
expectations of the leadership of your party. It's too bad that Congressman Ed Markey had nothing to say about this
matter. Markey, who has discredited the "fiscal cliff crisis"
in this country in place of the "climate change" crisis, had nothing of merit to say about the
Benghazi attacks. What's the use of talking about climate issues if an
administration cannot protect its own diplomatic corps in a hostile, chaotic
country?
Once again, Markey missed the mark, but Lynch stood
out on national security issues. Let us hope for a victory for all who have
been harmed and affected by the Benghazi tragedy, that the truth will come out,
and the national security forces of the United States will be better prepared
to protect our overseas diplomatic forces.