by
AWR Hawkins BREITBART 12 Sep 2012
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
Official: No Marines in Libya at time of Benghazi attack
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 16, 2012
U.S. ambassador and three others killed by militants
The official’s comments were intended to correct previous statements by administration officials who said a small contingent of Marines was stationed at State Department facilities in the North African nation.
The U.S. diplomatic compound breached Tuesday by Libyan protesters in Benghazi had a relatively light security posture compared to diplomatic facilities in other conflict zones.
Marines are guarding diplomatic facilities in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, Defense Press Secretary George Little told reporters Thursday.
“The State Department has the lead for embassy security around the world. Naturally, if they ask for our advice in given situations, we’ll offer it up, no question about it,” Mr. Little said in response to a question about who plans security at embassies and diplomatic facilities.
Part of the reason Marines were not stationed at the Benghazi compound is that it is not an embassy or consulate, but a “diplomatic mission,” officials said.
In some conflict zones, State Department officials work in buildings other than embassies or consulates in order to conduct “expeditionary diplomacy” — establishing an initial presence and building a relationship with locals, as in post-revolution Libya, officials said.
Senior administration officials described the facility in Benghazi as an “interim” one that the State Department had acquired before the fall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, consisting of a main building and several ancillary buildings, as well as an annex farther away.
The Pentagon has deployed a 50-man Marine platoon to the Libyan capital of Tripoli to protect U.S. citizens and the embassy.
“If called upon, we would obviously provide support to our State Department colleagues to provide additional security at embassies,” Mr. Little said.
The Video Didn't Do It? Jay Carney says it did. Jay is wrong
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 15, 2012
The Video Didn’t Do It
Sep 24, 2012, Vol. 18, No. 02
• By LEE SMITH
It was bad enough, two years
ago, that Defense Secretary Robert Gates called fringe Florida pastor
Terry Jones to ask him not to burn copies of the Koran, or last week,
that chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Martin Dempsey took his turn to
call Jones to ask him to stop publicizing a YouTube video, The Innocence
of Muslims.
But then on Friday, White House spokesman Jay Carney told the world that the violent protests in Cairo and Benghazi and elsewhere were a “response not to United States policy, and not obviously the administration or the American people,” but were “in response to a video, a film we have judged to be reprehensible and disgusting.” Carney repeated the point for emphasis: “This is not a case of protests directed at the United States at large or at U.S. policy, but in response to a video that is offensive to Muslims.”
Carney’s
comments lie outside the range of plausible spin, even by Obama
administration standards, and if his bosses believe them—as we fear they
do—are simply delusional. But they are not without consequence. Nor are
Gates’s and Dempsey’s phone calls. They all send the message to
America’s enemies that if you kill our diplomats and lay siege to the
our embassies, the first move the American government will make is to
denounce . . . Americans. Our leaders apparently believe that the way
to protect Americans from extremists and terrorists abroad is to tell
other Americans to shut up.
What’s next? Where does it go from here? There are more than 300 million ways in which Americans expressing themselves might give offense at those who make it their business to be offended. Maybe it’s some other film, maybe it’s a book or even just a tossed-off phrase that our enemies might seize on to galvanize support for their causes.
Is the White House going to put every American crank on speed-dial so it can tell them to shut up whenever a mob gathers outside a U.S. embassy or consulate?
But then on Friday, White House spokesman Jay Carney told the world that the violent protests in Cairo and Benghazi and elsewhere were a “response not to United States policy, and not obviously the administration or the American people,” but were “in response to a video, a film we have judged to be reprehensible and disgusting.” Carney repeated the point for emphasis: “This is not a case of protests directed at the United States at large or at U.S. policy, but in response to a video that is offensive to Muslims.”
Getty Images
What’s next? Where does it go from here? There are more than 300 million ways in which Americans expressing themselves might give offense at those who make it their business to be offended. Maybe it’s some other film, maybe it’s a book or even just a tossed-off phrase that our enemies might seize on to galvanize support for their causes.
Is the White House going to put every American crank on speed-dial so it can tell them to shut up whenever a mob gathers outside a U.S. embassy or consulate?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Reports: Marines not permitted live ammo! State Department mum on issue.
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 14, 2012
An
Egyptian protester throws a tear gas canister toward riot police
during
clashes near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt (AP)
UPDATE: A Marine spokesperson at the Pentagon denied reports that U.S. Marines defending the American embassy in Egypt were not permitted by the State Department to carry live ammunition in a statement to Fox News Thursday.
Pentagon Lt. Col. Chris Hughes told the outlet: “The ambassador and RSO (Regional Security Officer) have been completely and appropriately engaged with the security situation. No restrictions on weapons or weapons status have been imposed. This information comes from the Det Commander at AMEMB (American Embassy) Cairo.”
The statement came in response to reports that U.S. Marines defending the American embassy in Egypt were not permitted by the State Department to carry live ammunition.
Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson “did not permit U.S. Marine guards to carry live ammunition,” according to multiple reports on U.S. Marine Corps blogs spotted by Nightwatch. “She neutralized any U.S. military capability that was dedicated to preserve her life and protect the US Embassy.”
Time magazine’s Battleland blog also reported Thursday that “senior U.S. officials late Wednesday declined to discuss in detail the security at either Cairo or Benghazi, so answers may be slow in coming.”
If true, the reports indicate that Patterson shirked her obligation to protect U.S. interests, Nightwatch states.
“She did not defend U.S. sovereign territory and betrayed her oath of office,” the report states. “She neutered the Marines posted to defend the embassy, trusting the Egyptians over the Marines.”
While Marines are typically relied on to defend U.S. territory abroad, such as embassies, these reports indicate that the Obama administration was relying on Egypt’s new Muslim Brotherhood-backed government to ensure American security, a move observers are questioning as violence in Cairo continues to rage.
Marc Toner, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson, did not respond to a request for comment from the Free Beacon. White House National Security Council spokesperson Tommy Vietor also did not respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. ambassador to any nation ultimately decides whether Marines are authorized to carry ammunition, according to a GOP national security adviser knowledgeable about American embassy protocols.
“In the end, the ambassador of any country has the final call on what to do in a country,” the source said. “The buck stops with you. You make every decision.”
Security procedures are subjective and subject to change depending on locale, the source said. Each ambassador, in consultation with their Regional Security Officer (RSO), sets the policy regarding the rules of engagement, according to the adviser. The RSO is responsible for coordinating all security measures and reports directly to the ambassador in any given nation.
“A decision or order to set rules of engagement that you can’t carry live ammunition and can’t engage violent crowds climbing over your walls and tearing down your flag stems from direct orders from the Chief of Mission and possibly whoever the Chief of Mission reports to,” the source explained.
Given that the siege of the Cairo embassy unfolded over many hours, the source wondered if new orders pertaining to the rules of engagement were ever issued.
Ambassador Patterson was in Washington D.C. during the attacks, according to reports.
“I cannot believe that over an eight hour period that nobody … in that chain of command did not ask those questions of their superiors,” the source said. “These protestors did not just appear and within 20 minutes climb the wall.”
Several sources familiar with foreign embassies in international hotspots who contacted the Free Beacon said that the U.S. government often adheres to a policy of not permitting security officers and other personnel to carry loaded weapons.
Others indicated that in some instances, embassy personnel were prohibited from carrying weapons on embassy grounds altogether.
The Free Beacon will continue to update this report as events warrant.
Dan Forest, GOP candidate for NC Lieutenant Governor, visits New Hanover and Brunswick Counties
CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE DAN FOREST IS ON A 70-COUNTY TOUR ADVANCING THE IDEAS AND PROGRAMS HE INTENDS TO BRING TO THE OFFICE HE SEEKS. THE MAIN THRUST IS JOB CREATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH FOR THE STATE.
LT. GOV. CANDIDATE DAN FOREST
By Verne Strickland / September 13, 2012
Dan Forest has got it all where endurance, commitment and
focus are concerned.
To say that he “dropped by” the New Hanover County
Republican Headquarters in Wilmington this week is to miss the big picture.
Forest is the GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor in North
Carolina, and is currently on a 70-county tour of the State – his third in this
campaign cycle – advancing the ideas and programs he intends to bring to the
office he seeks.
“We had a tour before the first primary, then with our second primary and talked about a broad range of issues,” he said. “This tour is more specific -- it’s more about economic development, job creation, business growth for the state – reaching business owners, development officials, and leaders of commerce, about their needs and concerns for the economy. This is what is needed to really spur growth in each county or region, and we think that is a role that executive leadership in government can take on.”
The spacious New Hanover Republican “Victory” office is
located at Independence Mall on Oleander Drive, and casual visitors are
surprised to see a political organization located among the clothing stores,
doughnut shops, cable franchises, and the usual commercial businesses.
“We make everybody feel at home,” said Rhonda Amoroso,
chairwoman of the New Hanover County Republican Party. “Most of those who stop
by, though, are on a mission to pick up yard signs, bumper stickers, literature,
and to volunteer to make phone calls, knock on doors, and write letters. It’s a
busy place.”
Candidate Forest stayed for an hour or so, during which time
he visited with staff and volunteers, and was interviewed by a television crew
as well as political internet bloggers.
“We’ve been to a lot of Victory offices across the state, and this may be the most effective and attractive I’ve seen. It’s a unique risk to take, being in a mall, and there has been a lot of walk-in traffic, which is very interesting, the phone banks are full, and there are over a dozen volunteers out canvassing the neighborhoods,” he noted.
“This kind of personal contact with voters is good for the
party. The wind is really at our backs, and we can’t take that for granted. We
have to work hard and smart during these last few weeks leading up to the
election. Everything is on the line for America, all the things that we hold so
dear, and we want to avoid at all costs falling into a generation of Socialism
for the country. It’s right here at the grassroots level where we make our
stand to preserve the nation we love and move forward to a better future.”
Amoroso had high praise for conservative candidate Dan
Forest: “He’s smart, trustworthy, likeable, committed, and has impeccable conservative
credentials. We are very proud of him. He will do well in this important
election.”
Official: Libyan Security Handed Ambassador Stevens To Attackers.
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 13, 2012
AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER STEVENS
President Obama claims Libyan security forces fought beside Americans against attackers on Tuesday, but a Libyan official says they gave up consulate personnel to the Islamists who murdered them.
Libya's Deputy Interior Minister Wanis al-Sharif says the consulate's security forces moved Ambassador Christopher Stevens and other personnel to a second, safer building once the attacks began.But, he continues, the security forces told the attackers which building Stevens was hiding in, effectively handing him over.
According to Sharif, the attackers coming against the US embassy were "more heavily armed than the Libyan security personnel who were assigned to protect the U.S. Consulate."
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
House conservatives call for stripping aid to Libya, Egypt from spending bill
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 12, 2012
An armed man waves his rifle
as buildings and cars are engulfed in
flames inside U.S. consulate
compound in Benghazi. A mob protesting
a film they say offends Islam,
attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
(STR / AFP / Getty Images / September 11, 2012)
(Verne: I found "news" photo of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens being abused in the streets, but could not in good conscience use it on my blog USA DOT COM.) |
-
THE HILL 09/12/12 02:20 PM ET
A group of House conservatives is calling for foreign aid to
Libya and Egypt to be stripped from a six-month federal funding bill set
for a vote on Thursday.A handful of lawmakers voiced outrage Wednesday at the Obama administration’s response to the attacks on the U.S. embassies in those countries, and suggested the inclusion of foreign aid could influence their votes.
The House on Thursday plans to vote on a continuing resolution that would extend federal funding through March, preventing a government shutdown before the election or during a lame-duck session of Congress this fall.
While conservatives pushed to avoid a shutdown fight, they have also raised alarms about the inclusion of additional welfare funding in the bill.
“It would show a tremendous amount of leadership from this administration, in light of the recent developments, if the president were to come back and demand that the amount of money that is in the [continuing resolution] for Libya and Egypt be stripped. That would be tremendous leadership,” Landry said.
"We Came, We Saw, He Died" -- Mark Stein on murder of US Ambassador Chris Stevens.
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 12, 2012 . . .
SO NOW HILLARY IS BACKING OFF HER DISINGENUOUS WHITEWASH OF 'THE INCIDENT IN LIBYA'. BUT IT'S ON THE RECORD. YOU CAN'T 'UNEXPLODE A BOMB'.
‘'We Came, We Saw, He Died’
U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens killed by Islamic
mob in Libya. Tragic. Disgusting. Hateful.
Two views of what happened yesterday. First, U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton:
“When the attack came yesterday Libyans stood and fought to defend our post. Some were wounded,” Clinton said. “Libyans carried Chris’ body to the hospital and helped rescue and lead other Americans to safety.”Second, Libyan interior-ministry official Wanis al-Sharef:
He said Stevens, 52, and other officials were moved to a second building, deemed safer, after the initial wave of protests at the consulate. According to al-Sharef, members of the Libyan security team seem to have indicated to the protesters the building to which the American officials had been relocated, and that building then came under attack.From the gruesome pictures, it’s not clear whether the Libyans “carrying Chris’ body to the hospital” are the same ones who fingered him to the mob.
In the last print edition of NR, I chanced to mention the Secretary of State’s analysis of Libya’s Arab Spring:
After Qaddafi, Hillary Clinton offered the following clunker of a sound bite: “We came, we saw, he died.” In reality, we’re gone, they saw, and the post-American world is being born.Her silly witless crack rings a little differently after last night’s events.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Romney condemns attacks, says Obama goofed on response
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 12, 2012
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts
Gov. Mitt Romney arrives in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday,
Sept. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Related Stories
“I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi,” Mr. Romney said in a statement from his campaign. “It’s disgraceful that the Obama Administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.”
Earlier in the day the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked and press reports said an American died in another attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city.
The attacks were believed to be a response to a U.S.-produced film that the attackers believed was blasphemous to Islam.
After the Cairo attack the U.S. embassy issued a statement that seemed to try to place blame not on the attackers but on the makers of the film.
“The embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions,” the embassy said in the statement. “Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.”
The attacks and Mr. Romney’s criticism of the Obama administration come at a time when tensions over U.S. involvement in the Middle East are already high.
Mr. Obama is trying to chart a path that continues diplomatic efforts to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, even as Israel’s prime minister is pushing for the U.S. to draw a “red line” it will not allow Iran’s program to cross.
That has sparked tension between Mr. Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
© Copyright 2012 The Washington Times, LLC.
It wouldn't be 9/11 without Muslim whining . . .
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 11, 2012
I only wish moderate American Muslims would speak out with more force and clarity against radical Islam! But they don't.
Posted by Daniel Greenfield Bio ↓ on Sep 11th, 2012
No commemoration of the day that 3,000 people were murdered by Muslim terrorists would be complete without more Muslim whining that they are the real victims of their own attacks.
CNN has decided that the best way to commemorate September 11 would be with an editorial from one Sumbul Ali-Karamali with the obscene title, “American Muslims live in fear 11 years after 9/11″.
Shall we compare the number of Americans killed by Muslims in the last ten years with the number of Muslims in America killed for reasons of prejudice? The numbers would be lacking to the point of absurdity.
This shameless whinefest isn’t about fear, it’s about political influence. It’s devoid of even the faintest tinge of human decency. Like the Ground Zero Mosque, the goal is to hijack the dialogue and make it all about Muslims. On September 11 and on Ground Zero, there is this egotistical obsession with defiling even the graves of the dead.
“The defamatory rhetoric directed at Muslims and Islam in this country has little to do with the actual religion or its adherents and everything to do with fear of the Other,” Sumbul Ali-Karamali asserts.
Clearly. Today we commemorate an event that had no basis in reality, just fear of the other. The World Trade Center, Fort Hood, Times Square, the Portland Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Christmas Flight Bombing Plot and so many others… just fear of the other.
There’s nothing about Islam that leads its adherents to commit violence. And when terrorist after terrorist gets up in court and quotes the Koran, that has nothing to do with Islam. Over a thousand years of horrifying atrocities never happened either.
About Daniel Greenfield
9/11 MESSAGES: FROM RADICAL ISLAM. AND FROM JESUS CHRIST
Verne Strickland Blogmaster, September 11, 2011
RADICAL ISLAM: WE'LL BE BACK!
JESUS CHRIST:
SO WILL I!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Obama's Favorite NC Crony -- Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 11, 2012
Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers
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In his speech last night (Sept. 6) at the Democratic National
Convention in Charlotte, President Obama emphasized “the basic bargain
at the heart of America’s story: the promise that hard work will pay
off; that responsibility will be rewarded; that everyone gets a fair
shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same
rules…”
All that rhetoric sounds good, but Obama’s words are
misleading.
Consider the following example. Duke Energy CEO, Jim Rogers, from Charlotte, has donated about $30,000 to the Obama campaign and even more (around $55,000) to the Democratic National Committee over the past few years. His company extended a $10 million line of credit for the vastly underfunded and poorly attended Charlotte convention. He even appeared on CNN touting the President’s energy policies.
And what has he gotten in return? Taxpayer money to the tune of $230.4 million
and hundreds of thousands more in grant money to fund various projects
including the development of the unsuccessful Chevrolet Volt.
Even today, the News and Observer
announced that Duke Energy has graciously donated two new charging
stations for electric cars in the town of Cary.
According to the
columnist, these stations are “free.” In reality, people who cannot
afford expensive electric vehicles are being forced to subsidize power
for those who can.
So according to Obama, the definition of fairness is
playing favorites, and according to the media, a company is charitable
when it receives taxpayer dollars and gives it back to them in the form
of public services that are only needed by wealthier people.
The kind of cronyism that Obama and the DNC have
perpetuated means that rich businessmen in our own state are being
helped at the expense of the rest of us. Obama at the same time credits
himself with creating an economic climate where “everyone gets a fair
shot” and implements policies that directly contradict that principle.
So despite all of last night’s flowing rhetoric, actions still speak
louder than words.
Black police chief, black woman aiming loaded pistol at white SC GOP congressman. Friends, this pot's on boil!
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 10, 2012
Gloria Beckett (below) charged
Police had said on Sunday night that Gowdy was parked outside First Baptist Church Spartanburg when a woman pointed a gun at him in a threatening way.
Police have arrested Gloria Brackett, 52, of Atlanta, Ga., and have charged her with unlawful carrying of a pistol and pointing and presenting a firearm, but Fisher said other federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Capitol Police are also investigating the incident, so more charges are possible.
le.
Gloria Beckett (below) charged
Chief A. Tony Fisher, (Left)
Safety Director, Lynchburg, SC
By Carolyn Farr Smith SC Associate Regional Editor PATCH.com and Andrew Moore
First Posted September 10, 2012 (updated)
At a press conference Monday, Spartanburg (SC) Public Safety Director A. Tony Fisher said that a woman who threatened Congressman Trey Gowdy was in no way connected to him.
At a press conference Monday, Spartanburg (SC) Public Safety Director A. Tony Fisher said that a woman who threatened Congressman Trey Gowdy was in no way connected to him.
Police had said on Sunday night that Gowdy was parked outside First Baptist Church Spartanburg when a woman pointed a gun at him in a threatening way.
Police have arrested Gloria Brackett, 52, of Atlanta, Ga., and have charged her with unlawful carrying of a pistol and pointing and presenting a firearm, but Fisher said other federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Capitol Police are also investigating the incident, so more charges are possible.
VERNE STRICKLAND'S TAKE
No ties, you say? Maybe not. But what the hell?
Seems to me the main issue is the fact that this lady was a reckless endangerment, and pointed a pistol with four live slugs in it at a U.S. Congressmen. Could have been a major tragedy for all concerned.Closed case where that's concerned.
But no one can seem to get close to a motive here -- at least at this point. So what's the problem? The incident was reportedly witnessed by police. Even in some successfully prosecuted murder cases, motive was never proven.
What's up with all the clanging cymbals here? To coin a phrase, and a memorable phrase at that: "It is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." (This sounds like something from the Holy Bible. Silly me. It's a line from Billy Shakespeare's masterpiece, "Macbeth".) And who's the idiot? Best guess may turn out to be local Public Safety Director Tony Fisher.
Well, call me crazy (which happens and more where my theories are concerned), but while the law seems troubled about why the woman endangered the good Congressman, it can hardly be denied that Ms. Brackett did it (allegedly, at least, to be completely PC).
And here's another idiotic assumption -- authorities say the Atlanta woman charged with pointed a loaded gun at a South Carolina congressman likely didn't know the man's position.
The "authority" in question appears to be the aforementioned Spartanburg Public Safety Director A. Tony Fisher, respected veteran in local police annals, and the first African American to hold this position.
Chief Fisher, who surely deserves respect, obviously is not distinguishing himself in his treatment of this hot-button confrontation.
What does Chief Fisher imply -- that if Brackett had realized she was threatening a U.S. congressman instead of a regular run-of-the-mill white dude in a suit, she would have reconsidered? I don't buy that. And what does it mean anyway?
Well this is more of a hurtful presumption than anything we've heard yet in this circus. Director Fisher, at least in the early going, apparently has some inner conflicts about the incident, and is trying to lighten the load on the alleged assailant, a black woman.
And let's toss this in -- the victim here is not only a white male, but a conservative Republican lawmaker! Stats from his staff show that he is a first-term congressman from the Fourth District.
origin-www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/staff/?id=11308
So let's go for the jugular -- out-of-work black woman with a rap sheet points a deadly weapon at a well-dressed white man minding his own business (in a church parking lot, no less). The possibility of racist and class distinctions here by the (alleged) perpetrator is hard to ignore.
And -- African-American senior police officer seems to be throwing out distractions in describing the obviously unlawful and dangerous acts of an African-American brandishing a loaded gun.
What other gripes do I have here? One that rears its ugly head in many a news story I comment on is "selective indignation" by liberal media. To wit, if a white man of any description were to flash a gun and aim it at a black congressman, would he be chased down by a lynch mob?
Can't believe that. But would it get more coverage? I maintain it would get a string of blaring headlines, and the lead position on cable and television. Ain't no way that's fair, right or honest.
Who's getting the short end of the stick these days? We all know the answer to that. And we're also beginning to understand why it's happening.And that ain't pretty. There's a lot wrong with the way this case is going.
The whole smoldering mess needs to be put under the microscope via an independent and unbiased investigation.
Well, call me crazy (which happens and more where my theories are concerned), but while the law seems troubled about why the woman endangered the good Congressman, it can hardly be denied that Ms. Brackett did it (allegedly, at least, to be completely PC).
And here's another idiotic assumption -- authorities say the Atlanta woman charged with pointed a loaded gun at a South Carolina congressman likely didn't know the man's position.
The "authority" in question appears to be the aforementioned Spartanburg Public Safety Director A. Tony Fisher, respected veteran in local police annals, and the first African American to hold this position.
Chief Fisher, who surely deserves respect, obviously is not distinguishing himself in his treatment of this hot-button confrontation.
What does Chief Fisher imply -- that if Brackett had realized she was threatening a U.S. congressman instead of a regular run-of-the-mill white dude in a suit, she would have reconsidered? I don't buy that. And what does it mean anyway?
Well this is more of a hurtful presumption than anything we've heard yet in this circus. Director Fisher, at least in the early going, apparently has some inner conflicts about the incident, and is trying to lighten the load on the alleged assailant, a black woman.
And let's toss this in -- the victim here is not only a white male, but a conservative Republican lawmaker! Stats from his staff show that he is a first-term congressman from the Fourth District.
origin-www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/
So let's go for the jugular -- out-of-work black woman with a rap sheet points a deadly weapon at a well-dressed white man minding his own business (in a church parking lot, no less). The possibility of racist and class distinctions here by the (alleged) perpetrator is hard to ignore.
And -- African-American senior police officer seems to be throwing out distractions in describing the obviously unlawful and dangerous acts of an African-American brandishing a loaded gun.
What other gripes do I have here? One that rears its ugly head in many a news story I comment on is "selective indignation" by liberal media. To wit, if a white man of any description were to flash a gun and aim it at a black congressman, would he be chased down by a lynch mob?
Can't believe that. But would it get more coverage? I maintain it would get a string of blaring headlines, and the lead position on cable and television. Ain't no way that's fair, right or honest.
Who's getting the short end of the stick these days? We all know the answer to that. And we're also beginning to understand why it's happening.And that ain't pretty. There's a lot wrong with the way this case is going.
The whole smoldering mess needs to be put under the microscope via an independent and unbiased investigation.
Police: Rep. Trey Gowdy had no ties to pistol-wielding woman
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / September 10, 2012
Gloria Brackett was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol and
pointing and presenting a firearm, though more charges are possible.
At a press conference Monday morning, Spartanburg (SC) Public Safety
Director Tony Fisher said that woman who threatened Congressman Trey
Gowdy was in no way connected to him.
Police said on Sunday night, Gowdy was parked outside First Baptist Church Spartanburg, when a woman pointed a gun at him in a threatening way.
Police have arrested Gloria Brackett, 52, of Atlanta, Ga., and have charged her with unlawful carrying of a pistol and pointing and presenting a firearm, but Fisher said other federal agencies like the Federaul Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Capitol Police are also investigating the incident, so more charges are possible.
Fisher said that Brackett approached Gowdy's vehicle Sunday and tapped on his window as he was waiting outside the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg to pick up a family member. Gowdy told police that she then told him to quit following her.
When Gowdy tried to explain to her why he was at the church, Brackett allegedly pointed a gun, later identified as a CZ Model 70, 32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, at the congressman, who immediately threw his car into reverse. The suspect then reportedly tried to follow Gowdy on foot through the parking lot.
At that time, Fisher said Gowdy left the church and drove four blocks to the Public Safety Office, where he was able to provide police with a description of the suspect. Police began to search the area and found Brackett with a semi-automatic pistol with four bullets in the clip, as well as a box of bullets in her possession.
Fisher said that after extensive interviews with Brackett, they do not believe the incident was politically motivated in any way. He added that though they haven't determined whether or not Brackett has any mental disturbance that may have contributed to the confrontation, he believes such assessments are sure to be made in the coming days. He later added that Brackett had been cooperative with investigators, but that they still don't know why she perceived Gowdy as a threat. "(There is) no motive to our knowledge," he added.
Fisher said that Brackett is a native of Cowpens and had been visiting family members and had been dropped off at the bus station to return to her home in Atlanta. She'd been in the Upstate for roughly a week.
Fisher said Brackett left the bus station and was wandering near the church at the time of the incident. Witnesses who spoke with police said they saw her around the church at the time of the confrontation, but did not see the exchange itself.
Fisher said Brackett is no stranger to the law, having had previous offenses with other law enforcement agencies to include: Atlanta Police, Fulton County, Jackson County and Gwinnett County.
He said there is no reason to believe that Brackett had any previous connection with Gowdy or that the two knew each other prior to this incident. Police say the weapon used in the confrontation, which belonged to Brackett's family in Cowpens, came back clear after a check of the firearm.
Fisher said they are working with the Spartanburg County Solicitor's Office and with federal law enforcement officials to determine if the incident meets the requirement for federal prosecution.
"Someone with a weapon and ammunition is clearly a danger to the community," Fisher said.
Patch is awaiting a statement from Rep. Gowdy on the matter.
A bond hearing for Brackett will be held at 2 p.m.
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Congressman Trey Gowdy, First Baptist Spartanburg, Spartanburg Public Safety, and ThreatPolice said on Sunday night, Gowdy was parked outside First Baptist Church Spartanburg, when a woman pointed a gun at him in a threatening way.
Police have arrested Gloria Brackett, 52, of Atlanta, Ga., and have charged her with unlawful carrying of a pistol and pointing and presenting a firearm, but Fisher said other federal agencies like the Federaul Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Capitol Police are also investigating the incident, so more charges are possible.
Fisher said that Brackett approached Gowdy's vehicle Sunday and tapped on his window as he was waiting outside the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg to pick up a family member. Gowdy told police that she then told him to quit following her.
When Gowdy tried to explain to her why he was at the church, Brackett allegedly pointed a gun, later identified as a CZ Model 70, 32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, at the congressman, who immediately threw his car into reverse. The suspect then reportedly tried to follow Gowdy on foot through the parking lot.
At that time, Fisher said Gowdy left the church and drove four blocks to the Public Safety Office, where he was able to provide police with a description of the suspect. Police began to search the area and found Brackett with a semi-automatic pistol with four bullets in the clip, as well as a box of bullets in her possession.
Fisher said that after extensive interviews with Brackett, they do not believe the incident was politically motivated in any way. He added that though they haven't determined whether or not Brackett has any mental disturbance that may have contributed to the confrontation, he believes such assessments are sure to be made in the coming days. He later added that Brackett had been cooperative with investigators, but that they still don't know why she perceived Gowdy as a threat. "(There is) no motive to our knowledge," he added.
Fisher said that Brackett is a native of Cowpens and had been visiting family members and had been dropped off at the bus station to return to her home in Atlanta. She'd been in the Upstate for roughly a week.
Fisher said Brackett left the bus station and was wandering near the church at the time of the incident. Witnesses who spoke with police said they saw her around the church at the time of the confrontation, but did not see the exchange itself.
Fisher said Brackett is no stranger to the law, having had previous offenses with other law enforcement agencies to include: Atlanta Police, Fulton County, Jackson County and Gwinnett County.
He said there is no reason to believe that Brackett had any previous connection with Gowdy or that the two knew each other prior to this incident. Police say the weapon used in the confrontation, which belonged to Brackett's family in Cowpens, came back clear after a check of the firearm.
Fisher said they are working with the Spartanburg County Solicitor's Office and with federal law enforcement officials to determine if the incident meets the requirement for federal prosecution.
"Someone with a weapon and ammunition is clearly a danger to the community," Fisher said.
Patch is awaiting a statement from Rep. Gowdy on the matter.
A bond hearing for Brackett will be held at 2 p.m.
Woman arrested in SC after woman pointed gun at Rep. Trey Gowdy.
Verne Strickland Blogmaster / Sept. 10, 2012
THE SUSPECT IS BLACK AND HOMELESS. DON'T EXPECT MUCH COVERAGE OF THIS INCIDENT.
More from press conference: See what police say Gowdy did after she pointed the loaded semiautomatic weapon at him.
Spartanburg Public Safety Department reported that Gowdy was able to drive away from the incident. The incident happened about 8:10 p.m. at First Baptist Church Spartanburg, while Gowdy was waiting to pick up his daughter.
The woman, Gloria Brackett, 52, was arrested following the incident.
A press conference is scheduled for Monday morning with more information about the incident.
The Spartanburg Public Safety Department is investigating.
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