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.
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