tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post5291409913951293388..comments2024-03-19T09:21:34.428-04:00Comments on the daily howler: McLatchy examines Lara’s song!<b>bob somerby</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02963464534685954436noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-84270141450135542882013-11-18T14:05:29.876-05:002013-11-18T14:05:29.876-05:00And it doesn't even appear to be wrong.And it doesn't even appear to be wrong. Matt in the Crownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083162679471045642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-88571145549830245562013-11-18T13:24:16.481-05:002013-11-18T13:24:16.481-05:00The "bullshit story" was described as be...The "bullshit story" was described as being the best information currently available, i.e. the then-current opinion of official US intelligence services. <br /><br />And whether or not it turned out to to correct or incorrect on the facts, it was, indeed the current opinion of official US intelligence services!<br /><br />So, asshole, your beef is with NSA/CIA, not with Rice/Obama.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-44503143650884599822013-11-18T13:19:38.205-05:002013-11-18T13:19:38.205-05:00"Except for one, tiny, little incovenient tru..."Except for one, tiny, little incovenient truth..."<br /><br />Yes, the truth that you don't care about, which was that what you call "what Rice didn't know" was what the intelligence community didn't know!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-67263647410128524182013-11-18T13:17:17.976-05:002013-11-18T13:17:17.976-05:00"I was stunned the following Sunday to hear R..."I was stunned the following Sunday to hear Rice call it a spontaneous outburst from a demonstration over the video with no premeditation or preplanning."<br /><br />Nope, she said that "our best judgement" -- (meaning what the intelligence community thought happened; and which has been uncontradicted as being what official intelligence thought at that time, as opposed to being merely executive office spin) -- what was appeared to be INITIALLY a spontaneous outburst over a video, was then hijacked by armed extremists who arrived and escalated it into a terror attack.<br /><br />So, no "it" -- meaning the attack -- was not called a "spontaneous outburst" at all. <br /><br />Except by lying douchebags such as yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-61648470316397661342013-11-18T11:12:47.012-05:002013-11-18T11:12:47.012-05:00She should be terminated and all involved in that ...She should be terminated and all involved in that "report" for not thoroughly checking out the primary source before putting his fantasy about being there on the air.<br /><br />That is far worse than Rather relying on copies of decades-old documents that couldn't be authenticated. And that was bad.<br /><br />But . . . bullshit from one side doesn't excuse bullshit from the other side. And Rice spread a bullshit story. And no, "best assessment today" is no excuse for bullshit.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-52627631766988638982013-11-18T09:26:37.202-05:002013-11-18T09:26:37.202-05:00There's little if any question that Benghazi w...There's little if any question that Benghazi was a trumped up "scandal," part of the right-wing mania to get Obama.<br />(Benghazi was a CiA operation, and the initial "talking points" were prepared by the CIA.)<br /><br />There's also little question but that the mainstream media has played along, much to its discredit.<br /><br />When Dan Rather reported on the "documents" that "proved " George W. Bush never fulfilled his military service requirement to the Texas Air National Guard, the right wingers went crazy, and demanded rather be fired. Although the documents used by CBS then were not authenticated, it is true that Bush never fulfilled his military obligations. And Rather was let go.<br /><br />Lara Logan is a pretty face. A "star" at CBS and 60 Minutes. But her reporting on Benghazi was shoddy, at best. Her "apology" was egregiously short on explanation. And the right wing has said nothing.<br /><br />Logan should cough up the details; she should make public why her "reporting" was so bad. And if she doesn't, she should be terminated by CBS and 60 Minutes.<br /><br />But don't hold your breath.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-36864226549479826132013-11-17T18:55:12.634-05:002013-11-17T18:55:12.634-05:00Asking questions as Judge Andrew Napolitano did in...Asking questions as Judge Andrew Napolitano did in a recent broadcast on his now cancelled daily show may very well be the reason behind his recent dismissal from Fox. Though specific details are hard to come by because the Judge has yet to give any interviews on the matter, it’s believed that his refusal to bow to commonly manufactured media narratives is among one of several key reasons he his no longer with the network.<br /><br /><br /> The following 5-Minute Speech that Got Napolitano Fired from Fox News is one that should not only be forwarded and shared with every single man, woman and child in this country, but taught and expounded upon in every social studies, civics and government class from first grade through college.<br /><br /><br />http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=52b_1329796059Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-37279042408979002842013-11-17T18:11:20.122-05:002013-11-17T18:11:20.122-05:00"The report repeatedly referred to al Qaida a..."The report repeatedly referred to al Qaida as solely responsible for the attack on the compound and made no mention of Ansar al Shariah, the Islamic extremist group that controls and provides much of the security in restive Benghazi and that has long been suspected in the attack. While the two organizations have worked together in Libya, experts said they have different aims – al Qaida has global objectives while Ansar al Shariah is focused on turning Libya into an Islamic state.<br /><br />It is an important distinction, experts on those groups said. Additionally, al Qaida’s role, if any, in the attack has not been determined, and Logan’s narration offered no source for her repeated assertion that it had been."<br /><br />I thought that was the most interesting part of the CBS snow job. <br /><br />I'd love to know why she ignored the one fact and over-played the other. Someone should investigate it. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-68386267510423846552013-11-17T13:48:49.130-05:002013-11-17T13:48:49.130-05:00A worm has eaten American brains. If you haven’t n...<strong>A worm has eaten American brains. If you haven’t noticed that problem yet, your brains have fed the worms too.</strong><br /><br />What an insult. I haven't noticed because I have been to busy fighting off the anal probes from the aliens which abducted me to look for the worms. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-83314101644742886112013-11-17T12:56:42.304-05:002013-11-17T12:56:42.304-05:00I could care less about the accuracy of this stuff...I could care less about the accuracy of this stuff....it kept the blood thirsty R2P witch from becoming Sec of State....and then weakened her credibility when she wanted to intervene in the Syrian conflict a few months back. Those things should be celebrated. jonstnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-61457241993868278592013-11-17T09:39:45.704-05:002013-11-17T09:39:45.704-05:00Idiot, where do you get your information? Are you ...Idiot, where do you get your information? Are you denying that reports of a demonstration,even if completely false (highly dubious) were widely reported and believed at that point. Do you have even the basic facts, at this late date, or are you using Glenn Beck. Who was reporting within hours that this was a well coordinated surprise attack? Where do you get this bullshit, you fool? Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288008924419574934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-69873903071679117682013-11-17T08:28:36.951-05:002013-11-17T08:28:36.951-05:00Because there was NO demonstration that day at the...Because there was NO demonstration that day at the compound in Benghazi. How could it be the "best assessment today" that there was a demonstration, when there was NO demonstration?<br /><br />This is the very definition of "tribalism" again. You accept any excuse for bullshit when your side does it.<br /><br />As for child-like me, I demand better than bullshit from high government officials, regardless of who they are. If you don't know, then don't make something up and tell me it's "the best assessment today."<br /><br />Yes, the situation was confused, but not totally confused. Media was reporting within hours that this was a well-coordinated surprise attack carried out by a well-armed and trained militia. It wasn't a spontaneous attack in which angry people demonstration suddenly got out their grenade launchers and decided to blow the place up at the spur of the moment.<br /><br />Fortunately, this lightly-read blog is the only place on earth that continues to even attempt to defend Rice for spreading this fable to the public. And this is how "liberals" lose arguments -- or used to. By continuing to defend the indefensible because "our side" said it, and being unable to face up to the hard truth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-63848932021020727862013-11-16T22:12:01.184-05:002013-11-16T22:12:01.184-05:00why is "best assessment today," given th...why is "best assessment today," given the time frame, "no excuse?" It strikes me as someone saying, in a confused situation, this is our best guess at this point. Are YOU SIX YEARS OLD? DO YOU WANT YOUR MAYPO? Rices's statement is not "Bullshit." You are a child. Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288008924419574934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-1714458804758435902013-11-16T18:31:26.475-05:002013-11-16T18:31:26.475-05:00Good post. But it's McClatchy, not McLatchy.Good post. But it's McClatchy, not McLatchy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-91188904657014119682013-11-16T18:29:15.667-05:002013-11-16T18:29:15.667-05:00Who is Lang? Are you referring to Lara Logan?Who is Lang? Are you referring to Lara Logan?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-611943118403868932013-11-16T18:12:49.799-05:002013-11-16T18:12:49.799-05:00"Surprise" assault, not "impromptu&..."Surprise" assault, not "impromptu". The very well armed militia who carried out this attack knew exactly what they were doing.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-20271929022068311062013-11-16T18:01:44.981-05:002013-11-16T18:01:44.981-05:00If it was a "preplanned" and coordinated...If it was a "preplanned" and coordinated attack, that means Rice's statements the following Sunday were WRONG! Flat out, undeniably, never correct, WRONG and "best assessment today" is no excuse.<br /><br />Look, the right-wing's whole conspiracy theory is also WRONG! This wasn't an attack that had anything to do with Al Quida. Not all Middle Eastern terrorists are Al Quida. Hard concept for them to swallow.<br /><br />But the right-wing theory being hogwash doesn't make Rice's statements to the nation the following Sunday any less hogwash.<br /><br />Somewhere between the extremes of "spontaneous, unplanned attack growing out of a demonstration" (that never occurred in Benghazi and "Al Quida attack weeks in the planning" the truth is found.<br /><br />And high-ranking diplomats should never go on TV and say anything without absolute certainty that it is true.<br /><br />America deserves better than bullshit. Speaking for myself, I don't want "answers" and spin. I want the truth. And if you don't know it yet, say so.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-74735673346097994782013-11-16T16:20:49.960-05:002013-11-16T16:20:49.960-05:00Anon 12:30 pm, you are kind of dim. So what if it ...Anon 12:30 pm, you are kind of dim. So what if it was a "preplanned" attack or not? If the Obama administration "preplanned" it, that would be significant. This was a manufactured scandal with no there there. The scandal is how the media has been so inept in covering it. AC / MAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-18712144638371367052013-11-16T15:51:23.227-05:002013-11-16T15:51:23.227-05:00Thank for the McClatchy reference, Bob. The artic...Thank for the McClatchy reference, Bob. The articles was excellent and so is this analysis.<br /><br />LTRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-12549125346553864422013-11-16T15:45:27.897-05:002013-11-16T15:45:27.897-05:00Geezus, strawman much? *Nobody ever said* it was ...Geezus, strawman much? *Nobody ever said* it was a simple demonstration. RIce said, and so did everybody else, including reporters on the ground at the time, that it was an attack that grew out of a demonstration or used a demonstration as cover.<br /><br />You people have your narrative, and you will not give it up even in the face of facts. Let's have a "controversy," shall we, about whether the sun rises in the east or not?gyrfalconnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-42714558205694999432013-11-16T12:48:38.970-05:002013-11-16T12:48:38.970-05:00Actually SEALS,and other spec ops forces are train...Actually SEALS,and other spec ops forces are trained to try to avoid situations where they'd face overwhelming numbers of opposition. Indications are this got out of hand so suddenly. Too SEALS,and other spec ops forces are trained in those situations to expect certain tactics from opposition forces which thy can anticipate and take either counter or preemptive measures against. All of this suggests to me an impromptu assault which overwhelmed defenders with sheer numbers and surprise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-63340959609436091182013-11-16T12:30:03.900-05:002013-11-16T12:30:03.900-05:00What gave me a hint that this was a preplanned att...What gave me a hint that this was a preplanned attack by an organized group was that two of the Americans were former SEALS who are trained to fight against quite large numbers of attackers. That the SEALS were unable to drive off the attackers indicates that this was a much more organized, trained group that a simple demonstration. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-4805295417592135412013-11-16T09:53:58.855-05:002013-11-16T09:53:58.855-05:00Yes, it isn't Lara Logan's fault of CBS...Yes, it isn't Lara Logan's fault of CBS's fault -- it is all Bob's fault.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-86520563843762990822013-11-16T03:21:39.480-05:002013-11-16T03:21:39.480-05:00By the way, in case we have forgotten, on the day ...By the way, in case we have forgotten, on the day after this attack, Obama himself was calling it "an act of terror." Rachel Maddow that evening was repeating what was already being reported: That this was a pre-meditated attack carried out by several carloads of militia terrorists who suddenly arrived at the compound and carried out a coordinated attack.<br /><br />I was stunned the following Sunday to hear Rice call it a spontaneous outburst from a demonstration over the video with no premeditation or preplanning.<br /><br />You might ask yourself if that was "the best assessment today" then how the heck did Rachel Maddow and the rest of the media get it right four days earlier?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611810694571930415.post-6244027202010358992013-11-16T03:09:55.960-05:002013-11-16T03:09:55.960-05:00Right. Just round up a whole bunch of guys off the...Right. Just round up a whole bunch of guys off the street who happen to have military grade grenade and rocket launchers and let's go blow up the U.S. compound while a demonstration that never happened was going on.<br /><br />Nothing premeditated or pre-planned about that.<br /><br />Talk about tribalism. Can you imagine if this had happened on Bush's watch and a member of his adminstration made the rounds of Sunday TV talk shows with this nonsense?<br /><br />The roles would be exactly reversed, and it would be the likes of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity defending the poor sap with the lame "well she said it was the best information and best assessment we have today. So what if it turned out to be hogwash?"<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com