Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
At least, I assume that's the lesson to be taken from this Reuters report headlined "White House told of militant claim two hours after Libya attack: emails."
It's all about how some emails magically appeared in the hands of a Reuters reporter. These emails rather brutally call into question the White House claim that they were relying on intelligence when they blamed YouTube videos for the assassination of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans serving at our embassy in Benghazi. (Speaking of, that YouTube guy can't possibly still be in jail, can he?)
Anyway, funny how those emails came out just now. The key for me:
A third email, also marked SBU and sent at 6:07 p.m. Washington time, carried the subject line: "Update 2: Ansar al-Sharia Claims Responsibility for Benghazi Attack." ...
While some information identifying recipients of this message was redacted from copies of the messages obtained by Reuters, a government source said that one of the addresses to which the message was sent was the White House Situation Room, the president's secure command post.
Hmm.
For a presidency so laser-focused on the previous administration, they sure forgot that lesson about what happens when you blame intelligence agencies for your problems.
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May '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Yep.
It also appears Romney's choice not to press on Benghazi but let it come to him, so to speak, was wise.
May '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Prob'ly shoulda showed up for the security briefings.
May '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
I think I know why they missed those emails: they were sent to an official email address. The Obama White House's problem is that they have so many of those other email accounts (in gmail, AOL, etc) that messages sent to official government addresses were overlooked. They've just been so busy, what with trying to be the most transparent administration in history, etc!
Apr '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Reminds me of the old Jim Croce song, "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."
You don't tug on Superman's cape.
You don't spit into the wind.
You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger,
And you don't mess around with the American Intelligence Community.
Also, yes the film-maker is still in jail. His next hearing is about three days after the election. Again, thugh, that is because he was doing things on the Internet after having his privileges taken away while he was on probation. It has nothing to do with upsetting Muslims.
Edited on October 24, 2012 at 6:00amJun '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Yep, Benghazi has a life of its own and probably several tentacles too.
Jun '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
So, with an assist from my Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, we can now safely conclude that the President and his White House cohorts are liars, deceivers, fibbers, perjurers, false witnesses, equivocators, fabricators, and fabulists.
I really think the word "fabulists" pretty well covers it: Random House says it means people "who invent or relate fables." The convenient narrative about the video is, to put it kindly, an invented fable. And now we know it was invented from the very beginning.
Edited on October 24, 2012 at 6:48amAug '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Payback's a b____. Sure raises an eyebrow over how the spooks are touting what little is left of this race.
Apr '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
I also like "fabulist." But, does it also mean people who become fables, as in, parents' telling their children not to do what I have done. Don't vote for a man with hope and change; he'll bring the setting of the sun.
Jun '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Intelligence professionals expect a certain amount of subterfuge from the Overlords (it's part of the contract). What will cause an agent or case officer to unscrew right out from under the screwdriver, however, is being sold out. Loyalty runs both ways.
Oct '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
The White House believed--because it worked so often in the past--that they could send Ambassador Rice to Sunday talk shows and control the terms of debate. I doubt it ever occurred to the principals that months later they would still be answering questions, still obfuscating. But guess what? Candy Crowley's skirt isn't big enough to hid behind anymore.
That, and Petraeus is one of the smartest inside hard ball throwers in Washington (which CIA Director's tend to be, of course, and it's hard to contradict them). Petraeus doesn't want to be answering too many questions if (and he now probably calculates 'when') a new Sheriff shows up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, let alone if a Republican Senate emerges. He's mostly non-partisan but that doesn't mean he's not self-interested. He probably fancies being like Bill Gates was for Obama ... a Cabinet level holdover in the new Administration.
If it hasn't already, the Obama team will soon attempt to discredit CIA and maybe Petraeus too. Obama is an ego freak and will learn too late that sometimes it's better to take the hit and move on.
Jul '11
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Obama's narcissism got the best of him here.
Apr '11
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
I'm extremely disheartened by the way Obama and his supporters have been able to distort the Benghazi issue in the public debate. I fear that - for now at least - they've effectively solidified the perception that this is all just a partisan obsession of the right. I was shocked that people could actually argue passionately that Obama did refer to the incident as an "act of terror." Through control of the media they've blunted a scandal by simply screaming louder and outright lying. It's a new level of absurd (It's maddening to write this because after 8 years of mocking the left on their hysterics over Bush I'm constantly vigilant to avoid becoming what they were).
These are the same cretins who somberly hyped the ludicrous Valerie Plame affair and endlessly slandered Bush for nonsense.
Meanwhile, Obama is actually doing things that they egregiously hammered Bush on - lying about intelligence, not taking responsibility, the producer of this stupid video is languishing in jail until after the election.
I'm sorry, but the now cliche question "Can you imagine if this were Bush??" has never been more relevant.
Apr '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
People died, and Obama lied!
Yes, I can hear the chants if Obama were Republican.
Oct '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Yes, indeed. Obama has not changed one iota. I don't think a narcissist can change, can he? It's so self-reinforcing.
It also causes one to fail to notice sea-state changes. Suddenly the media found it impossible to cover for Obama, although you'll recall that they initially tried very hard to do so. The Ambassador Rice play was Obama committing his heavy artillery to the battle. It almost worked because the MSM is so in the tank. Candy Crowley was still throwing down for Barry a month and a half later. But now Obama can't retreat ... he's committed and there's no shaking it. Even the mock offense card isn't working. The idea that Obama would act morally pure is just laughable and demonstrates how out of touch with reality he has become, which all losing candidates do at a certain point. It’s the denial stage of grief, if you will.
I must admit I'm enjoying watching Obama thrash about.
Jun '10
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Supposedly (via TheBlaze) there's also a pre-attack State Dept. message from Hillary Clinton to the White House requesting more security in Libya.
Apr '11
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Ah, that could help explain why Hillary was so willing to go under the bus.
Mar '11
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Told ya so.
Moral of the story: Never play "gotcha" with people whose job description includes "reading other peoples' mail."
Cutlass
Ah, that could help explain why Hillary was so willing to go under the bus. · 17 minutes ago
Another interesting theory. Hills goes under the bus like a good little soldier knowing she can climb back out whenever it suits her.
Oct '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
With Dubya, we heard endlessly about "Mission Accomplished". Except the MSM, in this case, would rather you not notice. What cover-up? What fabricated spin? Oh, there was no protest? No worries. Nothing to see here. Move on.
Mar '11
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Too bad most of the mainstream media won't run with this story. I cannot find it on the Washington Post or New York Times web pages. You can bet your bottom dollar that if this situation happened under Bush that there would be banner headlines today, however.
Jun '12
Re: Lesson: Don't Blame The CIA For Your PR Problem
Anyone who watched a movie where 4 men stood post and were brutally attacked and killed with drone "support" hovering overhead and their months of emails and phone plea for security backup ignored will be deeply saddened. Let alone, real Americans whose life stories we have read. Yet, the O groupies and MSM are clamouring instead for the innocence of Obama. No matter who wins this election, somethings need to be done with the morality of this country.