COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Saturday, November 03, 2012

The blame for the security breakdown in Benghazi attack shifting to the CIA’s role



CIA's response to Benghazi attack under scrutiny
Published on 3 November 2012 - 3:33am


Nearly two months after a deadly attack on a US consulate in Libya, a bitter row is still raging over who is to blame for the security breakdown, with the spotlight now shifting to the CIA's role.
President Barack Obama, the State Department and the Pentagon have come under fire since the September 11 assault in Benghazi that killed US ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
Republican supporters of Obama's rival Mitt Romney pounced on the issue in a hard-fought presidential campaign, keeping it in the spotlight.
John McCain and other Republican senators called for Senate Armed Forces Committee hearings to address whether there was sufficient military personnel in place in Benghazi at the time of the attack.
Due to the clandestine nature of its work, the Central Intelligence Agency was initially spared from scrutiny, but now the spy service and its director, former US Army general David Petraeus, are on the defensive.
The Wall Street Journal suggested Friday that the CIA's fixation with secrecy may have led to confusion over security at the compound and crossed signals with the State Department.
According to the report, the US Benghazi mission was essentially a CIA operation instead of a diplomatic post, and most staff worked for the spy agency.
The State Department believed there was a formal agreement the CIA would provide back-up security in an emergency, but the intelligence service had a different view, the paper said.
The focus on the CIA reflects fresh questions about the spy service's response as well as a turf war inside the government bureaucracy, as officials seek to shield their departments from criticism.
Intelligence officials took the unusual step of giving reporters a timeline of events, which they said showed the CIA acted swiftly and decisively.
"The officers on the ground in Benghazi responded to the situation on the night of 11 and 12 September as quickly and as effectively as possible," a senior intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
At the CIA compound in Benghazi, dubbed the "annex" in previous reports, news that the nearby consulate building was coming under attack first came in at 9:40 pm (1940 GMT), said the senior official.
A security team of seven agents moved out to secure the consulate, arriving at 10:30 pm after coming under fire.
The team evacuated the staff but could not find the ambassador, and then drove back to the annex.
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sent an unarmed surveillance drone over the area, which arrived within about 90 minutes.
He also ordered troops from the United States and special operations forces in Europe to a NATO base in Sigonella, Italy for a potential rescue operation.
But by the time the units arrived in southern Italy, the consulate had been torched and ransacked.
"The fact of the matter is these forces were not in place until after the attacks were over," Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters Friday.
As heavily-armed militants laid siege to the consulate, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned Petraeus directly to ask for help from the agency, according to the Journal.
In Benghazi, the security team returned to the annex, where they faced sporadic gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. They returned fire and the attackers withdrew.
Another CIA security team, sent as reinforcements out of Tripoli, arrived at the compound at 5:15 am.
Militants then launched a fresh assault against the annex and within minutes, two CIA employees were killed by a mortar round.
The intelligence official rejected allegations the agency had failed to coordinate with the State Department.
But, contrary to what some State Department officials believed, the cooperation occurred "without formal interagency arrangements," the official said.
"If you're on the ground in a dangerous place, you partner up. And that's exactly what happened in Benghazi."
Officials also defended the role of Petraeus, saying he was "fully engaged from the start," especially in the rescue misison.
Petraeus was faulted by some for choosing not to appear at a ceremony marking the return of the bodies of the slain CIA employees and for attending the premiere of the film "Argo" the day lawmakers grilled the State Department over the attack.
The CIA chief stayed away from the ceremony at Dover Air Force Base because the three officers' link to the agency had been kept secret and attending may have blown their cover, officials told the Journal.
An army general who rose to fame as commander of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus "receives daily updates on the issue and personally reviewed intelligence reports after the attack," the official said.
"This idea that he is somehow not engaged is baseless."
© ANP/AFP

152 comments:

  1. Someone (probably Trish in disguise) popped in the first day, and informed us that this was a CIA lash-up.

    ReplyDelete

  2. During the last few days of the election, when politicians scramble to make promises about jobs and the economy, only a fool would ignore this statistic: employment in the solar industry has grown 13.2 percent over the last year.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy grew 2.3 percent during the same period.

    Clean Technica (http://s.tt/1rGix)

    Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2012/11/02/solar-jobs-in-us-increase-13-2-in-2012/#sVbtq9QBJkVVeIQ5.99


    The Solar Industry now employs 119,000 people in the U.S.

    ReplyDelete
  3. .

    So 13,000 people were hired in solar last year?

    Or, the solar industry increased US total employment by 0.009%?

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only a fool would ignore this, a-hole!

      Delete
    2. I wonder how many new hires are employed in North Dakota, PA, Ohio, etc due to fracking, which Rufie dismisses as a flash in the pan?

      ...but beats the Hell out of Rufie and BHO's "green jobs"

      ...and I predict will revitalize closed down fields across the nation, including my now pathetic little home town.

      Once sporting well funded, excellent public schools via taxes from Standard Oil, Haliburton, et al.

      Delete
  4. .

    "You roll the dice and you takes your chances."


    Armed carjacker loses on a technical in bout with former Kronk boxer.

    Thug throws in the towel

    Defense attorney Jonathan Jones argued that his client shouldn't be charged with carjacking because he didn't have the gun on him at one point. But Judge Shannon A. Holmes replied, "The reason he didn't have the gun on him is because the defendant got his butt whipped, and Mr. Turner took the gun from him."

    .

    ReplyDelete
  5. why would a book have many values.

    melody

    Free market, kiddo. If you are talking about money. Some of the best, the very best, like in your tradition, The Portrait of an Artist As a Young Man. weren't worth a Rufus shit at first. Hem lost his first short stories to a sneak thief on the subway of Paris.

    Over time, if they got some juice, they float to the top.

    But it can take 'forever'.

    I want to wish you the best Christmas of all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And can't you post some good music?

      Please.

      Delete
  6. Rufus, you dumb shit, your guy has blood on his hands, and is lying like hell.

    Be a man. Admit it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am voting for the man that has blood on his hands and is lying like hell.

    That is the statement of an honest man.

    ReplyDelete
  8. that really doesn't help. Let me put it this way. I have a book I want to sell. I've looked it up and have seen it go for 10.00, 25.00, 45.00, and 85.00, so how do i know which one to sell it for and why would there be so many different amounts. Would a certain publishing company make it worth more money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's the book?

      ...maybe Bob or I might want it.

      (Rufie, only if it's the Green Progressive Manifesto)

      Delete
    2. inward ho by christopher morley copyright 1923

      Delete
  9. Welcome back MeL!

    CIA at fault?

    Bullshit!

    State (Hillary) and, ultimately, the trigger "man"

    POTUS

    ---

    Sensitive documents found amid the wreckage of the U.S. consulate shine new light on the Sept. 11 assault that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

    Ambassador Chris Stevens:

    Villa C, which was used as Stevens' residence during his stay in Benghazi, is located 50 meters from the TOC building. Here, an open window leads to the safe haven -- a sealed-off part of Villa C where Stevens and Smith suffocated to death. On the destroyed bed lay the Aug. 6, 2012, copy of the New Yorker. The magazine's cover carries a label with Stevens's name and his diplomatic mailing address.

    A few meters to the right is the safe haven's bathroom. Everything here is blackened by smoke. One of the two white toilets is covered with bloodstains. On the mirror in the bathroom, an unknown person has written a macabre text in a thin layer of ash.

    "I am Chris from the dead,
    " it reads.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whether this account is true or not, it simply indicates a Command and Control structure of the Executive Branch in complete disarray. This isn't the fog of war, it is chaos and incompetence in leadership. It has exposed trended vulnerabilities for future attacks that can be exploited by simply relying on Obama’s leadership from behind.

      How can anyone with a brain and interest in US security support the re-election of a serial practitioner of such demonstrable incompetence and deceit?

      --------

      p.s:

      Wio, you foolish little man, quit trying to wear my panties when I am not around. Use your own name and not mine.

      Delete
    2. Command and Control?

      I recall that GW Bush approved the disbanding of the Iraqi Army. In a written response to a letter from Mr Bremmer.

      Months later he wabted to know who gave the OK for that. Not recalling his own written word.

      Command and Control, from the White House has never worked well.

      Delegating authority to Department heads, like General P is what is refered to as 'Management'

      Maybe the CIA is to much for General P to handle.

      Delete
  10. Hillary:

    "How Complicated and confounding this World can be:"

    To Delusional True Believers in the Religion of The Left

    ...and our own Delusional Rufie.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 29. RWE

    To use my favorite George Will quote, “I disagree that the Administration is in disarray; this is what liberal government looks like.”

    Or my favorite Peggy Noonan quote, “They would carefully analyze the situation and do nothing, because they would conclude that the correct thing to do would be what Republicans would do, and they could not do that.”

    ReplyDelete
  12. "They would carefully analyze the situation and do nothing, because they would conclude that the correct thing to do would be what Republicans would do, and they could not do that.

    Rufie, in a nutshell.

    ReplyDelete
  13. If you didn't like my last song how about this one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beat reminds me of a guy we used to drink to in college...
      ...can't remember name right nowl

      Delete
  14. thanks doug it's always to see you around too

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mel, how did you do for electricity?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I lost it as I was going to bed around 11:30 Sunday night, for a few hours. We were lucky and had no damage at all. My hot tub kept tripping the next day, but again nothing to be alarmed about as it was only damp and went back on Wednesday morning.



      Delete
    2. Yes, I got a free hot tub off of craig's list. My free cost me 1200.00 in parts, I had to buy two 5hp pumps and a circ pump plus the massive electrical supplies.

      But it's my salvation. I think I was a mermaid in a past life.

      Delete
    3. Lost electricity for 4 days, but I have a complete backup system so it only cost me some propane. The poplar tree survived.

      Delete
    4. I'm glad your tree is still standing, I would hate to see the damage any tree would have if it fell to the north side a house.

      Delete
  16. "Portrait of an Artist As a Young Man"

    My short stint of smoking pot when I went back to college via the GI Bill was enlivened by Joyce.

    Great Stuff to some,

    Gibberish to others.

    ...I smoked the lowest strength stuff possible, a far cry from the super turbo stuff now.

    Like Beer compared to 50 percent hard liquor.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ...except for one time when I rolled a joint composed of old stubs which I later realized contained concentrated quantities of the active ingredient.

    Getting through my German Class that evening was bad enough, but then came a ten mile trip home thru dense fog on a curvy road to Santa Barbara.
    Very slow, very weird.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Way down in New Orleans everythings fine

    All them cats just drinkin' that wine

    Drinkin' that mess is sure delight

    When they get slop drunk they sing all night

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De

    Pass that bottle to me!

    Well I got a nickle you got a dime

    Lets get together and by some wine

    Wine over here Wine over there

    Drinking that mess everywhere!

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De

    Pass that bottle to me!

    Yeah!

    Piano Solo

    Roy Boy!

    Guitar Solo

    Weeeeeeellll

    Wine Wine Wine Elderberry

    Wine Wine Wine Oh Sherry

    Wine Wine Wine Blackberry

    Wine Wine Wine Half and Half

    Wine Wine Wine Oh Boy

    Pass that bottle to me

    Yeah!

    Piano Solo

    Well all the way down on Bourbon Street Willies been

    Uncle Willie wasn't selling but a little gin

    One cat order a bottle of wine

    Tip that cat for a dollar and a dime

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De Drinkin' Wine

    Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De

    Pass that bottle to me!

    Wine Wine Wine Elderberry

    Wine Wine Wine Oh Sherry

    Wine Wine Wine Blackberry

    Wine Wine Wine Half and Half

    Wine Wine Wine Oh Boy

    Pass that bottle to me!

    ...but it was someone other than Little Richard.

    ReplyDelete
  19. someone keeps eating my songs.

    ReplyDelete
  20. We're Sticking to it, by Golly, by Gosh:

    In Benghazi timeline, CIA errors but no evidence of conspiracy

    By David Ignatius, Published: November 1

    A detailed CIA timeline of the assault on U.S. facilities in Benghazi paints an anguishing picture of embattled Americans waiting for Libyan security forces who didn’t come and courageous CIA officers who died on a rooftop without the heavy weapons they needed, trying to protect their colleagues below.

    It’s a story of individual bravery, but also of a CIA misjudgment in relying on Libyan militias and a newly formed Libyan intelligence organization to keep Americans safe in Benghazi.

    While there were multiple errors that led to the final tragedy, there’s no evidence that the White House or CIA leadership deliberately delayed or impeded rescue efforts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      I have never accused the administration of conspiracy. I have accused them of poor ME policy and the poor decisions that might follow, like failing to provide additional security in light of requests from those on the ground and the pending anniversary of 9/11.

      I have accused them of misjudgements and incompetance but that has been a longstanding gripe with Benghazi merely a continuation.

      I have accused them of a cover-up. Still too early to say on this accusation. Obviously, there was some type of cover up but was it justified for national security reasons. Hard to know at this point. However, more to the point, is the fact that the cover up was mismanaged and ineffective.

      We have had two months of blame shifting and denials. In today's iPhone age with videos, tweets, IM's, leaks, and unidentified 'sources', it is almost impossible to keep a secret for very long. As Jenny pointed out above, this crew looks a bunch of amatuers. The keystone cops hit D.C.

      .

      Delete
  21. .

    Mel, good to see you stop in.

    Regarding the book.

    It would help to know what book you were talking about. If you go to Amazon you will see there is a whole range of prices for most books based on whether it is hard cover or paperback, brand new or used, the condition of a used book (there are standard ratings), how popular the author or book itself are and number of copies sold, whether it is still in print or not. A hardcover book might start out at $25 but on most the selling price is cut by 40-50% in a short time. Paperbacks are usually even cheaper. If you find a store trying to turn over or reduce inventory you might get it for dirt cheap in the remainder or sales bin. Of course, you do have books that keep their value: text books (at least for a year or two since they are often mandated reading for a specific audiance), classics, special printings, the type of bindings, rarities, etc.

    Again it would help to know the book.

    If it happens to be the March, 1984 Playgirl magazine, I have a nephew that might be interested.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  22. thanks Quirk. I did go to amazon and other places. That's why I'm asking because the book ranges from 10.00 to 150.00.

    It's a 1923 copyright Inward Ho by Christopher Morley.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Don't know much about Morley other than Kitty Foyle and that he founded the Baker Street Irregulars (I'm a mystery fan).

      Strange that your book doesn't have a publishing company listed.

      I might suggest your best bet it to sell it to Bob for obvious reasons.

      .

      Delete
    2. .

      I've never used any of those services (Amazon, E-Bay, etc.) but you could always high ball the price and see if anyone bites.

      But, I still think Bob's your best bet especially if you show up more often and throw in a few tunes.

      .

      Delete

    3. .

      Found the following

      Author: Morley, Christopher
      Subject: Poetry.
      Publisher: Garden City, N.Y.,: Doubleday, Page & Co.
      Year: 1923

      Since the book was first published in 1923, your's might be a first addition. Hard to say since I guess the guy was pretty popular, but then, it is a book of poetry. Of course the condition also affects the price.

      You might check with your local library and see if there is someone there who can direct you to where you can find out it's value. At the main library in Detroit, they have a rare book section. If you have something similar, someone there could probably help.

      Likewise, if you have a smaller book store that has been around forever, there is likely someone who can point you in the right direction. Also, even at a Barnes and Noble, while most of the people are clerks, there is probably at least one person that could help.

      .

      .

      Delete
  23. .

    I see T put up a post on the previous stream.

    Sweet.

    All three muses back on the same day. Christmas in November.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like Deuce has tried the Amish way of life with the propane.

    When I was under great economic distress many years ago I sold my aunt's entire library to help see us through. I nearly cried, she had a wonderful library, it took two trips in the wheat truck to get them to the airport to the shipper.

    I don't have any secrets in selling books. I had advertised through Limited Editions Book Club, which most of them were. Finally got a Mr. Fancy Pants out of Chicago. $28,000 for the whole bunch as I recall. I felt like committing suicide to have to do that.

    I really don't know how you would advertise for a single book, ask the book clubs I guess.

    Never have heard of the book Inward Ho. I have a signed copy of The Monkey
    Wrench Gang by Abby in the garage. My aunt and I bought that when he was through town. She said he had a wonderful face, 'that had been lived in'. He was tall, thin, worn and a craggy face, the kind of person she liked. And a book by Ovid that is beautiful.

    I wish I knew more about the book market but don't. Most of my books now I buy through Amazon and are mostly paperbacks.

    Sorry can't help more.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I also have The Garden of Dr somebody or other, or, Doctor somebody or others Garden of, something like that, out in the garage,somewhere, in a fancy edition, that a young lady from Seattle, back when I was trying to sell books, really wanted. Somehow the deal never went through, I have never read it, but she said she loved it. Anybody know what I am talking about? The Doctors's garden evidently had all sorts of creatures in it and stuff, and the whole thing was probably some big metaphor.

    It was like The Strange Garden of Dr. Quirk, or something, damn can't recall.

    Ring a bell?

    Quirk? Does that ring your bell?

    The Garden of Doctor No, or something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      In Dr. No's Garden


      Of course, there was the other Dr. No in the first Bond film I ever saw. Great Stuff. There was no better Bond than Sean Connery, none even close.

      Delete
    2. Agree with that. I loved those early Bond films. And O my girlfriend at the time was all goo goo over Sean.....

      Thanks, Quirk.

      Delete
    3. And, we all remember Pussy Galore.

      Delete
  26. I really ought to get out to the garage more often.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I listened to Donald Rumsfeld being interviewed by Laura Ingraham (?) yesterday. To put it politely, and he did put it politely, he didn't have much good to say about Obama and the current SecDef letting those people die like that.

    God, how I hope we are nearly done with them now. I am almost to the point of prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jones Act.

    Did you notice that?

    Been waived, so oil can be shipped to the Northeast, without union labor.

    Heh, I'm from the government, and I am here to help.

    And in dire straits, I'll even waive the law.

    ReplyDelete
  29. 30,000 turn out in Ohio for Romney...

    Obama plays for just 2,800...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yep, if you liked Bush I and II, you'll just love Bush III.

    Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rice; they're all there.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Beats a sleezeoid commie community organizer of the Marxist muhammed variety lying like hell and jerking off on The View.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Do you remember, Rufus, when that asshole said Americans need more language training, how it was embarrassing that we couldn't speak French, and shit?

    That asshole that can't speak to a classroom of fourth graders without the Teleprompter of the United States.

    ReplyDelete
  33. It was a sixth grade class

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQw9M46Cds

    ReplyDelete
  34. Well, you might as well take a "chill pill" Bobbo. He's up 2.9% in Ohio, according to the realclear average, and absolutely no one thinks he can lose if he wins Ohio.

    RCP Averages - Ohio

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will weep for our country, walk about in sackcloth and ashes....

      Delete
    2. The odds that the effects of this election will be felt by me, or thee, are so slim as to be virtually non-existent.

      Delete
    3. Wrong, but one can always hope.

      Delete
  35. The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. He is not actually happy when free; he is uncomfortable, a bit alarmed, and intolerably lonely. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty — and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies.

    H.L. Mencken

    The people will finally get what they always wanted, a total fool in the White House.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A "fool" that was dumb enough to Save GM, and Kill Bin Laden.

      While the "smart" guy said, "let Detroit go Bankrupt," and got caught running an ad in Ohio that even the Auto Companies threw the "Bullshit Flag" on.

      Delete
    2. What he said was let the bankruptcy court reorganize the company.

      Most GM cars are made outside of the country.

      http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10003800

      The United States Military killed bin Laden.

      I get tired of feeling compelled to rebut your bullshit.

      I am going back to bed.

      Delete
    3. To "let the court reorganize" you have to have a "debtor in possession." There Was None. It would have been "curtains."

      You're accepting a bullshit story from a super liar.

      Delete
  36. Back to the real world, I'm starting to rethink my position on Deuce's suggestion that powerlines on the East Coast should be buried.

    This is two hurricanes in two years up there. If the weather patterns Are shifting, it might be a good investment.

    Also, Christie is looking at the areas of New Jersey that were protected by strong Sand Dunes, and is starting to promote the idea of building those dunes all across New Jersey's coast. Another idea whose time may have come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As Cuomo put it, "we're getting a 100 yr. storm every two years, now; maybe we need to do some rethinking."

      Delete
    2. Jersey needs to abandon the barrier reefs for development. The Jersey shore is not really a shore. They are sandbars separated from the mainland. They would make a perfect natural recreation area, instead of taxpayer subsidized resort investment properties.

      Delete
  37. Parker @ManiStaySmileyy

    If Obama doesn't win, I will actually start a riot. This is not a joke.
    2 Nov 12

    A few weeks ago, Twitchy reported on Twitter users threatening to riot if President Obama loses to GOP rival Mitt Romney. With four days to go until Election Day, we decided this is a topic worth revisiting. The results of our Twitter searches are not pretty:

    @TattooedPretty

    If Romney win , me obama and 2 chainz going to start a riot and shoot his ass !—
    TriciaM'fcknShell (@TattooedPretty) November 02, 2012
    2 Nov 12

    Dimz @turn2two

    If Obama lose it's going to be the biggest riot in history… Beacause, I'm going to start it!
    2 Nov 12



    K.dot @BanitaApplebumm 2 Nov 12

    If Romney were to win, I feel like ppl are gonna riot the streets..

    The Sage⚡ @ChuckRaging

    yup, thas me. RT @BanitaApplebumm: If Romney were to win, I feel like ppl are gonna riot the streets..
    2 Nov 12



    JayBabyyyy @JayBae813

    I Swear If Romney Win Imma Start A Mothafuckin Riot
    2 Nov 12



    @Perfectly_Badd_

    If Romney win we should start a riot—
    IG: @Perfectly_Badd_ (@Perfectly_Badd_) November 02, 2012
    2 Nov 12

    Ganja Nish.✌ @_SweetKiWi

    If Mitt Romney wins, imma start a riot!
    2 Nov 12



    ricky spanish @DoobsxBoobs

    if Romney wins this election i'm starting a riot
    2 Nov 12



    Uncle Mitchie @RedForemen

    If Obama don't win it's gone be a riot.
    2 Nov 12



    @VannaDoesItRite

    I'ma start riot if Obama don't win—
    Vanna Jamie James (@VannaDoesItRite) November 02, 2012
    2 Nov 12

    #BattleOfTheValleys @RashadBF

    If I drive all the way to the city to vote Tuesday & Obama doesn't win! Imma start a riot!
    2 Nov 12



    FREDO @ASAPLife_

    Romney wins= L.A. Riot
    2 Nov 12



    MAC_Freshly @MACBoy_Inglish

    RIOT! Ima start a riot! * @2chainz voice* RT @RealShaddyLo: If Mitt Romney win idk what I'm gonna do
    2 Nov 12



    Boss Lady ♥ @BrittanyiCandy

    If Romney wins the election, imma start a riot like Spike Lee in Do The Right Thing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With the "Voter Suppression" tactics of the Republicans in Ohio, Pa, and Fla, I can almost sympathise.

      Delete
    2. Bullshit.

      But I am not fearful of you rioting.

      Too damn lazy.

      But it might be fun to watch, if you were to get off your ass.

      Ever.

      I expected you to head to the Northeast, sell insurance policies, save the lives of countless peoples....but no.....

      Delete
    3. Voter suppression?

      You've gone over to the dark side.

      Delete
    4. Been there for awhile now. :)

      Delete
  38. Instead you are 'rethinking' your official position on underground power lines....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's an interesting question. For instance, at what "population density" will it make sense?"

      Delete
  39. At any population density. It is mandated now in my city to put them underground, and we have no population to speak of, besides it is eye friendly.

    Montana: I have no idea why I don’t see this race on the morning talk shows more often. Jon Tester is being challenged by Republican Denny Rehberg and there’s no use linking any single poll on the contest. Everyone has it as pretty much a fifty fifty shot. That’s a GOP pickup waiting to happen if you can turn out a couple hundred extra people in a few precincts.

    Red State

    I am interested in this race. When they talk of a couple hundred people in a few precincts, that is no joke.

    Montana is truly a wonderful state, a great place, if you can stand the winters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was just assumed from the start (by both parties) that Montana was a GOP Pick-up. The fact that it's close is a surprise to pretty much everyone.

      I was thinking of "Rural" customers.

      Delete
  40. And when they joined the Union, they put in, if you take our guns away, we have the right to walk right on outta here.

    ReplyDelete
  41. It is close. I have no idea how that will come out. It is an interesting race. Well, come Tuesday, we will know what they have decided to do.

    ReplyDelete
  42. .

    Liberals bitch about Bush II, and Cheney, and Rice, but at heart, Obama is just the current incarnation of the of the neocons they were.
    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolute non sense, and unworthy of you.

      Sometimes I begin to worry about you, Quirk.

      But then I think, the poor guy is from the east, after all, and the divine compassion is limitless, and the divine patience is without end.

      And go to the store.....

      Delete
    2. I don't think so, Q. There are basic differences between Democrats, and Republicans. True, those differences can get blurred at the margins from time to time, but, at the core, those differences do exist.

      While it might be true that all politicians, individually, are dicks, as parties they tend to be "dickish" in different directions.

      In the end, you just have to vote for "your dick." :)

      Delete
    3. .

      Bless you boys, but as usual you are both wrong.

      Bob is off in lalaland, shooting from the hip again. Rufus is talking about parties and their philosophy while I was talking specifically about Obama.

      I would love to spend the time proving you both wrong but I have dogs to walk. The days are getting shorter.

      .

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    5. .

      It's like I don't know him anymore.


      .

      Delete
    6. "Bob is off in lalaland, shooting from the hip again."

      Wrong o

      I hardly have a hip to shoot from, anymore

      Delete
    7. "It's like I don't even know anymore."

      This is exactly what I have become concerned about.

      Delete
    8. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  43. :)

    If only, it was my dick I was voting for.

    ReplyDelete







  44. The truth will out -

    http://hotair.com/archives/2012/11/02/biden-on-obama-theres-never-been-a-day-in-the-last-four-years-ive-been-proud-to-be-his-vp/

    Couple of entertaining videos.

    We are with you there, Joe.







    ReplyDelete
  45. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/local/30000-turn-out-for-romney-in-west-chester/nSwcd/

    If that moron Romney had invited Sarah Palin to be at his side he would be doing a lot better.

    I will never forgive him for dissing my girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah Palin makes Joe Biden look like George Will.

      Delete
    2. Sarah Palin makes them both look like shit.

      Delete
  46. I think This is a question worth considering:

    Question

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The chart is flawed in a fundamental way because it fails to consider product substitution. Substitute beef steak for oil. If steak goes to $30 per pound, people will not starve, they will eat chicken. The same goes for oil. Hello Volt.

      Delete
    2. You don't have to invent cows or chickens. Energy is more fundamental. It requires overt and sometimes aggressive R&D. And not all R&D is demand-driven. In fact one could argue that very little of it is, regardless of product/service. Witness the battery dead-end which is holding back electric cars. I think it was you, Deuce who posted the TED speech on new storage technology coming out of MIT. That chicken hasn't come home to roost yet. I think the chart is very suggestive - current economic theory correlates with fossil fuels-dependent growth. Gonna take more than Art Laffer and a napkin.

      The other thing that appears to be much closer than "generally acknowledged" is the collapse of manufacturing, maybe I should say light manufacturing, but heavy is sure to follow, with the evolution of 3-D printers. Soon every household will have another "box", like a microwave or a cable box, that cranks out whatever you need. (Ref "Perdido Street Station" by China Mieville but I am sure there are many others.) Requiring electricity of course, requiring storage technology.

      Delete
    3. Hello China when the next wave of boxes hit. Care to bet where they will come from?

      Delete
    4. I was using “volt” metaphorically, probably in a clumsy fashion. Oil enjoys a wide band of inelastic demand, but not a straight line up or down. People can also drive less, drive smaller, share rides or take alternate transportation. The demand is actually for a liquid fuel that offers the benefits of gasoline but does not have to be gasoline. There are viable alternatives to liquify fuel at various price points.

      In the past, oil suppliers could manipulate supply to curtail incentives for alternative sources of liquid fuel. The graph assumes no alternative options for liquid fuel and that is just not realistic.

      Delete
  47. I heard on godd authority that President Romney will appoint Bronco Bama as his Ambassador to Libya.

    ReplyDelete


  48. With such different values, the gender voting gap is no surprise. The strutting, truculent and misunderinformed George W. Bush ran 12 points higher among straight men than women in 2000 and nine point higher in 2004. The blustery and cantankerous John McCain ran nine points higher in 2008. Polls show the out-of-touch, flip-flopping, and dissembling Romney enjoying a similar edge.

    Given these facts, I propose a constitutional amendment prohibiting straight men from voting. Surprisingly, Romney does not oppose this. "Women will vote as directed by their husbands," he explained.

    Did He Really Say That?

    ReplyDelete
  49. Polls reveal sharp differences between straight men and women voters. Asked what qualities they valued in a president, women listed:

    1. Judgment
    2. Intelligence
    3. Leadership
    4. Communications skills
    5. Empathy

    The list for straight men was:

    1. Swagger
    2. Knowledge of NFL rules
    3. Doesn't take any shit from foreigners. Piss him off and he invades.
    4. Laughs at fart jokes
    5. Kind of a guy who could help you score cocaine

    Straight men and women also differ on the importance of different issues. For women the top five domestic issues are:

    1. The economy
    2. Unemployment and jobs
    3. The federal deficit
    4. Health care
    5. Income inequality

    For straight me, the top five domestic issues are:

    1. More great sex
    2. Should the National League adopt the designated hitter rule?
    3. More good sex
    4. Should pre-school children be allowed to bring loaded Kalashnikov assault weapons to "show and tell?"
    5. More not-so-good sex, that is pretty good, even when it's not-so-good.

    The two groups also diverge on foreign policy. Women's top concerns are:

    1. Global warming
    2. A two state solution in Palestine.
    3. Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons
    4. A collapse of the Euro
    5. Improving relations with China and Russia.

    Straight men listed:

    1. Amadina-what-his-name and those other jerkoffs in Iraq who attacked us on 9/11.
    2. The French, that bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys. They think there so great, but they'd be speaking German if it wasn't for us,
    3. Those assholes in Dickheadistan and all those other piss-ant countries.
    4. The Arabs. They really piss me off.
    5. The Chinese. We buy all their shit and what do we get in return? Debt! We owe them a fortune. This is unfair!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Core value of his religous faith DRR

    He said it and believes it.

    His wife plays along, too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Makes Mrs Obama, the "angry black woman," look more sympathetic.

      Delete
  51. .

    And did you hear that Obama is in the shits with Michelle, that she has seen a divorce lawyer, and the only reason she is still with him is because of the election.

    No shit.

    It's in The Enquirer.



    Canasta night at the EB.

    Lordy.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all because he goes the highlow or whatever that is called with Larrywhatshisname and it is in the Inquirer.

      Delete
  52. Someone stood by and watched as our people died in Benghazi.

    General Petraeus said this week that it wasn’t the CIA. That leaves the Sec of State and the President.

    I seriously doubt that HRC made the final decision to do nothing. That leaves…

    ReplyDelete
  53. That leaves........Obummer


    “I’m a retired attorney, and I know that these actions legally do not constitute murder. But in my mind the people in the White House, all of them who have authority to send in reinforcements to prevent what they knew was going to be the death of my son, are guilty of murdering my son,” Woods said Sunday on Fox’s Sean Hannity show.

    http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/02/tp-families-differ-on-us-response/

    ReplyDelete
  54. Aby our people you mean the insubordinate civilian employees of thhe CIA?

    The fellas that were told to STAND DOWN, but got involved in a fire fight after disobeying thei orders?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Are you seriously casting aspersions on the guys who went back to help their fellow Americans, rat?

      .

      Delete
    2. That is what he is doing.

      Delete
  55. Too bad the NY Subways System didn't have a few of these.

    Inflatable Plugs

    ReplyDelete
  56. How many Marines dhould have died rescuing the insubordinte CIA operatives?

    Would five be enough collateral loss to satisfy your blood lust for more US casualties

    Sending good men after bad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Insubordinate CIA officers? What about the ambassador and the other civilian personell there?

      You sound like Panetta.

      The Panetta Doctrine

      No actionable intelligence?

      The buildings in the compound were under attack for six and a half hours. There was communication direct from personell on the ground. There were video feeds. There were a couple of drones overhead.

      Can't send anyone in? Then why do they even train FAST teams? To sit around with their finger up their ass or to help pick up the bodies and police the mess after the attack?

      You are hysterical rat.

      .

      Delete
    2. Bob, I tried to explain the other day - just because someone comes up with a fancy moniker like "FAST" doesn't mean they're, like, you know, Fast. It took them four or five hours just to track'em down, and get'em to Italy. Don't be such a chump.

      Delete
    3. .

      Rufus, try reading a little closer. I was the one who brought up FAST.

      And I didn't bring up FAST as an argument that a FAST unit should have been there but rather against rat's argument that the people in the vicinity who were there in the vicinity shouldn't be helping out their fellow Americans. His argument sounds just like Panetta. And if you don't know what the Panetta Doctrine is read it in the link.

      .

      Delete
    4. My sincere apologies to Bob.

      As for you, "don't be such a chump."

      :)

      Delete
  57. Have you had a stroke? Your typing is really bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  58. http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/what-your-booze-says-about-your-politics

    What your booze says about your politics.

    I am not sure this chart means much. When I drink, it is usually Bacardi, and Ruf has an affinity for Budweiser.

    I tried to buy a bottle of Five Wives in the liquor store as a back at you gift to a realtor lady the other day. Sold out.

    What does that say?

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wbat I am saying is that the civilian gun slingers screwed the pooch.

    They intervened in someone else's covert op.

    After being instructed not to. Bad form, to say the least.

    Their actions may have been the catalyst to losing the Ambassador.

    Nob stroke, big hands, small phone

    ReplyDelete
  60. Please explain how the action of the Seals in saving some lives led to the death of the Ambassador.

    A much as as I may try I cannot follow the reasoning there.

    ReplyDelete
  61. But, getting back to politics, Obama is sure as hell running away from something.

    What a great thing it must be, to be President.

    All you have to do is put on a nifty flight jacket, keep your mouth shut, and change the subject.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Easyscenario

    The Ambassador is in negotiations with fellas that have SAMs from Colonel Q.
    The Bad Guys use the demonstrations for cover.

    Fire a few rounds to make it interesting.

    Insubornindates intervene, caannot find Ambassador, who is now a hostage instead of a negotiator

    The CIA gunsels screwed his deal. Their off the books intervention leading to esalation.

    The powers that be, well. No General will lwt the privates bootleg policy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Petraeus said that no one in the CIA asked/ordered anyone to stand down.

      Delete
    2. I think you're blowing smoke for your C-I-C.

      Delete
  63. Michael Barone is predicting Romney 315 electoral votes to Obama 223.

    ReplyDelete
  64. "The Bad Guys use the demonstrations for cover."

    What demonstrations?

    The Ambassador was under attack.

    There were no demonstrators.

    The Ambassador was under serious attack by some jihadis for whatever reason.

    They were not out there with signs saying "Americans Go Home"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob, don't you ever read "Anything" except right-nut news? There Were demonstrators, there. Just as there were at embassies, and consulates all over the middle east, and southern asia.

      And, that could have easily been a "hostage" situation. You guys are just sounding silly.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, plain old everyday run of the mill demonstrators. Just like the 200 strong contingent of Salafist dickheads that 90 days earlier went on a peaceful tear in Benghazi.

      If you have a source, I will read it.

      Delete
    3. .

      Please Rufus. The only thing you read are articles that support your point of view. Isn't yours a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

      However, if you have some pictures showing signs in the crowd denouncing the video I'll stand corrected.

      But just to be clear. Are yopu really buying into the scenario that has just been outlined by the rat.

      .

      Delete

    4. Ruf. Dear Ruf.

      I get emails from Barack his very self, each and every day, begging for five bucks.

      I am in 'touch'.

      I want to know, and sent a reply, why did we not try to help our people.

      Like those Seals tried to do.

      It is an honest question.

      And the answer is not forthcoming.


      "And, that could have easily been a "hostage" situation."

      Yes, yes dear Ruf.

      We will hold the American corpses as hostage.

      That will teach them.

      Delete
    5. I posted several articles a couple of days after the fact. A week later, both the NY Times, and Reuters had gone back and "Re-interviewed Witnesses, AND Participants."

      The only question seems to be "who got there first?" The answer seems to be the attackers got there first, and the excitement quickly drew a crowd. Evidently, many in the crowd became Looters.

      At some point a drone was sent. Remember, Predators ain't jets. They probably have a top speed somewhere in the small piper cub, range.

      Evidently, by the time the drone arrived, the house was "torched," and was being looted by a large number of people. At this point the "FAST" Team still hadn't assembled in Italy, and were, at the minimum, probably 4 hrs "Out."

      It's idiotic to try to make something as chaotic, and unknowable as this into some sort of . . . . . . . well, whatever it is you're trying to make it into.

      Delete
    6. 4 hours of fire and chaos: How the Benghazi attack unfolded
      By Sarah Aarthun, CNN
      updated 9:49 AM EDT, Thu September 13, 2012

      State Department officials said the two incidents at the diplomatic missions were not related and said they believe the Benghazi violence was a "clearly planned attack."

      Why Muslims are sensitive on prophet

      "It was not an innocent mob," one senior official said. "The video or 9/11 made a handy excuse and could be fortuitous from their perspective but this was a clearly planned military-type attack."

      U.S. President Barack Obama, however, said it was too early to say whether the attack was pre-planned.

      Delete
    7. If I had been in "Command" at that point I would have told everyone to Stand Down, and prayed that it was going to end up in some sort of hostage "negotiation/rescue."

      Delete
    8. .

      Well then, Ruf, it appears you qualify as SOD because according to Panetta that is exactly what he did.

      This "chaotic and unknowable event" took six and a half hours to unfold, there was video streamed of it, communications direct from the friendlies on the ground. Hell, it had a bigger audiance than the super bowl.

      If you are still confused about what I am trying to make it into, I'll explain it one more time.

      Four Americans died at the hands of terrorists in Benghazi, Libya.

      This flows from the fact that Obama attacked Libya and aided in the assassination of Ghaddafi which weakened central authority and led to a proliferation of armed militias including al Queda as well as the loss of numerous heavy weapons many of which found their way into other hot spots in the ME.

      We know that because of the weak central government and the resulting lack of security, those responsible for security at the embassy in Libya asked for additional security resources, a fact, that despite hard evidence proving it, has been denied by the administration.

      We don't know what the reason was for the Libyan ambassador to be visiting Benghazi on September 11. It could very well be as rat has suggested that he was there trying to work a deal to secure missing arms. However, the reason is irrelevant. What is relevant is that the compound was attacked by terrorists.

      The attack continued for six and a half hours. From all the 'right wing' reports we know that just about everyone in the administration was aware of what was going on and they did nothing. Four Americans died.

      Subsequently, we were told by the administration that the attack was a spontaneous attack by Muslims outraged over a video. It was a couple weeks after the attack before someone admitted it was actually a terrorist attack.

      There is speculation that no security was provided because it didn't fit with the administration's claims that democracy is working just fine in Libya, that the various militias throughout the country are gradually coming under control, and the missing ordinance will be accounted for. The administration denies this. Actually, they have pretty much denied everything. There has at one time or another been fingers pointed at just about everyone in the administration usually followed by denials by the accused. We are now a couple months past the attack. After about two week, Hillary took responsibility. Then Obama took responsibility. Now Pannetta has taken responsibility. However, no one has yet taken the blame.

      If you accept the Panetta Doctrine we can expect more of these attacks. Since it is likely most 'surprise' attacks come as a surprise, then its only reasonable to assume that there will be no 'actionable intelligence' to justify sending in help and the people on the ground might as well bend over and kiss their collective ass goodbye.

      What am I saying? I'm saying Obama's Libyan wet dream has been a mistake from the beginning. I'm saying that the ROEs his team have established, trying to make nice with the enemy at the expense of the safety of your own people, is flawed.

      I'm saying that there has been a massive cover-up on the Benghazi attack since day one. I am not saying the cover-up was not necessary. I don't know that at this point. Perhaps, it was necessary on national security grounds. What I do know was that it was handled in a clumsy, amatuerish way. It was pure FUBAR from day one.

      I'm saying the the administration looks either dishonest or, more likely, just plain incompetant.

      .

      Delete
    9. And, I'm saying that there is absolutely No Way for you to have half the facts that you think you have.

      The "Attack" lasted 6 1/2 hrs? Really? From when to when? How long did it take for the attackers to kick in the door? What could you have possibly done once they were inside?

      What's the soonest the "FAST" force could have gotten there? How many were there? What would be the plan? Fly a couple of helicopters into a Hot Urban Environment? Against how many? What would be their chance of surviving against even a handful of jihadis with RPGs (not to mention man-pads?)

      What would be the chances that the one CIA operative would still be alive at that point? Was there a chance of setting up a local operation? Of setting up a line of communication with the attackers?

      Was the CIA leveling with the State Dept? With the DOD? Who, exactly, does make this call? Had the CIA Cowboy disobeyed orders when told to stay at his previous location? Why did he ignore his chain of command? Was there a plan from the In-Country CIA Commander to mount his own rescue operation?

      We could go on and on. It was the CIA, Bubba. Operating in Indian Country. And, What WAS the Ambassador doing there? Was there a danger of exposing a much larger ongoing operation?

      Gimmee a break.

      It's China-town, Jake.

      Delete
    10. .

      As far as the FAST team having to be 'tracked down' and moved to Italy. I saw that report also. However, I also saw a report that we have FAST teams in Spain.

      Air time from Madrid to Tripoli is about 2 1/2 hours.

      The attack in Benghazi lasted about six and a half hours.

      I'm not denying the Italy story, only stating that you know about as much as I do about this whole mess which ain't much. Likely, by design.

      .

      Delete
    11. 2 1/2 hours in what type of aircraft. And, then you have the return trip. Fuel?

      I know that if I were the General there's not a chance that I would send a quick reaction team in helicopters into that mess to "maybe" save one CIA agent.

      I might even end up getting "demoted" over it.

      Delete
    12. And, you're right. We don't have a clue. And those assholes at Fox news don't, either.

      But, I know one thing; it Is extremely dangerous sending helicopters into such an environment. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done it.

      Now, if it had been a squad of Marines on the ground I might think differently.

      Delete
    13. .

      One report I've seen indicated the attack started around 2:22 pm our time and lasted until about 9:00 pm. There were a couple of buildings that were attacked.

      As far as the FAST team, I'm not sure they are even designed for rescue missions. I think they are just a specialized group to provide extra security on a short-term basis. If anything they should have been sent in before the attack.

      My main argument wasn't that they didn't sent in people during the attack but that because of policy decisions they didn't send in people before the attack when they were asked to do so.

      Secondarily, I have argued that the administrations attempted cover-up of what actually took place in Benghazi has been painfully inept making them look like a bunch of amatuers.

      My initial argument with rat was with his suggestion that the two guys who went to help the ambassador shouldn't have.

      But what you have described in your last post is an operation out of control, complete disfunction between State and DOD, and CIA with Obama and Biden sitting there watching it all unfold on big screen.

      Grab the popcorn.

      .

      Delete
    14. I figure, working at "Lightening Speed," you might be able to get troops on the ground in 12 to 18 hrs if you had a direct line to the Pentagon.

      First, you would want to secure the local airport, or one close by. Then, you can get C-17's with MWraps, and Armor on the Ground. Your minimum force for heading into the city would be, maybe Two Companies, with another Two companies in Reserve. You would want at least 3 or 4 Cobra gunships, and a couple of fast-movers (probably Harriers.)

      All the while maintaining radio communications with your guys in the shit. While you're doing this you're organizing a much larger force in case you happen to be runnng blind into another Mogadishu.

      This crap about they had six hours to jump in a whirlybird and go get the spy is just nonsense.

      Delete
    15. Well, all that calculatin' wore me out. G'nite.

      Delete
  65. .

    Rat, you should be writing professionally. Kind of remind me of those posts we used to get here that started out "Now, assume I'm Jack Bauer..." or "Well, suppose the overseer had a spear and he called Moses a kike..."

    I do have to admit I don't know what lwt means. Perhaps, that actually pulls your post together so that it makes sense.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lwt would be LET

      AS FOR THE ORDER TO Stand down, Well Seaan Hannity and FOX News went on and on about it.

      Must be true.

      That disinformation would come from the CIA, heaven forbid!

      Delete
  66. Nate Silver has it - Obama 305 Romney 233

    with Obama having an 84% chance of winning the Presidency.

    538 Blog

    ReplyDelete
  67. "Well, suppose the overseer had a spear and he called Moses a kike..."


    :):)


    That is why you can never anger me, O Quirk!

    Even if you do fart off every last mission I propose.

    ReplyDelete

  68. Just one American mom's opinion:

    MOTHER OF SEAL: 'I BELIEVE OBAMA MURDERED MY SON'...



    Other headlines:

    Security officials on the ground in Libya challenge CIA account...

    REPORT: U.S. considered moving Benghazi consulate month before deadly attack...

    Papers blast president's response...

    ReplyDelete
  69. Obama's nephew by the way, back in the land of Obama's birth (Michelle), says if he had a vote, he would cast it for Romney.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Back in the land of Obama's birth, ala Michelle, back in the land where wishing could still lead to something, if you buy into it, back in the land where whitey is devil, and we can do better, back in the land of coming poverty and starvation and hookers on the take for ten cents per hour.

    ReplyDelete