The controversy over the attacks at a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, is a great test of the right’s tired claim that the corporate media have a liberal bias. If that were true, then this “scandal” would exist almost entirely on Fox News Channel and conservative talk radio.
That, of course, isn’t true. The right’s claims about some sort of Obama White House cover-up–with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the center of it all–is treated as if it might actually be true. And in lavishing so much attention on the story, the press are showing that they have a healthy appetite for promoting right-wing causes. 
That much was clear on one single page of USA Today (5/10/13). The first story, by Susan Page, was headlined “Sen. Graham: Hillary Clinton Should Testify on Benghazi.” The Senator Graham in question is Republican Lindsey Graham, and he gives Page a blow-by-blow on how he helped to orchestrate the most recent round of congressional hearings. The main purpose of the story, if it has one at all, is that he thinks Clinton should be forced to testify to Congress about the matter (to which one might ask, “Didn’t this already happen?”).
It’s not clear what the news is here, except to rehash the case that Graham and other Republican lawmakers have been making all along.
The other Benghazi article on the page: “Analysts: Benghazi Questions Still Linger.” There are exactly two “security analysts” who feel like there are some lingering unknowns: James Carafano, of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, and Gary Schmitt, who the papers identifies as “staff director of President Reagan’s intelligence advisory board.” He is currently at the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute, and was previously the executive director of the neocon Project for the New American Century. So right-wing think tankers believe that this story championed by the right needs more attention. Got it.
It’d be a lot easier to just label this “Stuff Republicans and Conservatives Say About Benghazi.” Actually, that’s probably a good characterization of much of what you read about Benghazi.
Of course, this also benefits the administration.
It allows them to portray themselves as victims of vicious unfounded Republican attacks, rallying all the good liberal sycophants
And conveniently ignore the consequences of their actions in Libya, which are the product of a bipartisanly blessed imperial project.
Instead of fixating on the game on the field
We need to focus on the owner’s box.
It is amusing how the liberal sycophants rush to the defense of Obama–the same Obama who brought on the killing of American diplomats by invading the country of the so-called “terrorists.” Like a broken clock, Republican critics of the Obama regime can be right at least twice a day. The administration is caught between lie and deceit.
As usual repubs and their criminal corporate friends are out to destroy Pres. Obama with impeachment and now Hillary Clinton who they’re so damn afraid she’ll be the next prez. They’ve been working on this scheme since 2008. To them, Libya fits the bill.
Ray they’ve been working on this meme since 1992–it’s the same old story, and it can be fun to watch imbeciles like Lindsey Graham palaver on and on about the diabolical Mrs. Clinton. Didn’t she already talk about this? Here’s hoping Mrs. Clinton gets asked some questions by our Southern Belle, Senator Graham. They better put a fainting couch on the floor of the Senate so when he swoons, he’ll hit the couch.
The US press is so partisan and so caught up in the Republicans vs. the Democrats petty one-upmanship that seems to constitute politcs in the US these days that even FAIR contributors care more for scoring anti-Republican points than in insisting on the transparency and accountability of the current administration.
Funny how Obama personally had a hand in the killing of four diplomats when he had no knowledge or responsibility for embassy security.It’s a ludicrous idea and to be expected from morons like Bob Schwartz.Was Bush responsible for killing thousands in the world trade center when he ignored intelligence reports that Al Qaeda was planning an attack on NYC?He certainly had prior warning of such an attack,but chose to ignore it.Did democrats immediately blame him for the attack,demand hearings and threaten impeachment?No,because democrats believe as Americans you close ranks and unite against out side threats to national security.Republicans never miss an opportunity to make a political mountain out of a molehill.Doug Latimer is another brain dead example.The Obama administration are victims of unfounded republican attacks,so they don’t have to portray themselves as anything.Republicans are the ones who started this ball rolling,so if any one is portraying anything,it’s them.
So sad FAIR.You are still trying to carry the water for this bunch.Still trying to deflect controversy.Still trying to add to the smoke screen.And now….you are angry because the compliant press that lives snuggly in the liberal pocket has finally….finally found the fit a bit too snug.They have popped their heads out and joined FOX in asking for names,dates and hopefully soon-a full investigation with supoena powers that will demand answers from this oily bunch.During Watergate one of the best things that happened was that the right joined the left in disgust.Well now this is your time.Men died as the president slept.Men died as all relief forces were told to stand down.Men were buried as we found that no one knew anything.As a coverup rolled along and Hilary realized she too had blown it and it could destroy her chances.As people were threatened not to testify.The press lapdogged along.Now they are maybe sick of being lapdogs.Better hold on tight my liberal friends.This is gonna be a bumpy ride.Because “we’ are gonna shake this bus till all the cockroaches fall out into the sunlight.
And Dennis your comparison was crap.As our ambassador begged for more security….as the British ambassador was attacked(he was recalled)our geniuses in Washington PULLED all the security leaving him defenseless.As he fought for his life our president went to bed(he had to fly to Vegas in the morn to raise campaign funds.)all assets were told to stand down because they would not get there in time(as if ANYONE knew how long the battle would go on.Listen Den….don’ you dare bring false equivalency into this.The leader of our military went to bed on 911 as this countries land ,and her ambassador, and our fighting men were butchered.He was forewarned.Begged even- for help.He lied about his useless ass after- cause goddamit he had an election to win.In my time in special forces ,when the clarion bell rang you mounted up and went in guns ablazin.Your life was on the line on behalf of your countrymen in peril.You wanna stand with this man?Tell you what …..if I ever need help.If I am ever in peril I wont expect help from him or you.Keep your suits buttoned and your checkbooks balanced.Lawyer up.Hide behind your rhetoric.I see you clear as day.Disgusting
Dennis
I’ve always considered blind partisanship an example of being “brain dead”.
You might ask the countless victims of Dear Misleader’s policies, including those in Libya, about Democratic virtue.
Although I’m fairly certain you’ll decline the suggestion.
With no loss of American life, the Obama administration followed a policy that helped overthrow the regime of Muammar Khadafy. This compares favorably with the Bush administration policy in Iraq.
The fact that in the chaos afterwards several Americans were killed is most unfortunate. But in perspective compare this with Iraq where some 5,000 Americans were killed. The Republicans and a complaisant mainstream mass media have tried their very best to turn what is in reality a great success into a foreign policy failure.
Remember that it is Republicans who cut the budget for embassy protection by some $300 million. And yet they have the nerve to try to blame Democrats for poor security in Benghazi.
About 50,000 Libyans were killed in the civil war against Khadafy that we so assiduously promoted. Is it a surprise that some LIbyans should be very angry at us ?
Michael – I’m sure you were just as outraged when a president “slept” as 3,000 Americans were killed. I’m sure yo up wanted more investigations into an illegal war that has seen thousands of our military wounded or injured and trillions of dollars wasted. I’m also sure you want answers as to why a Republican congress cut finding that affected security around the world. Or, maybe not, you right wing, conspiracy theorists don’t like analyzing the horrid mistakes on your side. One president sells guns illegally to Iran, one gets a blow job in the Oval Office – which one do Rethuglicans want to impeach?
So sad, FAIR, so sad. The hyperbole and hysterical jeremiads are completely over the top here, even for m.e.. Here’s hoping the ‘cons start up the impeachment train. What fun!
to michael e: “This bunch”? You mean the bunch that’s been in control since Reagan? Well, Nixon. Well, Johnson. Well, …
I will answer all your questions by simply saying this…..I did not vote for Bush and thought many of his policy moves to be mistakes.I thought the same about Carter…Reagan…..Bush(sr) Clinton as well.In those times I fought to change what I felt was wrong doing when I voted for someone…and when I did not.I worked for Clinton and personally i think he had more grey matter than all these fellows combined.I also would of voted to impeach him for lying under oath if the power was mine.Obama trumps them all though because he is not history.He is our leader now.The flames are under his ass now.Talking about Bushes failings (as he fishes at his watering hole) is a waste of time.Obama is a novice.An ideolog.And dadgummit a bold faced liar!And…… a lousy president.If he WOULD of slept through the whole time in office -he may of been a success.Instead his every action sets forth an avalanche of idiocy, and malfeasance that only the word progressive does honor to..He took the job and all eyes are on him.So stuff everybody else at this point.Either stand up for him or step aside.
Sorry, m.e., but no one can quite understand what it is you’re talking about . . . could you re-phrase all that? Take your time.
Repub spokespeople and operatives are huffing and puffing trying to make a huge mountain out of a molehill. Sure, mid level U.S. officials may have made some bad calls that resulted in the demise of the ambassador and several other people. But it is ridiculous to try to lay responsibility on the Secretary of State or the President. Once again, let’s remember it is the Republicans in the House of Representatives who decided to cut $300 million from embassy protection. Criticizing the President for sleeping while men got killed is absurd. Everyone needs sleep, and people who go without sleep for too long are likely to have worse and worse judgment.
I love it! The great Micheal-e didn’t vote for any of the Reich Wingers yet support them in so far all cases? How do you do that?
Benghazi is a FUBAR and Hillary Clinton warned about such things in 2011, just that the always “frugal” Republicans wanted to save some money. Also the CIA who had control of that building and the Consulate did nothing to help the four who foolishly came to such a dangerous area without any protection. The Lybians couldn’t do it and any American forces were 3 hours away (if they could get refueling) from reaching the area. Even so they would have to land and disembark too and then drive to the area.
No questions for the CIA who says they have no reason to extend security since they only protect their CIA assets, not diplomats. Anyone questioning why this is? Not a peep from Cons, how about Libs? Michael-e?
Nightgaunt I said I did not vote for George Bush jr.I felt he was unqualified.Of course Obama had no qualifications.As far as the CIA protecting our embassies Im not sure you understand the job they are charged with.Bengazi has a seminal question yet to be answered.Wher…..THE HELL WAS THE PRESIDENT?We need a full investigation with suboena powers.We also need a full investigation on the IRS scandal.Third on the list is Katharine sabilious extorting money from insurance companies for Obama care.that is next on the horizon.as usual when ever these scandals happen Obama is off fundraising.Telling all who will listen that he was not there when all this happened.The man can lie i will give him that.like nailing jello to a tree.As far as asking me why i back the right more than the left………Intelligence sir .Intelligence
Again, we’re having trouble parsing your wisdom . . . could you repeat all that?
Sure………We need an independent council with subpoena powers to investigate this white house.Pick a scandal……….any scandal
actually I feel pretty wronged by your analysis. Go back to my original questions that I posed in my Congressional testimony. I dont think any of them have been fully answered and none by the way are concerned w/ the talking points which I feel is just a political partisan issue. Do you guys ever do research when you write these things or do you just read the newspaper?
Oh! The FauxRage! We have known since late 2012 from sworn testimony by General David Petreaus that the references about al Queda were scrubbed from the talking points to protect an ongoing investigation from what turns out to be well-placed fear of GOP politicization of the event…. imagine a loudmouth like Michele Bachman with that information: She’s not known to be able to protect American lives by keeping her gay-prayin’ yap shut.
As for Obama: The Benghazi attack occurred at night in Libya, daylight in the eastern US, so Obama hardly “slept” through the attack and the aftermath. The Benghazi compound wasn’t an embassy, either… and never in the history of the United States have we dispatched such a meager response [four men] into an area where we have no military backup. Libya was not Iraq, where the US has substantial assets ready to mobilize, but rather a foreign nation, full of anti-aircraft missiles potentially poised to down a US aircraft, and who doesn’t know that the right wing echo chamber wouldn’t have taken Obama to task had those men been killed in a poorly planned and manned rescue mission in hostile territory.
No, the comments section here proves that no legitimate criticism can be leveled at the Obama administration, the State Department, or the US military so it’s all about trumped up half-truths and Monday-morning quarterbacking by desperate ideologues hell bent on smearing Ms Clinton in any way possible in advance of her potential 2016 run for the White House.
Ironically the politicizing and outright disrespect for those killed in this unfortunate episode are a bunch of flag hugging yahoos, and since this seems to be the current state of the Republican gang at the moment, it becomes more understandable why they insist on clinging to the phantoms of conspiracy swirling around this tragedy
Rafael the word is is that president obama was briefed…..That he told Hilary to handle things and ,disappeared from all contact until he awoke and was told our ambassador was dead.Now if you are saying that that story is a lie ,as was told to us as a loose overview from his press secretary- Im willing to admit you are right.History would say the odds are on your side.Problem is -is the president has not spoke on the minutes of this calamity.I believe a special investigation with powers that could compel the president to testify would be best.
A big fallacy in several of the posts (Michael E in particular) is that the President is supposed to function as a micromanager responding to each and every problem that arises. He does not have time. He has to delegate.
e.j did you say michro manage?Really?Let me tell you this …half of what Obama says he first read about in the papers has been on my radar for a year.He is either so badly served by his entire cabinet that most of them should be fired or…….as we have seen again and again and again with these scandals he is lying his ass off.Why cant you just admit that with all these scandals -The same thread runs through out …..that he did anything to get elected.And that meant covering up all his disasters.By hook or crook.This is all a disgrace.If you think the sharks that are now closing in on him should back off as the water fills with blood ,than your just being stupid.It is every americans job to follow this evidence where ever it may lead.To finally vet a man that was never vetted by the press.You all,and people like you on this sight created this monster.you let him believe he could get away with anything.You should be leading the charge to clean up your own mess.yet still you try to blunt the spear.Look how every move he makes is a lie.Today we find out that the woman who was in charge of “investigating” the tea party for the IRS has been put in charge of enforcement of Obama care for the IRS! This scoundrel has not been brought to heal yet.Nod and a wink he gives and on he goes,and where it stops we ALL know.It stops when you on the left say ENOUGH