50 Marines headed to Benghazi
A day late and a dollar short, a Marine “fast team” is headed to Libya to protect the pile of rubble that used to be our consulate there according to Fox News.
The official said a Marine “fast team” is being sent from the U.S. Naval base in Rota, Spain. They are not yet on the ground.
The move comes after President Obama ordered “all necessary resources” provided to Libya to support the security of U.S. personnel in the country.
In a statement, Obama also said he’s directed his administration to “increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe.”
Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other American staff members were killed in the attacks Tuesday.
While I’m certain that most Americans are outraged by the pictures of Ambassador Stevens’ body being carried through the streets, I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to post it all over the internet. And, yes, we all want to talk tough about going over there and kicking some ass, but I don’t see lines of youngsters lining up at recruiting station. I’m also curious as to what 50 Marines coming from Spain will be able to do at this point, unless they’re going to do like the Marines did in Tripoli in 1804 during the Barbary War and fight through the streets.
If ever there was need for drone attacks, this one is ideal – Hellfire missiles to cover the evacuation.
Category: Terror War
Fuck
They burned the fucking embassy down! What is there to protect? The ashes and foundation?
Fucking empty chair.
Oh, and by the way, why isn’t every American OUTRAGED that these attacks were perpetrated on September 11th, one of the most tragic anniversaries in our history?
Why does this President yield to the “feelings” of every sand puke, but forget about the sentiments of his own countrymen?
(Don’t answer that. It’s rhetorical.)
And now Karzai is incensing the shit out of people…..
I’ve been hiding the photos of Ambassador Stevens’ body all morning. It’s unreal.
Today as a temporary army recruiter I will have to call 100+ seniors. The parents of these kids will tell me how much they support me and how pissed they are at Libya. Every single one will tell me they want the US to kick someone shit in….not one will let their kid join. One more year and iIm back on the line.
Hey it’s okay guys haven’t you heard what Barack and Hillary said? They were just dragging his body through the streets to take him to the hospital.
@6…Yeah, I heard that and it pissed me off.
Why don’t we work on getting our people out of Egypt, instead? Hearing reports the Muslim Brotherhood has called for “peaceful” protests all over Egypt on Friday…
So . . . I wonder how the Obama Administration likes all that Arab Spring “change” they helped bring about now?
“If ever there was need for drone attacks, this one is ideal – Hellfire missiles to cover the evacuation.”
We’ve got an older autonomous missile based platform that I wouldn’t mind seeing used.
@3 I would be outraged by this if it happened on a generic Tuesday afternoon. The fact that it was September 11th doesn’t make an inexcusable, incomprehensible act of utter cowardice and stupidity any ‘worse’ for me.
I don’t see where the President has yielded to any foreign sentiment in this, though.
@4: The caption of the photos claim that these “civilians” were carrying him to medical treatment. Yeah, right.
I didn’t need to see the photos, just like I didn’t need to see the video and photos in 1993 (my outrage was intact before and after). The outcome is the same, and so the response will be the same, as well i.e. Dead Americans paraded through the streets and nothing will be done about it.
Guess I simply am not capable of understanding the nuance of all this. We were attacked. Respond with MUCH greater force then bring the warriors home.
Of course, I still do not understand what was gained from deposing the relatively benign dictator in Libya in the first place, so of course can never understand the point of whatever course of action this bunch of idiots will plan much less execute.
Idiot in charge: Let’s talk about this.
Idiot underlings: Great idea!
IiC: Who can we blame? Break into groups and get me a report on that within a month or so. Be sure to schedule a bunch of meetings. We need to remain too busy to talk with Israel.
Iu: You got it, boss!
IiC: Be sure to include everyone to whom we should appologize for capitolism. I need that list within 18 hours. Get something up on the ‘prompter within 6 just in case Romney mentions anyting else about this, looking, you know, all presidential and everything.
#11: The U.S. Embassy (Obama’s State Department) wrote the following after its building was invaded:
“We condemn the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.”
Not to be outdone by its own stupidity, the U.S. Embassy (Obama’s State Department) then released the following statement:
“We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.”
When is he going to make a statement about “Those who would foolishly choose September 11th as a day to invade our soverienty do so at their own peril”?
When is going state that “On this September 11th, the 11th anniversary of the greatest terror attack against the United States, it should be abundantly clear that those who bring violence and death upon Americans will pay a price that they currently fail to again comprehend or appreciate, as they failed to do so 11 years ago.”
Regarding the helping / dragging, here’s a link that has a bit more – apparently the AFP is indeed saying they were helping. This isn’t too surprising to me and I’d recommend not jumping the gun and assuming otherwise on this:
http://www.therightscoop.com/us-ambassador-and-3-staffers-killed-in-islamist-attack-on-u-s-consulate-in-benghazi-libya/
@14 I believe the original statement by the embassy was made BEFORE the grounds were breached, back when it was a relatively peaceful protest (misguided, sure, but not threatening). You can find various time-tables online for this.
As for making a statement about foolishly invading us, again, I think that should just be a given, and not tied to any day. I don’t give a damn if you invade on September 11th, August 15th, May 22nd or February 29th. If someone attacks us, anywhere, and kills Americans, it’s an act of war and they should be tracked down and ‘brought to justice’.
Anonymous: disagree. Military actions are not and never should be about justice per se, but about defending national itnerests.
I’d prefer to see just retribution delivered to them on-site.
Massively disproportionate retribution, unfortunately. Because it appears that many in that part of the world learn from nothing else.
Saw this all before under Carter. It will only get worse as we appear to be weak.
Islamists demanding apology.
http://weaselzippers.us/2012/09/12/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-demands-obama-apologize-for-mohammed-movie-calls-on-u-s-to-prosecute-madmen-behind-film/
Response should be: “Eat pigshit and die painfully”
I watched the Pred feed this morning until it went off station. It looked worse than what the media is able to show from the gorund vantage. The real problem with targetting at this point, is that the centers of gravity for a response that is accurate regarding locations and personalities, haven’t really been nurtured in libya.
I’d rather us take the time to ensure we get the bastards who are behind this, than randomly sending steel downrange.
#15 LC
Yes, it does appear to be helping rather than dragging.
As a nation, we don’t have the stomach for it anymore, but Muslims who act with violence against ANY American or our interests, need the Black Jack Pershing Solution administered upon them without restraint.
“Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”
When will the US and Europe get past their self inflicted guilt and stop trying to fix all the countries of the world’s problems? No matter what we do, the world will hate us for it. They disguise their jealousy of the West’s success as some invented outrage of the oppressed.
I am however fairly impressed at the turnaround time it took for the Libyans to “repay” us for the air cover, political support, and financial resources we provided during their “revolution”. It took roughly two decades for our support of the Muj in Afghanaland to bite us in the @ss. It seems they are equipped to bite the hand that feeds them at the viral speed which little girls comment about their favorite pop star’s outfit.
We have seen this before. Weak leadership.
Listen closely now and you can hear whispers fron Simi Valley, CA, “send an aircraft carrier and an amphibious task force to the region.”
Peace through Strength
Ronald Reagan used the phrase and credited the American Security Council Foundation in political campaigning during his election challenge against Jimmy Carter, accusing the incumbent of weak, vacillating leadership that invited enemies to attack the USA and its allies.[4] Reagan later considered it one of the mainstays of his foreign policy as President of the United States. In 1983, he explained it thus:
We know that peace is the condition under which mankind was meant to flourish. Yet peace does not exist of its own will. It depends on us, on our courage to build it and guard it and pass it on to future generations. George Washington’s words may seem hard and cold today, but history has proven him right again and again. “To be prepared for war, he said, “is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
Is it silly to wonder how many lawyers will be going with the Marines?
From Breitbart:
According to a CBS News report updated at 8:39 am Eastern time Wednesday, the Libyan security forces hired to protect the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya moved Ambassador Chris Stevens to a second building within the consulate, then told the militant crowds where he was:
Wanis al-Sharef, a Libyan Interior Ministry official in Benghazi, said the four Americans were killed when the angry mob, which gathered to protest a U.S.-made film that ridicules Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, fired guns and burned down the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
He said Stevens, 52, and other officials were moved to a second building, deemed safer, after the initial wave of protests at the consulate. According to al-Sharef, members of the Libyan security team seem to have indicated to the protesters the building to which the American officials had been relocated, and that building then came under attack.
Stevens, 52, was the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979.
Though information on the circumstances surrounding Ambassador Stevens’s death remain unclear, it appears that the embassy was not guarded by American Marines, but instead by local Libyans hired to act as a security force.
Questions about the cause of Ambassador Stevens’ death remain unanswered. Initial reports indicated that he died when the car he was in was hit by a grenade launcher. Subsequent reports indicate that he was suffocated.
But some reports indicated that he may not have been killed in an attack on the car, but instead was dragged through the crowd and killed in some other manner. A photograph purporting to be of Ambassador Stevens, who appears to be still alive, but being dragged through a crowd of militant protesters, appeared on the website National Turk.
In addition to Ambassador Stevens, two Marines and an embassy staff member were killed. The Marines appeared to have been sent in from another location just as the protest erupted.
By way of amplification, FAST is Fleet Antiterroism Security Team. A rapidly deployable team of specially trained Marines whose mission would be security in the face of a terroristic threat or action. Their job will be to provide security for those remaining in Benghazi or to provide security during extraction.
#22, that is why you can never trust those people. Not saying all of them, but many.
Call me an asshole warmonger, if we are gonna send only 50 Marines then we need to soften the ground before we let them land with a GBU-43/B, then they can set up and take some good pics, drink some lemonade, eat some MREs, call it a day and go.
@ 26 … ROG that! The FAST is a bandaid. What we need is a battle dressing.
I still hear the whisper … “send an aircraft carrier and an amphibious task force to the region.”
Editorial Note:
No offense to the FAST is intended. My position is SLEDGE HAMMER vs. wooden mallet.
@29 okay GBU-43/B all around maybe a six pack, 12 pak?, make it an even case of 24, spread em out and let em all have some, and cold beer on the deck for the Marines to sit this one out, they’ve earned it.
CARTER was president last time this happened. He was my first CinC. OBAMA was my last CinC. We have come full cicle. Yes, I am pissed.
@ Hondo: I think we actually agree, we’re just getting lost in the semantics. I put ‘brought to justice’ in quotes because the actual implementation of that depends on what is best for US interests. Right now, being angry, I want all the violent perpetrators killed.
My overall point was simply that it’s in US interests to ensure that everyone knows that attacking US embassies and their personnel will not be tolerated. Not just on September 11th, but any day.
@31 – “CARTER was president last time this happened.”
Except for Beirut in 1983.
@29: “No offense to the FAST is intended. My position is SLEDGE HAMMER vs. wooden mallet.”
Fuckin A right, Bubba!!!
@33: Apples and Oranges.
33 I think he was talking about the last time an ambassador was killed in the line of duty.
No backbone, the empty chair is screwing this country here and abroad. I am angered beyond words to be honest… Obama has to go for the sake of this country. Apologising to the damned extremeist for their barbaric behavior brought on by a fucking movie… that Iran stoked the flames of.
Michelle Malkin is saying that the other two murdered with the ambassador and staffer were UNited States Marines. They MURDERED our Brothers on Arms. And we do NOTHING?
@36 – Could be right.
@OT – “Apples and Oranges”
Unless its the distinction of the Ambassador being a victim…they’re both apples.
#16:
“I don’t give a damn if you invade on September 11th, August 15th, May 22nd or February 29th. If someone attacks us, anywhere, and kills Americans, it’s an act of war and they should be tracked down and ‘brought to justice’.”
Agreed.
Can someone tell me what kind of mental midget thought it was a great idea to have Libyan security forces guard an American embassy?!?!? Perhaps local forces helping guard an embassy in a country like Fiji, but a country that just went through a violent civil war, that has radical militants roaming the streets, and does not yet have a strong central government?
Security is a individual responsibility, any gun owner will tell you this. How does the state department not see it this way? Or the Army who doesn’t let Soldiers carry a mag in the well? Where is this naivety that is permeating the country coming from?!?!?
I am so pissed right now that I wish I could lace up my boots and go get some… I had to take some time and drive around to cool off.
Yes guys …. look at this in terms of scope and history. 1979 US Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Compare this (including Egypt) and Tehran. Just me view!
@41 – It’s been typical [in recent years anyway] for local national security to be assigned to Consulates. Embassies still retain the Marine Embassy Guards.
@ 41 … Most host nation agreements have such provisions to include security, admin support, and other like non US government and diplomatic jobs. Crazy … yes … Smart … no … The way it is done … yes.
OK – now I am whatever comes a few stages after being pissed. Were these only the diplomatic weinies who live for verbal conflict (but according to the idiots in their pressers today put their lives on the line every day) I actually cannot work up too much outrage except for the violation of sovereign territory. But two of the victims were US Marines? Out of line. Way, way out of line.
The only reason a US Marine should be anywhere near an embassy, consulate, or whatever State wants to call it this week is fully armed and ready to defend it. Obviously that was not the case here.
Screw these clowns and the stinking hippies they rode in on! They are not just incompetant, they are dangerous and have gotten entirely too many Americans killed.
Can we even survive to get them thrown out in January?
@39: That is exactly what I was referring to.
As for Embassies being attacked; there are more recent instances than Beirut (1998 comes to mind).
OWB, there are, and always have been, United States Marines as the gaurd force at our embassies. They are known as MSG’s, Marine Security Guards.
I really wish I could find a way to reenlist. Fuck their whole country. Turn that place into a glass parking lot. Im about sick to damn death of this shit. Yeah Im pissed that they got our ambassador, Im pissed about the staffer, Im furious about the two Marines but what really pisses me off about the whole situation was that this was orchestrated to coincide with the anniversary of 9/11.
The identity of the guy that made this movie is still a mystery.
He claims to be an Israeli Jew, but according to New York Daily News, Israeli diplomats say they have no record of any citizen by that name. There are no records of his name or as a real estate agent either in California, where he is supposedly hiding out now.