"Intelligence office says it got Libya attack wrong, not White House"

[applegrove]

Intelligence office says it got Libya attack wrong, not White House

By Jonathan S. Landay and Lesley Clark | McClatchy Newspapers

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/09/28/170078/intelligence-office-says-it-got.html

"SNIP...................................................

WASHINGTON — Extremists from groups linked to al Qaida struck the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in a “deliberate and organized terrorist attack,” the top U.S. intelligence agency said Friday, as it took responsibility for the Obama administration’s initial claims that the deadly assault grew from a spontaneous protest against an anti-Islam video.

The unusual statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence appeared to have two goals: updating the public on the latest findings of the investigation into the assault, and shielding the White House from a political backlash over its original accounts.

“In the immediate aftermath (of the assault), there was information that led us to assess that the attack began spontaneously following protests earlier that day at our embassy in Cairo,” spokesman Sean Turner said in the statement. “We provided that initial assessment to executive branch officials and members of Congress, who used that information to discuss the attack publicly.”

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates and sets policies for the 16 other U.S. intelligence agencies, is led by retired Air Force Gen. James Clapper, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in August 2010.


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[creeksneakers2]

1. What really was said

The vast right wing conspiracy manufactured this controversey by lying about what the administration said and confusing demonstrations against the video with the murder of the ambassador. The Obama administration said the tape caused the demonstrations, which is true. They did not say the tape caused the murder of the ambassador. The VRWC cites UN ambassador Susan Rice's appearance on Meet the Press as when the administration falsely said the tape caused the murder. Here are ambassodor Rice's actual words:

"...what happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of-- of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, which were prompted, of course, by the video. What we think then transpired in Benghazi is that opportunistic extremist elements came to the consulate as this was unfolding. They came with heavy weapons which unfortunately are readily available in post revolutionary Libya. And it escalated into a much more violent episode. Obviously, that’s-- that’s our best judgment now. We’ll await the results of the investigation."

She doesn't say the tape caused the murder. She said the murderers took advantage of the situation the tape created. She also said they weren't sure of all the facts yet. There are no lies there.

The one who really lied about what happened in Libya was Mitt Romney, who said the White House sympathized with the attackers.

[applegrove]

2. Thanks for the clarification. I did not follow the attacks and the aftermath all that closely.

[NCLefty]

3. But... the GOP+FOX said it was Obama

and also that's why I shouldn't vote for him.

CONFUZZLED! :/


/snark filter off