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Obama Administration Replaces Top Generals Following Benghazi Disaster
Gateway Pundit ^ | October 27, 2012 | Jim Holt

Posted on 10/27/2012 4:39:50 PM PDT by bobsunshine

The latest rumor making the rounds is that Barack Obama replaced General Carter Ham at Africom after the general made a move to help the US security officials at the Benghazi consulate and annex. Ham was replaced by Gen. David Rodriquez on October 18. Tiger Droppings reported:

The information I heard today was that General [Carter] Ham as head of Africom received the same e-mails the White House received requesting help/support as the attack was taking place. General Ham immediately had a rapid response unit ready and communicated to the Pentagon that he had a unit ready.

General Ham then received the order to stand down. His response was to screw it, he was going to help anyhow. Within 30 seconds to a minute after making the move to respond, his second in command apprehended General Ham and told him that he was now relieved of his command.

The story continues that now General Rodiguez would take General Ham’s place as the head of Africom.

Sure enough Obama nominated Gen. David Rodriguez to replace Gen. Carter Ham as commander of U.S. Africa Command. The Stars and Stripes reported:

President Barack Obama will nominate Army Gen. David Rodriguez to succeed Gen. Carter Ham as commander of U.S. Africa Command and Marine Lt. Gen. John Paxton to succeed Gen. Joseph Dunford as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Thursday.

Both appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.

Rodriguez is the commander of U.S. Army Forces Command and has served in a “variety of key leadership roles on the battlefield,” Panetta said.

He’s “a proven leader” who oversaw coalition and Afghan forces during the surge in Afghanistan, and “was the key architect of the successful campaign plan that we are now implementing,” Panetta said.

In announcing Ham’s successor, Panetta also praised the work Ham has done with Africa Command.

“Gen. Ham has really brought AFRICOM into a very pivotal role in that challenging region,” Panetta said. “I and the nation are deeply grateful for his outstanding service.”

Hat Tip Tom

More… The Obama Administration also relieved the admiral in command of an aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, Rear Adm. Charles M. Gaouette. It is highly unusual for the Navy to replace a carrier strike group commander during its deployment. The Stars and Stripes reported:

The Navy said Saturday it is replacing the admiral in command of an aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, pending the outcome of an internal investigation into undisclosed allegations of inappropriate judgment.

Rear Adm. Charles M. Gaouette is being sent back to the USS John C. Stennis’ home port at Bremerton, Wash., in what the Navy called a temporary reassignment. The Navy said he is not formally relieved of his command of the Stennis strike group but will be replaced by Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker, who will assume command until the investigation is completed.

It is highly unusual for the Navy to replace a carrier strike group commander during its deployment.

Ace of Spades says the move to replace Rear Adm. Charles Baouette is likely not related to Benghazi.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: africom; benghazi; benghazinavy; generalcarterham; generalham; generals; obama; purge
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To: bobsunshine

Impeach the bastard! The Clear and Pres__ent Danger in the Oval Office!


61 posted on 10/27/2012 6:21:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: norton

The CIA guys that were killed were told to stand down. They didn’t. Disregarding orders? Sounds like they did.

No man left behind. First instinct is to save Americans in harm’s way. As well it should be.

Obama made the political decision not to go in. It was a 50/50 chance of success and he didn’t want a Carter failed Iran rescue. So he left Stevens hanging. Then he left the entire situation hanging.

Harms way? That’s what soldiers do. The ex SEALs would have elevated and given a threat assessment. 50 unfriendlies with AKs and mortars. That was relayed up the chain of command.

Several have said 5 pm was when Obama decided not to go and them he retired for the night.

Ham would know that. Panetta would know that. There will be a paper trail as well.


62 posted on 10/27/2012 6:24:06 PM PDT by TigerClaws
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To: bobsunshine

WOW! This is very informative! Obama is taking tactics that Erdogan (Turkey’s PM) did to remove tops generals. This sent a message to the Army to not even think of a coup. We might have more going on here thn meets the eye.


63 posted on 10/27/2012 6:35:55 PM PDT by Shery (in APO Land)
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To: bobsunshine

Damn, there is so much we’ve yet to learn. Obama’s “stonewall” is crumbling brick by brick and at this rate it will take months to break through to find the truth.


64 posted on 10/27/2012 6:43:25 PM PDT by JerseyDvl (Cogito Ergo Doleo Soetoro, ABO and of course FUBO!)
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To: TigerClaws

So it was the ex-SEALs who they wanted dead. They definitely wanted someone in that fight dead.


65 posted on 10/27/2012 7:01:54 PM PDT by arrogantsob (The Disaster MUST Go. Sarah herself supports Romney.)
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To: TigerClaws; arrogantsob

Q: Does this mean that the four who died were all complicit in Obama’s gun running?


66 posted on 10/27/2012 7:12:16 PM PDT by Kimberly GG ("Path to Citizenship" Amnesty candidates will NOT get my vote!)
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To: Timber Rattler; bobsunshine
bob>Within 30 seconds to a minute after making the move to respond, his second in command apprehended General Ham and told him that he was now relieved of his command.

Knowing how the Army works, I have a lot of trouble believing this.

I don't have trouble believing this with Marxists in WH, DOD & State.

67 posted on 10/27/2012 7:14:05 PM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your teaching is my delight.)
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To: Kimberly GG

Not necessarily, the CIA was allegedly trying to locate heavy duty weapons that had been looted from Quaddafi’s stash. Weapons that incompetence of Obama Administration failed to secure.

State Department and Ambassador may or may not have had a different agenda.

Katherine Herridge will be on Huckabee Sunday at 7 pm and she has lots to report on the subject. It’s worth listening.


68 posted on 10/27/2012 7:21:46 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Shery

What we have going on here isn’t a coup, it’s what dictators do to prevent a coup.

It’s called a PURGE.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSpurge.htm

The “soft purge” whereby non compliant or suspect officers are simply forced out or have their careers terminated over trivial stuff has been going on for several years now. I think that Lt. Col. Allan West was an early victim of the soft coup, as was Terry Lakin who doubted Hussein’s qualifications to be CiC.

With the Bengazi massacre (a minor massacre but nonetheless...) and the sudden sacking of at least 3 major Commanders, we just saw the soft purge ramp up a little.

Had a General resisted their “apprehension” (arrest) or displacement, I have little doubt that they would have been “neutralized” on the spot. This Chicago bunch plays for keeps, especially when they are working with the Ikwan/Jihad.

When Staff Officers start meeting their demise from “friendly fire” or mysterious accidents like the one that took out an Agriculture Secretary some years back - then you will know that the “Hard purge” has begun.

If Stalin’s model is resorted to, as it well may be, they will simply be taken out and shot.

Whatever remains of the US Military after a successful purge will not mind turning against the American People one little bit. Even if they do mind, they WILL obey.

Good luck with your hunting rifles guys; they are no match for the technical and tactical resources of even a surviving third of the US Military, never mind foreign “helpers”, domestic and imported Hajis and Obama’s Mercenaries.

If our military can’t or won’t save us, then it’s entirely up to God.

If you were God, would YOU save us?

For God’s sake; don’t let it happen, guys!


69 posted on 10/27/2012 7:25:02 PM PDT by George Varnum (Liberty, like our Forefather's Flintlock Musket, must be kept clean, oiled, and READY!)
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To: George Varnum

Don’t have to win them all, just leave a scar every chance you get!


70 posted on 10/27/2012 7:28:17 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not a Matter of Opinion)
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To: greeneyes

Thanks for the heads up....I’ll have to watch...call me crazy, but I’m not getting it...trying to figure out if the looted weapons were in the hands of pro-Quaddafi? Were we going to get them back and ‘redistribute’ them with the rest of the guns we were running to Al Qaeda?


71 posted on 10/27/2012 7:39:03 PM PDT by Kimberly GG ("Path to Citizenship" Amnesty candidates will NOT get my vote!)
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To: RoosterRedux

If this is indeed a major cover-up and coup in progress do you think you are going to have a secondary source!!!

Phhhhhtttt.....you trust the government press too much.


72 posted on 10/27/2012 7:44:00 PM PDT by EBH (0bama is guilty of willful neglect of duty.)
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To: bobsunshine; All
Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer: My sources tell me Obama was in the room watching Benghazi attack
73 posted on 10/27/2012 7:44:39 PM PDT by Larousse2 (The price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance. ~ Thomas Jefferson)
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To: TigerClaws

Makes sense.


74 posted on 10/27/2012 7:49:10 PM PDT by tennmountainman
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To: All
Folks, it's "court martial".
75 posted on 10/27/2012 8:11:34 PM PDT by OKSooner
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To: All
Folks, it's "court martial".
76 posted on 10/27/2012 8:11:51 PM PDT by OKSooner
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To: bobsunshine

So the rumors have now moved to the next level of news. I find that more interesting. Either Gateway Pundit is stupid to run with rumor or they have someone to back this story up.


77 posted on 10/27/2012 8:26:41 PM PDT by Lady Heron
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To: OKSooner
courts-martial is probably more correct.

http://www.constitution.org/mil/ucmj19970615.htm#IV

78 posted on 10/27/2012 8:35:55 PM PDT by stylin19a (Obama ->The Jayson Blair administration)
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To: okie01
Rodriguez requires Senate confirmation before he can assume his post.

I think this calls for a filibuster! Nothing will happen before the election. A filibuster on this would put a monkey wrench on every other agenda on Obama's list in a lame duck session!

79 posted on 10/27/2012 8:36:25 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: TigerClaws

You scenario is plausible. I still get cold chills as I remember Charles Woods talking about the President as this cold fish. No doubt in my mind that he is that sort of person. From day one, this is the impression he gave me.


80 posted on 10/27/2012 9:09:12 PM PDT by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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