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Have You Noticed?
Townhall.com ^ | January 1, 2013 | Paul Greenberg

Posted on 01/01/2013 9:11:08 AM PST by Kaslin

Nobody resigns in disgrace any more. Disgrace may be just as common as ever -- such is the human condition -- but not resignations. Even when they're clearly called for. Rank still has its privileges, especially when it's abused. As when the higher-ups at the State Department failed to protect our best and brightest -- like Ambassador Chris Stevens, a rising star in our diplomatic corps. Along with three other dedicated professionals, he was killed in the terrorist raid on an American compound in Benghazi.

An independent investigation of that bloody debacle was clearly needed. This one was headed by two well-known figures: veteran Ambassador Thomas Pickering and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen. After conducting more than a hundred interviews and watching hours of videotapes of the attack, their report confirmed what was already obvious: "systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels" of the State Department.

Early in this scandal, Hillary Clinton said that, as secretary of state, she took responsibility for what had happened at Benghazi. But last time I looked, she was still secretary of state. Conclusion: When some officials say they take responsibility, what they mean is that they say they take responsibility. Nothing else is required of them. Not an apology, not even a full explanation, and certainly not resignation. However much they talk about accepting responsibility for some ghastly failure.

Sidelined by a virus and then a concussion, Secretary Clinton never has testified fully about her role in that bloody debacle. Here's wishing her a full and speedy recovery. She's still got some explaining to do.

Whole layers of the far-flung bureaucracy Ms. Clinton heads failed to foil an attack that should have been anticipated -- and prevented. Any efforts to do so were summed up by this report in two words: "grossly inadequate." Which may be an understatement, considering the extent of the mismanagement at State.

The final report from this independent commission praised our people on the ground in Benghazi, especially the guards who showed nothing but courage in the face of the onslaught.

It was the higher-ups in their distant towers who failed to carry out their responsibilities. Utterly. Despite a series of earlier attacks, despite a clear warning from al-Qaida, and even repeated pleas for more protection from our diplomats in Benghazi, nothing was done. And the slaughter commenced.

Four high-ranking officials at State finally resigned. But only after the report of the investigators was released. Even then, according to the news story, they did so under pressure. And only after weeks of public outrage, congressional fuming, and a continuing stream of misleading statements about the attack and what prompted it from the White House, the State Department (aka Foggy Bottom), and the administration's usual apologists. Its defenders have yet to meet a scandal they can't explain away or, failing that, try to minimize. Even a fatal lack of responsibility, like the one that led to the murderous assault at Benghazi. . .

The list of resignees reads like a Who's Who of State Department officials responsible for security, or what there was of it at Benghazi: the assistant secretary for diplomatic security, the deputy assistant secretary for embassy security, and a deputy assistant secretary responsible for overseeing U.S. diplomatic missions across a whole swath of North Africa -- from Morocco and Algeria to Tunisia and Libya.

But it's still not clear whether these dignitaries will be leaving the State Department or just their current posts. For now, according to the State Department's official spokesman, they're "on administrative leave pending further action." . .

Who knows, the people now being blamed for failing to protect our people at Benghazi may wind up being promoted. The way our ambassador to the United Nations, the Hon. Susan E. Rice, rose through the State Department's ranks after cozying up to one bloody-minded despot after another in Africa -- from Ghana to Ethiopia, Rwanda to Uganda. She seemed unable to recognize genocide on that still dark continent no matter how obvious, and certainly unable to pronounce the word -- lest she offend the genocidal.

Naturally enough, Susan Rice was being talked about not long ago as our next secretary of state -- till she made the mistake of lending herself to the Authorized Version of what had happened at Benghazi: She said it was just an outgrowth of widespread public furor over an amateurish anti-Muslim video made by some fly-by-night promoter in this country. Rather than the well-planned, premeditated terrorist assault it was, perhaps by al-Qaida and/or its affiliates. Much awaits to be revealed -- if it ever is.

Ambassador Rice's story was already unraveling even as she repeated it in one television appearance after another. In the end, rather than risk further embarrassment, the lady had the good judgment to decide she shouldn't be nominated for secretary of state after all.

Now it's said that, as a consolation prize, she'll be this president's next adviser on, of all things, national security. Perfect. There's a term for this kind of thing in Washington: falling up. . .

Once it was said that nothing succeeds like success. But in this administration -- have you noticed? -- nothing succeeds like failure.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: benghazi; hillaryclinton; libya; susanrice
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1 posted on 01/01/2013 9:11:10 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Disgrace? A criminal, a sociopath, a socialist. a psychopath, a totalitarian? Disgrace?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tro2U-cezqo


2 posted on 01/01/2013 9:18:50 AM PST by PGalt
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To: Kaslin

Petraeus?
I’d like to see John Roberts do it. Andy Reid might have but they fired him first.


3 posted on 01/01/2013 9:20:46 AM PST by gusopol3
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To: Kaslin

1 Kings 12:10
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
1 Kings 12:9-11 (in Context) 1 Kings 12 (Whole Chapter)


4 posted on 01/01/2013 9:21:38 AM PST by shineon
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To: Kaslin

It started in earnest with Clintoon.


5 posted on 01/01/2013 9:23:11 AM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Kaslin

Hillary took blame, not responsibility. Had she taken responsibility she would be wearing an orange jumpsuit.


6 posted on 01/01/2013 9:23:29 AM PST by Dutch Boy
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To: Kaslin
Now it's said that, as a consolation prize, she'll be this president's next adviser on, of all things, national security. Perfect. There's a term for this kind of thing in Washington: falling up. . .

Falling up? The term is SOCIALISM. BIG GOVERNMENT IS CRONY SOCIALISM. Disgrace? A socialist disgraced? WAKE UP.

7 posted on 01/01/2013 9:24:46 AM PST by PGalt
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To: Kaslin
When one believes their oath of office really doesn’t mean anything.

There isn't really a reason one would resign for.

8 posted on 01/01/2013 9:24:59 AM PST by riverrunner
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To: Kaslin

The current administration is run by Democrats. They do know what disgrace is and the media conveniently forgets while they are in charge. Put the Republicans back in charge of the W.H.,,then we will see comments like “resigned in disgrace.”

This current President and his worshippers are happy to act disgraceful if it perpetuates things going their way.


9 posted on 01/01/2013 9:26:03 AM PST by austinaero
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To: Kaslin

The current administration is run by Democrats. They do not know what disgrace is and the media conveniently forgets while they are in charge. Put the Republicans back in charge of the W.H.,,then we will see comments like “resigned in disgrace.”

This current President and his worshippers are happy to act disgraceful if it perpetuates things going their way.


10 posted on 01/01/2013 9:26:16 AM PST by austinaero
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To: Kaslin

Shame and disgrace are out of style, unless it’s foisted on you by liberals for exercising your rights under the US Constiution.


11 posted on 01/01/2013 9:28:24 AM PST by TADSLOS (I took extra credit at the School of Hard Knocks)
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To: Kaslin

I didn’t have to read past the first paragraph to agree. I first personally witnessed the trend about 20 years ago when a plant manager was disgraced and everyone thought he would resign or be fired. He slid to a side office and a year later he was running the district.

Where has honor and integrity gone? This has to be another sign of the end times.


12 posted on 01/01/2013 9:29:07 AM PST by FreeAtlanta (bahits.com)
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To: Kaslin

Makes me wonder what they have in mind for Obama.

A stroke from a bad stroke at the golf course after being stroked by Reggie the night before?


13 posted on 01/01/2013 9:29:10 AM PST by Eye of Unk (A Civil Cold War in America is here, its already been declared.)
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To: austinaero

Republicans have also failed to call for resignations and firings.

Recall the 911 report and who all was actually blamed and fired? Recall Sandy Burgler. Recall Bush not holding anyone in the Clinton administration responsible for trashing the White house.

Republicans share some of the blame by looking the other way and not punching the bullies back and square on the nose. Each time we bend or fail to punish, the more brazen the democrat bullies become.


14 posted on 01/01/2013 9:32:50 AM PST by FreeAtlanta (bahits.com)
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To: Kaslin

In this country, shame and disgrace are two words that have no meaning.


15 posted on 01/01/2013 9:36:33 AM PST by chris37 (Heartless.)
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To: Eye of Unk

A stroke of a lightening strike would be most appropriate. However, I suspect he spends more time in the men’s locker room and showers than he does actually on the golf coarse.


16 posted on 01/01/2013 9:39:45 AM PST by FreeAtlanta (bahits.com)
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To: Kaslin

Disgrace? Shame? Those words have disappeared from our language.


17 posted on 01/01/2013 9:46:36 AM PST by ReformationFan
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To: Eye of Unk

BTW, can you imagine all the questions from the mainstream media if George Bush or Romney liked to spend 6 to 8 hours at the golf coarse with one of his best old buddies (pot smoking choom gang member?) who had been arrested last year soliciting transvestite prostitutes?

How about all the other issues that draw attention to Barry’s proclivity? Larry Sinclair, Chicago Bath Houses, the love that 80plus percent of the homosexual community has for him, homosexual marriage support, repeal of don’t ask don’t tell, the mysterious deaths of the homosexual men who attended the Chicago church with him, etc.

The media would crucify a Republican or Conservative on even a hint of something going on. I don’t recall the guys name, but the whole “wide stance” and tapping of shoes at the airport of that congressman comes to mind. Was there any real evidence that he did anything or was it a police officers word against his?


18 posted on 01/01/2013 9:47:21 AM PST by FreeAtlanta (bahits.com)
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To: FreeAtlanta

I have faith that somebody has a plan on how to remove with the highest political effect be it in a marxist fashion or a manner much more so that the biggest names of national traitors such as Arnold and that family that sold nuclear secrets after WW2.

has to be flagrant enough that the moronic mass will absorb it with oohs and awes for at least a year.

Like Obama is thrown out of AF1 after a missile strike, paraglides into a day care center and rescues the entitlement babies from falling 747 debris, all while being under sniper fire.


19 posted on 01/01/2013 9:51:03 AM PST by Eye of Unk (A Civil Cold War in America is here, its already been declared.)
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To: FreeAtlanta

Imagine Barry having an identical skin problem Michael Jackson had.


20 posted on 01/01/2013 9:54:13 AM PST by Eye of Unk (A Civil Cold War in America is here, its already been declared.)
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