Rose Garden - September 12, 2012 - 10:43 A.M. EDT
excerpts. . .
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The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack.
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And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.
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Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts.
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Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks.
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And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi.
As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it. Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.
No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.
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Obama - September 12, 2012
There’s another interesting phrase in that transcript of Obama’s remarks from 9/12:
“I’ve also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world.”
Thanks! So he calls it an attack, but even then implies that the cause is an attempt to “denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” presumably a reference to the video. He doesn’t refer to the Benghazi terrorists as such, but as “killers.” And his final statement may or may not be construed as including the “attack” on Benghazi.
Doesn’t sound to me like he came out and called it “terrorism.” No place there does he say it directly.