This is how the building was constructed.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/world-trade-center-construction-unique2.htm

The notion that "explosives installed in the elevator core" would demolish the exterior curtain wall first, versus the elevator core is idiotic. The first thing to collapse is what blows up first, not something more than 100 feet away. And since the core came down after the curtain wall, that disproves the theory of interior demolition. Sorry.

Larry Silverstein did not own the buildings. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owned the buildings. He owned the rights to lease the properties. Responsibility for any remediation or repairs was on the port authority.

May I ask what building structure you are talking about? As I stated before, the design of the building relied on two components - the inner (steel column) core and the aluminum curtain wall. There was nothing in between. The photo capture you posted clearly shows the inner core above the collapsing floors rendering any argument about a controlled demolition utter fantasy. The only way to make this type of controlled demo work would be to cut away at the outer facade wall beams, in a building that swayed three feet in any direction...on trading floors with workers there 24 hours a day. No way. That's simply not plausible.

I have no need to view anything. I would also ask you to refrain from snarky remarks about trolls.

I worked for the company that published Engineering News Record. That magazine has covered these buildings since they started coming out of the ground.

On the day of attack, one of the engineers walked up to the television screen showing the gash and after taking a ruler to the screen, immediately determined the size of the first plane. And then he said the building would fall in about an hour. He knew those buildings cold. And these are the opinions and facts I rely on...from the ones with intimate knowledge of how they were designed.

With all due respect I disagree. The photo you show reaffirms the catastrophic floor failures as its design would allow. That is to say these towers were constructed using framed tube design. What that means is that the facade bore the load enabling each floor to remove most of the support columns (open floor plan gets higher rents). The other critical strength component was its central core of columns and fire exits/elevator shafts.

When the plane breached the facade wall, it instantly doomed the building. If the plane then headed toward the central core of columns it would only further weaken the structure.

You'll note that in the photo the exterior of the building was falling first, followed by the central core. This is consistent with an internal implosion (not explosion) where the building collapses into itself.

Further, it is instructive to note each floor was one acre in size, meaning 20 acres of tightly spaced cubicles full of paper, carpet, computers, etc. was sitting on top on a few compromised floors. This massive weight would further focus collapse within the defined building footprint.

If the president nominates Sri Srinavasan, previously approved by a 97 - 0 vote in the senate, then it would be almost impossible to delay the vote to approve without a major backlash. McConnell may have just boxed himself into a corner.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/05/23/sri-srinivasan-judge-supreme-court-circuit-dc-obama-bush/2351543/

It's true. Have been since registering in 1976. Please note there is nothing political in my comment. I am looking at this from a tactical, factual perspective. I am trying to understand how the "rule book" applies to this situation. Nothing more. I am no fan of Hillary Clinton and am not here to defend her. I invite you to read my previous comments on a variety of topics to get a sense of where my opinions sit.

Your husband was a brave man. He would never have wanted you to be in pain, and although always difficult (and easy to say for someone that isn't close to the situation), the most wonderful thing to do is embrace what was, and carry his strength with you in all you do. It is the greatest way to honor him, and your devotion to your collective bond.

Agreed. I really don't care for politicians. I was referring to vets and active duty folks, who have very strong feelings about leaving comrades behind.

I have no political ax to grind here. I am a republican. All I am doing is asking why stated protocol was not followed in this matter. The military man who outlined how the chain of command works was very clear as to who made decisions...and who was not involved. I do not have the knowledge about how this works to make this case. I have to rely on others who understand how the system works. And until someone can definitely state that the SOP was incorrect, I have no choice but to accept it at face value. He is the expert, not me.

The points you raise above related to hundreds of security requests not reaching her desk (per her testimony) are interesting from two perspectives. The first is who is the person that "filtered" these requests and kept them from her (and why). The second is whether she is telling the truth about it. I don't know the answer to that, but my question back to this issue is what would those requests have gained? I seriously doubt a large security build up would have been green lighted for a diplomatic compound while ignoring the embassy in Tripoli. They would have started there first. And since no increase in Tripoli occurred, it is no surprise to me that Benghazi received the same treatment.

The real question in all of this for me, is who were these 30 people evacuated? That seems like a large number of people for such a desolate outpost. The only thing I can think of (speculate), is that this was a big CIA arms deal gone horribly wrong.

I actually take issue with the context of this comment. Sure, there are those that simply want to make hay of this disaster, but there is also a large group of veterans and active duty folks that take the concept of "not leaving anyone behind" very seriously. It is a sacred bond they share as defenders of this country, coupled with a deep sense of pride toward their fellow comrades. I can't for one minute doubt this sincere attitude.

[quote=Doc110]Your response to the Article Headline Former CIA chief in Benghazi says 13 hours movie is a lie And your response, beg's to ask ?

[b]1. IS THE MOTION PICTURE "13 HOUR'S" BASED ON FACTS ON THE ATTACK ON THE BENGHAZI, LIBYA U.S DIPLOMATIC COMPOUND AND THE CIA ANNEX CORRECT AND ACCURATE ?

2. SO FOR 13 HOURS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, AND THE U.S. MILITARY DID NOTHING, EXECPT TO LET OUR U.S. AMBASSADOR C. STEVEN'S THREE AMERICAN CITIZENS DIE.

3. AND OUR CIA BENGHAZI AND TRIPOLI FORCED WERE NOT TOLD TO STAND DOWN ?

Look at the Benghazi Time-line news reports ? Especially this news report !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223747/CIA-agents-Benghazi-twice-asked-permissio...Stevens-bullets-flying-twice-told-stand-down.html?ITO=1490

Please clarify your response to the news article headline.

Then give your assessment and evaluation to the accuracy to the OPP Post headline.
"Former CIA chief in Benghazi says 13 hours movie is a lie"

Thank you.


Benghazi Diplomatic and CIA Annex attack headline.

8/14/2012, In the weeks before Sept. 11, Libyan security guards are reportedly warned by family members of an impending attack. On Sept. 8, the Libyan militia tasked with protecting the consulate warns U.S. diplomats that the security situation is “frightening.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/terrorism/261839-timeline-of-libya-attack-reveals...

9/8/2012, A local security officer in Benghazi warns American officials about
deteriorating security. http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/world/meast/libya-diplomats-warning/index.html

9/8/2012, Jamal Mabrouk, a member of the February 17th Brigade that provides security at the U.S. consulate, and a battalion commander meet with U.S. diplomats in Libya Attack Unraveled. Benghazi to say the security situation there is "frightening," he recounts to CNN in an interview after the attack. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/10/2012, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri calls on Libyans to avenge the death of his Libyan deputy, Abu Yahya al Libi, killed in a June drone strike in Pakistan.
http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/terrorism/261839-timeline-of-libya-attack-reveals...

9/10/2012, Stevens arrives in Benghazi and holds meetings on and off the consulate grounds on Sept. 10. He spends the night, and for the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. holds meetings only inside the compound. It is an enclosed area about 300 yards long by 100 yards wide, with a 9-foot outer wall topped by barbed wire and augmented by barriers, steel drop bars and other security upgrades.

There are four buildings in the compound. Five diplomatic security officers are present, along with four members of a local militia deployed by Libya's government to provide added security.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/09/timeline-new-details-sept-11-consulate-attack-...

9/11/2012, 11 Year anniversary of 9/11Al-Qaeda attack on the United States.

9/11/2012, Anger Over a Film Fuels Anti-American Attacks in Libya and Egypt.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-american-at...

(Correction) 10/16/ An article on 9/12 about the attack a day earlier
on the United States mission in Benghazi, Libya, described incompletely an Islamic profession of faith, “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.” It is Islam’s most basic profession of faith; it is not favored only by ultraconservative and militant Muslims. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-americanatt...

9/11/2012, A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, the mainstream Islamist group and the sponsor of Egypt’s first elected president, Mohamed Morsi, urged the United States government on Tuesday to prosecute the “madmen” behind the video, according to the English-language Web site of the state newspaper, Al Ahram.

The spokesman asked for a formal apology from the United States government and warned that events like the video were damaging Washington’s relations with the Muslim world. He also emphasized that any protests should remain peaceful and respect property. There should be “civilized demonstrations of the Egyptian people’s displeasure with this
film,” the Brotherhood spokesman said, according to the newspaper Web site. “Any non-peaceful activity will be exploited by those who hate Islam to defame the image of Egypt and Muslims.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-antiamerican-att...

9/11/2012, Bracing for trouble before the start of the protests here and in Libya, the American Embassy released a statement shortly after noon that appeared to refer to Mr. Jones: “The United States Embassy in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions.” It later denounced the “unjustified breach of our
embassy.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-american-at...

9/11/2012, In Benghazi on Tuesday, protesters with automatic rifles and rocket propelled grenades attacked the United States Consulate and set it on fire, Libyan officials said. Some news reports said American guards inside the consulate had fired their weapons, and a brigade of Libyan security forces arriving on the scene had battled the attackers in the streets as well. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-filmfuels-
anti-american-attacks-in-libya-and-egypt.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp

9/11/2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton confirmed late Tuesday that a State Department officer had been killed in the Benghazi attack, and she condemned the violence. “Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet,” she said. “The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-american-at...

9/11/2012, The death in Benghazi appears to be the first such fatality in a string of attacks and vandalism against foreign and especially Western diplomatic missions in Libya in recent months. Since the fall of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, Libya’s transitional government has struggled to rebuild an effective police force, control the weapons that have flooded the streets and restore public security.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-american-at...

9/11/2012, Local Islamist militant groups capitalizing on the security vacuum have claimed responsibility for some attacks, and some reports on Tuesday suggested that one such group, Ansar al-Sharia, had claimed responsibility for that day’s assault.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/anger-over-film-fuels-anti-american-at...

9/11/2012, TIMELINE: New details of consulate attack in Libya, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/

09/10/2012 timeline-new-details-sept-11-consulate-attack-in-libya/
2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:30 p.m. Benghazi time): U.S. Ambassador to LibyaChris Stevens steps outside the consulate to say goodbye to a Turkish diplomat. There are no protesters at this time. (“Everything is calm at 8:30,” a State Department official would later say at an Oct. 9 background briefing for reporters. “There’s nothing unusual. There has been nothing unusual during the day at all outside.”)

http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

3 p.m.: Ambassador Stevens retires to his bedroom for the evening. (See Oct. 9 briefing.) http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

Approximately 3:40 p.m. A security agent at the Benghazi compound hears “loud noises” coming from the front gate and “gunfire and an explosion.” A senior State Department official at the Oct. 9 briefing says that “the camera on the main gate reveals a large number of people – a large number of men, armed men, flowing into the compound.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

About 4 p.m.: This is the approximate time of attack that was given to reporters at a Sept. 12 State Department background briefing. An administration official identified only as “senior administration official one” provides an official timeline of events at the consulate, but only from the time of the attack — not prior to the attack. The official says, “The compound where our office is in Benghazi began taking fire from unidentified
Libyan extremists.” (Six of the next seven entries in this timeline — through

8:30 p.m.EDT — all come from the Sept. 12 briefing. The exception being the

6:07 p.m. entry, which comes from Reuters.) http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

Around 9:40 p.m.: Agents hear loud noises, gunfire and explosions near the front gate. A barracks at the entrance housing the local militiamen is burnt down. Agents viewing cameras see a large group of armed men flowing into the compound. Alarm is sounded. Telephone calls are made to the embassy in Tripoli, officials in Washington, the Libyan authorities and a U.S. quick reaction force located at a second compound a little more than a mile away. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/09/timeline-new-details-sept-11-consulate-attack-...

About 4:15 p.m.: “The attackers gained access to the compound and began firing into the main building, setting it on fire. The Libyan guard force and our mission security personnel responded. At that time, there were three people inside the building: Ambassador Stevens, one of our regional security officers, and Information Management Officer Sean Smith.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

About 4:15 p.m.: Grabbing weapons, One agent, armed with a sidearm and an M4 submachine gun, takes Stevens and computer specialist Sean Smith to a safe room inside one of the compound’s two main residences. It has a heavy metal grill and several locks, medical supplies and water, and windows that can be opened only from the inside. The other agents equip themselves with long guns, body armor, helmets and ammunition at other buildings. Two try to make it to the building with Stevens. They are met by armed men and are forced to retreat. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/09/timelinenew-
details-sept-11-consulate-attack-in-libya/

Between 4:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m.: Sean Smith is found dead. http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazitimeline/

About 4:45 p.m.: “U.S. security personnel assigned to the mission annex tried to regain the main building, but that group also took heavy fire and had to return to the mission annex.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

About 5:20 p.m.: “U.S. and Libyan security personnel … regain the main building and they were able to secure it.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

Around 6 p.m.: “The mission annex then came under fire itself at around 6 o’clock in the evening our time, and that continued for about two hours. It was during that time that two additional U.S. personnel were killed and two more were wounded during that ongoing attack.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

Around 6 p.m.: Attackers breach the compound. Attackers penetrate Stevens’ building and try to break the grill locks for the safe room but cannot gain access.

They dump jerry cans of diesel fuel in the building, light furniture on fire and set aflame part of the exterior of the building. Two of the remaining four agents are in the compound’s other residence. Attackers penetrate that building, but the agents barricade themselves in and the attackers can’t reach them.

Attackers try to enter the tactical operations center,where the last two agents are located. They smash up the door but cannot enter the building. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/09/timeline-new-details-sept-11-consulate-attack-...

6:07 p.m.: The State Department’s Operations Center sends an email to the White House, Pentagon, FBI and other government agencies that said Ansar al-Sharia has claimed credit for the attack on its Facebook and Twitter accounts. (The existence of the email was not disclosed until Reuters reported it on Oct. 24.) http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

About 8:30 p.m.: “Libyan security forces were able to assist us in regaining control of the situation. At some point in all of this – and frankly, we do not know when – we believe that Ambassador Stevens got out of the building and was taken to a hospital in Benghazi. We do not have any information what his condition was at that time.

His body was later returned to U.S. personnel at the Benghazi airport.” http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

About 10:00 p.m.: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issues a statement confirming that one State official was killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Her statement, which MSNBC posted at 10:32 p.m., made reference to the anti-Muslim video.
http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/197630.htm

Clinton: Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to
inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind. http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

Clinton: All the Americans we lost in yesterday’s attacks made the ultimate sacrifice. We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future. http://factcheck.org/2012/10/benghazi-timeline/

9/11/2012, President Obama official schedule and guidance, Sept. 11, 2012. 9-11Observance, What did the President know and when did he know it? http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2012/09/president_obama_official_sched_1000.html

3. Timeline: Post-Benghazi,Libya Attack

9/12/2012, Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, put out a statement just before midnight Tuesday saying, “It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.”

Mr. Romney also said he was “outraged” at the attacks on the embassy and consulate. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/angerover-
film-fuels-anti-american-attacks-in-libya-and-egypt.html?_r=2&hp

9/12/2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney releases a statement embargoed for midnight condemning the attacks and criticizing the Obama administration for blaming the American filmmaker instead of the attackers. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/
world/2012/10/10/timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, The White House repudiates the original U.S. Embassy statement, saying it was released without proper approval. The Obama campaign attacks Romney for issuing his statement before an investigation is complete. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/
world/2012/10/10/timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, Responding to Mr. Romney’s statement, Ben LaBolt, an Obama campaign,spokesman, said, “We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, Governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/world/middleeast/angerover-
film-fuels-anti-american-attacks-in-libya-and-egypt.html

9/12/2012, News reports say the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, has been
attacked. Libyan Ambassador Chris Stevens is reported dead with three other
Americans in the Benghazi attack. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/timeline-oflibya-
attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemns "this senseless act of violence," saying some have sought to justify the attack and protests "as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet." http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/
timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, President Obama says in a Rose Garden statement that an investigation is underway. He condemns the attackers and in an allusion to the video he says the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, but all must oppose such senseless violence against public servants. U.S. intelligence agencies conclude internally that the incident was a planned terror attack likely by al-Qaeda affiliates on the embassy in order to release resources to respond, according to reports from several news media outlets.

Obama is interviewed on 60 Minutes and defends his Mideast policies as aligning the USA with democracy, saying, "There are going to be bumps in the road."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, Republican members of Congress say they are have been told by
intelligence officials that the Benghazi attack was a well-planned assault timed to the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, not an anti-video protest gone awry.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

9/12/2012, Clinton: Remarks on the Deaths of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/197654.htm

9/12/2012, Inflammatory Anti-Muslim “Movie” May Not Be A Real Movie [Updated] The clumsy dubbing suggests that the footage comes from different films entirely. And there's no way that it cost $5 million to make. http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/inflammatory-antimuslim-
movie-may-not-be-a-real

9/12/2012, Fourteen hours after the attack, President Obama sat down with Steve Kroft of "60 Minutes" for a previously scheduled interview and said he did not believe it was simply due to mob violence."You're right that this is not a situation that was --exactly the same as what happened in Egypt and my suspicion is that there are folks involved in this who were looking to target Americans from the start," Mr. Obama said.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/110989332/Emails-Detail-Unfolding-Benghazi-Attack-on-Sept-11-Oh...

9/12/2012, The White House and State Department declined comment on the email alerts. The House Oversight Committee told CBS News the information in the emails will be part of their ongoing investigation into the Benghazi attack.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57538689/emails-detail-unfolding-benghazi-attack-on...

9/12/2012, The Wrath of Libya's Salafis: http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/09/12/wrath-of-libya-ssalafis/dtaz

9/12/2012, US Ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack http://www.secureamericanow.org/news1/news/156-us-ambassador-to-libya-killed-in-beghazi-a...

9/12/2012, Obama: 'No justification' for 'senseless violence' We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence. None. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/09/obamacomdemns-riots-in-libya...

9/12/2012, Did Obama: Uses the term “act of terror” later that night when talking about the attack at a campaign event in Las Vegas. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-president-campaign-event-la...

9/13/2012, Rose Garden: What did Mr. Obama actually say in the Rose Garden? Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks. We mourn with the families who were lost on that day. I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. 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. http://jpsmind.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/mr-obamascontinuing-
lies-regarding-benghazi/

9/13/2012, Top lawmakers briefed on Libya attack http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81186.html

9/13/2012, Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman for the State Department, which oversees embassies, says State had evaluated the "threat stream" in Libya prior to the attack, "and we determined that the security at Benghazi was appropriate for what we knew."

9/13/2012, Clinton issues a statement saying, "There is no justification, none at all, for responding to this video with violence." White House spokesman Jay Carney insists: "The protests we're seeing around the
region are in reaction to this movie."
http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/terrorism/261839-timeline-oflibya-
attack-reveals-administration-contradictions-

9/13/12, Around the Halls: Has the Arab Spring Made the World a More Dangerous Place?:
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2012/09/13-around-the-halls-libya

9/13/12, The Marine Corps Involvement In Egypt and Libya
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/09/the-marine-corps-involvement-in-egypt-and-l...

9/13/12, White House spokesman, Jay Carney, news briefing “I think it’s important to note with regards to that protest that there are protests taking place in different countries across the world that are responding to the movie that has circulated on the Internet. … We also believe that there is no justification at all for responding to this movie with violence.” http://jpsmind.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/mr-obamas-continuing-lies-regardingbenghazi/

9/14/2012, Libya Attacks: U.S. Drones Fly Over Benghazi http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/libya-attacks-us-drones_n_1884058.html

9/14/2012, The bodies of Stevens and three Americans arrive at Andrews Air Force base. Obama says at the base that the United States will "stand fast" against the violence, Both he and Clinton criticize the video for prompting the attacks. "We've seen rage and violence directed at American embassies over an awful Internet video that we had nothing to do with," Clinton said. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/timeline-oflibya-
attack/1624733/

9/14/2012, White House spokesman, Carney denies reports that the U.S. knew that al Qaeda were planning an attack in Libya. “I have seen that report, and the story is absolutely wrong,” he says. “We were not aware of any actionable intelligence indicating that an attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi was planned or imminent. That report is false.” http://jpsmind.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/mr-obamas-continuing-lies-regarding-benghazi/

9/14/2012, Revealed: inside story of US envoy's assassination; Exclusive: America 'was warned of embassy attack but did nothing' http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/revealedinside-
story-of-us-envoys-assassination-8135797.html

9/14/2012, Bob Woodward takes down Obama, http://spectator.org/blog/2012/10/14/bob-woodwardtakes-
down-obama?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

9/14/2012, Colonel-Hillary: Made decision not to post Marines at Benghazi. http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/14/Colonel-Says-Hillary-Clinton-Made-Deci...

9/14/2012, Obama's Middle East Policy in Perspective, http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2012/09/14-obama-middle-east-ohanlon

9/14/2012, Military analyst: State Department, Clinton to blame for deaths in Libya
http://www.examiner.com/article/military-analyst-state-department-clinton-to-blame-for-de...

9/14/2012, Axelrod says W.H. unaware of Libya security requests http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2012/10/axelrod-mitt-trying-to-exploit-libya-...

9/14/2012, STATE DEPT. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT KEPT MARINES OUT OF TRIPOLI, BENGHAZI IN LIBYA
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/09/14/State-Department-Rulesof-
Engagement-Kept-Marines-Out-of-Tripoli-as-Well-as-Benghazi-in-Libya

9/15/2012, State Department to press: Stop asking us about the sacking of Benghazi consulate
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/09/15/state-department-to-press-stop-askingus-about-the-s...

9/15/2012, Hillary Clinton Signed Rules of Engagement for Libya: Witnesses Say No Protest – An Organized Attack
http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2012/09/hillary-clintonsigned-
rules-of-engagement-for-libya-witnesses-say-no-protest-an-organized-attack-2482910.html

9/15/2012, Clinton: I’m in charge of the State Department’s 60,000-plus people all over the world, 275 posts. The president and the vice president wouldn’t be knowledgeable about specific decisions that are made by security professionals. They’re the ones who weigh all of the threats and the risks and the needs and make a considered decision
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2012/10/your-benghazi-reader.html

9/15/2012, Ambassador Susan Rice: Libya Attack Not Premeditated http://news.yahoo.com/ambassador-susan-rice-libya-attack-not-premeditated-141127792--abc-...

9/16/2012, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice appears on five Sunday talks shows and says the attacks were spontaneous eruptions over the anti-Islam video, saying, "This was not a pre-planned, premeditated attack."

9/16/2012, President of Libya's general National Congress Mohammed Magarief contradicts the Obama administration, saying there is "no doubt that this (attack) was pre-planned, predetermined.

9/22/2012, NYTimes Forwards Fog-of-War Excuse for Obama's Botched Libya Response, Ignores His UN Speech
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/clay-waters/2012/10/22/nytimesforwards-
fog-war-excuse-obamas-botched-libya-response-ignores-h

10/10/2012, Timeline of Libya attack; http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/10/10/
timeline-of-libya-attack/1624733/

10/26/2012, CIA agents in Benghazi twice asked for permission to help Ambassador Chris Stevens as bullets were flying and twice were told to 'stand down’. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223747/CIA-agents-Benghazi-twice-asked-permissio...
Stevens-bullets-flying-twice-told-stand-down.html?ITO=1490[/quote]

I admire folks that take the time to dig into an issue and argue their position with facts. You are to be commended.

The purpose of my post was establish the validity of this military man who detailed the chain of command in situations like this. And so far, no one has pointed out that it is false. So my first question is, if this is SOP, then why would the military deviate from it? If it is their stated responsibility to handle it themselves, why would it be shoved up the chain of command when those "down below" are tasked with dealing with it? It is a very legitimate question.

The second point is the issue of "standing down." If that type of order is the responsibility of the military operation in that area, why would it float up to DC? They can't offer any insight or recommendations that are worth anything. It's a military matter between those on the ground and the system already in place.

The third point is the statement that this country left four people at risk for 13 hours. That is factually inaccurate. Two were dead in under four hours, including the ambassador. I would imagine (this is my speculation) that Washington, upon hearing the news of a dead ambassador and the successful evacuation of 30 people by 1 AM, was focused exclusively on that disaster and left the remaining issues (two ex Seals) for the military to deal with, as that was protocol as noted by the military man who went through how the chain of command (and who issues what order from "go" to "stand down") works.

My last point is the one most important to me. I fully understand the anger and outrage over the deaths of four people. But since Benghazi, over 30,000 US veterans have committed suicide and almost 50,000 US veterans are still living on the streets. That's where our focus needs to be. That is what congressional hearings should focus on. This country has lost its sense of priority and is focusing on issues that won't save any lives.

Thanks for the extensive list of links and information.

The attack on the ambassador and Smith was over in three hours and 45 minutes. It began at 9:40 PM and Stevens was pronounced dead at 1 AM, when a rescue team arrived and evacuated 30 people. The follow up attack that killed Doherty and Woods began at 4 AM. We're talking about seven hours total in the middle of chaos and two separate attacks...four hours when the assault began and help arrived.

I'm not an apologist for the administration but I find it hard to believe that anything could have been done in such a short time frame.

Link to timeline:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/timeline-how-the-benghazi-attack-played-out/2014/06/17/a5c34e90-f62c-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html

I saw this in a comments section for an article on Benghazi and copied it to my computer. I cannot speak for its validity as I am unclear how procedures work, but this person seems to lay out exactly how the process works. I put this out there simply as someone's explanation and it seemed to me to be quite credible.

"Since most of you have never worked in a TOC (Tactical Operations Center), let me fill you in on who gives the orders to ‘stand down’. We have SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) that we follow when an Embassy, a Base, or a Post is being attacked. Part of those procedures do NOT include calling the White House to ask for advice or permission to take action. The Battle Captain in that TOC makes the initial call to alert the QRF or CIF. Once the immediate chain of command is notified, a Colonel or a General (as in this case) will make the final decision as to ramp up, execute, or stand down. Again, we don’t ever call the White House to ask for permission or guidance in these matters. Generals already have the authority to take immediate action in those situations. That’s why we have Colonels and Generals. These High ranking officers are entrusted to make these type of decisions on the battlefield. So I hate to break it to you guys, but the President is NOT part of that decision making process. The President and high ranking officials like Hillary, Panetta, and Petraeus are eventually notified of situations like this and kept updated thereafter. However, it’s the Combatant Commander that is responsible for that area who makes the final call to execute mission or ‘stand down’. In this case, the AOR (Area of Responsibility) was AFRICOM and the Combatant Commander for AFRICOM was GEN Ham.
Although, GEN Ham is the AFRICOM Commander and would normally give the final order and what most of the media on Broadcast and Cable have failed to mention is that GEN Ham was actually in DC during the attack. In this case, his 2nd in command assumes the responsibility the day he leaves area. In addition, the Commander of SOCAFRICA also comes into play because it falls under AFRICOM and they are directly in charge of the Special Forces for that AOR. That Commander was Rear Adm Brian Losey...and he testified, along with many other officers, that there was NO stand down order ever given.
In summary, Stand Down orders are not given by the President or Hillary Clinton...that's why we have Generals, Admirals, and other Commanders.
My Background: Served 21 years in the US Army as an Infantryman...both as an enlisted member and a commissioned officer. Deployed 4 times (Bosnia, Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan).
I also worked in a BDOC and JTOC."

I like her. She's what the GOP needs...mixed race, female, young, pragmatic. She took a big risk shoving the confederate flag off to a museum. She also did the party's bidding by taking a swipe at Trump on the SOTU rebuttal. She'd be a great VP candidate, although (in my opinion) both leading candidates on the GOP side (Trump or Cruz) are unelectable so why bother to do that.