Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

jsr

(7,712 posts)
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 10:56 AM Sep 2012

Ambassador Susan Rice: Libya Attack Not Premeditated

Source: ABC News

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi was not premeditated, directly contradicting top Libyan officials who say the attack was planned in advance.

“Our current best assessment, based on the information that we have at present, is that, in fact, what this began as, it was a spontaneous – not a premeditated – response to what had transpired in Cairo,” Rice told me this morning on “This Week.”

“In Cairo, as you know, a few hours earlier, there was a violent protest that was undertaken in reaction to this very offensive video that was disseminated,” Rice said, referring to protests in Egypt Tuesday over a film that depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud. Protesters in Cairo breached the walls of the U.S. American Embassy, tearing apart an American flag.

“We believe that folks in Benghazi, a small number of people came to the embassy to – or to the consulate, rather, to replicate the sort of challenge that was posed in Cairo,” Rice said. “And then as that unfolded, it seems to have been hijacked, let us say, by some individual clusters of extremists who came with heavier weapons… And it then evolved from there.”

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/ambassador-susan-rice-libya-attack-not-premeditated/

36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ambassador Susan Rice: Libya Attack Not Premeditated (Original Post) jsr Sep 2012 OP
Saw that... not sure I buy it... SayitAintSo Sep 2012 #1
This is how mature political people ...with no axe to grind...deal with tragedy and disaster... cr8tvlde Sep 2012 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author proverbialwisdom Sep 2012 #6
My guess is that the attack could not have happened BootinUp Sep 2012 #3
yep heaven05 Sep 2012 #4
Which act was more insane..the one gleefully tossing gasoline on a international tinder box knowing cr8tvlde Sep 2012 #9
hey heaven05 Sep 2012 #13
So you haven't read anything since Sept. 12? aquart Sep 2012 #21
"for cause"? You think reacting violently over a film is justified? dkf Sep 2012 #27
I thought I'd read somewhere that the guy is NOT Jewish davidpdx Sep 2012 #30
No, you are right Maeve Sep 2012 #34
The demonstration may have been spontaneous pscot Sep 2012 #5
I agree with you. The attack on the safe house appears very well planned. amandabeech Sep 2012 #35
Gee. I thought lying convincingly pscot Sep 2012 #36
Interesting that Rice is put out front on this. Details of the attack don't appear to support leveymg Sep 2012 #7
Yes, especially since The State Dept chill_wind Sep 2012 #12
They put a lid on it after the essential facts came out. leveymg Sep 2012 #15
Yes. chill_wind Sep 2012 #17
VERY INTERESTING. Shut down real info and spread a crazy meme. Festivito Sep 2012 #29
Yeah, I find that weird. aquart Sep 2012 #22
Even what she says later seems more consistent with what you note then with what she initially says suffragette Sep 2012 #24
This is a problem. Are they refuting all you listed above? dkf Sep 2012 #28
Muslims rioting over a disgusting YouTube video about their god who supposedly supports life Submariner Sep 2012 #8
Libyan jihadists are among the Sunni militias doing the killing in Syria, with the coordination of leveymg Sep 2012 #10
The US can only think in dyads ... two parties ... for or against us cr8tvlde Sep 2012 #14
That quote was FDR talking about Somoza, Sr. in Nicaragua. Another object lesson we didn't seem to leveymg Sep 2012 #16
Some folks think they should take care of their own business... cr8tvlde Sep 2012 #11
So you don't follow any Muslims on Twitter? aquart Sep 2012 #25
I don't buy it. emilyg Sep 2012 #18
Libya 'arrests 50' over Benghazi US consulate deaths chill_wind Sep 2012 #19
Yeah, but look at what Megaryef says spinbaby Sep 2012 #20
"Foreigners"? From where? aquart Sep 2012 #23
I'll take the word of the Libyan President. former9thward Sep 2012 #26
I'm not sure what the hell to believe anymore davidpdx Sep 2012 #31
Right or Wrong in Her Conviction, Rice Spoke Before Her "Certain" Opinion Actually Could Be Verified! SkepticMetric Sep 2012 #32
I find it hilarious that she made that statement with a straight face. glacierbay Sep 2012 #33
 

SayitAintSo

(2,207 posts)
1. Saw that... not sure I buy it...
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:00 AM
Sep 2012

Earlier reports and descriptions indicate otherwise. Wonder what this means?

cr8tvlde

(1,185 posts)
2. This is how mature political people ...with no axe to grind...deal with tragedy and disaster...
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:09 AM
Sep 2012

especially in hot spots that could easily reignite into major, regional events. There is also evidence that it was planned in the US and exported from one of our very own Tealiban expat.

If either GWB or Mitt had been in charge, well, we already know what would be happening.

Response to cr8tvlde (Reply #2)

BootinUp

(46,924 posts)
3. My guess is that the attack could not have happened
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:15 AM
Sep 2012

without the riots, the riots created the opportunity.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
4. yep
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:29 AM
Sep 2012

and the riots may not have happened if an ignorant film had not been made insulting a major religion. Violent and ignorant American and Islamic extremist always have boots on the ground waiting for an opening. That's right wing nut and ME extremists if my meaning isn't clear.

cr8tvlde

(1,185 posts)
9. Which act was more insane..the one gleefully tossing gasoline on a international tinder box knowing
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:01 PM
Sep 2012

full well what would happen and that people would get killed???? Premeditated. (Murder 1)

Or the unsuspecting intendeds reacting violently, for cause? (Involuntary manslaughter)

One is Jewish Israeli and being "protected" by Los Angeles PD, the others Muslims, "vilified, damned and ridiculed". This, in and of itself, is telling.

Quote: “Innocence of Islam” cost $5 million dollars and was funded by more than 100 Jewish donors. It was written and directed by Bacile, filmed in 2011, and is two hours long. The production employed 59 actors.

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israeli-filmmaker-whose-innocence-of-islam-started-riots-in-benghazi-cairo-went-underground/2012/09/12/

And don't call me anti-semetic because Muslims are Semites or racist because both are Caucasians, as well.

And imagine the outrage if Muslims in Hollywood or Teheran put out a 2 hour story vilifying Judaism...and the Torah provides some pretty rank material...or Christianity who still claims the violent Old Testament. There would be hell to pay, in any number of ways. Gitmo?

Just noticed that YouTube will not take down the trailers, but are limiting "Muslims" access/viewing.


 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
13. hey
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:15 PM
Sep 2012

no problem with any thing you stated. Whole things stinks to high heaven. They knew what they were doing, in making this 'film' and distributing it on social media to be seen by millions. You Tube, Google and all the rest?

aquart

(69,014 posts)
21. So you haven't read anything since Sept. 12?
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:13 PM
Sep 2012

Or, you just can't let go of any excuse to blame the Jews which would, indeed, make you anti-Semitic?

Try more recent information instead of the deliberate disinformation only suckers swallowed:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=8812521

 

dkf

(37,305 posts)
27. "for cause"? You think reacting violently over a film is justified?
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:31 PM
Sep 2012

How about if anti-abortionists go ballistic over some pro-choice film. Would that be "for cause"?

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
30. I thought I'd read somewhere that the guy is NOT Jewish
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 10:24 PM
Sep 2012

His entire identity was a scam as well. Maybe I'm wrong.

pscot

(21,023 posts)
5. The demonstration may have been spontaneous
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:36 AM
Sep 2012

but the assault sounds like a well-planned operation that took advantage of the opportunity.

 

amandabeech

(9,893 posts)
35. I agree with you. The attack on the safe house appears very well planned.
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 02:25 PM
Sep 2012

My money is on the whole thing being related more to the AQ No. 2 who died in a drone strike in June. The British ambassador was attacked then, and I believe that this consulate saw a demonstration and possibly a minor attack.

According to the Libyans, Benzhazi and another eastern town, Derna, have some indigenous radical militias that have been causing problems.

I just don't buy Susan Rice's full explanation.

There have been some mention of Rice taking over from H. Clinton at the end of the year, but this performance isn't what I'd expect of a Sec. of State candidate.

I'm rooting for Kerry, myself.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
7. Interesting that Rice is put out front on this. Details of the attack don't appear to support
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:52 AM
Sep 2012

the "spontaneous riot that got out of control" scenario:

* RPG attacks from three sides on the consular building
* Inside knowledge on plan to relocate to a safehouse a mile away, and knowledge of the location of the safehouse
* Second attack - ambush using mortars on vehicles in a caravan as it approached the safehouse
* Killing of two armed security officers who arrived by helicopter.

Looks like a planned and coordinated military operation. Rice may be the point on this because State Dept. has clammed up, citing FBI investigation.

There's no question that Ambassador and staff were warned of and aware of rising threat levels from increasingly hostile Jihadist groups in the area, if not the details of this specific attack.

chill_wind

(13,514 posts)
12. Yes, especially since The State Dept
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:11 PM
Sep 2012

issued a moratorium to U.S. Media on Friday afternoon to stop talking about it. Stop asking about it.


"I'm going to frustrate all of you, infinitely, by telling you that now that we have an open FBI investigation on the death of these four Americans, we are not going to be in a position to talk at all about what the U.S. government may or may not be learning about how any of this this happened -- not who they were, not how it happened, not what happened to Ambassador Stevens, not any of it -- until the Justice Department is ready to talk about the investigation that's its got," State Department spokeswoman Victorian Nuland told reporters late Friday afternoon.

"So I'm going to send to the FBI for those kinds of questions and they're probably not going to talk to you about it," she said.


State Department: Stop asking us about the Benghazi attack
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/14/state_department_stop_asking_us_about_the_benghazi_attack

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
15. They put a lid on it after the essential facts came out.
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:21 PM
Sep 2012

Too late, Ms. Rice.

This whole regime change policy has become a major disaster. The machinery is already in gear for direct US involvement in another war after the election, and then the Main Event against Iran to follow shortly thereafter, and somehow I doubt even this will sober them up.

Festivito

(13,452 posts)
29. VERY INTERESTING. Shut down real info and spread a crazy meme.
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:42 PM
Sep 2012

If there is a connection between who paid protesters and who paid for the movie, the investigation would not return results for years maybe decades, let alone before election time.

Maybe it is best to squash it, and both side would agree at this point.

But, NOT coordinated... that's crazy talk.

suffragette

(12,232 posts)
24. Even what she says later seems more consistent with what you note then with what she initially says
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:20 PM
Sep 2012

“And then as that unfolded, it seems to have been hijacked, let us say, by some individual clusters of extremists who came with heavier weapons..."


"hijacked, let us say"?

Sounds like the "hijackers" were prepared to do what they did and that sounds like pre-planning was involved.


 

dkf

(37,305 posts)
28. This is a problem. Are they refuting all you listed above?
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:37 PM
Sep 2012

If they are caught trying to play this as something not preventable when it was this is a big mistake.

It smacks of Condoleeza Rice's assertion that there is no way they could have known.

I really hope they have their facts down.

Submariner

(12,482 posts)
8. Muslims rioting over a disgusting YouTube video about their god who supposedly supports life
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 11:56 AM
Sep 2012

but not a peep from the same muslims about the 10s of thousands of their brother and sister muslims being KILLED in Syria.

To parrot Arsenio Hall; "Makes one think....Hmmmmmm." Can you spell H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E-S.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
10. Libyan jihadists are among the Sunni militias doing the killing in Syria, with the coordination of
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:04 PM
Sep 2012

the USG. The US has not been actively pursing Jihadis inside Libya since the overthrow of Gadaffi, and Eastern Libya has become an al-Qaeda safe area from which foreign fighters are dispatched to the "holy war" against the Shi'ia in Syria. That's one of the most significant things about this event. It's blowback from the intersection of two US regime change operations. Please, see, http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021343355

cr8tvlde

(1,185 posts)
14. The US can only think in dyads ... two parties ... for or against us
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:20 PM
Sep 2012

We decide who is the bad guy, take him out, believing that we empowered the good guys. We've done it for decades, yeah centuries. Can't even speak the language, no clue about their culture, but we damn sure know who is right and who is wrong. And we magically get a military base to "protect our interests".

Put otherwise, we are clear about what we want and who can help us and how much we have to pay to get it. Regime change or civil war...pretty clear choice.

We recently took down two "Dictators"...Mubarak and Quadafi ... and can't figure out why the little people don't love us and behave themselves and do what we want.

That was after Saddam and the Taliban...that didn't end up too well. Now Tehran runs Iraq and the Taliban are in the wings for Afghanistan. And most Americans still don't get it. Trillions of dollars and a sh--load of death, anger and revenge...left in the ME sands. Ungrateful bastards.

To quote Nixon or LBJ ... "He might be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch." About sums it up.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
16. That quote was FDR talking about Somoza, Sr. in Nicaragua. Another object lesson we didn't seem to
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:29 PM
Sep 2012

to learn much from. Most of South America now hates our guts, and there's a near-war on the border with Mexico because of another failed policy.

All this is what happens when you put soldiers and policemen in charge of your foreign policy, and systemically exclude the Left from all policymaking positions. You get stuck in permanent wars against enemies we created, armed and trained to kill other enemies. A viscous circle.

cr8tvlde

(1,185 posts)
11. Some folks think they should take care of their own business...
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:10 PM
Sep 2012

and not go meddling for ill or for good in others. Especially those who are under seige themselves.

Red Herring. False Equivalency.

What should they do, make a movie about Assad, accuse his wife of adultery or something, make fun of his kids and send it out over the internet? How do you spell R-E-D H-E-R-R-I-N-G.

We got a few of those ourselves...Terry Jones comes to mind. Why aren't we out there shutting down his disgusting church?

The American Tealiban? Pot, meet Kettle.



aquart

(69,014 posts)
25. So you don't follow any Muslims on Twitter?
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:23 PM
Sep 2012

Because I do and they haven't been particularly quiet in the English language tweets. My suspicion is that the Arabic and Farsi tweets have been even more vocal.

Although it's important to remember that Iranians can disappear if they tweet wrong.

chill_wind

(13,514 posts)
19. Libya 'arrests 50' over Benghazi US consulate deaths
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 01:40 PM
Sep 2012
Libya 'arrests 50' over Benghazi US consulate deaths
16 September 2012

Libyan authorities have arrested some 50 people in connection with last week's deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, the president of Libya's interim assembly says.

Mohamed Magarief told CBS News he had "no doubt" the attack was pre-planned.


more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19617175

Ansar al-Sharia?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19575753

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19582810

spinbaby

(15,073 posts)
20. Yeah, but look at what Megaryef says
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 01:41 PM
Sep 2012

“It was planned, definitely, it was planned by foreigners, by people who entered the country a few months ago, and they were planning this criminal act since their arrival,” told CBS News.


He's a little closer to the situation, don't you think?

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
31. I'm not sure what the hell to believe anymore
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 10:28 PM
Sep 2012

There seems to be a lot of misinformation going around about this. The only thing I can say for sure is that I hope the guy that made the video clip rots in hell.

SkepticMetric

(7 posts)
32. Right or Wrong in Her Conviction, Rice Spoke Before Her "Certain" Opinion Actually Could Be Verified!
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 10:56 AM
Sep 2012

Most of us were aghast when Romney delivered his blast so fast about trouble exploding in the Middle East. Hey, I am aghast all over again, in fact, just about gassed out after hearing Susan Rice vow that the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi was purely "spontaneous combustion" due to anger over the offensive video.

I find it amazingly naive of Ms. Rice to vouch with total certitude that NO enemy force planned their murderous mayhem before the horrid videotape hit the internet. How could our government have reached their verdict that our consulate became a killing field simply because a cursing crowd got out of hand?

This explanation does not pass any sort of communications research logic. No wonder the far right is butting into this momentously significant matter. It's not, to borrow the phrase, "Something stinks in Denmark', so to speak. Hell no, something stinks when our diplomats rashly rush to judgment!

 

glacierbay

(2,477 posts)
33. I find it hilarious that she made that statement with a straight face.
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 11:41 AM
Sep 2012

Does she honestly believe that the American people, hell, most of the world, believes that? I really hope this doesn't come back to bite the Admin. in the ass.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Ambassador Susan Rice: Li...