REPUBLICANS CREATE FALSE CHARGE AGAINST PRES. BARACK OBAMA ON LIBYA

The Romney campaign, and Republicans in general, seem to think that there is a smoking gun to be found in the administration's handling of the Benghazi tragedy.  The story line appears to be that Obama is hiding his own incompetence in not immediately recognizing that the attack and killing of the American ambassador on September 11th was an act of terrorists that had nothing to do with the furor that erupted in the Islamic world over a perceived insult to the prophet Muhammad in a video made by an Egyptian-American in California.

But Scott Shane reports in The New York Times today that the administration at first did not have intelligence information that the attack was a jihadi attack, but rather one connected to protests over the anti-Muhammad film.  Furthermore, intelligence reported that some of the attackers claimed to bystanders that they were angry because of the film.

Reports Shane:

"According to reporting by David D. Kirkpatrick and Suliman Ali Zway of The New York Times, eyewitnesses have said there was no peaceful demonstration against the video outside the compound before the attack, though a crowd of Benghazi residents soon gathered, and some later looted the compound. But the attackers, recognized as members of a local militant group called Ansar al-Shariah, did tell bystanders that they were attacking the compound because they were angry about the video. They did not mention the Sept. 11 anniversary. Intelligence officials believe that planning for the attack probably began only a few hours before it took place."

 

Given this information, it is no wonder that administration officials, like Susan Rice, announced that the attack was connected to the video film.

 

Republicans are seeking an indictment of Pres. Barack Obama, without any real evidence or basis.  This shows their desperation, in their quest to win the presidential election coming up in three weeks.

ASSAD'S WAR CRIMES—SHELLING OF CIVILIANS IN SYRIA

I realize that the government of Russia does not want to see another Libya ending in Syria.  The capture, torture and killing of Col. Gaddafi was disgusting and barbarous.  However, Bashar al Assad's shelling of Syrian cities and towns is also revolting.


In his quest to hang on to power, Assad shows himself to be the Butcher of Damascus.  Shelling and bombing of civilian homes and dwellings—certainly these things constitute disgusting war crimes.

OBAMA: CONDEMN BAHRAIN'S ACTIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEMONSTRATORS

Pres. Obama and Sec. Clinton rightly condemn Qaddafi of Libya. Why won't they also condemn King Khalifa of Bahrain for beating up doctors and nurses, dragging wounded out of hospitals, and now arresting human rights activists? Answer: the U.S. Navy maintains its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Shame on the United States!

Frank Gardner of the BBC reports on the most recent crack down on human rights activists by the government of Bahrain. Here's the link.

RICE VISITS LIBYA, U.S. HAS "NO PERMANENT ENEMIES"

The BBC reports today that Condoleeza Rice is visiting Libya, the first American high official to do so in some 50 years.

Rice makes the inane comment that "America has no permanent enemies." But America should not have any "enemies." Then the U.S. need not worry whether they are permanent or only temporary. Americans should not view Iran as an "enemy." Iran has done nothing to the U.S. in terms of dropping bombs or killing Americans. The same for North Korea, Syria or a fortiori Venezuela. True Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has called George W. Bush "Satan" and similar names. But U.S. foreign policy should not characterize Venezuela as the "enemy" because Chavez insulted our great leader.

BBC Radio also reported that Gazprom, the Russian gas behemoth, had recently tried to enter into an exclusive agreement with Libya and Qaddafi to develop Libyan oil and gas fields.

The desire to keep open channels to Libyan oil might explain why Condoleeza Rice is so anxious to visit Libya and offer tokens of friendship.