It is a volatile topic that is still cloaked with confusion and - TopicsExpress

It is a volatile topic that is still cloaked with confusion and obfuscation (some of it necessary, one could argue). Regardless, the dialog that starts at the 12 minute mark is disturbing. I couldnt imagine being the two men in those discussions in Tripoli (the DCoM (Greg Hicks) and the DATT (Lt Col Phillips)) and getting a call from Amb Stevens at the compound in Benghazi (indicating they were coming under attack just as the line goes silent) and having to call and tell the Annex Chief that those who are being attacked, both at the compound and the annex, were effectively on their own. That is some pretty messed up shite that will change a persons life forever, especially given that the DCoM (and others, I suspect (to include the British Security Contractor)) had been pushing for increased security considerations and a greater defensive posture. Events such as these have got to gnaw at ones subconsciousness in the days, months, and years following. I dont envy them. We all owe our Military and Foreign Service Professionals (including the contractors) a deep debt. RIP Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Professional Sean Smith, former Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, and those unnamed. Let us never forget nor have their deaths be in vain. We need to do what we can to ensure that DoD, State, and CIA implement the reforms needed to make U.S. missions abroad safer. Safer for those Americans (and their families (who often accompany them)) who are on the edge, pushing policy and democracy to those that will have us and receive it.