Hillary Takes the Fall

For John, BLUF:  Hillary taking the fall doesn't answer the deeper questions about where we need to go from here.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

I admit to being a bit confused by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying she was the one responsible regarding the attack on our Consulate in Benghazi, which resulted in the death of four Americans, including our Ambassador, Chris Stevens.

Something just doesn't feel right about this.

I applaud her for it, but is just seems a little odd.  If she had resigned, it might have felt more real, but she didn't.  Strange.

Further, this doesn't get to the most fundamental question, which is how we should view the demonstrations on 11 September.

• Where they about that video?—not likely.
• Where they general anti-Americanism?—there is that out there, and it was the anniversary of 9/11, back in 2001, but it would not be the key point.
• Where they about economic problems in various places?—now we are getting warm.
• Where they about who will run Egypt and other MENA nations?—I think we are on to something.

There are serious issues in the Middle East and North Africa and blaming some 13 minute amateur video isn't going to solve them.  Further, the unrest in the MENA area could boil over into scapegoating, ethnic cleansing and worse.  What does the current Administration have in mind for dealing with adverse outcomes?  Will it involve US forces, either alone or in conjunction with UN, NATO or Arab forces?  And what do the challengers have in mind.  And, finally, what are we going to be expected to give up to fight this sort of thing?  Will it include some of our Civil Rights?

Regards  —  Cliff