I'm Right Again Dot Com

                               A new commentary every Wednesday — December 2, 2015

13 HOURS: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

     According to the World Bank, Libya, one of the most unstable pieces of real estate in the World, received $642-million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds last year—up from the $87-million given to them the year before. If you can't place the country, it's in North Africa; on the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Algeria. It was under the rule of the mad despot Muammar Gaddafi for 42 years. 

    The second largest city in that nation—and it can hardly be called such due to the continuing chaos there—is Benghazi, where on September 11 of 2012, Islamic terrorists killed our Ambassador, Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, along with CIA operatives Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty—in an attack on a USA compound and outpost. Ten other American personnel were injured.

    Yes, the story has been told numerous times and in hearings before our legislators in Washington. You've seen Mrs. Clinton in two bravura performances which gained her hundreds of congratulatory e-mails. You've had enough of Benghazi. As she asked, "What difference does it make?" 

    Just wait.

    We predict that more repercussions from that desperate stand by a handful of heroes will further roil the political season when the movie "13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi," is released on January 15, 2016. Here is the pre-release tag line used by the producers: "When everything went wrong, six men had the courage to do what is right. This movie is the whole story about Benghazi that has never been told before."

    Benghazi was far worse than a tiny blunder in protocol. As always, the attempt to cover-up incompetence is far worse than doing the dumbest thing possible.  I've yet to hear anyone say, "I was responsible for the disaster."

    The movie details the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself and the aftermath. Most importantly, it documents the lack of proper security and who is to blame for it. It follows the valiant struggle to come to the aid of Ambassador Stevens, his staff and CIA contractors and rescue them, despite half-hearted support from our highest officials.

    Once the film gains wide release, the Secret Soldiers will not be a secret anymore. They deserve recognition for their extreme, selfless bravery. Though it appeared to be a suicide mission, they volunteered anyway.

     "Central to the movie," states the advertising copy for the film, "are the problems the on-site personnel in Benghazi had with the then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CIA Director David Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta." Let me predict that none of the three will escape unscathed...by the film. 

    This pronouncement is attributed to the late, Yogi Berra, whether he ever said it or not:  It's going to be "deja vu, all over again."  Mrs. Clinton and her supporters are not going to enjoy the film, and worse, the timing of its release.

    -Phil Richardson, Observer of the human condition and storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself." - Joseph L. Menchen

If you wish to comment, Phil can be reached at:  

k7os (at) comcast (dot) net

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