Althouse: "The U.S. military cannot hunt down and kill people responsible for the deadly 2012 attack on an American compound in Benghazi, Libya..."

January 16, 2014

"The U.S. military cannot hunt down and kill people responsible for the deadly 2012 attack on an American compound in Benghazi, Libya..."

"... as long as the terrorists are not officially deemed members or affiliates of al Qaeda, newly declassified transcripts from congressional hearings show."

14 comments:

traditionalguy said...: This comes from the Tyrant who says he plans to ignore laws he doesn't like just because Republicans cannot stop him.

The oil sheiks red tape has stopped him. So time to play golf.; 1/16/14, 2:32 PM
Ignorance is Bliss said...: So how long until they classify Nakoula as an al Qaeda member?; 1/16/14, 2:36 PM
Charlie said...: "Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done."-BO 9/13/12; 1/16/14, 2:38 PM
m stone said...: This actually is quite convenient for Obama---rely on his state department to classify or NOT classify with the congressional authorization providing legal cover.

O is in the clear for what really is incompetence and he needn't enflame any fellow Muslims, which is his stripe.

This is the Keystone Pipeline played out in foreign policy. Just waiting on that pesky environmental impact statement.; 1/16/14, 2:39 PM
Hagar said...: I bet the law dictionary has a term for this.; 1/16/14, 3:01 PM
jacksonjay said...: Well, this explains NYT attempt to revise the story!; 1/16/14, 3:13 PM
Wince said...: Hagar said...
I bet the law dictionary has a term for this.

Catch-22?; 1/16/14, 4:14 PM
The Godfather said...: This sounds right to me. We're talking about the military here. The military's job includes attacking enemies of the United States, but the military isn't supposed to decide on its own who the enemies are. Congress has decided that al Qaeda is an enemy of the United States, so the military can attack al Qaeda. If potential target X isn't al Qaeda, then the military shouldn't be in the business of deciding that X ought to be killed, except as part of a legitimate military operation.

Further, generally speaking the military isn't supposed to be in the assassination business -- Adm Yamamoto and bin Laden being apparent exceptions.; 1/16/14, 4:44 PM
CWJ said...: How convenient.

If this is truly exculpatory, why would it be classified? Why keep mum?

Further, OK we don't send in uniformed marines, soldiers, airmen, or sailors. But for goodness sake, we do/did have the CIA on the ground there. What's tying their hands? Officially we don't assassinate foreign nationals (except by drone), but what about a snatch?

Further further, if why had any friends anymore, why couldn't we call in a favor and have the Brits, Germans, French, Israelis, or etc. do it for us.

Come on people, think outside the box. That is, unless for some reason you really don't want to bring these people to justice.; 1/16/14, 5:28 PM
CWJ said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/16/14, 5:28 PM
CWJ said...: "we" not "why"; 1/16/14, 5:30 PM
Wince said...: Can't they at least order an IRS audit?; 1/16/14, 8:33 PM
RecChief said...: sheee-it.
Obama ordered the drone strike killing of an american citizen, and they're telling us they can't kill these guys because they aren't on the right list?

Tired of the never ending bullshit. how about we just impeach the narcissist in chief?; 1/16/14, 9:51 PM
Kirk Parker said...: Godfather,

If you want to be taken seriously, cut the Yamamoto crap. The admiral was on active duty with our enemy's military, flying in an active war zone. In other words, a perfectly legitimate target.; 1/17/14, 2:43 AM