# Benghazi- give up the faux scandal already. It didn't work. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 12, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825 "2012-11-12T20:57:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/141 "2014-02-21T14:18:32Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > The scandal is that Obama and everyone else KNEW that there was no protest, that the video had nothing to do with anything, but for some reason when they first started talking about it, they mentioned the video as a possibility that sparked a protest that might have gotten out of hand and led to the attack. > > The people who are calling it a scandal are saying that there were plenty of eye witnesses at the event that the President and others had access to at the time, and before any announcements, ruled out the protest/video at all. So it is puzzling that Obama or whoever would float that as a possibility. > > It is true that he never came out and claimed that it was a protest that got out of hand, sparked by the video. Just that it was a possibility. > > Then you get into arguments about how they had requested extra security and got denied, someone dropped the ball, it was a snafu from the beginning, etc. > To be honest, there are some puzzling things about it, and when Obama went on the Daily show he kind of dodged the questions and spun his answers, and it seemed obvious to me that Obama knew he screwed up a bit. But anyway, like I said, there is a molehill there, but the right has basically just turned it into a mountain. This sums up my feeling perfectly. The “scandal” is that the administration knew, or should have known, that the protest video was not relevant, and they tried to tie the attack to the video. Not only was that untrue, it was…er…untrue. So, yeah. Government tries to seize opportunity to make a point about the video, it backfires. Not a shining moment. But…I can’t think of a single presidential administration, of either party, that hasn’t made similar missteps of greater import. (One possible exception: William Henry Harrison seems to have stayed clear of such mistakes). This is not a “scandal” – it’s an error. It’s not like people died – they did, of course, _but not because of the mistake_. The only thing that was wrong was a cynical attempt to tie the tragedy to a point the administration wanted to make, and the attempt failed. As scandals go, it’s about a 0.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. And I say this as a person whose political leanings are known here well enough that it should be clear I have no particular interest in unearned favorable assessments of Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/142 "2014-02-21T14:53:56Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > …(One possible exception: William Henry Harrison seems to have stayed clear of such mistakes)… Sometimes life is just a bowl of cherries. (Doris Kearns Goodwin would get that joke…) ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/143 "2014-02-21T15:19:31Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > This sums up my feeling perfectly. Wow, you think? Benghazi was no bigger a scandal than the Trillion-dollar War against Gog and Magog? Next you’ll be admitting that, despite your Republican leanings and idolization of Karl Rove, and despite the 6-6-6 count in her name, you’re not sure _Hilary Rodham Clintn_ is the Antichrist. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/144 "2014-02-21T16:13:36Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Wow, you think? Benghazi was no bigger a scandal than the Trillion-dollar War against Gog and Magog? > > Next you’ll be admitting that, despite your Republican leanings and idolization of Karl Rove, and despite the 6-6-6 count in her name, you’re not sure _Hilary Rodham Clintn_ is the Antichrist. That was an odd disconnect. I thought the recent NYTimes article provided evidence that backed up the notion that the video-attack connection was not so tenuous as to call it ‘untrue’. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/145 "2014-02-21T16:14:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > This sums up my feeling perfectly. Jesus Christ, you’ve become an incredibly huge GOP partisan hack. I rescind any and all respect I’ve ever had for you just for believing the first scintilla of bullshit about Benghazi, if not for CONTINUING to put your hands over your ears and shout “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” after almost a year and a half of Benghazi crap being debunked and answered and a concurrent year and a half of the Congressional Republicans and Fox News embarrassing themselves over it. Your party belongs in a loony bin and it’s obviously making you just as crazy. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/146 "2014-02-21T16:15:23Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > That was an odd disconnect. > I thought the recent NYTimes article provided evidence that backed up the notion that the video-attack connection was not so tenuous as to call it ‘untrue’. Well, you know, if you’re going to tailor your reactions to FACTS instead of partisan emotional denialism… ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/147 "2014-02-21T17:14:53Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > That was an odd disconnect. > > I thought the recent NYTimes article provided evidence that backed up the notion that the video-attack connection was not so tenuous as to call it ‘untrue’. My post, like that I was responding to, wasn’t intended to be sensical. The **Brickhead** , a partisan hack beyond any sense of shame – he goes to the opera and complains that he must sit among liberals to do so – makes a trivial concession and holds up his hand proudly like a 3-year old: “See? Even I am occasionally capable of recognizing Republican error, when it’s sufficiently blatant. What a good boy am I!” I pick on the **Brickhead** instead of his moronic fellow travelers here, because I can detect residual intelligence in **Brickhead** and honestly think he’d be capable of rational thought if he weren’t so smug and obstinate. ---
**Author:** ![Oliveritaly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oliveritaly/32/15233_2.png) [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/148 "2014-02-21T17:45:52Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > This sums up my feeling perfectly. > > The “scandal” is that the administration knew, or should have known, that the protest video was not relevant, and they tried to tie the attack to the video. Not only was that untrue, it was…er…untrue. > > So, yeah. Government tries to seize opportunity to make a point about the video, it backfires. Not a shining moment. > > But…I can’t think of a single presidential administration, of either party, that hasn’t made similar missteps of greater import. (One possible exception: William Henry Harrison seems to have stayed clear of such mistakes). This is not a “scandal” – it’s an error. It’s not like people died – they did, of course, _but not because of the mistake_. The only thing that was wrong was a cynical attempt to tie the tragedy to a point the administration wanted to make, and the attempt failed. As scandals go, it’s about a 0.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. > > And I say this as a person whose political leanings are known here well enough that it should be clear I have no particular interest in unearned favorable assessments of Democrats. Bricker, you’re one of my favorite posters here. Posts like this one only hammer it home. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/149 "2014-02-21T18:02:52Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Jesus Christ, you’ve become an incredibly huge GOP partisan hack. I rescind any and all respect I’ve ever had for you just for believing the first scintilla of bullshit about Benghazi, if not for CONTINUING to put your hands over your ears and shout “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” after almost a year and a half of Benghazi crap being debunked and answered and a concurrent year and a half of the Congressional Republicans and Fox News embarrassing themselves over it. > > Your party belongs in a loony bin and it’s obviously making you just as crazy. You know something. I was wrong. I’m guilty of being rushed when I read your post and getting the wrong gist. I sincerely apologize for going off on you, **Bricker**. That, in this particular instance, was uncalled for and all on me for misreading. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/150 "2014-02-21T18:32:55Z")
He has his moments. Regrettably, they are moments. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/151 "2014-02-21T19:12:32Z")
> [@Oliveritaly](#): > > Bricker, you’re one of my favorite posters here. Posts like this one only hammer it home. /sarcasm? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/152 "2014-02-21T19:54:34Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > /sarcasm? /underage retarded girlfriend fucker? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/153 "2014-02-21T20:00:44Z")
A moron says what? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/154 "2014-02-21T20:04:34Z")
What Fox says. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/155 "2014-02-21T20:31:49Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > You know something. I was wrong. I’m guilty of being rushed when I read your post and getting the wrong gist. > > I sincerely apologize for going off on you, **Bricker**. That, in this particular instance, was uncalled for and all on me for misreading. No problem – I have to admit I was a bit surprised at the vehemence of that response, but no harm done. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/156 "2014-02-21T21:12:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > He has his moments. Regrettably, they are moments. When, if ever, are we going to get to see yours? ---
**Author:** ![Oliveritaly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oliveritaly/32/15233_2.png) [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/157 "2014-02-21T22:15:13Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > /sarcasm? Not at all sarcastic. Bricker is a poster that often makes me do a deep-dive mentally regarding my own positions. I’m as left leaning as the rest of you but he’s often given me the most rational version of what the right “wants” through his posts that you can’t help but respect him. I also like Adher … ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/158 "2014-02-21T22:18:54Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > When, if ever, are we going to get to see yours? Don’t have to read any of them. I’ll get over it. Right quick, too. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/159 "2014-02-21T22:18:55Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > When, if ever, are we going to get to see yours? I’ve seen them for about 13 years now. I must say that they don’t come as often as they used to. Age is catching up to him. Or perhaps the lack of a Republican President… ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825/160 "2014-02-21T22:22:16Z")
> [@Oliveritaly](#): > > Not at all sarcastic. > > Bricker is a poster that often makes me do a deep-dive mentally regarding my own positions. > > I’m as left leaning as the rest of you but he’s often given me the most rational version of what the right “wants” through his posts that you can’t help but respect him. I can get behind this > [@Oliveitaly](#): > > I also like Adher … Some one must have hijacked your account here., 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-give-up-the-faux-scandal-already-it-didnt-work/640825.md?page=9)