# With trepidation, Benghazi **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 2, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535 "2014-05-02T20:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/501 "2014-05-22T16:45:03Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I, personally, would like to know what Obama was doing during the armed assaults. > . Yes, I’m betting a tennis game. That will sure shake up Washington. yawn. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/502 "2014-05-22T17:10:39Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I don’t believe providing a plethora of unreadable emails and documents should be considered _answering_ a question. It’s been reported that this will be the [**14th** congressional hearing on Benghazi](http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/mission-improbable-trey-gowdy-gets-into-benghazi-106326.html). I’m not sure where they get that number, as I only count 5 on the [wiki timeline](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_investigation_into_the_2012_Benghazi_attack), but whether this is the 6th or the 14th hearing is entirely beside the point. What are the odds that the GOP is going to demand a 7th/15th hearing? 8th/16th? Is there ever going to be a point where all the questions are answered? Of course not, because even when Obama produced his “long form” birth certificate, there were still doubters, naysayers, and JAQ-offs. The idea that this is a legitimate hearing to answer legitimate questions is bogus on its face, and your insistence otherwise is completely transparent. Also, as for your claim that [nobody has been arrested for the attack itself](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/08/06/charges-in-benghazi-attack/2625135/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=206567)… ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/503 "2014-05-22T17:41:11Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > It’s been reported that this will be the [**14th** congressional hearing on Benghazi](http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/mission-improbable-trey-gowdy-gets-into-benghazi-106326.html). I’m not sure where they get that number, as I only count 5 on the [wiki timeline](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_investigation_into_the_2012_Benghazi_attack), but whether this is the 6th or the 14th hearing is entirely beside the point. What are the odds that the GOP is going to demand a 7th/15th hearing? 8th/16th? Is there ever going to be a point where all the questions are answered? > > …Also, as for your claim that [nobody has been arrested for the attack itself](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/08/06/charges-in-benghazi-attack/2625135/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=206567)… (post shortened) I’m not sure where they get that number, either. That’s been a big problem with the entire Benghazi “investigation”. Lots-O-Things get reported/blogged. Which ones are facts and which are fiction/opinion? If only there was an investigation of the investigation so the public could finally know what had happened from the time of the attacks to the present. :rolleyes: \*Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans have decided to create a select committee to expand their investigation into the Benghazi attacks. **Beyond that, nothing is settled**. In fact, Republicans may be going on something of a mission improbable to yield new information and turn up new clues in a wide-ranging probe that has already spanned 13 hearings, 25,000 pages of documents and 50 briefings\*. According to John Bresnahan, Lauren French and Jake Sherman of POLITICO, nothing is settled. Are they right? What difference does it make? Maybe they should let it slide. Or maybe they should carry on with the investigation without the redacting of the previously redacted info? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/504 "2014-05-22T17:58:28Z")
“Nothing is settled” doesn’t refer to what you think it’s referring to in this case. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/505 "2014-05-22T18:08:53Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > According to John Bresnahan, Lauren French and Jake Sherman of POLITICO, nothing is settled. Are they right? What difference does it make? You heartless bastard. How can you ask what difference it makes that four brave Americans are dead? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/506 "2014-05-22T20:05:08Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > According to John Bresnahan, Lauren French and Jake Sherman of POLITICO, nothing is settled. Are they right? The facts are settled, the procedures are not. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/507 "2014-05-22T22:49:10Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > The facts are settled, the procedures are not. Considering how many documents were redacted, and therefore unreadable, how can the facts be settled? All of the facts aren’t known yet. The public still doesn’t have a full understanding of everything Benghazi. You may not believe that this Congressional investigation is needed but that is so yesterday. The Congressional investigation is going to take place. I suspect that subpoenas will be issued and it’s possible that someone is going to go to prison. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/508 "2014-05-22T22:57:44Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I, personally, would like to know what Obama was doing during the armed assaults. That would be completely irrelevant unless you have a theory that he knew the assaults were coming. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/509 "2014-05-22T23:01:57Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > …Also, as for your claim that [nobody has been arrested for the attack itself](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/08/06/charges-in-benghazi-attack/2625135/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=206567)… Kevin Johnson and William M. Welch of USA TODAY wrote: \*Because the charges remain under seal, the officials were not authorized to comment publicly. The Justice Department declined to comment on specific charges Tuesday. "The department’s investigation is ongoing,‘’ Justice spokesman Andy Ames said. “It has been, and remains, a top priority. We have no further comment at this time.”\* Johnson and Welch also said: \*A Libyan militia leader has been charged in last year’s terrorist attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that left U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead, two federal officials said. Ahmed Kattalah is the first person to be charged in the Sept. 11 incident that sparked a political firestorm about the initial U.S. response to the assault\*. If the Just-Us Dept isn’t talking and the charges are sealed, where did Johnson and Welch get their information from? Did they verify their story? If so, why the secrecy? Did someone in Just-Us leak the info or did Johnson and Welch simply make it up? idk ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/510 "2014-05-22T23:06:56Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The Congressional investigation is going to take place. I suspect that subpoenas will be issued and it’s possible that someone is going to go to prison. Weren’t you the one condemning the baseless allegations in the GWB “scandal?” Wasn’t your constant refrain “wait until the facts are known before speculating about the Governor’s involvement?” So, screw all that. Who do you think is going to prison and for what? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/511 "2014-05-22T23:06:59Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The public still doesn’t have a full understanding of everything Benghazi. That’s a wonderful benchmark. Let’s continue investigations on every issue until the public fully understands them. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/512 "2014-05-22T23:08:12Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > That would be completely irrelevant unless you have a theory that he knew the assaults were coming. Irrelevant to whom? You? How is that relevant to my questions? Are you suggesting that I should not be asking questions just because I want an answers to those questions? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/513 "2014-05-22T23:15:36Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Irrelevant to whom? You? How is that relevant to my questions? > > Are you suggesting that I should not be asking questions just because I want an answers to those questions? I would suggest you stop asking questions that don’t matter, and those that have been answered. But it’s a free country. Ask away. (But you will be at some danger of being mocked like the Republicans who are holding hearings) ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/514 "2014-05-22T23:18:15Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Weren’t you the one condemning the baseless allegations in the GWB “scandal?” Wasn’t your constant refrain “wait until the facts are known before speculating about the Governor’s involvement?” > > So, screw all that. Who do you think is going to prison and for what? Yes, I’m willing to wait for the facts to be known. In both cases. YMMV. There were no “baseless” allegations about the “other” threads subject. Many of the allegations made still haven’t been proven - yet. And they are trying. On the other hand, many of the allegations were based on a hatred of fat people, Republicans, NJ politicians, possible GOP contenders, etc. I have no idea who might be sent to prison but I believe the charge(s) will be related to lying under oath. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/515 "2014-05-22T23:20:48Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I have no idea who might be sent to prison but I believe the charge(s) will be related to lying under oath. who lied under oath? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/516 "2014-05-22T23:31:52Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > who lied under oath? Has the latest Congressional investigation already started? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/517 "2014-05-22T23:36:00Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I would suggest you stop asking questions that don’t matter, and those that have been answered. But it’s a free country. Ask away. (But you will be at some danger of being mocked like the Republicans who are holding hearings) “Mocked”? Are you threatening me? Your passive/aggressive suggestion that I stop asking questions at the risk of being “mocked” doesn’t seem to be working. Shoo. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/518 "2014-05-22T23:37:06Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > That’s a wonderful benchmark. Let’s continue investigations on every issue until the public fully understands them. I’m glad you agree. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/519 "2014-05-23T00:44:36Z")
Considering it was like 3:00 in the morning over here when the attack happened, it’s likely Obama was sleeping. Where did you want him to be? Hovering over Lybia with a parachute and a motorcycle just in case he to drop in and kick a little ass? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535/520 "2014-05-23T01:07:31Z")
If I understand the point correctly, something is happening somewhere in the world, therefore POTUS must be directly hands-on. Possibly in the [War Room](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Dr._Strangelove_-_The_War_Room.png). There is no delegation in **doorhinge** -land. There is no threat assessment. There is no room for anything but direct Presidential involvement, in all things, at all times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-trepidation-benghazi/687535.md?page=27)