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Benghazi: What Really Matters

Nov. 1, 2012 12:06pm
Pete Scobell is a former Navy SEAL Officer.
Pete Scobell is a former Navy SEAL Officer.
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When the initial reports of the Benghazi attacks began to surface along with reports detailing attacks on the Embassies in Cairo and Sanaa on September 11th, I wasn’t surprised. Like many other Americans, I assumed that those in the Embassies were prepared for this contingency given their locations and the symbolic date. I was saddened to hear of Ambassador Chris Stevens’s death as well as the “other Americans,” and my sadness was deepened when I learned that two of the Americans killed in the attack along with the Ambassador were former Navy SEALs, one of whom was a friend and former teammate. Little did I know that this would develop into the debacle it has since become.

All political drama aside, the piece of this story I choose to hang onto has nothing to do with the finger pointing or political side stepping aimed at preserving the integrity of the current administration long enough to get reelected. Men sacrificed themselves for one another and for their country. What kind of a man, in the face of overwhelming odds, knowingly and freely lays down his life for the man next to him? Glen Doherty and Ty Woods did just that. At that moment it didn’t matter that they had been Navy SEALs or that they were now contractors operating under different laws and rules of engagement. History doesn’t remember “Golgatha Gate” and the political fallout of crucifying Jesus. An entire religion was born from that simple act of suffering and sacrifice, not the reelection of Pontius Pilate.

I’m not implying that Glen and Ty were the sons of God and that President Obama is the fifth Perfect of the Judaea Providence. What I’m saying is that politics and bureaucracy trend towards failure, and that individuals have the capacity to instantaneously realize divine greatness despite being captives of a flawed and broken system led by individuals who do not possess comparable character.

Take their past and future out of the convoluted story and focus on the cold hard truths people face when in combat. You either fight or you run. What makes a person stand and fight to the death? Is it an oath to a piece of paper or a paycheck? No. People fight to the death for the respect and love of the individuals next to them. It’s their common lives, shared suffering, and love for one another’s unlimited futures that keeps them in the fight.

The actions of two Americans in battle and the character they displayed in the face of overwhelming odds should be what guilts this administration into letting the truth be told. When I learned that Glen and Ty engaged the enemy until the very last breath of air left their lungs, my sadness turned to pride, and my pride to envy. They were blessed with warrior’s deaths and they died fighting alongside one another. Their actions should make all of us ask ourselves hard questions. For those who understand what I’m talking about, no explanation is required, and for those who don’t, these are the only words I can find in a feeble attempt to describe it. My heart goes out to Glen and Ty’s families.

The confusion and grief that follows the loss is unbearable at times. However, I hope eventually the families can put aside the politics and the hate for those who should have and most likely could have acted in the aid of their loved ones.

When this all settles, I believe what will remain is the towering example of character these two men displayed. When this is all said and done, this event should not be remembered for the failure and lack of character displayed by the political leadership, but rather by the simple and powerful act of selfless sacrifice by individuals for one another.

The truth will come out, it always does. I know the truth is sitting in someone’s gut somewhere and it’s eating them up inside. The moral dilemma they are wrestling with will only continue to grow and consume them until they are compelled to act in order to preserve their own character and soul. I just hope it is not too late…

Even without hearing a formal explanation from the Obama Administration or the State Department , it seemed fairly apparent from the onset that given the location and the significance of the date (9/11), these attacks had to have been preplanned and coordinated. I was shocked to hear the “cause” identified by the Obama Administration was a video on YouTube. I actually laughed out loud when I heard that… It’s 9/11, we’ve been at war with Islamic Extremists for over a decade. The attacks came on the heels of the Arab Spring. Muslim Brotherhood influence is rapidly expanding along with anti-American rhetoric from the newly elected President of Egypt….nope, it was the result of a YouTube video. I was insulted. Does the Administration really believe the American people are that ignorant?

This mess was created by the administration in an attempt to minimize failures in leadership by their appointees. In truth, with all that is going on in the world, the American people may have just forgotten about the incident and written it off as an unfortunate result of American insensitivity. However, in an interesting twist of fate, it seems that the monster the administration created in the wake of the Bin Laden raid came back to bite them.

What the administration failed to take into consideration is that right now (good or bad) America is obsessed with Navy SEALs. I’m sure that none of the official intel briefings contained that information, because prior to the Bin Laden raid it held little or no weight. Glen and Ty were working as civilian contractors and contractors have been sufficiently demonized by the press throughout the Iraq war to the point that the administration probably assumed they could brush this off without much of a backlash. Who cares about a couple mercenaries who murder women and children getting killed?

Glen and Ty were members of the SEAL community which has received much more press than it should have gotten in the past few months. They fought and died just as they would have when they were on active duty. They were civilians on a contract, but somehow the SEAL ethos has taken precedence over the mercenary label previously given. The fact of the matter is that they were not on active duty serving as Navy SEALs. They were civilians working on a 1099. What’s the difference? Ask a lawyer…it’s a big difference. I’m betting the administration was hoping to minimize this event and their plans were foiled by America’s love affair with the SEAL Teams. They fought and died by the SEAL ethos in defense of their beloved country. They did what every warrior would have done. They stood between the sheep and the wolves. It was the right thing to do.

The situation they found themselves in is one that many former SOF operators turned contractors have found themselves in…high and dry. In this case their past didn’t come back to haunt them. Instead, Glenn and Ty’s past is coming back to haunt those in the administration who wished for their own leadership failures to pass under the American public’s radar.

When you take the spin out of the equation, remove the election, and look at this from an objective standpoint, you see a slow bureaucracy,a lack of contingency planning constrained by a complex legal justification for overt military action in a sovereign nation on a compressed timeline with less than optimal real time intelligence. In short, a recipe for disaster. This complex mixture of politics, inner agency struggle, lawyering and failure to act will eventually be pinpointed somewhere within the middle of the State Department where politics and nuance trumps action, where management is trying to save their own asses in order to get ahead. Secretary Clinton’s blanket acceptance of responsibility is evidence of this failure.

Could this have happened under anybody’s watch? Of course. What is telling is how the administration handled the incident. There was a blatant failure in leadership somewhere in the chain and instead of admitting it, identifying it, and taking steps toward fixing it, they instantaneously moved to deflect the entire event. Since that didn’t work , they are attempting to use any and all events as a platform to move past the event.

It is not the failure and the loss of life that bothers me. That’s a cold thing to say, but anyone who has spent time working within our Government bureaucracy understands how poorly it operates and that these events will happen regardless of who is at the helm. What’s extremely troublesome is that the character and valor being displayed at the lowest levels consistantly and without exception outshines the “leaders” at the top of the chain. This is not a recipe for success. Transparency is what we need as a nation right now and we need to face some painful truths. Glen and Ty were just two Americans trying to do the right thing and in the pursuit of what they believed to be right they sacrificed their lives without concern for their own fate. Isn’t that the kind of character we should demand of our elected leaders? Glen and Ty died for one another in the defense of their country and they didn’t even have an election right around the corner. I would hope that someone in middle management at the State Department sees the example these two men set and choses to tell the truth and shed some light on the graveyard of integrity that is their leadership.

Comments (44)

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  • antisocialist59
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:42pm

    why are my post being stonewalled have you lost your nerve?

    Report this comment

    antisocialist59  
  • antisocialist59
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:41pm

    The enemy in this case is within, the crime is there also, the plan was there also, the truth would put them all in prison therefore it will never be known; at least not by their lips because they have blood on their hands and lies on their lips. The stone wall that he have been trying to scale for four years now will stand unless these people are defeated on the 6th of November.

    Report this comment

    antisocialist59  
  • seriouslywhy
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:38pm

    Excellent Article – you have expressed exactly our sense of what is most important about this event. It is for this very reason that Americans are so outraged at the failure of those in command.

    Glen and Ty stood watch on the “wall” for hours waiting for a rescue that would never come. Never forget.

    Report this comment

    seriouslywhy  
  • thebizcouple
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:27pm

    We have to get the story out in other ways. Watch (and share) the Benghazi Trial of Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F1pKj6-ke4&sns

    Report this comment

    thebizcouple  
  • shogun459
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:17pm

    Unfortunatly the people responsible have not conceince or guilt they in fact hate our military and this will not bother Hillary, Obama or Leon.

    They are Traitors during a war.

    Report this comment

    shogun459  
    • heyjim55
      Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:45pm

      They are traitors no doubt about it but there’s another problem some website’s are reporting that this was a gun running operation supplying Syrian rebels with weapons and there was some double crossing done by our Government which they normally get away with but not this time. I think Obama chose not to help those in need because it would have exposed what he was doing there and it would give Russia and China what they needed to take their case to the UN and prove the US is responsible for the hostilities in Syria . That all is not what it seems as reported by our media. If he admits he made a mistake it won’t save him it will spill doom in the elections, if he admits it’s a gun running scheme then he could be impeached and brought up on crimes against humanity at the Hague (World Court).Notice Fox News is staying away from the question why would he refuse help when it would have served him better if he had saved those people. They are not asking while he would turn it down instead they are accusing him of ignoring it because he is more concerned about getting reelected. Fox News I believe knows about the CIA running guns to the rebels in that region they are trying to take Obama down while protecting the gun running scheme .

      Report this comment

      heyjim55  
  • jtv
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:57pm

    I do not agree that Benghazi could have happened under anybody’s watch. Certainly the attack may have happened, although I question that it would if appropriate security steps were taken. But I do not know of any, barely responsible administration, that would have completely consistently disregarded the Ambassadors multiple requests for help and respond with a reduction in forces. And certainly, this kind of “in your face coverup” is classic Obama. Of course much of it is brought on by an impotent Republican Congress. Obama is a traitor and must be defeated.

    Report this comment

    jtv  
  • Mr_D
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:49pm

    From: Down Range Radio #289: They left them to die, Posted by Michael Bane on Oct 30th, 2012 and filed under Down Range Radio, http://www.downrange.tv/blog/down-range-radio-289/18419/

    This is a pretty compelling commentary on Benghazi. Bane compares these men to those who held the Alamo. It seems like an appropriate comparison.

    From about 35 min – 51 min. More info than I’ve heard before.

    Bane says that “reports” say the two SEALS killed about 60 and that the terrorists were outraged that only TWO had held them off.

    Report this comment

    Mr_D  
  • MarionJoy
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:46pm

    I have been following rather closely, and have a question: Ambassador Stevens and the two Seals are written and spoken of extensively – what about the fourth American? Is there a reason why he is seldom mentioned?

    Report this comment

    MarionJoy  
    • DZ-015
      Posted on November 1, 2012 at 5:50pm

      He was a lower level civilian employee, and the first to die. His body was located and taken in the armored vehicle which was ambushed , but still managed to reach the “annex” (actually a CIA facility) just over a mile away. The ambassador, who was overcome by the smoke as well but still alive, was left behind because he could not be located and the situation was untenable. A mob of looters who came to the embassy after the attack found him and took him to the hospital where he died. It’s still not clear whether this was before or after the two SEALs were killed, because the firefight at the annex lasted seven hours. Like the original 9-11, this one was no tragedy; rather, it was an atrocity, made worse by the cover up which is Wadi-gate.

      Report this comment

      DZ-015  
  • DIR
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:46pm

    Barry thinks he/s doing right in these regards in his lying and top secret activities. To Barry it’s more important than someone else’s life. He believes he is justified in his actions. His aim is to be reelected so that he can continue on with his high minded leftest activities, whatever they may be. After all is said and done I hope he is held accountable for his actions, win or loose. I don’t trust him or the democrat party. Their goals do not seem consistant with true American values.

    Report this comment

    DIR  
  • Texan832
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:38pm

    Mr. Scobell,
    Let me say after reading your words, the only thing that seems fitting,
    HOOYAH!

    Report this comment

    Texan832  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:23pm

    Thank you, I as for so many other americans we are struggling with this. It is not about politics. It is about right and wrong. As Buck Sexton put it last night it is about Confidence, I want to know the men and woman out there know we have put in leaders that will send in help. I am confused, angry and sad.

    Report this comment

    toomuchgovt  
  • BenInNY
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:18pm

    “Does the Administration really believe the American people are that ignorant?”
    Yes.
    And frighteningly, they are correct a lot of the time, but not enough to retain their places as free men.

    Report this comment

    BenInNY  
  • crazymensa
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:10pm

    I have read Mr. Obama’s autobiographies and am convinced that what we are witnessing is a deliberate dissolution of the essence of what is America. He is on a mission. He is a narcissistic sociopath…he has no conscience… he does not care about the lives of those brave men. The bigger picture of what happened in the middle east and the events that preceded it should indicate that he knowingly had a hand in what happened on 9/11/12 and that he believed (and still does) that with the help of his media sycophants he could downplay, at the very least, what actually happened. As Americans, we cannot let this man continue to think he can act with impunity. He hates America and what it stands for and I for one cannot continue to stay silent! He is responsible for the deaths of 4 brave Americans, and Americans need to know the truth and sacrifice made especially by Ty Woods and Glen Doherty BEFORE November 6!

    Report this comment

    crazymensa  
  • savingshepherd
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:45pm

    Add your comments

    Report this comment

    savingshepherd  
  • savingshepherd
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:43pm

    I am very curious about General Ham’s retirement and Rear Admiral Gaouette’s removal. I’m not able to find much information regarding these revelations. Thoughts? Anyone? Is any news outlet covering this story?

    Report this comment

    savingshepherd  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:22pm

    I take it SEALS hate the Democrat party. From being hung out to dry at Benghazi to SEALS, who were on the Bin Laden raid being, shot down while being transported by a slow moving Chinook in Afghanistan the SEALS are getting hurt by the Democrats. God forbid that an OSPREY be used or funded. Or that that we use more than one platform or vehicle.

    The War on Terrorists is being waged more & more by Spec Ops & the Democrats are shafting them.

    Report this comment

    Walkabout  
  • Dobler62
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:20pm

    ONEMILEAWAY… We are ready to stand; believe me!

    Report this comment

    Dobler62  
  • ABT123
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:17pm

    Thanks for passing the word.
    Dereliction of Duty, worthy of a court martial, or impeachment, or considering who all is involved, perhaps both.

    Report this comment

    ABT123  
    • antisocialist59
      Posted on November 1, 2012 at 3:46pm

      If only it were that simple, it is as criminal as planned murder, to pass it off as even the worst kind of incompetence is too kind by half squared.

      Report this comment

      antisocialist59  
  • Cymry
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:08pm

    We used to have Presidents that would have acted as Glen and Ty.
    Barry hides behind his appointees.

    Someone needs to step forward and cleanse their soul by telling the truth.

    Excellent article.

    Report this comment

    Cymry  
  • monroeslb
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:05pm

    That’s powerful. That is telling it like it is. And what a wonderful tribute X Navy SEALs who gave their life defending our country and saving several people from the embassy. This administration is the most corrupt in our history and Obama should be impeached. It is obvious he let those Americans die for political reasons. God bless all those that serve our great country, the leadership in the White House is a total failure to the men and women serving in our armed forces. It doesn’t seem to me that Obama and gives a damn about letting those seals die!

    Report this comment

    monroeslb  
  • CrazyChicken
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:01pm

    II have offered a job with the DOD that would put me in Harm’s Way. I am now having second thoughts of going and will make my decision based on the outcome of the election. I will not put my life on the line, and I don’t know of anyone else that would knowing your Commander in Chief cares more of his political aspirations than keeping us safe. What happened to the Oath these people took? How can they stand by and allow this story to go untold? I pray someone has the guts to honor these American Heroes.

    Report this comment

    CrazyChicken  
  • KAM1984
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 12:46pm

    OUTSTANDING ARTICLE! I applaud your honesty and accuracy!

    Report this comment

    KAM1984  
  • onemileaway
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 12:31pm

    “What’s extremely troublesome is that the character and valor being displayed at the lowest levels consistantly and without exception outshines the “leaders” at the top of the chain.”

    with this line I began to cry. a sadness washes over me, I pray for good men to stand.

    Report this comment

    onemileaway  
  • darlajune
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 12:28pm

    Excellent article from the heart. Thank you Sir!

    Report this comment

    darlajune  
  • GildaCat
    Posted on November 1, 2012 at 12:21pm

    My Husband is a Army military officer and I concur with all written here. I also agree with the lady who called up on Glenn’s show and said she did not feel comfortable anymore with our government coming to the rescue of our men. She worried about the safety of her husband in harms way. So do I. I have felt for a long time that something like this was in the offing for this administration. All it took was the shooting at Ft. Hood to see the lack of concern for our people exhibited. Politics trump compassion, honor, and truth with these people. May God have mercy on their souls.

    Report this comment

    GildaCat  
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