Try to imagine, as we can only do, the position those men in Benghazi were in. Those men knew, weeks and months in advance, that the dangers were growing in Benghazi. The emails and other communications had been sent back to Washington, requesting additional security. But those requests fell on deaf ears. In fact, as we have learned, the requests were not only denied, but the last of the security detail "teams" were recalled from the area the month prior.
The Libyan Consulate in Benghazi, was left with a skeleton of what was believed to be needed for security. And on Sep. 11th, that minimal of security proved to be tragically insufficient. Ambassador Stevens, and IT specialist Sean Smith, were killed when the compound was over-run by well armed extremists.
From an annex about a mile away, two former Navy Seals, in spite of "stand down" orders, went to the compound in an attempt to rescue the Ambassador and others. Smith was found, already dead, and Stevens was not found. (Stevens was later found by looters!) Other people from the compound were also recovered, and amid automatic weapons fire, they withdrew from the compound and returned to the annex.
During the next 6-7 hours, the annex was also attacked by automatic weapons fire, RPG attacks, and mortar attacks. The former Seals attempted to "paint the target" of the mortar positions, with a laser targeting device, while making repeated requests for assistance.
The former Seals likely painted the targets, because they felt help would be coming, and some air support would fire upon the mortar positions. But that help did not come. And, those two former Seals lost their lives to the very mortar fire they were tried to get suppressed.
Three times during that prolonged firefight, we have learned, communications were made to Washington, asking for help. Three times, those requests were denied, either out-right, or by the lack of any response. From my own perspective, I can only imagine those guys "believing" they would not be left to die. That help would surely be coming. And that "Leaving no man behind", would surely prevail.
But no help was sent. No help would be forthcoming. They were left to their own defenses. And in the face of the numbers of attackers and weapons, they were left to die. Even those Libyan security forces from Tripoli, would be far too late.
Those who died in Benghazi, were betrayed. They were betrayed in the weeks and months prior, by the reduction of security, when more security has been requested. They were betrayed on night of 9/11/12, when their bosses, their Commander and Chief, failed to provide back-up. And they were betrayed, by a government who was more concerned about their appearances to the region, than doing what was right for our own people.
Obama, after knowing that four men died, to include one of our Ambassadors, went on to campaign in Las Vegas, smiling and making jokes about Romney, and acting at though nothing happened. THAT was perhaps the biggest betrayal of all. Obama, as Command and Chief, couldn't wait until the bodies our our lost were returned home, which happened on 9/14. Obama couldn't even stay in The White House, and work with all our assets to get to the bottom of who killed our people, and what we could do next. Obama - left his post - to campaign for re-election.
I can ONLY imagine, trying to keep attackers at bay, sending out requests for help, and in the end, realizing that no help was coming. They died, while being betrayed by their own nation.
For retired General Colin Powell, or anyone else, to support this POS, I will never understand. There is so very much more at stake here, than free birth control, gay marriage, and empty hopes of better times. Sadly, far too many are wearing blinders to the real threats to our nation, and will vote for this POS anyway.
Between sadness and anger, I can't say which is more unsettling.
To ALL who serve us in dangerous lands the world over, you have my Thanks and Prayers.
