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In the week since former CIA Director David Petraeus announced his resignation, the right has come up with a variety of colorful conspiracy theories, all of which have been debunked. Was his sex scandal hidden from public view to boost President Obama's re-election prospects? No. Was the White House blackmailing him? No. Did he step down to avoid congressional testimony on Benghazi? No.
But over the last day or so, the right has stumbled upon a new micro-scandal: the original CIA draft materials referenced specific suspected terrorists, but their names were removed and replaced with the word "extremist" in the final draft.
"A ha!" the conspiracy theorists proclaim. "This proves Obama's people hid key details! It's clear evidence of ... something!" It's really not.
Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus told lawmakers Friday that classified intelligence showed the deadly raid on the U.S. Consulate in Libya was a terrorist attack, but that the administration withheld the suspected role of specific al-Qaida affiliates to avoid tipping off the terrorist groups.
The recently resigned spy chief explained that references to terrorist groups suspected of carrying out the violence were removed from the public explanation of what caused the attack so as not to tip off the groups that the U.S. intelligence community was on their trail, according to lawmakers who attended the private briefings.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) noted that Petraeus "was adamant there was no politicization of the process, no White House interference or political agenda. He completely debunked that idea."
The names of terrorists believed to be involved were removed for reasons of national security, and all of the relevant intelligence agencies signed off on the edited text. As Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) explained to the AP, "[I]n an unclassified document you want to be careful who you identify as being involved."
Susan Rice then relied on the intelligence community's findings to update the public five days after the attack, and everything she said reflected the best information available at the time.
And before Fox News suggests Petraeus is still lying in order to protect the Obama administration, let's not forget that Petraeus is no longer part of the Obama administration. He's a private citizen, free to speak his mind -- and in this case, everything Petraeus is saying is consistent with everything the White House has said. Petraeus' remarks have left the right's conspiracy theories in tatters.
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Every One Know Patreaus and Allen are republicans, and they both were Generals and they both are REPUBLICANS, One woman getsa Email (non threatning but very saronic) and she complains to a decorated Prior to 9/11 FBI agent chomping @ the Bit to get recognized , to he travels to DC on his own without orders or directions, and tells Cantor that Patreaus was having an affair! Prior to election Night and prior to Halloween! So why aint the republicants screaming @ Cantor: "Why did you not tell us? Because republiCANTS, Cant throw one of their own , "UNDER THE BUS"
The repubs throw their own under the bus all the time ... but only if they are moderate. Never mind, you're right, Cantor is not moderate so they couldn't throw him under the bus. :)
Uh. Top Secret Intelligence information. Hear it first from the CIA. What part of "its a secret" do the right conspiracy theorists not understand. Protect America. Clean up terrorism. How? Keep secrets while going after them, of course.
They just wanted to distract America from the real problems they created. Trying there obstructionism like they did the last 4 years.
They treat military intelligence like it is a reality show and they are entitled to know everything. NOT
Agree, distract from obstructionism and distract from the fiscal cliff negoiations now. Finally , everyone is starting to point out that this was a rethug manufactured " cliff" from the start. I think we all need to send our congress people letters and emails. I did to all of our representatives that I want this problem solved and that I will be voting and campaigning against them if they don't do the job. They are up for re-election in 2014. We have to hold these people's feet to the fire.
Much Ado About Nothing!
Peter King looked soooo down about the results of the testimony from General Petreaus. Isn't it rather Unpatriotic to be disappointed by these results?
Did I mention that everyone in this story are republicants??? sept the Prez of course!
why don't you people get over with it you know as well as I do it is a going on because the Republicans lost the election expect more crap to come out this is only the beginning they will find something else to make a case out of.
they just don't want to wok with the Democrats to tey and get something done for this country.
And its funny they are using our taxes money to have all these investigation and ythat showa how much they are worried about the economy.
While I hope this would put any conspiracy theories to rest about Benghazi or General Petraeus, since the right hasn't really troubled itself with getting or believing the facts, anything that comes from the right on this subject beyond waiting for a release of a full report on Benghazi is most likely a lie couched in their usual phraseology of, "I heard someone say" or "I've spoken to some people". The unnamed source of truth that makes up what passes for news at FOX.
No amount of truth will get through the information-less bubble the far right-wing & the Republican Party lives in! A few are starting to realize their plans failed miserably & are trying to find new ways to lie to the people in their attempt to get back into power. It's all about party ahead of country! These tea-bagging Republicans need to help fix the problems, resign or get voted out so we can fix these problems!!
It's tragic. I mean, if they don't have to consider facts or science or math... why not make up something interesting? It's not even funny. It's plain boring. There can be glamour in going nuts. But they even don't get that one right.
Once again the Republicans have blown Up and have egg on their faces! Man... If I was a Republican, and believe me...I'm glad I am not! I would disassociate myself with these Bozo's In a Heartbeat.
These people re-define the word Idiot!
Uh. We have a Central Intelligence Agency who's job it is to keep America safe. They operate under a cloak of secrets so that the "enemy" doesn't learn first hand from the media what is going on. What part of it's top secret don't the conspiracy therorist not understand? Sure, hear it first from the CIA. I don't think so!
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! every body sings, ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! They couldn't flub up on anything more controversial than that...or could they? BRING IT! CUZ WE ALREADY BROUGHT IT! They need to shut up while there is still a slim chance to be a relative component! Personally I think them succeeding is a great idea! Could the rest of us pick the planet they get to live on?! They would STILL find someone amongst themselves to hate! It's all they know. Hate, power and money!
This smells a lot like the "Vince Foster/Whitewater/Chinagate" tactics used on Clinton. Thos went nowhere. So will this. "But four lives were lost!" Hearing this from a Teanderthal is simply too Rich!
How man have been lost in the Iraq war?
More than four, eh, Bush? Eh, McCain? Eh, Condaleza Rice?
Oh, but that's OK with the Republicans.
Seems we have to define /snark to people.
When a person says /snark - it's a brief reference to HTML tags which <tag> and </tag> would be opening and ending commands - or alternately, the way in which many games designate to display actions or behaviors in chat format (See: world of warcraft /dance command).
"Snark" is used to let people know that a person is being smart-mouthed, sarcastic, or in some way satirical, and not to be taken literally. It is used to indicate tone, since tone is often difficult to infer through text.
/removes tweed jacket and steps off away from the podium
Sadoldveteran, #1
I agree. Nothing will slow them down or change their minds. They are on a mission from THE TWILIGHT ZONE wing of the GOP. Da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,...............
(Twilight Zone music).
And clearly, it's Michele's fault that there will be no more Twinkies!
LongIslandJew banned, trolling from jump, flameout.
Donna J. Edmond, I know you talked with Laura over here, but you can't flame like that. Report and move on next time.
You're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
thanx Tyler , Laura and Donna
Rachel you are AWESOME!!! Thanks to you and your colleagues at MSNBC for always keeping us informed with the truth about what's going on in Washington and around the world. BTW great job on your interview with Nancy Pelosi yesterday!
In regards to all this mess that the Republican'ts are whining about Benghazi, they all know the truth. This is their cover-up that they are putting on to hide the real reason, and that reason is Obama and the American people got them right where it hurts. Their EGOS! Look if I didn't want the barbarians to come through my white gate I'd be terrified and pissed off too. If the Barbarians enter that white gate, we are going to take their stuff and we might treat them like they've been treating us for many years as MINORITIES! BOO!!!
Look - lets be realistic about FOX news - their audience is composed of people who believe Dinosaurs lived alongside humans, that 'God' made fossils to confuse people. That evolution is just a theory !... Do you honestly believe that Murdoch and his gang would turn away such a gift horse as these idiots ? Lets face it if they will 'buy' the total fantasy that FOX hands out - they will buy ANY product that gets promoted ! Its business and FOX know its - they just USE these morons.
The Obama administration and the CIA need to be especially careful with documents that might get reviewed by people like Darrell Issa, who, I believe, has been especially careless about revealing classified information. I would expect more redacting of references to specific individuals, locations, or missions.
But the GOP base can't read, can they? I'm beginning to doubt Sen McCain can read. Or think. Or STFU...
It is becoming very obvious that mc cain is in some kind of mental decline. Or, overmedicated. Watch his eyes. Time to vote him out of office. He doesn't seem to have the good sense to retire.
Or made dysfunctional by hatred, jealousy, bigotry, resentment, or a combination of all and more. Not a good mix for leadership.
The GOPTP's knee-jerk reaction to this unfortunate incident is a good example of why they should never be trusted with national security matters. They don't care who gets killed or maimed in their quest to look relevant or get elected. Valerie Plame comes to mind.
now they can go after the real reason it was withheld..some of Obama's muslim relatives were involved and he was secretly funding their terrorism
I am sorry to hear that you have lost your freaking mind, David.
A mind is a terrible thing to lose.
"Ignorance is its own Justice" - Jacob the Baker
Benghazi scandal (al la FOX) has jumped the shark.
why is no one discussing the issue that additional funds were requested to safeguard the consulates and that the Congress turned down the requests for additional funds???????????????????????????Who was it that turned down the requests for funds......expose their names and you will see why I am so angry............
The GOP turned down 300 million for defence of the Benghazi consulate. Some of the very ones who are now screaming were amongst those who did that.
These people live in some fantasy world. There is no dealing with them.
The Left and their comments of conspiracies do not hide the fact that they are not rooting for Obama and his re-election. Some are coming around but the general feeling is pompous men out for revenge. We love our President Obama and know in our hearts that he has not hid anything from the public. Love you Rachel.
On a completely serious note, John McCain and Lindsey Graham owe Susan Rice and Pres. Obama a genuine apology. McCain is in fine form when he can bully and bluster his way through a cable interview, but I suspect he will fall far short of the actual moral courage it would take to admit he was completely, idiotically wrong.