Benghazi a travesty

On Oct. 30, The Spokesman-Review printed Mona Charen’s overview of the terrorist attack on 9/11 in Benghazi, Libya. She factually describes the events leading up to this disaster, the ensuing tragedy and reactions of the White House and State Department.

Under oath, State Department individuals testified this attack did not evolve spontaneously from a video; it was pre-planned. Prior to 9/11, requests by our ambassador for additional security were denied. During the attack, CIA requests for backup were denied. In an attack that lasted approximately seven hours, our ambassador, two Navy SEALs and another American were killed. Information shows there were U.S. fighter jets in Italy – just two hours away – and other forces available to help.

The Obama administration failed to act. A screw-up or incompetence?

The following are four high-ranking retired military men’s opinions of the Obama administration’s inaction in Benghazi: Kirk Leppold, commander, U.S.S Cole, called it “culpable negligence”; Col. David Hunt, U.S. Army, “cowardly”; Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer, U.S. Army, “unacceptable”; and Gary Berntsen, former CIA officer, “a disgrace.”

Americans serving our country deserve better than the four in Benghazi received.

Gloria LeKander

Spokane