CBS reports this morning that witnesses are saying "that there was never an anti-American protest outside of the consulate [in Benghazi, Libya]. Instead, they say, it came under planned attack. That is in direct contradiction to the administration's account of the incident."
Somebody please hit the Obama administration with the clue bat...
Obama administration clueless on Mideast turmoil
Last Friday, White House press secretary Jay Carney explained the violence in the Middle East: "It is in response to a video -- a film -- that we have judged to be reprehensible and disgusting. That in no way justifies any violent reaction to it. But this is not a case of protests directed at the United States, writ large, or at U.S. policy."
AMB. RICE: Chris, absolutely I believe that. Because, in fact, it is the case. We had the evolution of the Arab Spring over the last many months but what sparked the recent violence was the airing on the Internet of a very hateful very offensive video that has offended many people around the world. Now, our strong view is that there is no excuse for violence. It is reprehensible and never justified. But in fact there have been those in various parts of the world who have reacted with violence. Their governments have increasingly and effectively responded and protected our facilities and condemned the violence and this outrageous response to what is an offensive video. But there is no question what we have seen in the past with things like Satanic Verses and cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad there have been such things that have sparked outrage and anger and this has been the proximate cause.
AMB. RICE: There are Marines at some places around the world, there are not Marines at every facility. That depends on the circumstances, that depends on the requirements. Our presence in Tripoli as in Benghazi is relatively new, as you'll recall. We have been back post-revolution, only for a matter of months. But, I have visited there myself both to Tripoli and Benghazi. I was very grateful to have strong security presence with me as part of our embassy detachment there. So we certainly are aware that Libya is a place that there has been increasingly violent incidents. The security personnel that the State Department thought were required were in place. We'll see when the investigation unfolds whether what transpired in Benghazi might have unfolded differently in different circumstances. But the president has been very clear, the protection of American personnel and facilities is and will remain our top priority. That's why we have reinforced our presence in Tripoli and elsewhere.
