Benghazi - Not Again!

I'm beginning to wonder if U.S. intelligence is an oxymoron.  There obviously wasn't much of it when the Consulate in Benghazi was attacked on 9/11/2012.  If there was any it never reached the Secretary of State's desk.  By her own admission. If I were in the foreign service I'd not be comforted by the lack of revelations in yesterday's hearings.

The last thing I ever expected would be an opportunity to revisit the subject.  Especially so soon. The Wall Street Journal   reported that  several European governments have once again urged their citizens to vacate Benghazi.  The U.K. described the reason as "a specific and imminent threat to Westerners." The Netherlands and Germany also issued the warning. As I continued browsing for more news I found that France  too has added it's voice.

Is there a voice missing here?  Not that I'd expect Americans to be taking a holiday in beautiful downtown Benghazi, but then we sometimes do things that make no sense.  That being understood the State Department did reiterate an old travel warning. "Although there is no specific information pointing to imminent threats against U.S. citizens, the potential for violence and kidnappings targeting Westerners in Benghazi is significant." 

Wow. The statements couldn't be more different.  Does the U.S. not consider it's people as 'Westerners'? I think maybe al Qaeda just might. Well, let's see now.  Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and France have warned of 'specific' and imminent' threats.  The U.S. separates us from those 'Westerners' by indicating there are none against U.S. citizens, nor for that matter, the afore mentioned. In other words, you pay your money you take your chances and quite possibly your lumps.

Who are you going to believe?  Frankly, with our State Department's record I'd side with the Europeans. After all, the U.K.Ambassador was attacked before ours, fortunately survived and was withdrawn. Ours couldn't even get his wires read.

It seems to me if four of our allies share the same intelligence and only ours differs we must have a different definition of specific and imminent.  Of course Hillary is a Clinton and they do like word games.  I just hope this time it doesn't cost any one their life.