Editor:
Leadership. What is it?
We have not had an example of it in the Oval Office, from the one who claimed in rhetoric, framed by a speechwriter and teleprompter, “I can!”
It did not take long for the American people to become disenchanted with such leadership when we saw him bow in deference to, and later, even apologized for, America.
It has been the order of the day. When trouble broke out in Libya, our leader waffled at his responsibility and finally referred the whole process to the United Nations. Reminds one of the old comic strip where the cowardly one says to the fighter, “I’ll hold your coat, Butch.”
In contrast, when Ronald Reagan was president, an uprising in Libya threatened our people in the embassy. Ignoring the advice of the military, he gave the command to “Go!” As a result, we heard no more from Libya for years until several months this administration, where we see indecision, ignorance, ineptness and inexperience.
When trouble broke out in Egypt, we see a repeat of the same indecision. We see no evidence of statesmanship as he painfully attempts to hide his inability to make a decision, sending Hillary as a front, and she is equally incapable of doing anything that is politically incorrect.
At this particular time, we see his ineptness in glaring colors as we read and hear about the slaughter at Benghazi. We have seen the statements from the CIA and the Army that all of the events at the time were routinely sent to concerned agencies in Washington, D.C., and most certainly, as head of state, to the Oval Office. There is no doubt that the president, the vice president and the secretary of state viewed and knew what was going on, and our leader refused the pleas for help.
As a matter of fact, in the afternoon, our leader left for a self-serving fund-raising campaign in California.
The result of these actions became heart-rending. In absence of any help from the Oval Office, all agencies that could have sent aid found their hands were tied.
But not so. A Navy Seal, who could not bear the thought of the people at the embassy being in danger, took it upon himself to ignore the refusal to help and begin his own rescue. Tyrone Woods worked seven hours on his own, rescuing all he could before his own life was ended. Those seven hours could have given the security forces plenty of time to intervene.
“No greater love had no man than he that layeth down his life for a friend.”
What a contrast: One who has the authority to step in and save lies departs on a self-serving fund-raising campaign. Another ignores the indifference and fights for seven hours, rescuing those he can and in the end losing his own life.
At the time of the debate between the vice president and Ryan, the response of our vice president, when questioned as to why this terrible debacle occurred, repeatedly responded that none of them knew about it and were not informed about it until much later. Again and again, he repeated this lie. Later, it was recorded that our leader praised the vice president for his appearance.
To support this lack of knowledge statement, much ado was made about a video that was supposed to ignite the forces that caused this slaughter, even after it was made public that everyone, including our leader, watched the fiery event.
Susan Rice made a public statement that a video was the cause of the demonstration. That was five days after the event. It is a matter of fact also that our leader repeated this statement to the UN, which obliquely puts the blame on the United States again.
Why was there not more publicity for the sad return of these martyrs? The flag should have been lowered to half-mast. The nation should have been put in mourning for the day. The president should have given a speech honoring the dead, expressing proper remorse. As the father of Tyrone reported it, the president was the last one to come to him and say that he was sorry, giving him a reluctant handshake. He would not look him straight in the eye. Even Hillary Clinton at this late date assured him that the producer of the video that caused the massacre would be punished. Why have the media not given this event more publicity?
It is evident there was deception and collusion surrounding the Benghazi attack. An investigation should be held and the truth brought forth. Our leader has decreed there will be an investigation following the election, which announcement itself is self-serving. Watergate exposed a president, but no lives were lost. Benghazi-gate also exposes a president, but lives were lost.
Leadership is not fiery rhetoric. It is not mouthing platitudes. It is not standing in the public eye and shouting, “I can,” when such statements come, obviously, from the mouth of one who has no idea what they mean.
Leadership comes from experience, from knowledge and from a sense of moral responsibility. It is time for a change.
Rachel F. Vogel
Sweet Home