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May 05, 2012
Former AG Michael Mukasey: Obama Officials Drafted Memo to Blame Military If Osama bin Laden Mission Failed
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Former AG Michael Mukasey: Obama Officials Drafted Memo to Blame Military If OBL Mission Failed
Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey told Sean Hannity tonight that the Obama Administration drafted a memo to protect the president from blame if the mission to kill or capture Osama Bin Laden would have failed. That way Obama could blame the general instead of taking the blame himself.
“That was a highly lawyered memo (designed to protect the president politically)… I think there’s going to be more that’s going to be tumbling out about that escapade but so far that memo is enough.“
Mukasey wrote an article about it.
The first anniversary of the SEAL Team 6 operation that killed Osama bin Laden brings the news that President Obama plans during the coming campaign to exploit the bragging rights to the achievement. That plan invites scrutiny that is unlikely to benefit him.
Consider the events surrounding the operation. A recently disclosed memorandum from then-CIA Director Leon Panetta shows that the president's celebrated derring-do in authorizing the operation included a responsibility-escape clause: "The timing, operational decision making and control are in Admiral McRaven's hands. The approval is provided on the risk profile presented to the President. Any additional risks are to be brought back to the President for his consideration. The direction is to go in and get bin Laden and if he is not there, to get out."
Which is to say, if the mission went wrong, the fault would be Adm. McRaven's, not the president's. Moreover, the president does not seem to have addressed at all the possibility of seizing material with intelligence value—which may explain his disclosure immediately following the event not only that bin Laden was killed, but also that a valuable trove of intelligence had been seized, including even the location of al Qaeda safe-houses. That disclosure infuriated the intelligence community because it squandered the opportunity to exploit the intelligence that was the subject of the boast.
The only reliable weapon that any administration has against the current threat to this country is intelligence. Every operation like the one against bin Laden (or the one that ended the career of Anwar al-Awlaki, the U.S. citizen and al Qaeda propagandist killed in a drone attack last September) dips into the reservoir of available intelligence. Refilling that reservoir apparently is of no importance to an administration that, after an order signed by the president on his second day in office, has no classified interrogation program—and whose priorities are apparent from its swift decision to reopen investigations of CIA operators for alleged abuses in connection with the classified interrogation program that once did exist.
While contemplating how the killing of bin Laden reflects on the president, consider the way he emphasized his own role in the hazardous mission accomplished by SEAL Team 6:
"I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority . . . even as I continued our broader effort. . . . Then, after years of painstaking work by my intelligence community I was briefed . . . I met repeatedly with my national security team . . . And finally last week I determined that I had enough intelligence to take action. . . . Today, at my direction . . ."
That seems a jarring formulation coming from a man who, when first elected, was asked which president he would model himself on and replied, Lincoln.
Lincoln took responsibility in August 1862 for failures that had been attributed to General George McClellan—eventually sacked for incompetence—and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Lincoln told a crowd that McClellan was not at fault for seeking more than Stanton could give, and “I stand here, as justice requires me to do, to take upon myself what has been charged upon the Secretary of War.”
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for having penned a statement to be issued in anticipation of the failure of the Normandy invasion that reads in relevant part: “My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”
A week later, when the success of the invasion was apparent, Eisenhower saluted the Allied Expeditionary Forces: “One week ago this morning there was established through your coordinated efforts our first foothold in northwestern Europe. High as was my preinvasion confidence in your courage, skill and effectiveness . . . your accomplishments . . . have exceeded my brightest hopes.
Eisenhower did mention himself at the end: “I truly congratulate you upon a brilliantly successful beginning. . . . Liberty loving people everywhere would today like to join me in saying to you, ‘I am proud of you.’”
Such examples are worth remembering every time President Obama claims bin Laden bragging rights.
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Wild Thing's comment.............
GREAT article by Michael Mukasey and he was excellent with Hannity on his show as well.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 5, 2012 02:55 AM
Comments
When the hostage rescue attempt in Iran failed, Jimmy Carter faced the nation and took full responsibility. He didn't blame his predecessor or the military, he alone took responsibility. Obama doesn't even have the honor of a Jimmy Carter. Even before this memo came out, we all knew he would never take responsibility if the mission failed. It's said Panetta gave the final go-ahead and if so, if the mission failed, the responsibility would fall on the Pentagon and military.
Posted by: BobF at May 5, 2012 07:37 AM
There is no surprise here. obama is a facade of a man. He is the abortionists' idea of human life, just a glob of unwanted cells. No soul, no morals. Arrogance but no courage. Adequate with rote, but bumbling with off the cuff because he is a lying heartless phony.
I wonder if Panetta is growing wary of his master. It seems to me that Panetta has gone against the grain several times lately. I know he is a Marxist also, but I wonder if he noticed a spot awaiting him under that large obama bus.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at May 5, 2012 02:26 PM
I have a feeling that no matter what Barry said Osama was one dead Jose!
Posted by: Gator at May 5, 2012 10:11 PM
Thank you so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 6, 2012 03:03 AM
In 2004 Senator Lurch Kerry lied and was SWIFT BOATED / BOOTED by the US Navy!
In less than 6 months the TRUTH will also come out from our US Navy SEALS!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at May 6, 2012 09:56 AM
In 2004 Senator Lurch Kerry lied and was SWIFT BOATED / BOOTED by the US Navy!
In less than 6 months the TRUTH will also come out from our US Navy SEALS!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at May 6, 2012 09:57 AM
In 2004 Senator Lurch Kerry lied and was SWIFT BOATED / BOOTED by the US Navy!
In less than 6 months the TRUTH will also come out from our US Navy SEALS!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at May 6, 2012 09:57 AM
