Brennan and the bin Laden story bungle

By Michelle Malkin  •  May 3, 2011 09:54 AM

So Politico’s Josh Gerstein reports that White House officials are walking back key details disclosed by Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan at his bin Laden briefing yesterday.

The administration account has now been “modified.” You know all that sensational stuff about bin Laden having a gun and using one of his wives as a human shield? Never mind:

The White House backed away Monday evening from key details in its narrative about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, including claims by senior U.S. officials that the Al Qaeda leader had a weapon and may have fired it during a gun battle with U.S. forces.

Officials also retreated from claims that one of bin Laden’s wives was killed in the raid and that bin Laden was using her as a human shield before she was shot by U.S. forces.

…At a Pentagon briefing earlier in the day, a senior defense official said bin Laden used a woman as a human shield so he could fire shots. “He was firing behind her,” the official said.

In another background briefing early Monday morning, a senior administration official also said bin Laden put up a fight. “He did resist the assault force. And he was killed in a firefight,” the official said.

However, during a background, off-camera briefing for television reporters later Monday, a senior White House official said bin Laden was not armed when he was killed, apparently by the U.S. raid team.

Another White House official familiar with the TV briefing confirmed the change to POLITICO, adding, “I’m not aware of him having a weapon.”

Why the changes? As the famous situation room photo shows, Brennan was in the room watching the raid video along with President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and others.

He probably disclosed more than he should have and it’s possible his betters were forced to walk back his comments for opsec reasons. What’s your best, good-faith guess?

Unfortunately, the discrepancies are going to be fodder for extremists on both sides of the political aisle. It’s a shame they couldn’t get their story straight and send out someone who had been fully briefed himself on the official narrative before briefing the rest of the world.

***

2:05pm Eastern White House press secretary Jay Carney used his daily briefing as a do-over on the bin Laden post-op.

Snort-worthy phrase: “We’ve been very clear…”

***
Previous Brennan bungle: National security nightmare: John Brennan and the notorious flying imam

Related: 24/7, 364 Days-a-Year National Security Secret Revealed; Updated

~ For the latest breaking news, be sure to join Michelle's e-mail list ~

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Comments


  1. #101
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:00 pm, RedDog said:

    Why aren’t there more black faces in that situation room?

  2. #102
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm, happy2behere said:

    Better a bungled message than a bungled mission. Us ‘worst Americans’ can tell who are the REAL professionals. Many of us here have served or have lost family members and not lip service either, as in some monikers.

  3. #103
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    His sense was the Paki’s felt they could keep him as an ace in the hole when the appropriate time came

    Kept him close to make sure of his usefulness as needed.

    Now in his death at the hands of infidels his usefulness lives on. Time will tell of how effective is his “martyrdom” to perpetuate islamofascism.

  4. #104
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:02 pm, stevevvs said:

    Last Night’s Freedom Watch was fantastic. Hope I’m not the only one who saw it.

  5. #105
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:03 pm, rambler said:

    The seals did a fabulous job!!!!! I just wished that the there was a different group of people watching instead of these whimps and whinnies.

  6. #106
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:08 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    happy2behere said:
    Better a bungled message than a bungled mission.

    Amen to that and thru all of this, the message isn’t lost on us. But if they’re to bungle the ‘message’ then why not just another drone/missle strike? Oh… you can’t claim credit! Scratch natch.

  7. #107
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:15 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    The seals Obama did a fabulous job!!!!! I’m just wished glad that the there was a different group of people heroes and national treasures that were there watching instead of these whimps and whinnies criminals and outlaws of the Bush administration. We don’t even need an election in 2012. Slam-dunk automatic second term for my idol! I got my Obama leg tingle back!

    says Chris Matthews.

  8. #108
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:18 pm, MuscleDaddy said:

    Now there’s some question as to whether Obama tried to abort the mission just prior to its success…

    Right now, the larger and more important question resulting from all of this and amid increasing information about secret-prisons, enhanced interrogations and Targeted Kill Orders is:

    Will we still ‘mean it’ tomorrow?
    – MD

  9. #109
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:20 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Why aren’t there more black faces in that situation room?

    You noticed that too?

  10. #110
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:21 pm, Dave Turson said:

    Brennan covered himself by using “reportedly” and “That’s my understanding.” Here’s the transcript:

    Q All right, circle back to a point you just made. Bin Laden used women as human shields when American personnel went in?
    MR. BRENNAN: There was family at that compound, and there was a female who was in fact in the line of fire that reportedly was used as a shield to shield bin Laden from the incoming fire.

    Q I’m sorry. I just want to clear something up because I think a few of us are confused. The woman that was killed was bin Laden’s wife?
    MR. BRENNAN: That’s my understanding. It was one of them.
    Q And he was using her as a shield?
    MR. BRENNAN: She served as a shield. Again, this is my understanding — and we’re still getting the reports of exactly what happened at particular moments — that when — she fought back; when there was the opportunity to get to bin Laden, she was positioned in a way that indicated that she was being used as a shield — whether or not bin Laden or the son, or whatever, put her there, or she put herself there, but, yes, that’s again, my understanding that she met her demise, and my understanding is that she was one of bin Laden’s wives.

    Sounds like the woman was in a hallway that led to Osama and was using a weapon.

  11. #111
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:23 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Brennan must also be in charge of Pakistan’s official statements:

    PAKISTAN: It was a ‘joint operation’…

    Pakiastan condemns ‘unauthorized unilateral action’…

  12. #112
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:27 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 12:41 pm, tre said:

    Yeah…what he said.
    Still, can’t help but think the MSM will tell whatever story the pretender president tells them to.

  13. #113
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:02 pm, stevevvs said:
    Last Night’s Freedom Watch was fantastic. Hope I’m not the only one who saw it.

    I DVR that show, but haven’t yet watched last night. I am hoping that Judge Napolitano takes the Beck slot every day at 4:00 when Beck leaves. I love the judge!!

  14. #114
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    UN Civil Rights head questions US killing of Osama

    It’d be funny if Obama joined Bush in not being able to leave the country because of an EU warrant…

  15. #115
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:09 pm, tomg51 said:

    The Man Who Shot Osama Bin Laden

    Scroll down 2/3 of the posting if you aren’t familiar with the reference and how it applies.

  16. #116
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:11 pm, Granny55 said:

    Ya know there is a blog posting floating out there where a supposed WH insider is spilling the beans about OZero and how completely detached and incompentent he is. It is somewhat suspect but a couple of reporters are saying they tend to believe the insider. I read the article and it is completely believable to me now when I see that on Sunday morning OZero was out golfing while our military heros are putting their lives on the line fulfilling his orders. After seeing him on the golf course instead of in his office following this event makes me sick to my stomach. Detached and incompentent do not even describe how dispicable his actions are. And the entire administration pretty much mirrors what he pretends to be every day. God help us all!!!

  17. #117
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:21 pm, Hiraghm said:

    excuse me…

    What is the name of the man sitting behind Hillary in that picture?

    It’s driving me nuts. I recognize the face, can’t place the name.

  18. #118
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm, Hiraghm said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    “International law” is an oxymoron. You can’t have law higher than the national level. You can have agreements, treaties, diplomatic exchanges, but not laws.

    There is no law on the planet superior to the U.S. Constitution, where Americans are concerned. Anyone attempting to enforce such laws is violating the Constitution and should be dealt with swiftly and terminally.

  19. #119
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:27 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:43 am, Pasadena Phil said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:24 am, corkie said:

    What do you mean by filmed?

    Maybe I should have said “captured” live. This was a well-rehearsed strike and every move apparently was monitored live with audio

    As I stated, I doubt that the audio between the team members was monitored. The audio that was probably monitored was probably just from the mission commander to the regional operation center.

    There are reasons not to monitor or record the audio between team members. You don’t want their operational effectiveness degraded because they are worried about what they are saying. That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t recorded or monitored – only that I doubt it was (but I could be wrong).

    and I expect cameras on helmets at least.

    I wouldn’t necessarily expect any cameras on helmets. There might have been cameras on helmets, but I wouldn’t expect it as a given.

    I just can’t believe that they could get something as important and easy to get right as whether Obama was armed and firing at them and using his wife as a shield wrong.

    I know what you’re saying, but never underestimate the ability of people to get facts wrong about a military operation – especially if they are unfamiliar with military operations – which most of Obama’s administration probably is.

    Listening to the live audio probably only provided about 50% of the complete picture, and their inexperienced brains probably assumed the remainder. After it was over, they probably didn’t remember what was fact and what was their own assumptions.

    And Instead of waiting for a detailed report of the operation, they irresponsibly started briefing others inaccurately. Again, experienced military staffers are much better at only convey EXACTLY what they hear and see, but even they aren’t perfect. In these type of situations, it dangerous to make even seemingly safe assumptions.

  20. #120
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:33 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm, Hiraghm said:

    “International law” is an oxymoron. You can’t have law higher than the national level. You can have agreements, treaties, diplomatic exchanges, but not laws.

    Let’s talk about national level laws. Was OBL ever found guilty of any crime in a US court (even being tried in absentia)? On what legal basis did Obama order the assassination of OBL?

    I’m not saying that Obama is a war criminal for ordering the assassination of OBL, but what would the left be claiming if Bush had ordered it?

  21. #121
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:38 pm, Hiraghm said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:33 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm, Hiraghm said:

    “International law” is an oxymoron. You can’t have law higher than the national level. You can have agreements, treaties, diplomatic exchanges, but not laws.

    Let’s talk about national level laws. Was OBL ever found guilty of any crime in a US court (even being tried in absentia)? On what legal basis did Obama order the assassination of OBL?

    I’m not saying that Obama is a war criminal for ordering the assassination of OBL, but what would the left be claiming if Bush had ordered it?

    bin Laden was not a U.S. citizen, nor subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Ergo, he was fair game, as far as the Constitution is concerned.

    Oh, the left would be calling Bush a war criminal for flushing the toilet…

    I’m surprised they’re not calling Bush a war criminal for bin Laden’s death,even now…

  22. #122
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:50 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Someone linked this UN Rights Boss asks US for facts on bin Laden Killing

    This is who the “UN Rights Boss is.

    A leftist. Beeg surprise.

  23. #123
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:54 pm, Dave Turson said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:21 pm, Hiraghm said:
    excuse me…
    What is the name of the man sitting behind Hillary in that picture?
    It’s driving me nuts. I recognize the face, can’t place the name.

    Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough. No charge.

  24. #124
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:57 pm, T J Green said:

    What if adults ran this show and recognized the value of surreptitiously employed intel? How many bad guys could have been greased if Obama had waited just 30 days before going public?

  25. #125
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:00 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Carney on whether Obama’s changed his opinion on enhanced interrogation:

    No change whatsoever.

    Unasked follow-up: does this mean that hope is off the table?

  26. #126
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:23 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Obama believes in international law, former head ACLU abortion lawyer and Hillary Clinton appointment to the US Supreme Court Ruth Bader-Ginsburg believes international treaties and conventions, even ones not signed or ratified by the United States, should be given weight alongside existing case law and the Constitution.

    Hardly a biased source, Ginsburg defends use of foreign laws in SCOTUS decisions in the New York Times.

    If you don’t think the Marxist in Chief doesn’t share her views, well, I have some ocean front property in Arizona to seel you.

  27. #127
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:38 pm, Hiraghm said:

    bin Laden was not a U.S. citizen, nor subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Ergo, he was fair game, as far as the Constitution is concerned.

    I’m not sure this is true. If the team was ordered to take out OBL, then I think this could be argued to have been an assassination of OBL since he obviously wasn’t an imminent threat to the US nor could this operation be argued to have occurred on any battlefield.

    Wouldn’t the all the previous executive orders outlawing assassination apply to the Obama administration unless Obama repealed or amended such executive orders prior to this mission being ordered?

  28. #128
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:27 pm, corkie said:

    Of course it was monitored live. What do you think Obama and gang are listening to and watching in that picture? When positive ID was verified, they heard it in real time. What is wrong with you? It’s not my opinion or your opinion, it’s what was plainly reported over and over again.

    Why wouldn’t they do it live and in real time? Risk of being overheard? The damn helicopter wasn’t exactly subtle either. They could have broadcast the whole thing over a loudspeaker throughout Abbotabad and Islamabad and it wouldn’t have mattered.

  29. #129
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:28 pm, American Elephant said:

    I think he did it as propaganda. It sounds better his way.

    Does that make me an extremist?

  30. #130
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:35 pm, Flyoverman said:

    I’m not saying that Obama is a war criminal for ordering the assassination of OBL, but what would the left be claiming if Bush had ordered it?

    He didn’t. The SEAL who confronted Bin Laden ordered him to surrender. When he refused he was shot.

    Never get into a fist fight with a SEAL carrying an M4.

  31. #131
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:37 pm, Hiraghm said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 2:38 pm, Hiraghm said:

    bin Laden was not a U.S. citizen, nor subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Ergo, he was fair game, as far as the Constitution is concerned.

    I’m not sure this is true. If the team was ordered to take out OBL, then I think this could be argued to have been an assassination of OBL since he obviously wasn’t an imminent threat to the US nor could this operation be argued to have occurred on any battlefield.

    And there’s nothing in the Constitution that says we can’t kill non-Americans.

    This was a theatre of war, and bin Laden is an immediate threat to the U.S., because he was the head of an organization that is still plotting to harm Americans.

  32. #132
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:40 pm, Hiraghm said:

    off-topic, but if they will twitter, they will be noted:

    Apparently Mary Katherine Ham got married this weekend, yes?

    Gratz her for us, if you would, Ms Malkin.

  33. #133
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:41 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Osama had to die.

    The press never mentions Gitmo is still open for prisoners despite an executive order signed on Obama bin Marxist’s first day in office that Guantanamo Bay would have no detainees from the ‘war on terror’ by January 22, 2010.

    Plus the military tribunals Obama ordered cancelled, then uncancelled once it became obvious the Khalid Sheikh Mohammad trial in lower Manhattan would be a political fiasco for team Obama.

  34. #134
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:44 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Of course it was monitored live.

    What exactly was “it?”

    What do you think Obama and gang are listening to and watching in that picture?

    What exactly do you think Obama and gang are listening to a watching in that picture?

    If I had to guess I’d say that they were listening in on the radio audio between the mission commander and the regional operations center – NOT the communications between the team and the mission commander.

    And I’d guess that the video is either a video conference call with the regional operations center such as it appears in the photo that chapitour linked to, or overhead surveillance video of the compound, which may have shown little more than the helos involved.

    When positive ID was verified, they heard it in real time.

    Did they? Or did they hear the report of positive ID being relayed from the mission commander to the operations center? Did they hear a Seal team member report positive ID to the mission commander?

    What is wrong with you?

    Experience and intelligence.

    It’s not my opinion or your opinion, it’s what was plainly reported over and over again.

    No, you’re making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true. You’re as bad as everyone that’s irresponsibly reporting on this story.

    Why wouldn’t they do it live and in real time?

    Do what live and in real time? The mission was absolutely executed live and in real time. I’m not sure what your asking, but Hollywood’s depiction of the White House seeing and hearing everything the trigger pullers are doing and saying isn’t realistic. I’m not saying that it didn’t happen in this case, but you’re certainly jumping to that conclusion.

  35. #135
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:45 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:
  36. #136
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:46 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:35 pm, Flyoverman said:

    The SEAL who confronted Bin Laden ordered him to surrender. When he refused he was shot.

    How did OBL supposedly refuse to surrender? I’m not saying he didn’t – I’m just not monitoring all the version of this story being officially restated.

  37. #137
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:51 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Also up for consideration is the release of video from the “helmet cams” of the Navy SEALS who went after bin Laden. The SEALS captured the mission on tape by wearing helmet cameras.
    [ABC News]

    On tape or live?

  38. #138
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:52 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:37 pm, Hiraghm said:

    And there’s nothing in the Constitution that says we can’t kill non-Americans.

    Many actions not restricted by the Constitution are illegal. There’s nothing in the Constitution that says you can’t kill your next door neighbor.

    bin Laden is an immediate threat to the U.S.,

    I think you mean “was” not “is” but, was he? Or was he living isolated in his own compound?

    Again, I have no problems with anyone ordering the assassination of OBL, I’m just wondering what type of case can be made against the member of Obama’s admin that gave the order.

  39. #139
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:56 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Corkie, are you related to Chappy? Try applying a little common sense and appreciation for the obvious to your “experience”. The WH didn’t assemble a special ops room to listen to Vin Scully giving a play-by-play. Duh!

  40. #140
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:03 pm, Flyoverman said:

    How did OBL supposedly refuse to surrender?

    By igonoring the SEAL pointing an M4 at him and turning back to the replay of American Idol he was watching?

    Frankly you don’t have a need to know. None of you do.

    All you need to know is that SEAL’s have rules of engagement on each mission, which they are superb at following. The SEAL followed the ROE and Bin Laden died as a result.

    Some staff puke in D.C. will not have a clue, so ignore whatever comes out of their mouth,

  41. #141
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:05 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:56 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Try applying a little common sense…

    I’m sorry if the truth is counter-intuitive for you.

    The WH didn’t assemble a special ops room to listen to Vin Scully giving a play-by-play.

    That’s not what I implied at all. However, it’s possible that they were merely listening to an ops center provide a play-by-play. I would guess that they probably were provided more live audio than that, but I also doubt that they were NOT listening to the communications between Seal team members nor were they watching helmet cam video. I could be wrong, but that’s my belief.

    What’s yours?

  42. #142
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:03 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Some staff puke in D.C. will not have a clue, so ignore whatever comes out of their mouth,

    I mostly agree with this.

    All you need to know is that SEAL’s have rules of engagement on each mission, which they are superb at following. The SEAL followed the ROE and Bin Laden died as a result.

    I never thought that the SEALs violated any ROE. Except that the ROE for this mission might have been, “Engage OBL with deadly force immediately if given the opportunity.” You don’t yet know that this wasn’t their orders.

  43. #143
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:11 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 pm, corkie said:
    I’m not sure this is true. If the team was ordered to take out OBL, then I think this could be argued to have been an assassination of OBL since he obviously wasn’t an imminent threat to the US nor could this operation be argued to have occurred on any battlefield.

    We are a sovereign nation at war and war criminals can be sought out and killed as we see fit. We don’t report to a global government and certainly not to the corrupt and ineffective United Nations!! Any criticism of how this was handled should be laughed off. We don’t have to answer to any of those anal retentive morons. It was the Trade Center in New York City that was destroyed. We certainly don’t need permission to kill the mastermind of that!

    Oh, and where exactly IS the battlefield you refer to? I say it is the entire world, as they have declared war of all of us.

  44. #144
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:17 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:11 pm, happyscrapper said:

    We are a sovereign nation at war and war criminals can be sought out and killed as we see fit.

    But isn’t someone only a war criminal AFTER they’ve been found guilty of a war crime?

    We don’t report to a global government and certainly not to the corrupt and ineffective United Nations!!

    That’s fine, but couldn’t OBL have been tried and given the death penalty in absentia in a US court before/if someone in the Obama admin actually ordered his death?

  45. #145
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:54 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:17 pm, corkie said:But isn’t someone only a war criminal AFTER they’ve been found guilty of a war crime?

    He confessed for Gods sakes! He was the number one most wanted man in the world. I assume you are playing the devil’s advocate in this discussion, but it is getting tiresome. There was nothing wrong with what we did. Nothing! The world has been rid of a hitler-like scourge and he is now rotting. That is the bottom line. There is no need to second guess a good decision. Just enjoy the results.

  46. #146
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:00 pm, Flyoverman said:

    I never thought that the SEALs violated any ROE. Except that the ROE for this mission might have been, “Engage OBL with deadly force immediately if given the opportunity.” You don’t yet know that this wasn’t their orders.

    They may have had orders to execute him if they thought he had athlete’s foot…… Corkie, your line of logic is frankly really bizarre.

    It is a war. Bin Laden was an enemy combatant in a war zone. His “home” had combatants in it (couriers) and it qualified as a command and control HQ. The satellite dish was not to watch HSN.

    I have seen Rules of Engagement two pages thick and dozens of pages thick. They were all different, but understand EVERY SINGLE one of them contains the following sentence,

    “The right of self-defense is never denied”

    Nuff said.

  47. #147
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 4:54 pm, happyscrapper said:

    He confessed for Gods sakes!

    A confession never supersedes the need of a trial.

    I assume you are playing the devil’s advocate in this discussion, but it is getting tiresome.

    I often get tiresome, but usually it’s just chap, RSS, or zyggy that get tired of me. :)

    I’m not really playing devil’s advocate. I’m trying to convey why this issue of OBL having a weapon, etc. could be considered important. The HuffPo would be fully spouting the points I’m making if Bush had ordered this.

    There was nothing wrong with what we did.

    Of course there’s not, but some (not me) probably wonder if the SEALs were actually ordered NOT to take OBL prisoner. Can you image how big of a headache it would have been for Obama?

    Just enjoy the results.

    What I’m really enjoying is knowing all the leftist America haters that are suffering because of all the USA USA chants breaking out on college campuses and baseball games over the past two days.

  48. #148
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm, Hulka said:

    Best guess on why the conflicting reports from the WH? Easy:

    Occam’s Razor:
    1) They are not lying as it would be quickly found out.
    2) Because “they” have to say something during a press conference–feed the beast.
    3) They are reporting what they have initially been told by the SEALS superimposed by what they saw in the sit room.

    Combat operations are quick, violent and confusing. Figuring out what happened, when and how and in what sequence, is not easy. In fact, to do so within hours is downright impossible. Combat veterans will agree.

    The WH briefer should respond to questions with: “At this time, we understand. . . “ or “Initial reports are. . .”

    The fact that they did not include those qualifiers in their brief/answers indicates they are incompetent, not liars.

  49. #149
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:12 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:00 pm, Flyoverman said:

    “The right of self-defense is never denied”
    Nuff said.

    I’ve seen plenty of ROE that don’t use that quote. I’ve seen the point covered by language that states that lethal force is authorized against any hostile action or intent directed at friendly assets, but this isn’t important since I never questioned that the SEALs did anything wrong.

    It’s bizarre that you’re unable to grasp my point.

  50. #150
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Of course there’s not, but some (not me) probably wonder if the SEALs were actually ordered NOT to take OBL prisoner. Can you image how big of a headache it would have been for Obama?

    Corkie…personally, I don’t want this particular headache for Obama. It ended as it should have. Obama will have enough headaches with all the other stuff he is doing to this country. Economics, energy, job losses, debt. Etc. etc. etc. He has plenty of problems. This mission was one of the only GOOD things he has done since being immaculated.

    By the way, you don’t live in Minnesota, do you?

  51. #151
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:21 pm, corkie said:

    n May 3rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm, Hulka said:

    Combat operations are quick, violent and confusing. Figuring out what happened, when and how and in what sequence, is not easy. In fact, to do so within hours is downright impossible. Combat veterans will agree.

    I agree 100% and kudos for articulating this point better than I.

    The WH briefer should respond to questions with: “At this time, we understand. . . “ or “Initial reports are. . .”

    The fact that they did not include those qualifiers in their brief/answers indicates they are incompetent, not liars.

    Actually, I have to admit that some of these type of qualifiers were kinda sorta used by Brennan. If you read the transcript of his press conference you’ll see that he did use some weak qualifiers – but nothing like the strong qualifiers he should have used.

    Even if he was trying to feed the beast, he could have said something like, “This is my current understanding of the situation based on the level of details that have been briefed to me thus far. I will certainly provide an updated picture if more thorough post action reporting differs from any of the representations that I’ve made here today.”

  52. #152
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:23 pm, Hulka said:

    corkie #43 said:

    I never thought that the SEALs violated any ROE. Except that the ROE for this mission might have been, “Engage OBL with deadly force immediately if given the opportunity.” You don’t yet know that this wasn’t their orders.

    Yes, we do know their order was not as you say.

    It would have read, and is implicite in any and all orders: “IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOAC, engage OBL with deadly force.”

    All warriors know about LOAC, and SEALS know LOAC well, very well. They are not soldiers in WWII’s German Army, “just following orders.”

  53. #153
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:25 pm, Flyoverman said:

    It’s bizarre that you’re unable to grasp my point.

    Maybe 25 years as a combat arms officer clouded my perspective.

    People like you were a threat to my troops. Thus, I have little time for your nonsense.

  54. #154
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:28 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm, happyscrapper said:

    This mission was one of the only GOOD things he has done since being immaculated.

    Actually, I was surprised that Obama was bold enough to order this type of risky mission deep into a Pakistani suburb. Then I read this article, and the story seems to make sense. Obama may have been a reluctant participant of this operation rather than the bold leader.

    Do me a favor and read the article. What do you think? I tend to believe it, and it boosted my opinion of Panetta and Clinton for seemingly going so far out on a political limb.

  55. #155
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:33 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:23 pm, Hulka said:

    It would have read, and is implicite in any and all orders: “IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOAC, engage OBL with deadly force.”

    OK, so it would have included, “IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOAC….”

  56. #156
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:38 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:25 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Maybe 25 years as a combat arms officer clouded my perspective.

    Nope. That should help you understand my point – not cloud. My guess the answer is unexplained obstinacy.

    People like you were a threat to my troops.

    Good grief. Drama much?

  57. #157
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm, Hulka said:

    Hope you don’t think I was quibbling. I was just providing a necessary caveat.

  58. #158
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:48 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Good grief. Drama much?

    No, I stand by my statement.

    You don’t have a clue.

  59. #159
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 6:01 pm, KCK said:

    Obama was forced by circumstances to “man up” to the mission. The whole thing runs contrary to his rhetoric, which is no surprise. Everything he does, it seems, is the opposite of what he says.

    Why did he follow through and do this deed, which turns out to be strikingly good for America? The military looked him in the eye, and said, “what do we do now, fearless leader?” BHO had to do something…

    On the subject of the message after the fact, the White House is bungling it. Good thing they don’t write the op orders for the attackers.

  60. #160
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 6:12 pm, bodfish said:

    Yesterday, when I penned my ditty on another MM thread about OBL dumped in the sea — shark bait and crabs crawling in his skull — I thought it a fitting end. I think this was a brilliant thing, the so-called burial at sea, if it happened. So smart that State and White House must not have had the idea. Certainly didn’t take the time to consider it in the usual bumbling way. Seems as if the Seals and CIA had the plan way in advance. Think of the logistics. We do not know if, as was said by un-named officials, the choppers came from Afghanistan… did they fly back there? Or over a lot more of Pakistan to the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier due south. Or, did they go the short way, most likely, back to Afghanistan. Then, somehow the corpse with an extra eyehole and probably a huge exit out the occiput, was flow to the carrier by high altitude jet? Then dumped. Something was dumped… very large crew witnessed something. In the movies, I have no experience, the body slips off the board. Not much on it to keep the sharks away. But, and I love this part, it may just have sunk slowly to the bottom. Average depth of the Arabian Sea is over 9,000 feet to a max. of over 15,000 feet. Down there, very cold, are all kinds of sightless crabs and other crawlies. In and out of his skull (and other parts) for a very long time.

  61. #161
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 6:32 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:28 pm, corkie said:

    I read most of the article. Very interesting and, knowing what I do about this POS POTUS, I tend to believe it. He is a sock puppet, no doubt. And he can’t make a rational decision without calling for a summit. The adults in the room are covering his a$$.

  62. #162
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 6:42 pm, OK_Loyalist said:

    Do you know how to make a Bin Laden Martini ?

    Two shots and a splash !

    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

    Did you hear that TLC is coming out with a new reality show with the Navy Seal Team 6?

    It’s called ‘Extreme Home Takeover’

    ♫ Ba da bing ♫

  63. #163
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 7:28 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    happyscrapper said:

    That does sound a lot more like him doesn’t it?

  64. #164
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 7:38 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 5:48 pm, Flyoverman said:

    No, I stand by my statement.

    I have no doubt. All of your responses to me have been irrational. Why should you change now.

    You don’t have a clue.

    I absolutely have a clue, and you know it.

  65. #165
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:08 pm, 123upnorth said:

    i think bin laden was having his way with a goat and when the members of the situation room watched the event unfold live, they mistook the goat for one of his wives. they further concluded that he was using the goat (thought to be his wife) as a human shield, likely due to the position of engagement he was taking with said goat during love-making.

  66. #166
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:28 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 7:28 pm, AlohaGuy said:
    happyscrapper said:
    That does sound a lot more like him doesn’t it?

    It sounds so plausible that I believe it. I have now read the whole article. That is the Obama I know. Now, everyone is giving him kudos and it makes me sick. Most have been suckered in to believe Obama is this great military “leader”. Ugh.

  67. #167
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Flyoverman, you are arguing with a fog machine. Earlier in this thread, he was challenging me to prove how I concluded that Obama and team were watching this mission in real time.

    White House photo: Watching the bin Laden operation real-time
    .

    I guess I’m just not smart enough to ignore the facts that Michelle presents, especially if they are included in the very title of the post.

    It is pointless arguing with Corkie. He is just too smart for us.

  68. #168
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Adds spice to the day…. ;)

  69. #169
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:51 pm, Wild Rover said:

    The million dollar question everyone should be asking themselves is why does anyone in the general public know that OBL is dead? We should have debriefed the prisoners extensively, reviewed the extensive intel found and continued dismantling Al-Qaeda #2, #3,#4,#5 and so on and so on. They could have put him in a freezer like we had to do at ground zero for all our dead, and produce him at the press conference after the rest of his cronies were lined up beside him. Unbelievable tactical error by Obama. Glad Osama’s dead but would prefer to see him have plenty of company on his way to meet Satan.

  70. #170
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:52 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    he was challenging me to prove how I concluded that Obama and team were watching this mission in real time.

    What do you mean by “watching this mission”? I asked you to explain what you mean by that.

    Are you claiming that they were watching helmet cams of EVERY SEAL, pilot, and aircrew that participated in the raid and heard every word uttered between everyone involved?

    Or do you agree that there was probably a limit to the number of video and audio feeds that were being transmitted from the field to the WHSR?

    So again, what is meant by watching a mission?

    I guess I’m just not smart enough to ignore the facts that Michelle presents, especially if they are included in the very title of the post.

    Oh please. Michelle didn’t make any assumptions about the level of detail they were seeing and hearing. You did. You mistakenly believe that individuals in the WHSR were made omniscient in real time about the mission. That’s simply impossible.

    It is pointless arguing with Corkie.

    No, it’s not. It’s actually very educational for you.

  71. #171
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    I can’t see through all of this fog. My eyes are burning too. What kind of fog is this anyway? Let’s not form any conclusions about the obvious, eh Corkie?

    They were obviously watching the Lakers choke in the fourth quarter against the Mavs. What other possibility could there be? See Hillary’s shocked expression? No! They were rushed to a special room to watch a re-run of the Entebbe raid. It couldn’t possibly be that they are doing what everyone has reported that they are doing right? Hahahahaha!

  72. #172
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:09 pm, Republicanvet said:

    I posted this in the other thread, but seems apropos here as well.

    Biden seems to be thinking, “Aw, I thought Idol was on, I don’t wanna see a war movie”. Urkel is thinking, “gee, I hope nobody notices me”. The General is thinking, “I better hit this button before ol Joe see’s the BIG BOARD!”. Hillary is thinking, “Oh, so THAT’s what snipper fire is like.” And Gates is thinking, in this business, I’ve seen a million of these ops, and the rest of these chumps have no clue.”
    As for the delay, Urkel didn’t need to sleep on it. He needed to get Soros on the phone first to get the OK.

    As for walking back stories, I notice they seem to be emphasizing in every article that OBL resisted. Prolly to keep Code Pink from going wild and hiring a horde of ACLU hacks to push for war crimes trials.

  73. #173
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:15 pm, Flyoverman said:

    So again, what is meant by watching a mission?

    Since most of what is used is highly classified speculating what it means is pretty useless.

    It’s not designed to “watch the operation.” It’s purpose is quite different.

    Since you are our resident Von Schlieffen, you can ponder what that is.

  74. #174
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:38 pm, T-Bone said:

    Not every member of the team may have a helmut cam. It would be interesting to know what part of the video they were watching at the time of the photo. It could be right after they passed into Pakistan, It could be right when they arrived. It could be just video of the Commander standing in the courtyard giving direction. It could also be video of the Seal team member shooting Osama in the face.

    The point is we don’t really know what was on the video and what they saw. It actually sounds to me like they didn’t see the confrontation with Osama as they have differing stories. However, witnesses often remember different details.

  75. #175
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    They were obviously watching the Lakers choke in the fourth quarter against the Mavs.

    This comment makes it obvious that you know you’ve lost this debate.

  76. #176
    On May 3rd, 2011 at 11:50 pm, corkie said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 10:38 pm, T-Bone said:

    The point is we don’t really know what was on the video and what they saw.

    Don’t be stupid, T-Bone. Pasadena Phil knows exactly what they saw.

  77. #177
    On May 4th, 2011 at 1:48 am, Ellyk said:

    On May 3rd, 2011 at 7:28 pm, AlohaGuy said:
    happyscrapper said:
    That does sound a lot more like him doesn’t it?

    Yes, yes it does. Here is the article again, in case anyone missed it. It’s starting to get traction: http://socyberty.com/issues/white-house-insider-obama-hesitated-panetta-issued-order-to-kill-osama-bin-laden/

    Kind of brings new perspective to Barry just coming in from the golf course doesn’t it?

    ~~~~

    The question was posed today (in ear shot) what exactly were those in the situation room watching when the photo was taken and how does one know they witnessed OBL’s take down in real time? I’ve done a bit of reading today on other sites and have seen this brought up again and again. Why is it anathema to bring it up here? Just curious..

    Hillary’s reaction indicates it’s something aweful, Obama oddly enough looks entirely focused on something other than himself, Biden looks bored and mildly sedated.

  78. #178
    On May 4th, 2011 at 2:07 am, Ellyk said:

    I just wanted to say that I appreciate the different perspectives shared here, from all the backgrounds (excepting a certain vomitous house fly who has yet to swoop in and crap on this particular picnic). There’s alot to be learned from each other, even when we don’t agree. And I wonder sometimes if that can be more fairly attributed to simply misunderstanding where folks are coming from, then a full stop butting heads.

    From God’s country, peace out.

  79. #179
    On May 4th, 2011 at 11:35 am, spaceycakes said:

    Why aren’t there more black faces in that situation room?

    Because Bush is a racist! Wait, let me try that again…because Bush is a racist. Dammit.

  80. #180
    On May 4th, 2011 at 2:16 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Whatever they’re watching, Hillary is finally realizing that special forces are really special. Her shocked expression is the first actual emotional look I’ve seen on her face in years…

You must be logged in to post a comment.


KSM and company go on military trial, face death penalty

April 4, 2012 01:30 PM by Michelle Malkin

65 Comments

Pastor Nadarkhani update: Execution order reportedly issued

February 22, 2012 01:13 PM by Michelle Malkin

58 Comments

Video of the day

February 21, 2012 12:31 PM by Michelle Malkin

70 Comments

Latest Addition to the Super Bowl Counterterrorism Squad: Hot Dog Vendors

February 3, 2012 07:53 PM by Doug Powers

45 Comments

Hope for the best, plan for the wurst

Obama heads to Disney World to push looser visa policies

January 17, 2012 01:14 PM by Michelle Malkin

95 Comments

The last Haditha Marine: Wuterich trial update

January 5, 2012 06:19 PM by Michelle Malkin

26 Comments


Categories: Homeland Security,Islam,War

Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Facebook