One Limbaugh Show, Three Conspiracy Theories About Libya Attack
One Limbaugh Show, Three Conspiracy Theories About Libya Attack
Such idiot politicization and speculation really dishonors the memory of the Americans who died serving their country.
Rush Limbaugh peddled three conspiracy theories surrounding the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi during his radio program, claiming that the Obama administration is “engag[ing] in a cover-up” of the attack, is forbidding the FBI to investigate in Benghazi, and is jailing the maker of an anti-Muslim movie as punishment for creating the film.
Limbaugh Conspiracy No. 1: Obama Admin. “Engage[d] In A Cover-Up” About Libya Attack
Limbaugh: Obama Admin. “Engage[d] In A Cover-Up. They Concocted A Phony Scenario” About The Libya Attack. During his September 28 radio program, Limbaugh declared that the Obama administration was covering up the true story of the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi by blaming the violence on an anti-Islam video. From the segment:
Right. So, Carney lies. Two weeks ago. Susan Rice lies. Two weeks ago, Sunday. And they’ve been lying every day since. They engage in a cover-up. They concocted a phony scenario.
[…]
They got their political mileage out of this. They established the narrative that it was the video. They had a solid week of doing that, no matter who was protesting and saying it wasn’t. They had the world believing it. The U.S. media spreading that it was the video. And now the guy who did the video is in jail. And there’s nothing to see here anymore. We move on. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 9/28/12]
Reality: Obama Admin. Investigated Attack And Updated Public As Intelligence Information Changed
Sept. 13: AP Reports Obama Admin. Is “Investigating Whether The Assault On The U.S. Consulate In Libya Was A Planned Terrorist Strike.” The Associated Press reported on September 13 that the FBI has been investigating whether the attack was a terrorist attack or not:
The Obama administration, roiled by the first killing of a U.S. ambassador in more than 30 years, is investigating whether the assault on the U.S. Consulate in Libya was a planned terrorist strike to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and not a spontaneous mob enraged over an anti-Islam YouTube video. [Associated Press, 9/13/12]
Sept. 16: Ambassador Susan Rice: “The Best Assessment We Have Today Is That In Fact This Was Not A Preplanned, Premeditated Attack.” During the September 16 edition of Fox News’ Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace asked if the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya was a “pre-planned” attack by a terrorist organization.” Ambassador Rice noted that early signs didn’t point to a “premeditated attack”, but that the FBI is “obviously investigating this very closely” and that “we don’t want to jump to conclusions before then”:
WALLACE: Let’s talk about the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi this week that killed four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens. A top Libyan official now says that the attack on that consulate, on Tuesday, was quote, his words: “Pre-planned.” Al-Qaeda says the operation was revenge for our killing a top Al-Qaeda leader.
RICE: Well, first of all, Chris, we are obviously investigating this very closely. The FBI has a lead in this investigation. The information, the best information and the best assessment we have today is that in fact this was not a preplanned, premeditated attack. That what happened initially was that it was a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired in Cairo as a consequence of the video. People gathered outside the embassy and then it grew very violent. Those with extremist ties joined the fray and came with heavy weapons, which unfortunately are quite common in post-revolutionary Libya and that then spun out of control.
But we don’t see at this point signs this was a coordinated plan, premeditated attack. Obviously, we will wait for the results of the investigation and we don’t want to jump to conclusions before then. But I do think it’s important for the American people to know our best current assessment. [Fox News, Fox News Sunday, 9/16/12]
Sept. 19: Director Of National Counterterrorism Center Says This Was A “Terrorist Attack” And “The Facts We Have Now Indicate … An Opportunistic Attack.” Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Matt Olsen testified in front of a congressional hearing on the newest information coming from the intelligence community on the Benghazi attack. From The Washington Post: