Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The issues stated to be scandals in the past week don't really seem like 'all that.' It seems more like distractions to me. There are far more important matters.

There is plenty of room for the truth regarding Benghazi, IRS and the AP. While the truth can be boring and is not a popular idea in political circles there is a place for it.

Benghazi is mostly settled. The American people already have the truth. You know what I find interesting about the investigation by the Blue Ribbon Panel? I find the Law under which the investigation was conducted more than interesting.

Pursuant to Title III of the Omnibus Diplomatic and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, 22 U.S.C. § 4831 et seq., (the “Act”),...

The Omnibus...Act of 1986 was signed into law by Ronald Reagan. It was based in the NEED for additional security of the State Department missions. It was about BUILDING secure facilities. The result of Congress to act on this law from 1986 is abysmal.

This is the act by the President to convene an advisory panel before the law was drawn up and written.

June 1985
In convening (click here) the Advisory Panel on Overseas Security, the Secretary of State outlined the scope and dimension of the security problems that confront the United States in continuing to do diplomatic business overseas as well as in providing adequate reciprocal protection for foreigners stationed or visiting the United States on diplomatic business. With the cooperation of a wide range of U.S. Government domestic and foreign affairs agencies, the Panel has examined the issues that relate to diplomatic security in the U.S and overseas....

...The Panel recommends that the Secretary ask for legislation that would establish a Board of Inquiry or, alternatively, using existing authorities, put in place such board to undertake investigations into major security incidents in the future....

The significant part of this Advisory Panel is the fact in 1986 counterterrorism measures were recognized in increasing importance and that fact The State Department facilities were very valuable in understanding the networks within other nations. The one true way of understanding the elements in the country was to build an assessment of the security needs of the facilities.

...Future of the Threat

There is a consensus within the government and among private scholars that terrorism will be with us for a long time. The approach and kind of specific attacks will constantly change as defensive measures are taken to meet them. The United States will be a principal target of this assault. The evolution of terrorist groups from single issue elements -- such as the PLO, IRA and Basque Separatists -- to state-sponsored terrorism will ensure continued attacks against the United States....

There are many recommendations by the panel in 1986, but, to validate the high priority of the needs of the State Department is the paragraph above. In 1986, the Advisory Panel to Ronald Reagan knew the importance of a well funded State Department. In many ways, the foreign service was the forefront of understanding the networks throughout the world that could bring attacks to the USA. This is almost and in some ways more important than the military, yet The State Department continues to be underfunded with insufficient facilities.

That said, the truth about the IRS is still forthcoming in an Inspector General's report. This is more about Karl Rove than the Right Wing wants to admit. Rove was found to be violating the law. He had to disclose this donors. So, such insults to the IRS process will carry brevity with those in responsibility for the political integrity of the USA. This is going to damage the RNC. The Tea Party will become more popular because of this. I don't see this as an issue for Democrats actually.

The AP complaints are mostly mute. The government did not interfer with the operations of the media. There are no investigations of the media due to the findings of the government and this is more about intelligence gathering. This isn't about intimidation or oppression or the First Amendment.

Unfortunately, 2013 is looking like 365 days of "Friday the 13th" for the Obama Administration. It isn't easy being the guy with all the power of the Executive Office for eight years, ya know?