The flags were reported by CNN the day the USA lost it's ambassador. He was warned by those observing the success of the rebel/al Qaeda movement. He reported back to the State Department the information he was provided with and still continued his mission. When he wasn't provided a military detail to support the mission it should have been abandoned, but, it wasn't. If Ambassador Stevens believed his life was in peril he was under no obligation to die. Even after being warned and told what the outcome in Benghazi would be he stated in his last moments he was surprised. That is a denial no one should ever seek to admire or repeat.