So the CIA didnt tell anyone not to help. Panetta says he and "top military commanders" felt they shouldnt go without having a clear picture... which of course they did have a drone overhead and real time contact with people there. So you be the judge.
I might be misunderstanding your point but an intelligence analysis is not streamed live to "the deciders." That is not how it works. "Eyes on the ground" is not a "clear picture of what is going on."
These issues are related, but not the same, throughout the Greater Maghreb, the Sahal, the Horn of Africa, and through South Asia. If you think that these agencies could be less careful with what they say and do, you lack both historical knowledge and the proper cultural geographic contexts. These topics are well beyond the scope of an internet forum.
This thread upsets me, at least the OP's perspective. Ambassador Stevens and his security detail knew better than anyone what risks they faced. The outrage from the Libyans over this will hopefuly make these sacrifices a strong foundation to build better relations upon. Anyone, on any "side," that wants to get in the way of building these cultural bridges is an asshole.
The rabble-rousers that are jumping at this seem the same people that hate; Nancy Pelosi, Susan Rice, Susan Powers, and Hilary Clinton (oh, and the President). I'm sorry but there is a segment of the GOP that continually comes off as misogynistic and racist, and I think they are also assholes. At least the terrorists are being taken advantage of by other assholes that brainwash these people into believing destruction will bring about their goals, and they are not the brainwashers themselves (like these dirtbags in the GOP and in their media division). Call me a brown-shirt red-diaper-doper-baby, it won't change how ignorant some individuals are regarding the ability to gauge their understanding of "the way things work."
