Notations On Our World: Thoughts on the #BenghaziHearing

(Updated 10/23/2015 w/insights from the Heritage Foundation's "The Daily Signal")

We here @ #Outsiders were monitoring the Benghazi Hearing that Hillary Rodham Clinton was the star witness.      Here is an excerpt of her opening testmony:

The terrorist attacks at our diplomatic compound and later, at the CIA post in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012 took the lives of four brave Americans: Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods.

I am here to honor the service of those four men, the courage of the Diplomatic Security agency and the CIA officers who risked their lives that night, and the work their colleagues do every single day all over the world...

I was the one who asked Chris to go to Libya as our envoy. I was the one who recommended him to be our Ambassador to to the President. After the attacks, I stood next to President Obama as Marines carried his casket and those of the other three Americans off the plane at Andrews Air Force Base. I took responsibility. And, as part of that, before I left office, I launched reforms to better protect our people in the field and help reduce the chance of another tragedy happening in the future...

We need leadership at home to match our leadership abroad. Leadership that puts national security ahead of politics and ideology. Our nation has a long history of bipartisan cooperation on foreign policy and national security. Not that we always agree -- far from it -- but we do come together when it counts.

As Secretary of State, I worked with the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to pass a landmark nuclear arms control treaty with Russia. I worked with Republican Leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, to open up Burma, now Myanmar, to find democratic change. I know it’s possible to find common ground, because I have done it.

We should debate on the basis of fact, not fear. We should resist denigrating the patriotism or loyalty of those with who we disagree. So I am here. Despite all the previous investigations and all the talk about partisan agendas, I am here to honor those we lost, and to do what I can to aid those who serve us still.

And my challenge to you, members of this Committee, is the same challenge I put to myself.

Let’s be worthy of the trust the American people have bestowed upon us. They expect us to lead. To learn the right lessons. To rise above partisanship and to reach for statesmanship. That’s what I tried to do every day as Secretary of State. And it’s what I hope we all strive for here today and into the future. 

  From our standpoint, our view was that there was "nothing there" as the Former Secretary of State and leading Presidential Candidate for the Democratic Party sat through 11 hours of testimony and one of the many faces as reported by the Guardian of London--and noted on our Twitter Feed curatoin said it all: 

On #Americas Watch w/The many, many faces of Hillary Clinton at the #Benghazi hearing https://t.co/6deatI8LBg

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) October 22, 2015

It concluded with a handshake:

Mrs. Clinton Shakes Hands w/Congressman Gowdy

The Democrats were in fighting form as they spared with the Republicans.   This was epitomized by this sent out under Senator Barbara Boxer of California's name:

MIke -- 11 hours. For 11 hours to‌day, we saw all the qualities that will make Hillary Clinton an extraordinary president. For 11 hours, we heard Republicans on the Benghazi Committee subject Hillary to recycled conspiracy theories, false attacks, interruptions, and innuendos. But what didn't we hear? Not one new fact, not one new insight, nothing. There have now been 8 investigations, 11 reports, 32 hearings, and 800 pages of findings. This select committee has now lasted 17 months, longer than congressional investigations into Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Hurricane Katrina. Enough. It is time -- it is long past time -- to disband the Benghazi Committee and end this sham. Tell the GOP: It's time to shut down their sham Benghazi Committee right now. Benghazi was a tragedy, not a scandal centered on Hillary Clinton. The real scandal is the $4.7 million of taxpayer funds that the GOP has misused in a political witch hunt with one goal: to stop Hillary Clinton from becoming president. But don't take my word for it. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy made clear that the Benghazi committee was all about driving down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. Congressman Richard Hanna agreed. A fired Republican whistleblower made the same claim. It is time for the Republican National Committee to reimburse the American taxpayers. It is time to disband the Benghazi Committee and stop this political hit job once and for all. Join my colleagues and me in telling the GOP to end their political sham and shut down their Benghazi Committee. In Friendship, Barbara Boxer U.S. Senator

The Hillary Clinton Campaign and Marco Rubio Campaigns have been fundraising of this as Marco Rubio continues attackig Hillary Clinton.      Our team understood the political nature of it as noted in this we received from the Heritage Foundation's "Daily Signal"

6 Key Exchanges From Hillary Clinton's Benghazi Testimony

In the much-anticipated hearing, Clinton testified about her role as secretary of state during the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks. We watched the 11-hour hearing and identified the most important moments.

Read More

However, we found it extremely disturbing that this email was sent out in an effort to effectively  "monetize" a clearly politically charged matter that we found to be unfortunate:  

w Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

MIke --

11 hours. For 11 hours to‌day, we saw all the qualities that will make Hillary Clinton an extraordinary president.

For 11 hours, we heard Republicans on the Benghazi Committee subject Hillary to recycled conspiracy theories, false attacks, interruptions, and innuendos.

But what didn't we hear? Not one new fact, not one new insight, nothing.

There have now been 8 investigations, 11 reports, 32 hearings, and 800 pages of findings.

This select committee has now lasted 17 months, longer than congressional investigations into Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Hurricane Katrina.

Enough. It is time -- it is long past time -- to disband the Benghazi Committee and end this sham.

Tell the GOP: It's time to shut down their sham Benghazi Committee right now.

Benghazi was a tragedy, not a scandal centered on Hillary Clinton.

The real scandal is the $4.7 million of taxpayer funds that the GOP has misused in a political witch hunt with one goal: to stop Hillary Clinton from becoming president. But don't take my word for it.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy made clear that the Benghazi committee was all about driving down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. Congressman Richard Hanna agreed. A fired Republican whistleblower made the same claim.

It is time for the Republican National Committee to reimburse the American taxpayers.

It is time to disband the Benghazi Committee and stop this political hit job once and for all.

Join my colleagues and me in telling the GOP to end their political sham and shut down their Benghazi Committee.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

w

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence.

Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor.

Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next.

Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only!

You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free! 

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.