Shooting blanks

I attempted Rep. Gowdy’s challenge to “Read the [Benghazi] report.” After 90-odd internet pages, I decided to buy a copy to “dog-ear” pages. In the interim, one thing became clear. Unlike the letter writer’s claim in “Where there’s smoke …” (June 30), the Republican House Select Committee on Benghazi spent two years (200 days longer than the 9/11 Report) and $7 million to shoot blanks — not find a “smoking gun.”

The report was an exercise in 20/20 hindsight motivated by partisan politics, not “answering the questions of the four dead heroes’ families” as claimed. Rep. Pompeo was quick to point out the political ramifications of the Benghazi attack occurring 56 days before the 2012 presidential election and the administration’s supposed “conspiracy” cover-up.

The Benghazi response was not our finest hour. The “fog of war” (confusion), faulty CIA intelligence and a military response exasperated by geography combined for a fatal ending.

What could our military have done? Within 15 minutes of the attack Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith were dead. Two CIA hired guns died seven hours later. The Marine anti-terrorist unit was stranded in Spain and arrived the next day. The closest unit, the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team’s rapid deployment platoon, needed 12 hours from notification to deployment lift-off.

To deploy into what tactical situation? F-16s from the 31st Tactical Air Wing at Aviano, Italy, needed over three hours to make the flight, not counting arming and refueling. Then what — bomb a residential neighborhood?

There was one Beirut bombing congressional investigation (241 Americans died), one 9/11 investigation (2,977 died), and one Iraq War investigation where 4,502 Americans have died so far. Ask yourself why Republicans needed eight Benghazi investigations for four American deaths.

Family of humankind

The disturbing pictures of young black men being killed by police, and the evil killing of cops who were protecting peaceful demonstrators, are enough to make me want to get out of this country. What’s wrong with us?

Our schools fail to teach deep history. We are largely ignorant of the majority of our species’ time on this planet. If modern humans first appeared (in Africa) approximately 100,000-130,000 years ago, what went on all those thousands of years until we have a recorded documented report of our “goings on”? This a major failing of our educational system and history instruction. Understanding where we came from, how we survived and came to populate the planet can, I hope, help us to diffuse some of the hatred and distrust so evident today.

We are all one species. As screwed up as we are, we are all one big human family. All from common ancestors who rapidly conquered the entire world to become the only hominid remaining. Our schools are afraid to teach this deep history because of ridiculous religious myths and evangelical bullying. It’s time educators stepped up to the plate and tell the truth about slavery and its ugly legacy. But we must temper this horrid fact with the knowledge that we are really equal and must share this world and move forward to a more egalitarian society.

Cracking his code

I watched Donald Trump complain about the loss of jobs in the USA.

I went to my closet and looked at my signature Donald Trump tie that I got as a Christmas gift two years ago with the “Made in China” label.

I was confused about “Make America Great Again.”

I then heard his comments on the Turkey bombings. He said we must “fight fire with fire.”

Does he mean the United States must recruit and train suicide bombers? Does he think we should kill innocent civilians because some of their fellow countrymen are terrorists?

I realize that Mr. Trump is loudly proclaiming many things.

I just wish he were genuine in what he says.

Real public service

I read the article about Mr. Gansauer, who is the city arborist.

Mr. Gansauer recently visited my property to assess a tree that was in danger of having limbs fall on my neighbor’s property. Mr. Gansauer gave me informed suggestions to help me alleviate the possibility of my tree hurting or killing someone. Mr. Gansauer was very knowledgeable and professional in dealing with a very serious issue.

Thank you Mr. Gansauer.

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Shooting blanks."