# 372 - Ignorance is Not Bliss

I am in disbelief over events unfolding with the CIA.

Most of us know that military decisions demand that the ranks of military be able to make life-saving decisions at the right time. If some of these decisions are on hold until Washington politicians get involved, then we will probably continue to see our fellow Americans, who are putting their lives on the very line of danger, be killed.

This is a terrible issue for our country to confront. The question of HELP being requested by Americans working in government positions, on foreign soil, and the desperate request being stamped, "DENIED." So, the ones in need end up dead.

As a citizen of the United States, I cannot be quiet over this topic, especially not after what happened today. There's no doubt, I've been appalled at the Benghazi, Libya situation.

Moreover, I am disgusted that General Patraeus, the Director of the CIA, handed in his resignation today to President Obama, over a marital affair, even though Roosevelt, Johnson, Kennedy and Clinton had affairs and continued at their posts. How does a CIA Director end up confessing such a thing only days after the presidential election? Does anyone else find this timing to be HIGHLY suspicious for the White House?

Does anyone else highly doubt that a CIA Director, a man who is an Army General, would be issuing such a painfully personal reason for their resignation? If you've been around military, then you know this is likely a lame excuse to get rid of Patraeus. Even if he had been involved in an affair, it is not a reason for an Army General/CIA Director to RESIGN from his post. If he had an affair, then it was a stupid move, but this man has served his country as a military icon and this is not an acceptable reason for a resignation, except for an administration that appears to be escorting him out the door very quickly after the election. I wonder what will happen to Hillary?

This smells very foul.

And just so you know, I vote split-ticket. Yes, I voted for Clinton. I felt that his personal actions were not a reason to hang him out to dry professionally, but I do admit the Oval Office abuse involving the cigar was over the top. I don't think this was digestable for Americans picturing the Oval Office as a place of boundaries. Check it at the door Mr. President, please.

So, this concern I have today for our country revolves around highly questionable acts that should not be walked by with closed eyes. What will be next?

Is this the best reasoning that could be contrived for a resignation of such a high-ranking official? Is this supposed to make the political "right" accept the General's situation as proof that he should not be our CIA Director or a future political candidate?

It is even more questionable that the House of Representatives and Senate were to have closed-door intelligence committee meetings NEXT WEEK with Patraeus testifying on the Benghazi fiasco. Does this timing strike anyone as disturbing?

I cannot imagine being a family member of a Benghazi victim.

Can any of us imagine heading toward a major intersection and a massive chase is underway, going through that intersection before our eyes...with a car full of passengers, we must turn right to avoid the accident, so we must hit the "red button" to call Washington to get permission to make that right turn...and to our horror, they deny us. The button worked, but the person in charge of giving the approval decides that our life is not worth granting permission to do what is necessary to save lives. We have no choice but to plow ahead and be massacred.

None of us should feel we are too far removed or immune from such government induced tragedies. The people in Benghazi hit that red button. It was met with a denial.

This Benghazi tragedy is a sign to me that our government is out of control and consumed with other priorities beyond security of its citizens. What is another sign of a government out of control? It's also a government that has spending that cannot be met by the tax-payers. The national deficit is basically like us having a bank account that is devastatingly negative...tax-paying American citizens own that bank account...it is us people who are going to have to pay to get that deficit paid off. Of course, it's not likely that we'll see it paid down in our life-time at this rate of growth. It's unlikely our children will be able to do it either, unless they pay, pay, pay, pay in higher and higher taxes. The past four years have not shown that the deficit is being reduced, it's being increased more than ever. That deficit sure isn't going to disappear on its own. It takes us people to pay it down to make it go away OR the government must get its spending under control. I vote for the government to get itself under control, but that option looks bleak.

Then, we have a Harvard educated, lawyer-professor President who seems to have little understanding for so many Americans who are suffering. As we struggle, he is entertaining Hollywood and the family is taking more vacations to dream destinations than any of us could imagine. First of all, none of us could imagine living in the White House and being catered to at every turn...maids, secretaries to answer our phones, cooks, entertaining specialists, wardrobe provided free of charge...not much to do other than make public appearances and try to do the right thing with your time. Therefore, if I were in the position of living in extravagance, on the country's dime, as the country endures massive unemployment, I think I'd pass on any vacation photo opportunities because it's a bit like spitting in the face of people who can't even pay their rent or mortgage.

A speech cannot take the place of actions.

Today, I am severely disappointed in the going "Forward" message that includes Patraeus resigning at a time that raises more questions than ever.

If anyone is sick of the Benghazi situation, then they need to think about it from the perspective of anyone having a loved one in the service of their country. I admire the people who take a risk to take jobs in foreign countries, especially as an American in the Middle East. If they ask for help...Why would they be denied? Why?

General Patraeus is resigning at a time of great turmoil with Libya and other Middle East troubles. This resignation is getting the attention of many in our country. I hope that people will not ignore such things --- I hope disaster doesn't have to come to our individual doorsteps before we start paying attention. We cannot pretend that disaster is not happening, it is. How far does it have to go?

Now, supposedly, Patraeus is not going to testify at the hearings. Since he is the CIA Director, I doubt that any replacement can even cover the Director's first-hand knowledge, maybe that's the entire point.

Ignorance is not bliss, it is our destruction.