The Issue: Claims by State Department officials that our consulate in Libya had sufficient resources.
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The congressional hearing on the Benghazi attack revealed a State Department that is sorely in need of a risk-assessment overhaul (“Bam Team’s Bloody Failure,” Editorial, Oct. 11).
Department official Charlene Lamb stuck to State’s conclusion that the protection was adequate: an indication of the department’s temerity.
I fear for the other diplomatic personnel stationed in countries hostile to America. Why did it take so long to reveal it was a terrorist attack? A 10-year-old could have connected the dots between the anniversary of 9/11 and Americans in a chaotic country with an al Qaeda presence.
Yet, the movie story was repeated endlessly.
We need to know if there was widespread incompetence, a deliberate coverup, or both.
Phil Serpico
Queens
Repeated requests for additional security at the Libyan missions were dismissed by Washington because there would be too much political cost. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were sacrificed to the political ambitions of our president.
As you enter the voting booth, just imagine the terror and torture that these people endured so that Obama could spin the fantasy that his policies have pacified al Qaeda.
Steve Heitner
Port Jefferson
The president, the State Department and the Defense Department messed up in Benghazi. They didn’t protect the ambassador or the consulate’s staff.
Where is the retaliation? Where are the drone strikes or the Navy SEALs exacting revenge?
When you make a mistake, you should correct it. With this administration, the first thing you do after a mistake is blame George W. Bush, and make misleading statements that support your position.
Charlie Honadel
Staten Island
Why haven’t those responsible for diplomatic security in Libya and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton either been fired or asked to step down?
Four men died because of lax decisions and poor judgment. In any business, such mistakes would cause immediate termination.
UN Ambassador Susan Rice has to go, also.
Norman Grossman
Miami Beach, Fla.