Progressives Exposed: Fact Check on Terrorism Propaganda
original article written by Net Advisor
Politics, USA. (Background). In late college, I was a research-based major. I did a senior study on U.S. intelligence and the challenges it presented to our intelligence agencies. I still enjoy researching facts and analyzing history about many subjects including national security issues.
Despite personal political ideology supporting this thing called the U.S. Constitution, and that we are a national of laws, not a nation of men. I had professors who fell across the political gambit including conservative, libertarian, independent, generally liberal, left-wing feminists, right-wing Republicans, and scary progressives.
[1] Ideology
Everyone has their own political ideology. Since I had many professors with opposing ideologies, I had to learn how to write things independently and just let the data support the argument.
I see many blogs on both sides of the political isle that go a bit extreme sometimes, based on the underline known facts. To be fair, I have found graphics and statements pointing fingers at both the major political parties and at times may politely point out any material inaccuracies providing citations from generally credible sources.
So, I came across a tweet from a Twitter poster who probably re-posted this graphic hereto of former President Bush. In case the below tweet gets deleted – and this happens a lot when I point out facts to the more politically liberal-minded thinkers, here is the original post in PDF format.
These deaths were preventable. So where was the outrage then? Where were the investigations? #Benghazi #UniteBlue pic.twitter.com/NQjHOKv8vO
— Sherrea Hernandez (@SherreaHZ) January 16, 2014
The apparent credited source of the graphic is from a (disturbing) progressive website or blog called “Blue Street Journal” (screen capture PDF). I say disturbing because when math, law or logic is applied, the blog just doesn’t seem to stand to such sound reasoning.
[2] Graphic Analysis
The ‘Bush graphic’ seems to be in response to a recent 85 page bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report that concluded that said the September 11, 2012 (terrorist) attack in Benghazi, Libya was “preventable” (Sources: CBS News Video, CS Monitor, NBC News, Politico, Washington Post) (Full Senate Intel Report PDF / share link).
It’s important to understand that the word, bipartisan means Democrats and Republicans agreed together on something.
The ‘Bush’ graphic makes very specific allegations of people killed (with the assumption being Americans killed) and attempts to create a causal relationship between the attacks and President Bush. The graphic further attempts to blame Bush, and the poster asks ‘where were the investigations and outrage?’
As a previously trained counselor, with a formal education including social and behavioral psychology, I have some pretty good experience working with dysfunctional-thinking people. In this case, the best way to address the issue is just review each statement and compare to the known facts.
“Bush Graphic” Findings:
In 100% of the claimed “attacks,” there were ZERO Americans killed.
[3] Proof: Debunking Progressive Propaganda
Let’s take a look now at each fact and discover what’s really the truth.
Jan. 22, 2002
American Cultural Centre Attack.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.The actual attack occurred on the American Cultural Center (Centre). The U.S. Embassy itself was NOT attacked. “There were no Americans injured.”
June 14, 2002
Karachi, Pakistan
The U.S. Embassy was not attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.“A car bomb explodes outside the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12 Pakistanis and wounding 45.”
— Sources: HistoryCommons.org and U.S. Department of State Archives (PDF)
Feb. 28, 2003
Karachi Consulate
The U.S. Embassy was not attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.“A man arrested after a shooting attack killed two police officers outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi…No Americans and none of the staff inside the compound at the time of the shooting were injured.”
— Source: CNN
Additional info: Karachi was the capital of Pakistan until Islamabad was constructed. The 2003 attack occurred in Karachi. Islamabad was not officially constructed until 2011.
Jun. 30, 2004
Embassy in Tashkent
The U.S. Embassy suffered minor collateral damage.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.“…two Uzbek police officers suffered serious injuries. The bomber was killed by the blast. No U.S. Embassy American or local personnel were injured. The U.S. Embassy suffered minor damage to the perimeter wall.”
— Source: U.S. Embassy, Uzbekistan
Dec. 6, 2004
U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Embassy was attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.
The propaganda graphic says “9 killed.”
FACT: 5 killed, 4 injured and recovering.“Five consular employees — four local staff members and a contract guard — were also killed (in additional to the terrorists’ killed) …The U.S. Embassy said no Americans were killed or seriously injured.”
— Source: CNN
Mar. 2, 2006
Karachi, Syria
The U.S. Embassy was attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.
The propaganda graphic says “2 killed.”“Three of the four attackers and a Syrian guard were killed. No Americans were hurt.”
— Source: USA Today
Mar. 18, 2008
Yemen
The U.S. Embassy was not attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.
The U.S. Embassy was the intended target but the terrorists missed the U.S. Embassy.
The propaganda graphic says “2 killed.”“…13 girls and five soldiers were injured in a mortar attack on a school near the U.S. embassy… there were no injuries to U.S. personnel or citizens.”
— Source: Reuters (2008-03-18 story link gone)
July 9, 2008
Istanbul, Turkey
The U.S. Embassy was attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.
The propaganda graphic says “6 killed.”“Three policemen were killed and at least two injured… There were no reports of injuries to workers inside the consulate.”
— Source: The Guardian.UK
Sept. 17, 2008
Yemen
The U.S. Embassy was not attacked.
FACT: ZERO Americans killed.
The propaganda graphic says “16 killed.”“…10 guards and civilians dead outside the main gate but failing to breach the walled compound. No Americans were killed.”
— Source: The Washington Post
So it’s Bush’s fault that the terrorists were killed?
[4] Conclusion
And there you have it. In every case, the “Bush” graphic misleads the audience into a false narrative about Americans were ‘killed’ in the above Embassy attacks — even if sometimes the U.S. Embassies were not actually attacked. Yet, only liberal propaganda would include terrorists’ body counts as Bush’s ‘victims.’
In no cases did the Bush Administration apologize for being attacked, blame it on an internet video, changed his story of what happened, or lie on TV and mislead Americans. In no case did the Bush Administration try and cover up the facts or obstruct justice. Most importantly, no Americans died in any of those attacks.
Sure, it’s unfortunate that people who live in these host countries get killed, but what can you expect when the host government is either a sponsor or sympathizer of terrorism, or allows these types of attacks to (frequently) occur within its own borders such as Pakistan, Syria and Yemen? Is that somehow Bush’s fault too?
- See our Benghazi Reports and other reports on national security issues here.
Graphic Credit: Alleged Claimed Owner: Blue Street Journal. Please advise if not the owner or creator of the above graphic.
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