White House Insider: Obama Hesitated – Panetta Issued Order to Kill Osama Bin Laden
I have been told by more than one source that Leon Panetta was directing the operation with both his own CIA operatives, as well as direct contacts with military – both entities were reporting to Panetta only at this point, and not the President of the United States. There was not going to be another delay as had happened 24 hour earlier. The operation was at this time effectively unknown to President Barack Obama or Valerie Jarrett and it remained that way until AFTER it had already been initiated. President Obama was literally pulled from a golf outing and escorted back to the White House to be informed of the mission. Upon his arrival there was a briefing held which included Bill Daley, John Brennan, and a high ranking member of the military. When Obama emerged from the briefing, he was described as looking “very confused and uncertain.” The president was then placed in the situation room where several of the players in this event had already been watching the operation unfold. Another interesting tidbit regarding this is that the Vice President was already “up to speed” on the operation. A source indicated they believe Hillary Clinton had personally made certain the Vice President was made aware of that day’s events before the president was. The now famous photo released shows the particulars of that of that room and its occupants. What that photo does not communicate directly is that the military personnel present in that room during the operation unfolding, deferred to either Hillary Clinton or Robert Gates. The president’s role was minimal, including their acknowledging of his presence in the room.
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In my initial communication to you of these events I described what unfolded as a temporary Coup initiated by high ranking intelligence and military officials. I stand by that term.
Four Screens Must Read–Covert Deception Included President?
Phi Beta Iota: It has been well-known since the Cuban Missile Crisis that the President of the USA is not actually in charge, and that the military-industrial complex has its own chain of command. Less well known, but documented in Morton Halperin's still-relevant Bureaucratic Politics and Foreign Policy, is the reality that Rule One in Washington is “Lie to the President if you can get away with it.”
Reference: On WikiLeaks and Government Secrecy + RECAP on Secrecy as Fraud, Waste, & Abuse
Review: House of War (Hardcover)
Review: The Price of Loyalty–George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O’Neill
Review: Secrets–A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers
Review: Why Leaders Lie–The Truth About Lying in International Politics
