Dead Americans Returned from Libya, Bomb Threats at Home: 'Same Old, Same Old'

'Yankee go home' has been replaced by 'the great Satan America,' but other than that I tend to see what's been happening overseas as more of the 'same old, same old.'

In Libya, four Americans were killed on Tuesday. I rather hope that someone's going to figure our why embassy security was, ah, modified:

"...sources have told the BBC that on the advice of a US diplomatic regional security officer, the mission in Benghazi was not given the full contract despite lobbying by private contractors.

"Instead, the US consulate was guarded externally by a force of local Libyan militia, many of whom reportedly put down their weapons and fled once the mission came under concerted attack...."
(BBC News)

Some details of what happened during that attack are public knowledge: but not why the attack happened, or who planned it. Much as I'd like to know exactly what Libyan and American officials know and guess about the attack, I think they're acting sensibly.

Blurting out sensitive information, or off-the-cuff exclamations make for exciting news: but I don't think it would be good for most Libyans or Americans at this point. What we do know is more tantalizing than enlightening:

"...Four people have been arrested in connection with the attack that left Stevens and the three other Americans dead, the top aide to the president of the Libyan parliament said Friday.

"Those arrested were not directly tied to the attack, Monem Elyasser, the chief aide to Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur, told CNN by telephone.

"Elyasser did not release the identities of the four suspects in custody, nor did he detail the allegations against them.

"The announcement came as the United States is struggling to determine whether a militant group planned the attack that killed the four Americans...."
(CNN)

Meanwhile, quite a few folks in other parts of the Middle East are expressing the usual anti-American sentiment. I'm pretty sure that this does not 'prove' that:

• Everything is the fault of
  • America
  • The Jews
  • Islam
  • Democrats
  • Republicans
• America should
  • Pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist
  • Bomb Libya
  • Arrest all Muslims
  • Apologize for offending someone

Meanwhile, bomb threats affected routines at some American universities: including one of my Alma Maters, NDSU. Those threats resulted in no explosions, but quite a few questions.

I have no idea who made the bomb threats: but I'm not terribly surprised that they happened. We just passed the September 11 anniversary, and some major issues are at stake in the coming November election. Threatening to kill college students isn't a reasonable response to America's domestic situation: and that's another topic.

Somewhat-related posts:

• "Remembering September 11, 2001; and Looking Ahead"
  (September 11, 2012)
• "Tolerance, Change, America, and the World"
  (March 22, 2012)
• "Bombs, Berserk Vendors, and Getting a Grip"
  (January 20, 2012)
• "A Blast, Bullets, Bodies, Norway, and Getting a Grip"
  (July 22, 2011)
• "Religious Freedom, Niemöller, and Muslims in America"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (April 7, 2011)

In the news:

• "Texas, North Dakota universities re-opened after bomb scares"
  Corrie MacLaggan, Reuters (September 14, 2012)
• "Remains of consulate attack victims returned, as Marines arrive in Yemen amid more protests"
  FoxNews.com (September 14, 2012)
• "Bodies of 4 Americans killed in Libya returned to U.S."
  CNN (September 14, 2012)
• "US consulate in Benghazi 'did not have enough security' "
  Frank Gardner, BBC News Middle East (September 14, 2012)