!!Benghazi!!

++A good article in Time by Massimo Calabresi, "A Benghazi Scandal That's Already Reveled: The CIA Believed a Media Mistake." The article shows that the whole "video" theme of the Susan Rice talking points was derived from the CIA accepting the reality of at least six media reports that had been filed which talked about demonstrations at Benghazi sparked by the anti-Islam video.

++Nancy Pelosi has complained to John Boehner that the make-up of the Special Committee is unfair and the rules do not allow for the Democrats to subpoena their own witnesses. Boehner's aides claim Democrats will be able to see documents beforehand, and ask questions.

++Charles Krauthammer seems to be getting the willies about the Committee after previously he had declared Benghazi worse than Watergate. He fears the consequences if the Committee looks partisan.

++The Democrats are still debating whether to participate at all. Louise Slaughter has objected that the families of the victims have called Democratic offices to say they don't want another hearing. They can't take anymore.

++Hillary Clinton has opined that there is no need for another committee. Elizabeth Warren spoke and has written an op-ed about Trey Gowdy's actions in the oversight of the Consumer Protection Agency and how he didn't have his basic facts straight. "And this is oversight?" she writes.

++The New York Times spit fire on the new Committee and editorialized that the Democrats should not participate in the charade.

++I have read two posts at the DailyKos that argue the Democrats should participate and bring the real facts forward to challenge the GOP. Another argued quite interestingly that the Democrats must be visible challenging the committee because it is like the Swiftboating campaign against John Kerry. John Kerry considered the Swiftboat allegations so absurd that he never challenged them and thought he could ignore the smear campaign much to his loss. Another commentator mentioned that the Special Committee is likely to be "seen" as the authoritative account of Benghazi, even though several committees have already issued their reports. Therefore, the Democrats have to take their place at the table.

++I don't know the rules if one party refuses to participate. The press would be obliged to say everyday they cover the story that it is solely a partisan committee. 

++As of now,I think the Democrats should hold out for subpoena power and written guarantees about access to documents and the right to respond.

++Another Democratic blogger says that Nancy Pelosi should demand for their participation a vote on the immigration act and extended unemployment insurance.