13 Hours

Last weekend, Karen and I saw 13 Hours.  It seems that Hollywood likes to release patriotic movies in the dead of winter, since Lone Survivor and Act of Valor were also released during winter the last couple of years.  For me, the timing is excellent, since I'm not missing anything else to attend the movie.

This movie may have political implications.  Of course, being a product of Hollyweird, the director and the producer had to tread a very fine line, not wanting to upset the washed and coiffed political masses who espouse free speech for everyone...who agrees with them.  I like war movies as a rule, and although this isn't exactly a war movie, believe me, this is nothing short of the Alamo with AK 47's.

Surprisingly, neither Cankles nor President Obama are ever mentioned by name.  Considering the brouhaha over the attack on the consulate in Benghazi, I'm just a little taken aback by this.  Then again, going back to the paragraph preceding this one, self-preservation probably dictated that neither person's name got a reference.  Even so, it's hard to view the movie without thinking about the circus that ensued in the aftermath of the attack.

The movie itself is captivating.  Even when one is aware of the outcome, the events leading up to it, as represented in the movie, hold one's attention.  Surely, some of what's on the screen has been dramatized, but both the director and the men who were on the ground that fateful day swear that the movie is a faithful representation of what occurred on September 11, 2012.

The CIA comes off as elitist and ineffectual.  The ambassador's security detail -- two people -- come off as ineffectual and inept.  The grit and determination of the operators was beyond impressive.  Had the higher-ups listened to the operators, a catastrophe might have been avoided.  That they were attacked by nearly three hundred terrorists and only suffered two losses (Mr. Stevens and Mr. Smith were killed at the ambassador's residence; the operators held off the attackers at the CIA compound), and those after mortars were used, speaks to the professionalism and skill of the operators.  Given that they were in a virtual miasma of tribal warfare, with friend indistinguishable from foe, how the operators were able to navigate without compromising themselves or those whom they were to protect was unbelievable.

When we left the theater, many moviegoers were openly upset about President Obama and Cankles and their involvement in the fiasco.  The movie shows the military as ready, willing and able to come to the assistance of the beleaguered outpost.  Either the administration is wisely being quiet about the movie or it knows that the movie is factually correct.  Cankles can't afford to get embroiled in the debate, her campaign already reeling from myriad scandals. 

But four men are dead because of gross incompetence.  This movie shines a light on that and on the unparalleled bravery that kept the body count from being higher. It's a tribute to their bravery, their sacrifice and their resolution.

Finally, there's a movie that has something to do with the attack on the consulate in Benghazi.

Funny, neither President Obama nor Cankles want to talk about this movie.

(c) 2016 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles