7 ANGRY MEN

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     In writer Reginald Rose's and director Sidney Lumet's 1957 classic motion picture - produced by the film's now legendary star, Henry Fonda - and also produced by Rose - 12 Angry Men was the story of a dozen jurors who deliberate the guilt or innocence of a male teenage defendant who is on trial for allegedly stabbing his father to death.  The movie focuses on "12 angry men" who find it difficult to reach a unanimous verdict; with Henry Fonda's character convincing the eleven others that there is "reasonable doubt" that the 18-year old boy committed the murder.

     In the Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 11-hour marathon hearing of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, former Secretary of State and current Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton faced "7 angry men" - or to be gender specific - "5 angry men and 2 angry women."  And although some Republicans seemed to forget it - by the way she was often treated during the hearing - Mrs. Clinton was not on trial.  She was a witness.  And a willing one.  And despite the fact that there were twelve members of the United States House of Representatives seated on a long dais in the Capitol Hill Hearing Room, it was the seven Republicans who viciously badgered Secretary Clinton.
 

  Despite the reckless nastiness and evil hostility by such Representatives as Jim Jordan of Ohio, Martha Roby of Alabama and Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina - just to name a few - Secretary Clinton was in control.  The former First Lady remained cool, composed, confident, competent and in command of the truthful facts. 

     To parody another movie masterpiece, The Magnificent Seven, "the malicious seven" of Republicans were despicable and deplorable as they were unfairly abusive towards Secretary Clinton.  But kudos to Mrs. Clinton as she displayed phenomenal poise, impressive eloquence and extraordinarily spectacular endurance throughout a day that was positively pointless.  After all, nothing new was learned about the sorrowful events of three years ago in Benghazi.  And nothing was accomplished or even discussed to improve security in the future at our diplomatic outposts.  But the Republicans did waste time again to drill Secretary Clinton about her e-mails.

     Republicans thought it was somehow necessary to have Secretary Clinton testify with their hope to win a so-called "gotcha" moment.  That being said, prior to the hearing, Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy of California - in late September - basically admitted to Fox News that the Benghazi Committee was created to derail and destroy Mrs. Clinton's campaign for President.  Not too long after that - in early October - former committee investigator, Major Bradley Podliska - a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer - accused the committee of targeting Secretary Clinton, also in order to wreck her Presidential bid.  The committee, however, denied any such allegations.

 

   Republicans did everything they possibly could do to physically, mentally and emotionally wear down Secretary Clinton - during what seemed to be a never-ending hearing - so she might say something under oath that would be catastrophically calamitous.  But Mrs. Clinton was a brilliant and powerful tower of strength, as she was grilled with nonsensical and repetitive questions by the Republicans who were undoubtedly on a witch-hunt that was unfounded by any means and that, to date, has cost American taxpayers nearly 5 million dollars.

     Thankfully, Congressmen Elijah Cummings of Maryland, Adam Schiff of California, Adam Smith of Washington and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez of California - among the five Democrats on the panel - expressed themselves with articulate truth as they not only had Secretary Clinton's back by setting the record straight, but the Democrats were also engaged in remembering the September 11th, 2012 tragedy that sadly claimed the lives of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other brave and courageous Americans - and to honor those lives - who served our country at our embassy in Benghazi, Libya; unlike the Republicans who visibly only desired to poison the Presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

     Instead, Secretary Clinton's mammoth testimony - without question - elevated her even more-so to the heights that will catapult her to The Oval Office in the 2016 general election.

     As for the Republicans...they failed.  And failed miserably.  And they know it.

     Congratulations Madam Secretary.  Now let's move forward so that next November I can write...Congratulations Madam President.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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