Schwartz: Libya killings a 'despicable attack'
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, a member of the House Committee Foreign Affairs, and a Montgomery County resident, issued a statement today in response to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens, and three others U.S. officials.
Schwartz: Libya killings a 'despicable attack'
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, a member of the House Committee Foreign Affairs, and a Montgomery County resident, issued a statement today in response to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens, and three others U.S. officials. She said:
"The despicable attack on America's Consulate in Benghazi, Libya is a direct affront to America and the values of freedom and democracy that we hold true.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and colleagues of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith and the other personnel killed in Benghazi, Libya.
"America's diplomatic corps dedicate their lives to promoting America's values and interest abroad, spending time away from loved ones and knowingly put themselves in danger to serve their country. For that, as Americans, we owe them a debt of gratitude. We must - and we will - bring those responsible swiftly to justice."
The White House just released its statement from President Barack Obama:
Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi
I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.
I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.
On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya's transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.
And also:
John Nagl, America’s foremost expert on counterinsurgency who helped write the nation’s manual on that topic and who logged combat time in Iraq, weighed in today, saying he is “just sick” about the killings.
Nagl will become headmaster of the Haverford School on Philadelphia’s Main Line next July 1. Since we interviewed him for a profile recently, we are seeking his comment as a soon-to-be Montgomery County figure.
"It is always wrong to mock the religious beliefs of others. Doing so at this time of tension and change in the Middle East is particularly unhelpful. This episode will do real and lasting harm to the United States and her interests. Innocents will die, terrorists will be inspired, and hatred will spread. All Americans should stand united against religious persecution in all its manifestations."
He suggested that readers consult an Atlantic Monthly story for background entitled: “The Movie So Offensive That Egyptians Just Stormed the U.S. Embassy Over It.” The post contains clips from the movie dubbed in English. We looked at the clips and found the film odd and disturbing.
Here are the URLs:
This comment has been deleted.— dallas68- Or Catholics. God help us if we get 4 more years of Obama. — gone with the wind
- Republican isn't a religion. Neither is gun violence. He didn't say that he is ok with people who hate others because they follow a different religion. You know, like Republicans do. — MikeP
- Neville Chamberlain was an appeaser, as are those running this country. We need strong leadership, it's time for real CHANGE.
- This comment has been deleted.— hannibal barca
- Any American who believes that these attacks on the American embassies in Cairo and Libya were triggered by a particular Youtube video is sadly mistaken, to say the least. At any given time, there's any number of hateful videos on Youtube! Videos critical of the Muslim religion have appeared on Youtube before. Furthermore, it's perfectly clear that these attacks, particularly the one that led to the assassination of the US ambassador to Libya, were planned for some time and therefore were in no way a "spontaneous" reaction to the particular Youtube video being named. It is not the job of the US government to take responsibility for the statements of any crackpot who wishes to post on Youtube. If the particular Youtube video did not specifically violate US laws, then Mitt Romney is 100% correct in expressing that all that a US apology for such a video accomplishes is to send a message of American vulnerability to these violent malcontents in Libya and Egypt.
Those muslim malcontents fully understand messages from the American politicians. It's not coincidental that the hostages abducted from the American embassy in Tehran in 1980 and held for months were suddenly released on January 20, 1981, the very day when Jimmy Carter ceased to be President and Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.
The situation in Libya is the product of Obama's handiwork. Let's face it, as evil as Moammar Quaddafi was, he would NEVER have dared to allow such an attack on a US embassy on Libyan soil. (He may have covertly sponsored terrorism against American targets outside of Libya, and that specifically shows that he had a degree of fear for the U.S., something that those that Obama assisted in their rise to power in Libya and Egypt do not.)— SammyD - This comment has been deleted.— MODEREATER
- May The Schwartz Be With You. Isn't it easier to project feigned outrage over something that is despicable and out of your hands. Schwartz's constituents are very interested in protecting Israel, therefore, she must garner their support by being concerned about anything in the area. It's only about 800 miles away.
Better late then never ah Allyson?!?!— Professor1982- The professor of idiots — angrywhtguy
- The professor of idiots — angrywhtguy
Nuke 'em.— tpizza- Absolutely nothing controversial in this statement that I can see, but watch the commenters rant on stupidly about it.— ICDogg
- Sorry to have to say this but I really wish politicians/bureaucrats would stop acting like they speak for all Americans.
I'll be blunt. I could not care less that this guy was killed. Some political hack in a far off country was blown up and I'm supposed to care? Why? Is his life more valuable than all the other people who died the same day?
I understand that for Schwartz, and every other politician, getting re-elected is the only reason they do anything. The opportunity to get her face in the media is what drives these type of statements but please stop pretending that you speak for us.— barlowjames1 - This comment has been deleted. — hannibal barca
Contact Davis at cdavis@phillynews.com or 610-313-8109.
Contact Parks at 610-313-8117, jparks@philly.com, or https://twitter.com/JS_Parks.
