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:
- Ouch. That really stings. I need to sit in my parents basement and sulk for a while because an anonymous poster on a message board called me some names.
If caring more about the people in my own community than I do about some civil servant makes me a nimrod/moron/drone than I will proudly accept the insults.— barlowjames - It's a act of war...and you're community won't be there someday if everyone had your attitude. — bearsfriend
- "It is always wrong to mock the religious beliefs of others".
Unless you are a Mormon, then we make fun of your underwear.— Mr. Smith - When you lead from behind and your foriegn policy is bassed on appeasement and apoligies, the disater in Libya and Eqypt is certain to follow. By the way, how many intelligence briefings did Obama attend in the last week?— CD75
- There you go again with the bogus appeasement and apologies claim. Romney and the Republicans are disgusting. Tell a lie frequently enough and some people believe it, right? Obama has done an oustanding job with Foreign policy and relations. Disasters in Libya and Egypt? Really? What disaster would that be? Romney has proved without a doubt that he lacks judgement and ethics. His entire campaign is based on telling lies over and over. Guess what? He's sinking in the polls. Romney needs to shut up before he gets someone killed with his idiotic statements. — MikeP
- Where is Hillary?— TheShadowKnows
- Wow, this Allyson Schwartz is a real up and comer. The Inquirer has really attached themselves to this "rising star".— tr88
- Obviously the rules of engagement for the security forces were not sufficient, nect time fire on these Muslim animals and they will stop being aggressive.— dcn
- funny, how we can bomb all of these countries, kill their civilians, and reign in terror while "spreading democracy" and when the locals do not want an imperialist regime and attempt to get rid of them, they are "despicable." I would ask all logical people to explain to me how this makes any sense..
— USAFirst1 - This comment has been deleted. — hannibal barca
- Hey!!!
I was nimrod first.
Don't you have a book of super cool and totally awesome insults to anonymously post on message boards.
I mean if you going call people who have different opinions and views then you names the least you could do is make the effort to come up with original ones for each of us.— barlowjames - It took an entire night and half of today for this rag to FINALLY report on the attacks (plural). Why did you have to wait until tne slowest rising star in the progressive party threw in her 10 meaningless cents?— lefty
Romney got the capital of Libya wrong 3 times today and doesn't know the difference between an embassy and a consulate. NOT QUALIFIED. Oh, and how despicable of him to try to politicize these attacks, especially when he clearly has no clue about the situations or our policies in those areas. Romney = Loser.— ChrisElliottWasRight- This comment has been deleted. — hannibal barca
- Seriously? WTF are you talking about? YOUR Faux News info is hilariously stupid. — ChrisElliottWasRight
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.
