While the GOP-lead House gleefully invokes Ambassador Steven's name in an attempt to smear political rivals, his family says enough and points their finger back at the same GOP-lead House for underfunding the State Dept...
Ambassador Chris Stevens’ Family Tells GOP To STFU About Hillary And Benghazi
Throughout the Benghazi witch hunt investigation, Republicans have waved the name of Ambassador Chris Stevens, who died in the attack along with three other Americans, as some sort of rallying cry. Now, apparently having had their fill of GOP nonsense, Stevens’ family is saying in no uncertain terms, “stop it!”
Stevens’ sister, Dr. Anne Stevens, has been the spokesperson for the family throughout the years following the Benghazi attack, and the shameful political grandstanding against the Obama administration, and in particular former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that has followed it. In an interview published on June 28 in The New Yorker, Stevens indicated that she and her family have had enough.
The report from the Republican majority on the House Benghazi committee clears President Obama, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Clinton of any wrongdoing in terms of what could have been done to save the lives of Stevens and the others. But it still criticizes the Obama administration, the Defense Department, and in particular the State Department (and by implication Clinton) for security failures at the Benghazi outpost. Anne Stevens has a different take.
New Yorker writer Robin Wright asked Stevens, “Whom do you fault for the lack of security that resulted in the death of your brother, in Benghazi?”
Stevens replied:
It is clear, in hindsight, that the facility was not sufficiently protected by the State Department and the Defense Department. But what was the underlying cause? Perhaps if Congress had provided a budget to increase security for all missions around the world, then some of the requests for more security in Libya would have been granted.
She goes on to say that she doesn’t hold Clinton or Panetta at fault and reminds everyone that the ambassador wasn’t ordered to go to the outpost, but that he chose to do so.
I do not blame Hillary Clinton or Leon Panetta. They were balancing security efforts at embassies and missions around the world. And their staffs were doing their best to provide what they could with the resources they had. The Benghazi Mission was understaffed. We know that now. But, again, Chris knew that. It wasn’t a secret to him. He decided to take the risk to go there. It is not something they did to him. It is something he took on himself.
Stevens also indicates how unhappy she is about the way the whole affair has been politicized by Republicans.
Every report I read that mentions him [Ambassador Stevens] specifically has a political bent, an accusatory bent. One point that seems to be brought up again and again is the accusation that the attack was a response to the video. I could understand why that conclusion would be made, because it was right after the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Egypt. But, frankly, it doesn’t matter that that was the thinking, that night, about why the attack occurred. It’s irrelevant to bring that up again and again. It is done purely for political reasons.
The early statements that were made about the attack being in response to an inflammatory anti-Muslim video have been a central focus of Republicans in the various hearings that have been held. The GOP, understanding nothing except politics and power, has been absolutely convinced that had the Obama administration said from day one that Benghazi was a pre-planned terrorist attack, the president would have lost the 2012 election. That, of course, is highly questionable, and Anne Stevens is right — at this point it doesn’t matter whether that was the belief during and immediately after the attack or not.
And Stevens says her brother knew the risks of being in post-Qaddafi Libya.
He did tell us about the dangers then. He told us about a car bomb that had shaken the hotel where he had offices in Benghazi. But, when he talked about incidents like that, he never showed any fear or reluctance to continue the work. He took danger in stride.
It was so important to have a U.S. presence in Benghazi and to show support for the American center being set up and other programs, such as the Benghazi Medical Center. We were helping them establish their new society. I don’t think we’ll ever know why he made the decision to take the risk of going to Benghazi, knowing there were multiple attacks. It was clearly a bad decision.
Throughout the various investigations, Republicans have spoken in reverent tones of Chris Stevens, who they would no doubt have little regard for were he still alive, since he was an Obama appointee. Now Stevens’ family is asking them to stop using his name as a political tool. How the GOP responds to that request will tell us everything about their motives on Benghazi. And we probably already know how that will go.
You can read Dr. Anne Stevens’ full interview here.
[Edited on 6/30/2016 by gondicar]
Here's another link to the full New Yorker article and interview with Anne Stevens (sister of Ambassador Stevens), as well as an excerpt...
Dr. Anne Stevens, the sister of Ambassador Chris Stevens, has served as a family spokesperson since his death. She is the chief of pediatric rheumatology at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We spoke twice in the past three days, including shortly after the House Select Committee report was issued. Dr. Stevens recalled that her brother had been fascinated by the Middle East since childhood, when he dressed up as Lawrence of Arabia, with a towel and a pot atop his head. He served in the Peace Corps, in Morocco, before joining the Foreign Service, and he served twice in Libya before his final posting there, as well as in Damascus, Cairo, Jerusalem, and Riyadh. My interview with Dr. Stevens has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Whom do you fault for the lack of security that resulted in the death of your brother, in Benghazi?
It is clear, in hindsight, that the facility was not sufficiently protected by the State Department and the Defense Department. But what was the underlying cause? Perhaps if Congress had provided a budget to increase security for all missions around the world, then some of the requests for more security in Libya would have been granted. Certainly the State Department is underbudgeted.
I do not blame Hillary Clinton or Leon Panetta. They were balancing security efforts at embassies and missions around the world. And their staffs were doing their best to provide what they could with the resources they had. The Benghazi Mission was understaffed. We know that now. But, again, Chris knew that. It wasn’t a secret to him. He decided to take the risk to go there. It is not something they did to him. It is something he took on himself.
What did you learn from the two new reports by House Republicans and Democrats?
It doesn’t look like anything new. They concluded that the U.S. compound in Benghazi was not secure. We knew that.
What did you think of Secretary Clinton’s conduct on Benghazi?
She has taken full responsibility, being head of the State Department, for what occurred. She took measures to respond to the review board’s recommendations. She established programs for a better security system. But it is never going to be perfect. Part of being a diplomat is being out in the community. We all recognize that there’s a risk in serving in a dangerous environment. Chris thought that was very important, and he probably would have done it again. I don’t see any usefulness in continuing to criticize her. It is very unjust.
After years of congressional investigations, do you feel that your brother’s death has been politicized in Washington?
Yes! Definitely politicized. Every report I read that mentions him specifically has a political bent, an accusatory bent. One point that seems to be brought up again and again is the accusation that the attack was a response to the video. I could understand why that conclusion would be made, because it was right after the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Egypt. But, frankly, it doesn’t matter that that was the thinking, that night, about why the attack occurred. It’s irrelevant to bring that up again and again. It is done purely for political reasons.
It would be much more useful for Congress to focus on providing resources for security for all State Department facilities around the world—for increasing personnel, language capabilities, for increasing staff to build relationships, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. I would love to hear they are drastically increasing the budget.
Did your brother ever talk about the risks in Libya?
Even before we had an Embassy in Tripoli, he fell in love with the land, the people, and the rich, rich history. He sent pictures. He saw the potential of Libya. When the revolution occurred, he was very optimistic about the future. He was happy to be involved, to be our special envoy in Benghazi for a year. He wanted to be part of this exciting prospect of a free Libya.
He did tell us about the dangers then. He told us about a car bomb that had shaken the hotel where he had offices in Benghazi. But, when he talked about incidents like that, he never showed any fear or reluctance to continue the work. He took danger in stride.
It was so important to have a U.S. presence in Benghazi and to show support for the American center being set up and other programs, such as the Benghazi Medical Center. We were helping them establish their new society. I don’t think we’ll ever know why he made the decision to take the risk of going to Benghazi, knowing there were multiple attacks. It was clearly a bad decision.
Did he ever talk about not having enough security?
He talked about his knowledge of the militias and the huge number of arms loose in Libya. That was one of his concerns and challenges. But he did not talk about that as a worry of his own security, which doesn’t mean he wasn’t concerned.
Are there any questions left in your mind about what happened, why the U.S. didn’t respond faster, why Washington didn’t do more?
The only questions that I have are not answerable by anyone investigated or questioned by the committee. My questions are about why the militiamen attacked the compound in the first place. What were their intentions? It’d be interesting to know that—and to hear what their views are and what they were thinking. It has nothing to do with what the State Department or the Defense Department was supposed to do that night. I think everyone did their very best in response to this event.
Do you think it’s fair to make Benghazi an election issue?
With the many issues in the current election, to use that incident—and to use Chris’s death as a political point—is not appropriate.
How would Chris have felt about this election?
I know he had a lot of respect for Secretary Clinton. He admired her ability to intensely read the issues and understand the whole picture.
Just to underscore the point and connect the dots back to the political side, this from Trump last week...
When asked who she blames for the attack that took her brother’s life, this is what family spokesman Dr. Anne Stevens had to say to the New Yorker (not sure it is the answer that The Donald was looking for):
"I do not blame Hillary Clinton or Leon Panetta. They were balancing security efforts at embassies and missions around the world. And their staffs were doing their best to provide what they could with the resources they had. The Benghazi Mission was understaffed. We know that now. But, again, Chris knew that. It wasn’t a secret to him. He decided to take the risk to go there. It is not something they did to him. It is something he took on himself."
She was then asked what she thought of Hillary Clinton’s conduct on Benghazi:
"She has taken full responsibility, being head of the State Department, for what occurred. She took measures to respond to the review board’s recommendations. She established programs for a better security system. But it is never going to be perfect. Part of being a diplomat is being out in the community. We all recognize that there’s a risk in serving in a dangerous environment. Chris thought that was very important, and he probably would have done it again. I don’t see any usefulness in continuing to criticize her. It is very unjust."
[Edited on 6/30/2016 by gondicar]
Trump supporting Hillary. WHY?
Trump supporting Hillary. WHY?
Huh??
Trump supporting Hillary. WHY?
Huh??
Our resident expert on everything can't read
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.
Ok, we'll add that to the long list of things you've never seen despite happening on a regular basis.
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.
Oversight matters, but when it turns into 8 investigations that find no wrong doing, it becomes a witch hunt that wasted taxpayer money. Maybe we need better oversight on Republican witch hu... I mean, investigations.
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.Oversight matters, but when it turns into 8 investigations that find no wrong doing, it becomes a witch hunt that wasted taxpayer money. Maybe we need better oversight on Republican witch hu... I mean, investigations.
Maybe the 9th or 10th investigations will find something new? There's always hope. 
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.Oversight matters, but when it turns into 8 investigations that find no wrong doing, it becomes a witch hunt that wasted taxpayer money. Maybe we need better oversight on Republican witch hu... I mean, investigations.
Maybe the 9th or 10th investigations will find something new? There's always hope.
It will not happen. Those in absolute power have made sure the truth will never come out. Just like the good ole 9.11 commission.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Too me it looks more like the gop wasted a ton of money for nothing, but what do you expect they have the trump who's going to be their disaster...can't wait!
The amount of money spent on these hearings is roughly equal to the same amount spent
taking care of illegal immigrants for about 36.8 minutes. You can check the math.So it doesn't matter??
If you don't think oversight matters. It must not, because I've never seen Liberals become
such strident fiscal hawks in my whole life.Oversight matters, but when it turns into 8 investigations that find no wrong doing, it becomes a witch hunt that wasted taxpayer money. Maybe we need better oversight on Republican witch hu... I mean, investigations.
Maybe the 9th or 10th investigations will find something new? There's always hope.
It will not happen. Those in absolute power have made sure the truth will never come out. Just like the good ole 9.11 commission.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
And you know this factually to be true because?
Please cite your direct knowledge as shown or stated to you.
I know what credible people have stated, but is was not stated directly to me. I actually believe some of the retired CIA people who come out from time to time and are as fed up as the rest of regular Americans. The person I am referring to testified before the US Senate, they did nothing with his info. and he did news interviews also; so far be it from me to get up on my soap box.
As for you, you might want to read Rogue State by William Conrad Blum and find out what really goes on in the world. I've come to accept that injustice and evil will be rampant in our world and there is nothing any of us can do. We can wait for when the world financial crash happens, and then act according to your integrity joining with like minded individuals to live the rest of your life with truth, honor, dignity and yes valor.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
I know what credible people have stated, but is was not stated directly to me. I actually believe some of the retired CIA people who come out from time to time and are as fed up as the rest of regular Americans. The person I am referring to testified before the US Senate, they did nothing with his info. and he did news interviews also; so far be it from me to get up on my soap box.
As for you, you might want to read Rogue State by William Conrad Blum and find out what really goes on in the world. I've come to accept that injustice and evil will be rampant in our world and there is nothing any of us can do. We can wait for when the world financial crash happens, and then act according to your integrity joining with like minded individuals to live the rest of your life with truth, honor, dignity and yes valor.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Got it. You have no more direct knowledge than any John Doe off of the street. That's OK. Anyone can post opinions and theoretical/ hypothetical verbiage. Keep doing it, as it makes for a good read.
From your post, you really know nothing more than advancing a conspiracy theory and then top it off with a cherry on top when you state, "We can wait for when the world financial crash happens..."
Just curious - do you have an estimated date or time frame when the financial crash will begin?
I know what credible people have stated, but is was not stated directly to me.
Which means what? Are you waiting for a phone call?
I actually believe some of the retired CIA people who come out from time to time and are as fed up as the rest of regular Americans. The person I am referring to testified before the US Senate, they did nothing with his info. and he did news interviews also; so far be it from me to get up on my soap box.
and who is that person? Did it ever occur to you that his information was bogus? You seem to think you know more than most people, so bring it out for the world to see.
And you live on a soapbox.
As for you, you might want to read Rogue State by William Conrad Blum and find out what really goes on in the world. I've come to accept that injustice and evil will be rampant in our world and there is nothing any of us can do. We can wait for when the world financial crash happens, and then act according to your integrity joining with like minded individuals to live the rest of your life with truth, honor, dignity and yes valor.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
That book was written 11 years ago and most of it is unproven conspiracy theory. The fact that Osama bin Laden recommended it says it all. I doubt that you have read it, you just know about bin Laden's endorsement
And Blum's middle name is not Conrad. I think you are confusing him with deceased actor William Conrad. He died in 1994 and as far as I know, he never wrote a book about the CIA and their actions. 😛
https://williamblum.org/books/rogue-state/
Yes I have read it, and the facts, that's right FACTS stated there in are documented and footnoted.
As to the rest of your questions, I am not going there. I have learned thru life we can only attain little victories against corruption, ultimately nothing changes. New corrupt people just take the places of the other ones who are exposed and ousted, so why bother? There will not be justice in this world until God himself comes back and punishes all of them.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
I know what credible people have stated, but is was not stated directly to me. I actually believe some of the retired CIA people who come out from time to time and are as fed up as the rest of regular Americans. The person I am referring to testified before the US Senate, they did nothing with his info. and he did news interviews also; so far be it from me to get up on my soap box.
As for you, you might want to read Rogue State by William Conrad Blum and find out what really goes on in the world. I've come to accept that injustice and evil will be rampant in our world and there is nothing any of us can do. We can wait for when the world financial crash happens, and then act according to your integrity joining with like minded individuals to live the rest of your life with truth, honor, dignity and yes valor.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Got it. You have no more direct knowledge than any John Doe off of the street. That's OK. Anyone can post opinions and theoretical/ hypothetical verbiage. Keep doing it, as it makes for a good read.
From your post, you really know nothing more than advancing a conspiracy theory and then top it off with a cherry on top when you state, "We can wait for when the world financial crash happens..."
Just curious - do you have an estimated date or time frame when the financial crash will begin?
Financial analysts estimate between October 2016 and no later than January 2017.
Yes I have read it, and the facts, that's right FACTS stated there in are documented and footnoted.
I could have put up the same link. It doesn't mean you read it. And if you did, I would expect that most of it went over your head, just like most of the posts that you reply to in here.
I know what credible people have stated, but is was not stated directly to me. I actually believe some of the retired CIA people who come out from time to time and are as fed up as the rest of regular Americans. The person I am referring to testified before the US Senate, they did nothing with his info. and he did news interviews also; so far be it from me to get up on my soap box.
As for you, you might want to read Rogue State by William Conrad Blum and find out what really goes on in the world. I've come to accept that injustice and evil will be rampant in our world and there is nothing any of us can do. We can wait for when the world financial crash happens, and then act according to your integrity joining with like minded individuals to live the rest of your life with truth, honor, dignity and yes valor.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Got it. You have no more direct knowledge than any John Doe off of the street. That's OK. Anyone can post opinions and theoretical/ hypothetical verbiage. Keep doing it, as it makes for a good read.
From your post, you really know nothing more than advancing a conspiracy theory and then top it off with a cherry on top when you state, "We can wait for when the world financial crash happens..."
Just curious - do you have an estimated date or time frame when the financial crash will begin?
Financial analysts estimate between October 2016 and no later than January 2017.
Please show us a reputable link. You have predicted various disasters for a long time and when the dates passed, you just pushed them back.
They have not been my predictions, but the estimates of others. Things may be impacted by any variety of factors, ie. China finances us, they are facing TWO major typhoons (Cat 4 and 5), depending on the damage to Taiwan from the first one, and wherever the second one hits, that can impact finance; as well as Brexit and the aftermath of that, etc. etc.
You could read the Death of Money by Jim Rickards, he seems quite knowledgeable.
Links, Gina. Not books that you don't read or understand. You put those dates out there without a source. That makes it your prediction.
Nose around, you'll find plenty. Put in words like financial crash 2016. Here's some:
Grantham is the founder of GMO, a firm that manages $118 billion. He’s widely respected for warning about the 2000 market crash and the 2008 financial crisis.
http://economiccollapsenews.com/2014/03/05/dow-to-crash-to-6000-by-2016-financial-author/
Harry Dent sees the Dow go down 6,000 points.
We reported in November that Peter Schiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital, warned that the Dow will likely crash below 13,000 once the stock market realizes that the supposed economic recovery has been fallacious and bad monetary policy is the culprit for an artificial economy.
David Stockman, former budget director during the Reagan administration, also warned in a New York Times op-ed piece early last year entitled “State-Wrecked: The Corruption of Capitalism in America” that the stock market itself will crash.
“Over the last 13 years, the stock market has twice crashed and touched off a recession: American households lost $5 trillion in the 2000 dot-com bust and more than $7 trillion in the 2007 housing crash,” Stockman, who is now an investment banker, wrote. “Sooner or later – within a few years, I predict – this latest Wall Street bubble, inflated by an egregious flood of phony money from the Federal Reserve rather than real economic gains, will explode, too.”
http://www.morningliberty.com/2016/01/21/robert-kiyosaki-warns-of-financial-collapse-2016/
http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2014/12/31/peter-schiff-financial-crisis-interview/
Those are a few, I'm not putting up the people I read, but they all think so too.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Nose around, you'll find plenty. Put in words like financial crash 2016.
YOU made the claim. The burden of proof is on YOU.
As I said, you should really find out what is going on in the world beyond what you already know.
[Edited on 7/5/2016 by gina]
Nose around, you'll find plenty. Put in words like financial crash 2016. Here's some:
Grantham is the founder of GMO, a firm that manages $118 billion. He’s widely respected for warning about the 2000 market crash and the 2008 financial crisis.
He said it COULD happen, but no where did he say it was a certainty. And he didn't give the timeline tha you claimed.
http://economiccollapsenews.com/2014/03/05/dow-to-crash-to-6000-by-2016-financial-author/
Harry Dent sees the Dow go down 6,000 points.We reported in November that Peter Schiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital, warned that the Dow will likely crash below 13,000 once the stock market realizes that the supposed economic recovery has been fallacious and bad monetary policy is the culprit for an artificial economy.
David Stockman, former budget director during the Reagan administration, also warned in a New York Times op-ed piece early last year entitled “State-Wrecked: The Corruption of Capitalism in America” that the stock market itself will crash.
“Over the last 13 years, the stock market has twice crashed and touched off a recession: American households lost $5 trillion in the 2000 dot-com bust and more than $7 trillion in the 2007 housing crash,” Stockman, who is now an investment banker, wrote. “Sooner or later – within a few years, I predict – this latest Wall Street bubble, inflated by an egregious flood of phony money from the Federal Reserve rather than real economic gains, will explode, too.”
He said in 2014 the the stock market would drop 6000 points by 2016. Didn't happen. you didn't either read or understand what the link said.
http://www.morningliberty.com/2016/01/21/robert-kiyosaki-warns-of-financial-collapse-2016/
Not a single thing that this guy predicted has happened or could happen
http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2014/12/31/peter-schiff-financial-crisis-interview/
Those are a few, I'm not putting up the people I read, but they all think so too.
This link predicted the collapse would be in 2015.
Wrong again.
Is that all you got?
No it's not all I got, but I do not need to justify myself to you. Live in your happy world till martial law comes to your neighborhood then believe whatever they tell you about that.
No it's not all I got, but I do not need to justify myself to you. Live in your happy world till martial law comes to your neighborhood then believe whatever they tell you about that.
I thought that was supposed to happen in 2003, at least that's what you said at the time. Good thing I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.
Analysts tell you what they think will happen based on what they know. Were they aware as has been recently disclosed that the Saudis have 750 BILLION dollars invested in our stock market right now?
The Congressmen and Senators were told if they did not vote for the bank bailouts of 2008, that martial law would be implemented on US streets, so they voted to bail out the failing banks. Since then the amounts of assets versus derivatives of the big banks has become known, so it is just a question of WHEN not IF they go down, or are bought out, merged.
On 9.11.01 we were supposed to make a huge payment to China on the debt we owe them, but since the 'terrorist attack' happened, they let it slide. We would have been in default to China that day if there was not a huge catastrophe.
Analysts tell you what they think will happen based on what they know. Were they aware as has been recently disclosed that the Saudis have 750 BILLION dollars invested in our stock market right now?
The Congressmen and Senators were told if they did not vote for the bank bailouts of 2008, that martial law would be implemented on US streets, so they voted to bail out the failing banks. Since then the amounts of assets versus derivatives of the big banks has become known, so it is just a question of WHEN not IF they go down, or are bought out, merged.
On 9.11.01 we were supposed to make a huge payment to China on the debt we owe them, but since the 'terrorist attack' happened, they let it slide. We would have been in default to China that day if there was not a huge catastrophe.
Links? No? Of course you don't. 😛
The links have been here over the last 8 years, if you missed it, it is your job to go back and find out what happened while you were wherever you were, oblivious to everything going on in the world.
