Most people know the story of Benghazi. It was the controversy of the world nearly four years ago in September. But, on the odd chance that ‘Benghazi’ is only a political word to you, I’ll quickly brief you.
On September 11, 2012, exactly eleven years after the 9/11 attacks on U.S. soil, the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya was under attack. U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens was taken into the ‘safe haven’ secure room in the Consulate. Meanwhile, a team of Private Contracted security made up of Former Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Marines, stationed at the ‘Secret CIA Annex’ one mile away from the Consulate, awaited orders to begin extraction of Ambassador Stevens and his security crew, poorly consisting of 2-3 men with little military experience, if any at all. The highly trained military team was told several times to ’stand down’ or ‘wait’. Over the radio, the team overheard a distress call from the Consulate saying, ‘They are burning down the building, if you do not come, we WILL die.’
At this point, the team disobeyed direct orders and proceeded with the extraction plan. Anyone with ANY military background or interest will tell you that this is exactly who the military is; you do not run from despair, you run towards it, and so they did.
When the team reached the Consulate, CIA Information’s Officer Sean Smith was found dead. Ambassador Stevens was declared MIA, but was found by a group of Libyans later on and taken to a hospital where he was then declared dead. Both cause of deaths: Smoke inhalation. If the team would have been allowed to leave when the attack began, they might still be alive. The Military team proceeded to return to the CIA Annex with a couple of CIA Officers who worked security for the Consulate. Once at the Annex, they prepared for a fight that would, in total, last about 13 hours. They called for help from the State Department, Foreign Emergency Support Teams (FEST), Quick Reaction Forces (QRF), and many other options. After exhausting all contacts and departments with no results and no help, the battle finally ends with Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, and Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty returning home in a Flag draped casket. I will pause this article for a time of remembrance...
Now that you have been briefed on the events of that day (so much for a ‘quick’ brief), let us talk about why this still matters in politics today ---
---When the family members met with Hillary Clinton and received their loved ones, Clinton told them that they died because of a video disgracing Islam. She is referencing a video submitted to YouTube that caused riots at the Embassy in Cairo. We have learned from Hillary’s personally unsecure emails to Foreign Officials and her own family members that she ‘KNEW the attacks were not because of a video’ but rather a ‘planned’ terrorist attack. (I will link all emails and sources at the end of the article). This has to raise the question, ‘Why were there two different stories?’ Why not just be honest to everyone? To this day, we still do not have a clear answer on why the stories from the State Department differed among audiences, why there was never any support sent to help these brave Americans who fought for our country and our people, and why the U.S. Consulate was only manned by two CIA Officers on the Anniversary of 9/11 in a hostile country where anyone with common sense could acknowledge the threat of an attack.
The actions of the State Department and POTUS before, during, and after the attack clearly show a lack of consideration of American lives. This is why the ‘video’ story was taken by government officials. With only two months before an election, who wants to have a terrorist attack under their belt? But it wasn’t just a lack of consideration; it was a complete disregard by POTUS. For the weeks leading up to the events, Barack Hussein Obama chose not to attend his daily security briefs, as did Secretary Clinton. I thought it was the President, Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Secretary of State’s JOB to be aware, sensible, and protective of our Embassies, Armed Forces, and Government Departments. That ‘job’ was clearly overpassed by the idea of a new elected term. People hold President Obama and Secretary Clinton fully responsible for Benghazi because of the disregard for their job.
So, why should Benghazi still be a political talking point? Because this directly relates to the negligence of Clinton’s email scandal, her foreign policy, and her love for America. Our questions have NOT come to a complete answer yet, and no matter what an investigation says, it is OUR job as American Citizens to be knowledgeable and investigate our so called ‘public servants’ on our own. The truth of a situation lies within those willing to find it.
I pray for this country and her people. I pray for those defending it; that their families find peace within the risk. I pray that our people will stop rioting against each other, and place their attention on what really can change our country: Us. Why fight against each other when we can fight for each other. I pray that the American people research and make logical decisions this election year, and I pray that these four men: Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, are NEVER forgotten. May God take control of beautiful America, and shape her into a country of love. May God forever be the One we trust.
To the Families of the lost Americans: They are not lost. They WILL be remembered. And the truth WILL come out.
With All Love,
Austin Smith.
