Rebecca MacKinnon Quotes

The State Department has promised they will never have another temporary mission facility like the one in Benghazi that is so lightly protected. But at the same time, history tends to repeat itself here, and so it might not repeat itself in exactly the same way as Benghazi.

We're hoping for the best, but we need to prepare for the worst.

I have no problem with the security... It's something that must be done for the times in which we live. Safety first.

I'm very confident that the solutions that we are developing are going to be effective not only in application in Iraq, but also will be very helpful for potential homeland security situations as well.

In the face of a world that is far from being tranquil and the formidable tasks before us, all Party members must be mindful of the potential danger and stay prepared against adversities in times of peace. We must be keenly aware of the rigorous challenges brought about by ever-sharpening international competition.

To prepare for a disaster, practice the worst case scenario. We don’t usually do that.

Because we're so visible, American diplomats are often the biggest target in town.

Statecraft, as these cases convincingly illustrate, is demanding and often exhausting work. There are risks, and success is not guaranteed. It requires major governmental and political resources and the same kind of hourly, year-round planning and execution as the conduct of a military campaign.

Sometimes in international politics, the better part of wisdom is to defer dangers rather than try to eliminate them altogether instantly.

Safety has been my top legislative priority. I'm driven by the idea that safety is really a core function of government.

Government's first duty and highest obligation is public safety.

Politics is not a laboratory experiment where you can control everything. You have to take calls even when you feel that matters may spin out of your hand.

I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi. I can tell you that Benghazi would not have happened if Blackwater were on the job there.

The fact of the matter is that the most important responsibility a bar owner has is public safety and the safety of the people in it.

Mr. President. We can’t be certain our recommended plan to assist Mexico will work, and if it doesn’t, it may cost you your Presidency.

Historically, decisive security action took place only after a disaster had occurred or a specific plot had been discovered.

There is only one way safely and legitimately to reduce the cost of national security, and that is to reduce the need for it.

I can do whatever is necessary to protect the United States.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct.

One is treading on very delicate ground when you have to consider the public opinion in China, Japan, the League of Geneva, and at home. It is pretty hard to avoid using a word which may arouse unintended repercussions in one or the other of those half a dozen localities

We must solve problems before they occur, rather than scrambling to deal with crises after they erupt..

Accidents will happen. We have formulated our policy on the assumption that some bluffing contest will eventually go wrong, resulting in dead soldiers. The focus has to be on minimizing damage.

Trump doesn't have a plan. There's a screw loose, and he's got a really short fuse. Do you really want the leader of the free world with his finger on the button to have a short fuse?

Our nation counts on us to have the expertise and the insight to flag the risks and the opportunities that lie ahead, and to keep our eye on all the critical international concerns that face our nation right now.

Do every single thing you can to protect yourself, your family, and your country.