I was the guy who was constantly speaking out against the Vietnam War. I have no regrets about that.
George McgovernRead
I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes how older generations often instigate conflicts that disproportionately affect the youth.
In this quote, George McGovern expresses his frustration with the cyclical nature of war and the tendency of older leaders to instigate conflicts without facing the direct consequences. He highlights the moral responsibility of those in power to consider the impact of their decisions, particularly on the younger generation, who are sent to fight and often pay the highest price in such conflicts.
In practice
During a peace rally, this quote could be used to emphasize the need for youth activism against war.
I was the guy who was constantly speaking out against the Vietnam War. I have no regrets about that.
Pay attention to the hungry, both in this country and around the world. Pay attention to the poor. Pay attention to our responsibilities for world peace. We are our brother's keeper.
Every Senator in this Chamber is partly responsible for sending 50,000 young Americans to an early grave. This Chamber reeks of blood.
The nature of freedom of choice is that some people will misuse their responsibility and hurt themselves in the process. We should do our best to educate them, but without diminishing choice for everyone else.
When you start one of these programs, school lunch programs, in a country that heretofore had nothing of that kind, immediately school enrollment jumps dramatically. Girls and boys get to the classroom with the promise of a good meal once a day.
I hope I live long enough to see every hungry school child in the world being fed under the so-called McGovern-Dole program.
It goes with a courageous intent to greet the universe as it really is, not to foist our emotional predispositions on it but to courageously accept what our explorations tell us.
Conscience is the perfect interpreter of life.
The poor are great! The poor are wonderful! The poor are very generous! They give us much more than what we give them.
Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Golden fetters are no less galling to a self-respecting man that iron ones; the sting lies in the fetters, not in the metal.
The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.
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