I think the rule should be that if we're going to take actions overseas that result in the deaths of people, the United States should take responsibility for that.
Interpretation
The U.S. should be accountable for its military actions abroad that lead to loss of life.
This quote emphasizes the moral responsibility of the United States in its foreign military operations, arguing that there is an ethical obligation to acknowledge and take accountability for the consequences, particularly the loss of lives that result from such actions. It calls for a reflective consideration of the heavy impact of international interventions and stresses the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership.
In practice
During a discussion on the ethics of military intervention, one might use this quote to highlight the need for accountability.
I do not - I never believed it's better to kill a terrorist than to detain him. We want to detain as many terrorists as possible so we can elicit the intelligence from them in the appropriate manner so that we can disrupt follow-on terrorist attacks.
While the intelligence profession oftentimes demands secrecy, it is critically important that there be a full and open discourse on intelligence matters with the appropriate elected representatives of the American people.
As a former career intelligence professional, I have a profound appreciation for the value of intelligence. Intelligence disrupts terrorist plots and thwarts attacks. Intelligence saves lives.
We are in this business, whether it be intelligence or the government, to protect freedom, democracy and liberty, not to violate that.
Terrorists are not 100 feet tall. Nor do they deserve the abject fear they seek to instill.
When we uphold the rule of law, our counterterrorism tools are more likely to withstand the scrutiny of our courts, our allies, and the American people.
Let me make one thing clear. I have never considered mere survival in power as any achievement, just as I have never seen coming to power as an achievement in itself.
A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.
Either love your players or get out of coaching.
For a prince should have two fears: one, internal concerning his subjects; the other, external, concerning foreign powers. From the latter he can always defend himself by his good troops and friends; and he will always have good friends if he has good troops.
Reason and calm judgment, the qualities specially belonging to a leader.
Show me a poorly uniformed troop and I'll show you a poorly uniformed leader.
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