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.
Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It's leadership.
Anytime you get an award as a coach, you've got to be the ultimate fool to think it wasn't your assistant coaches and all the players responsible for the award.
If you don't understand that you work for your mislabeled 'subordinates,' then you know nothing of leadership. You know only tyranny.
When I started out, there were three things that made film people look at me with condescension, I was young, I was black, and I was female. I have won a certain respect, but I think the film community still sees directing as a male job.
Once more, I am watching the most powerful men in the kingdom bring their power to bear on a woman who has done nothing worse than live to the beat of her own heart, see with her own eyes; but this is not their tempo nor their vision and they cannot tolerate any other.
To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.
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