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.
So I had to be careful. I recognized the responsibility that, whether I liked it or not, I had to accept whatever the obligation was. That was to behave in a manner, to carry myself in such a professional way, as if there ever is a reflection, it's a positive one.
People and organizations don't grow much without delegation and completed staff work because they are confined to the capacities of the boss and reflect both personal strengths and weaknesses.
There is nothing that gives a man consequence, and renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him independent of everybody but the State he serves.
You need to have good people: honourable, capable, committed in politics, standing in public office. It's not a guarantee, but it's the ideal we have to aim for.
When women apply for a job, we ask ourselves, 'Am I qualified? Do I have the experience? Do I have the education? Do I have the abilities?' When a man looks at that job, he thinks, 'How much does it pay?' We need to stop second-guessing our abilities. We need to stand up and make ourselves heard.
Leaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.
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