And if I didn't know better, I'd say they [the U.S. marines] were doing God's work. Let them fear us. That's the thing -- let them fear us. [14]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hitchens expresses admiration for US marines, framing their military role as righteous.
- In plain terms
- The marines are doing good work and should be feared.
- What can you take from it?
- Support for military force as a tool of justice.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is fear a valid tool of statecraft?
Another view
Using fear as a tool can have unintended negative consequences.
More from Christopher Hitchens
I mean, for me, it's enough to be at war. The crucial thing is to be at war. [13]
Permalink to quote #88 I'm too old to shoulder a rifle in any meaningful sense myself. [15]
Permalink to quote #90 Fine, now that I know that, to you, medical ethics are nothing, you've told me all I need to know. I'm not trying to persuade you. Do you think I care whether …
Permalink to quote #87
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