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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

  • military commentary
  • security debate
  • patriotic speech

Putting it to work

  • supporting military intervention
  • analyzing deterrence

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

  1. I mean, for me, it's enough to be at war. The crucial thing is to be at war. [13]

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  2. I'm too old to shoulder a rifle in any meaningful sense myself. [15]

    Permalink to quote #90
  3. 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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