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If there's any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it's flawed logic. It's just - I simply can't accept that. It's unacceptable to think that there's any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.

George W. Bush#222

PoliticsTerrorismValuesMoralityNational identity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker rejects any moral comparison between American actions and terrorist tactics.
In plain terms
You cannot compare American decency to terrorism.
What can you take from it?
Avoid false equivalencies in moral judgment.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • national security speeches
  • response to attacks

Putting it to work

  • defend national values
  • reject false equivalencies

Questions to consider

  • Are all comparisons flawed?
  • How do we discuss foreign policy responsibly?

Another view

It dismisses any possibility of critique regarding US actions.

More from George W. Bush

  1. The Terrorists brought us to our knees, but not in the way they intended to. They brought us to our knees and united us all in prayer.

    Permalink to quote #221
  2. I know the American people understand the stakes in Iraq. They want to win. They will support the war as long as they see a path to victory. Americans can have…

    Permalink to quote #223
  3. In the long term, we've got to defeat an ideology of hate with an ideology of hope. There's a reason why people like (al-Qaida leader Osama) bin Laden are able…

    Permalink to quote #220

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