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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kerry questions the morality of sending soldiers to die for a misguided or lost cause.
In plain terms
Why ask someone to die for a war that is already a mistake?
What can you take from it?
Avoid sending troops to fight wars that lack clear purpose or moral justification.

Where it applies

  • veteran debates
  • war authorization votes
  • political speeches

Putting it to work

  • review war goals
  • prioritize diplomacy
  • support veterans

Questions to consider

  • What makes a war worth fighting?
  • Who decides when a war is a mistake?

Another view

Some conflicts may require sacrifice despite uncertain outcomes.

More from John Kerry

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  3. We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligati…

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