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Clearly, language threatening to wipe a nation or a group of people off the map is to be condemned by all civilized people. And I do condemn any such language. But why does threatening Iran with a pre-emptive nuclear strike, as many here have done, not also deserve the same kind of condemnation? Does anyone believe that dropping nuclear weapons on Iran will not wipe a people off the map? When it is said that nothing, including a nuclear strike, is off the table on Iran, are those who say it not also threatening genocide? And we wonder why the rest of the world accuses us of behaving hypocritically, of telling the rest of the world 'do as we say, not as we do.'

Ron Paul#44

EthicsForeignpolicyHypocrisyNuclearNuclear weapons

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote condemns threatening language against any nation and calls out hypocrisy in condemning others while considering pre‑emptive nuclear strikes on Iran.
In plain terms
Threats of genocide are condemned, yet nuclear threats are similar.
What can you take from it?
Apply consistent moral standards to all threats.

Where it applies

  • diplomatic negotiations
  • public statements

Putting it to work

  • reject nuclear threats
  • promote diplomatic solutions

Questions to consider

  • What makes a threat morally unacceptable?
  • How can nations avoid double standards?

Another view

Strategic deterrence arguments may differentiate nuclear threats from other threats.

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