Today we have done what we had to do. If necessary, we shall do it again. It gives me no pleasure to say that, and I wish it were otherwise... When our citizens are abused or attacked anywhere in the world on the direct orders of a hostile regime, we will respond so long as I'm in this Oval Office...Despite our repeated warnings, Qadhafi continued his reckless policy of intimidation, his relentless pursuit of terror. He counted on America to be passive. He counted wrong.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker describes a military response to a hostile regime as necessary despite lacking pleasure in it.
- In plain terms
- We must act against enemies even if it hurts.
- What can you take from it?
- Act decisively when citizens are threatened.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is military force justified?
- How do leaders handle war?
Another view
It simplifies complex geopolitical motivations into passive aggression.
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