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Kennedy was trying to keep us out of war. I was trying to…

“Kennedy was trying to keep us out of war. I was trying to help him keep us out of war. And General Curtis LeMay, whom I served under as a matter of fact in World War II, was saying "Let's go in, let's totally destroy Cuba."” quote by Robert McNamara
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“Kennedy was trying to keep us out of war. I was trying to help him keep us out of war. And General Curtis LeMay, whom I served under as a matter of fact in World War II, was saying "Let's go in, let's totally destroy Cuba."”

Robert McNamara

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He recounts attempts to avoid war, contrasting his and Kennedy's stance with LeMay’s aggressive view.

In simple terms: He tried to keep peace while others pushed war.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for diplomatic solutions over aggression.

Themes

war peace decisionmaking

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

historical political

When to use this quote

  • government policy
  • international relations
  • military leadership

Key Concepts

diplomacy military strategy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What factors sway leaders toward war?
  • How can dissent be amplified in military hierarchies?
A Different Perspective

Peace efforts can be overridden by hawkish factions.

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