--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: know a thing or two about war, and I can…" description: "\"“know a thing or two about war, and I can tell you there are only two ways to get your enemies off the battlefield: you kill them or imprison them—and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/allen-west-5219_constitutional-right_know-a-thing-or-two-about-war-and-i-can_3183310.jpg" --- # know a thing or two about war, and I can tell you there… ![“know a thing or two about war, and I can tell you there are only two ways to get your enemies off the battlefield: you kill them or imprison them—and that doesn’t mean reading them Miranda rights and getting them all lawyered up. Terrorists do not deserve our constitutional rights, and to pretend…” quote by Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/allen-west-5219_constitutional-right_know-a-thing-or-two-about-war-and-i-can_3183310.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/allen-west-5219_constitutional-right_know-a-thing-or-two-about-war-and-i-can_3183310.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/allen-west-5219_constitutional-right_know-a-thing-or-two-about-war-and-i-can_3183310.jpg) > ““know a thing or two about war, and I can tell you there are only two ways to get your enemies off the battlefield: you kill them or imprison them—and that doesn’t mean reading them Miranda rights and getting them all lawyered up. Terrorists do not deserve our constitutional rights, and to pretend that granting those rights gets us respect from our enemies is the most asinine concept I have ever heard.”” [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates denying constitutional rights to terrorists, arguing it shows strength and respect **In simple terms:** Terrorists should lose legal protections Key Takeaway Denial of rights as a deterrent Themes justice terrorism rights Mood defensive controversial Type political opinion When to use this quote - policy debates - military strategy - legal reforms - public safety Key Concepts Constitutional law ethics security Questions to Reflect On - Is sacrificing rights ever justified? - What are the long‑term effects on democracy? A Different Perspective Rights denial may undermine rule of law and moral standing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitutional rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-rights/) [Lawyered Terrorists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyered-terrorists-5841649/) [Miranda Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miranda-rights-3274160/) [Respect Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-enemies-315182/) [Rights Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-pretend-4993395/) [Terrorists Deserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorists-deserve-962717/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [As governor, I came to believe that the death penalty would be a just punishment for certain, especially heinous crimes, such as the murder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/as-governor-i-came-to-believe-that-the-death-penalty-would-be-a-just/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [No, you can't deny women their basic rights and pretend it's about your 'religious freedom'. If you don't like birth control, don't use it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-you-can-t-deny-women-their-basic-rights-and-pretend-it-s-about/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [No, you cant deny women their basic rights and pretend its about your religious freedom. If you dont like birth control, dont use it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-you-cant-deny-women-their-basic-rights-and-pretend-its-about-your/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Valour, however unfortunate, commands great respect even from enemies: but the Romans despise cowardice, even though it be prosperous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/valour-however-unfortunate-commands-great-respect-even-from-enemies/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“Most Americans were familiar with their Miranda rights; they’d heard the words recited so often on the plethora of police and detective shows populating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dugoni/most-americans-were-familiar-with-their-miranda-rights-they-d-heard/) [Robert Dugoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dugoni/) > [The reality is that we will be reading Miranda rights to the corpse of Osama bin Laden. He will never appear in an American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/the-reality-is-that-we-will-be-reading-miranda-rights-to-the-corpse/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [And we are in a strange conundrum. You can kill an American citizen overseas. But according to this administration, if you capture him in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/and-we-are-in-a-strange-conundrum-you-can-kill-an-american-citizen/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“We do not respect our enemies; we despair of them. Your struggle, your fierce will to prevail in spite of all, we do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/we-do-not-respect-our-enemies-we-despair-of-them-your-struggle-your/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [Be loyal to those who are loyal to you. And respect everyone, even your enemies and competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cena/be-loyal-to-those-who-are-loyal-to-you-and-respect-everyone-even-your/) [John Cena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cena/) > [Let's deal with reality. The reality is that we will be reading Miranda rights to the corpse of Osama bin Laden. He will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/let-s-deal-with-reality-the-reality-is-that-we-will-be-reading/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [“You are not that kind of man Pekkala. You are not the monster that your enemies once believed you to be. If you were,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-eastland/you-are-not-that-kind-of-man-pekkala-you-are-not-the-monster-that/) [Sam Eastland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-eastland/) > [Civil libertarians have raised concerns that some of the Patriot Act's provisions infringe on Constitutional rights. Those concerns are not supported by the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-wicker/civil-libertarians-have-raised-concerns-that-some-of-the-patriot-act/) [Roger Wicker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-wicker/) > [President Bush has asserted the right to wiretap and eavesdrop on any American without a warrant in the name of fighting terrorism. He has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/president-bush-has-asserted-the-right-to-wiretap-and-eavesdrop-on-any/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [I went to Ferguson and walked with the demonstrators and saw this heavily armed police force, tactical units pointing sniper rifles at my constituents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lacy-clay-jr/i-went-to-ferguson-and-walked-with-the-demonstrators-and-saw-this/) [William Lacy Clay, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lacy-clay-jr/) > [I think that, as Americans, we should never forget that when we tamper with freedom of speech, it is a very sensitive issue that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-think-that-as-americans-we-should-never-forget-that-when-we-tamper/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) ## More by Allen West > [There's a dishonest tyranny in the liberal/progressive/socialist agenda that comes down and says 'we are here because we care about you; we want what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/there-s-a-dishonest-tyranny-in-the-liberal-progressive-socialist/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [Liberals worry that what's best for the individual might not be better for the public at large. But that philosophy assumes something vicious about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/liberals-worry-that-what-s-best-for-the-individual-might-not-be/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [The great thing that I appreciate - the fact that my godfather, William 'Sticky' Jackson, was a Tuskegee Airman because my father was first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/the-great-thing-that-i-appreciate-the-fact-that-my-godfather-william/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [We are in a new Civil War, and just like the last, it is a struggle for the sanctity of the Union - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-are-in-a-new-civil-war-and-just-like-the-last-it-is-a-struggle-for/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I taught high school for one year in Deerfield Beach, Fla., and in the end, it was such an enjoyable experience breaking up fights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-taught-high-school-for-one-year-in-deerfield-beach-fla-and-in-the/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I do not believe having a baby is punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-do-not-believe-having-a-baby-is-punishment/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [The republic I fell in love with, the republic I risked my life to defend, the values I hold dear, the integrity that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/the-republic-i-fell-in-love-with-the-republic-i-risked-my-life-to/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [It is the liberal philosophy, not the conservative one, that views humans as selfish automatons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/it-is-the-liberal-philosophy-not-the-conservative-one-that-views/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [Quite simply, federal laws already on the books aimed at stopping the flow of illegal immigration must be enforced. Furthermore, states must be given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/quite-simply-federal-laws-already-on-the-books-aimed-at-stopping-the/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I think that Governor Romney needs to talk about the fact that what he tried to do in the state of Massachusetts was him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-think-that-governor-romney-needs-to-talk-about-the-fact-that-what/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [For far too long we've allowed the other side to paint us as racist, as sexist, inhumane war mongers - well, today as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/for-far-too-long-we-ve-allowed-the-other-side-to-paint-us-as-racist/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I am willing to work with anyone that wants to do what is best for this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-am-willing-to-work-with-anyone-that-wants-to-do-what-is-best-for/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [While there are towns and cities still planning Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some think the day is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/while-there-are-towns-and-cities-still-planning-memorial-day-parades/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [You had 42 blacks that ran on the Republican ticket this Cycle, 14 made of them made it to the general election and two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/you-had-42-blacks-that-ran-on-the-republican-ticket-this-cycle-14/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I'm not going to sit at home and eat popcorn,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-m-not-going-to-sit-at-home-and-eat-popcorn/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) [Explore all 102 Allen West quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) ## More Constitutional rights quotes > [I think that, as Americans, we should never forget that when we tamper with freedom of speech, it is a very sensitive issue that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-think-that-as-americans-we-should-never-forget-that-when-we-tamper/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [I went to Ferguson and walked with the demonstrators and saw this heavily armed police force, tactical units pointing sniper rifles at my constituents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lacy-clay-jr/i-went-to-ferguson-and-walked-with-the-demonstrators-and-saw-this/) [William Lacy Clay, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lacy-clay-jr/) > [President Bush has asserted the right to wiretap and eavesdrop on any American without a warrant in the name of fighting terrorism. He has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/president-bush-has-asserted-the-right-to-wiretap-and-eavesdrop-on-any/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [Civil libertarians have raised concerns that some of the Patriot Act's provisions infringe on Constitutional rights. Those concerns are not supported by the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-wicker/civil-libertarians-have-raised-concerns-that-some-of-the-patriot-act/) [Roger Wicker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-wicker/) > [To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-take-a-single-step-beyond-the-boundaries-specially-drawn-around/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You hear about constitutional rights, free speech and the free press. Every time I hear these words I say to myself, 'That man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-hague/you-hear-about-constitutional-rights-free-speech-and-the-free-press/) [Frank Hague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-hague/) > [ It didn't really change my opinion about \[Edward\] Snowden all that much, but I definitely feel like as a culture, it gave us information… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/it-didn-t-really-change-my-opinion-about-edward-snowden-all-that-much/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/ambition-must-be-made-to-counteract-ambition-the-interest-of-the-man/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [Censorship does not interfere with the constitutional rights of every American to sit alone in a dark room in the nude and cuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/censorship-does-not-interfere-with-the-constitutional-rights-of-every/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [Voting rights are constitutional rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/voting-rights-are-constitutional-rights/) [Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/) > [When we use the term pig, for example, we are referring to the people who systematically violate the peoples' constitutional rights - whether they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-seale/when-we-use-the-term-pig-for-example-we-are-referring-to-the-people/) [Bobby Seale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-seale/) > [People who want to come to this country don't have constitutional rights. Once they get here, they do. But coming here is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/people-who-want-to-come-to-this-country-don-t-have-constitutional/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [The Democrats have made no secret of wanting to unilaterally infringe upon the Constitutional rights of the American people to keep and bear arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-donalds/the-democrats-have-made-no-secret-of-wanting-to-unilaterally-infringe/) [Byron Donalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-donalds/) > [“A constitution is not a thing in name only, but in fact. It has not an ideal, but a real existence; and wherever it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-constitution-is-not-a-thing-in-name-only-but-in-fact-it-has-not-an/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [What makes America great is peaceful protests and exercising your constitutional rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-dowd/what-makes-america-great-is-peaceful-protests-and-exercising-your/) [Matthew Dowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-dowd/) [Browse all 139 Constitutional rights quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-rights/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“know a thing or two about war, and I can tell you there are only two ways to get your enemies off the battlefield: you kill them or imprison them—and that doesn’t mean reading them Miranda rights and getting them all lawyered up. 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