Skip to content

Al-capone Quote by Christopher Hitchens

“So, whenever the subject of Iraq came up, as it did keep on doing through the Clinton years, I had no excuse for not knowing the following things: I knew that its one-party, one-leader state machine was modeled on the precedents of both National Socialism and Stalinism, to say nothing of Al…” quote by Christopher Hitchens
Download Open image
““So, whenever the subject of Iraq came up, as it did keep on doing through the Clinton years, I had no excuse for not knowing the following things: I knew that its one-party, one-leader state machine was modeled on the precedents of both National Socialism and Stalinism, to say nothing of Al Capone. I knew that its police force was searching for psychopathic killers and sadistic serial murderers, not in order to arrest them but to employ them. I knew that its vast patrimony of oil wealth, far from being 'nationalized,' had been privatized for the use of one family, and was being squandered on hideous ostentation at home and militarism abroad. (Post-Kuwait inspections by the United Nations had uncovered a huge nuclear-reactor site that had not even been known about by the international community.) I had seen with my own eyes the evidence of a serious breach of the Genocide Convention on Iraqi soil, and I had also seen with my own eyes the evidence that it had been carried out in part with the use of weapons of mass destruction. I was, if you like, the prisoner of this knowledge. I certainly did not have the option of un-knowing it.””

Christopher Hitchens

About This Quote

Source Book: “God Is Not Great,” 2007

The author critiques Iraq’s regime as a tyrannical, corrupt state resembling totalitarian models, highlighting human rights abuses and hidden dangers.

In simple terms: Iraq’s regime is corrupt and tyrannical, similar to historic dictatorships.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and confront oppressive systems.

Themes

politics human rights history

Mood

critical concerned

Type

analytical political

When to use this quote

  • policy analysis
  • humanitarian work
  • journalism

Key Concepts

totalitarianism corruption genocide oil politics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence reveals hidden state crimes?
  • How can societies prevent such regimes?
A Different Perspective

None;

2.9 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Christopher Hitchens

Explore all 1,241 Christopher Hitchens quotes

More Al-capone quotes

Browse all 2 Al-capone quotes