--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We want accountability. We just buried a…" description: "\"We want accountability. We just buried a president [President Gerald Ford] who did not hold another president [President Nixon] accountable for war cri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/cindy-sheehan-4928_accountability_we-want-accountability-we-just-buried-a_627247.png" --- # We want accountability. We just buried a president… ![“We want accountability. We just buried a president [President Gerald Ford] who did not hold another president [President Nixon] accountable for war crimes and that's why we're in Iraq right now. Our leaders who get us into these messes are the ones who need to be held accountable.” quote by Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/cindy-sheehan-4928_accountability_we-want-accountability-we-just-buried-a_627247.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/cindy-sheehan-4928_accountability_we-want-accountability-we-just-buried-a_627247.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/cindy-sheehan-4928_accountability_we-want-accountability-we-just-buried-a_627247.png) > “We want accountability. We just buried a president \[President Gerald Ford\] who did not hold another president \[President Nixon\] accountable for war crimes and that's why we're in Iraq right now. Our leaders who get us into these messes are the ones who need to be held accountable.” [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calls for holding leaders accountable for decisions leading to war and conflict. **In simple terms:** Leaders must face consequences for war choices. Key Takeaway Demand accountability from officials. Themes justice politics war responsibility Mood angry determined urgent Type political activist When to use this quote - public protests - policy debates - government oversight - peace activism Key Concepts ethical accountability political responsibility war crimes Questions to Reflect On - Who should enforce accountability? - Can accountability deter future wars? A Different Perspective Accountability alone may not prevent future conflicts without systemic change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Gerald ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gerald-ford/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War crimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-crimes/) ## Related quotes > [Brexit is the people of Britain who are fed up with the European Union dominating their lives, and they want accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/brexit-is-the-people-of-britain-who-are-fed-up-with-the-european/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [In Gerald Ford, the man he was in public, he was also that man in private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/in-gerald-ford-the-man-he-was-in-public-he-was-also-that-man-in/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [ I went to my first national convention in 1976, when my family supported \[Ronald\] Reagan over \[Gerald\] Ford, so we've always been Republicans, but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-went-to-my-first-national-convention-in-1976-when-my-family/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I don't remember a big fight between the Republicans and Democrats in the Nixon administration or President Gerald Ford and so on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/i-don-t-remember-a-big-fight-between-the-republicans-and-democrats-in/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [US President Gerald Ford's golf was so bad we thought he was a 'Hitman for the PGA!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/us-president-gerald-ford-s-golf-was-so-bad-we-thought-he-was-a-hitman/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) > [In the last 100 years only Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford lost their bids for reelection. President Lyndon Johnson did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/in-the-last-100-years-only-presidents-george-h-w-bush-jimmy-carter/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [My telephone calls and meetings and decisions were now parts of a prescribed ritual aimed at making peace with the past; his calls, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/my-telephone-calls-and-meetings-and-decisions-were-now-parts-of-a/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I met Gerald Ford. I met Richard Nixon. I met Jimmy Carter. I met Dwight Eisenhower when he was a general. George Bush senior.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/i-met-gerald-ford-i-met-richard-nixon-i-met-jimmy-carter-i-met-dwight/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [ “He’s \[Gerald Ford\] a nice guy but he played too much football with his helmet off.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/he-s-gerald-ford-a-nice-guy-but-he-played-too-much-football-with-his/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I'm concerned about the negative aspect of political campaigning in american nation, which is a new phenomenon. When I ran for president against Gerald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-m-concerned-about-the-negative-aspect-of-political-campaigning-in/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I had a lot of fun bantering back and forth with Kennedy. But for ease and comfort, it would be Gerald Ford. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/i-had-a-lot-of-fun-bantering-back-and-forth-with-kennedy-but-for-ease/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [The person I liked the best was Gerald R. Ford. He was the most decent man in politics I ever had any relationships with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/the-person-i-liked-the-best-was-gerald-r-ford-he-was-the-most-decent/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [ The presidents varied in the degree to which they cited the founders. Some, like JFK, LBJ, \[Richard\] Nixon, and \[Bill\] Clinton, cited them somewhat… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/the-presidents-varied-in-the-degree-to-which-they-cited-the-founders/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [ I was born in 1970 and I got to see a little bit of \[Richard\] Nixon's attempts at redefining himself. I saw \[Gerald\] Ford. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mandel/i-was-born-in-1970-and-i-got-to-see-a-little-bit-of-richard-nixon-s/) [David Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mandel/) ## More by Cindy Sheehan > [We're not going to cure terrorism and spread peace and goodwill in the Middle East by killing innocent people, or I'm not even saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/we-re-not-going-to-cure-terrorism-and-spread-peace-and-goodwill-in/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [“Casey was a faithful Christian filled with the spirit of the Christ; George is a hypocrite who says he is a Christian but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/casey-was-a-faithful-christian-filled-with-the-spirit-of-the-christ/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I feel like I gave my son to this country in an illegal and immoral war. I'll never get him back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/i-feel-like-i-gave-my-son-to-this-country-in-an-illegal-and-immoral/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [Let's push the Pentagon off the fiscal cliff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/let-s-push-the-pentagon-off-the-fiscal-cliff/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [If the people of America do not rise up, take ownership of our country, we're going to lose it forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/if-the-people-of-america-do-not-rise-up-take-ownership-of-our-country/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I think some of the people on the Left... were extremely jealous of me getting what they thought was all of the attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/i-think-some-of-the-people-on-the-left-were-extremely-jealous-of-me/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [Loyalty to the true, core values and roots of democracy is what makes a true patriot, not loyalty to a symbol of the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/loyalty-to-the-true-core-values-and-roots-of-democracy-is-what-makes/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [58% of the American public are with us. We're preaching to the choir, but the choir's not singing, if all of the 58% started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/58-of-the-american-public-are-with-us-we-re-preaching-to-the-choir/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [Everything I say comes from my heart - and it's the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/everything-i-say-comes-from-my-heart-and-it-s-the-truth/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [So what really gets me is these chickenhawks, who sent our kids to die, without ever serving in a war themselves. They don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/so-what-really-gets-me-is-these-chickenhawks-who-sent-our-kids-to-die/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I was told my son was killed in the war on terror. He was killed by George Bush's war of terror on the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/i-was-told-my-son-was-killed-in-the-war-on-terror-he-was-killed-by/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I can't speak for the other people whose children have died, but I can speak for my family and the other members of Gold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/i-can-t-speak-for-the-other-people-whose-children-have-died-but-i-can/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [It's up to us, the people, to break immoral laws, and resist. As soon as the leaders of a country lie to you, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/it-s-up-to-us-the-people-to-break-immoral-laws-and-resist-as-soon-as/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [People demonize me; people idolize me; everything I say and do has been scrutinized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/people-demonize-me-people-idolize-me-everything-i-say-and-do-has-been/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I love my country. But how many more of our loved ones need to die in this senseless war?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/i-love-my-country-but-how-many-more-of-our-loved-ones-need-to-die-in/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) [Explore all 105 Cindy Sheehan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) ## More Accountability quotes > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/) Edward Greenspon > [I come from a world where accountability and accomplishments matter, and where titles and rhetoric take a back seat to results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-come-from-a-world-where-accountability-and-accomplishments-matter/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/) Philip Alston > [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. Responsible Development's values are honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. These lead me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-beck/responsible-development-shares-many-practices-with-xp-but-the-roots/) [Kent Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-beck/) > [“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/) Bill Bullard > [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/) Michael Soussan [Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We want accountability. 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