Alligators Quote by Donald Rumsfeld
![“They will do more whether we do what we're doing or whether we don't do what we're doing. And the idea that you could appease them [terrorists] by stopping doing what we're doing or some implication that by doing what we're doing we're inciting them to attack us is just utter nonsense. It's just…” quote by Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52e/donald-rumsfeld-1507_alligators_they-will-do-more-whether-we-do-what-we_3041179.jpg)
“They will do more whether we do what we're doing or whether we don't do what we're doing. And the idea that you could appease them [terrorists] by stopping doing what we're doing or some implication that by doing what we're doing we're inciting them to attack us is just utter nonsense. It's just - it's kind of like feeding an alligator, hoping it eats you last.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press briefing, 2002
Counterterrorism actions will provoke attacks regardless; stopping actions won’t appease terrorists, only delays or changes tactics.
In simple terms: Stopping actions won’t stop terrorism.
Key Takeaway
Focus on strategic, effective countermeasures.
Themes
terrorism
policy
strategy
security
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- defining clear objectives
- allocating resources
- public communication
- international cooperation
Key Concepts
deterrence theory
political rhetoric
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternative strategies could reduce terrorism?
- How can we measure effectiveness of counterterrorism?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex geopolitical dynamics.
![“Everything on Saturday morning [cartoons] moves alike that's one of the reasons it's not animation. The drawings are different, but everybody acts the same way, their feet move the same way, and everybody runs the same way. It doesn't matter whether it's an alligator or a man or a baby or…” quote by Chuck Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a2/chuck-jones-9878_alligators_everything-on-saturday-morning-cartoons_180513.jpg)
