Bad guy Quote by Marcus Luttrell
““We know about bad guys, what they do, and often, who they are. The politicians have chosen to send us into battle, and that's our trade. We do what's necessary. And in my view, once those politicians have elected to send us out to do what 99.9 percent of the country would be terrified to undertake, they should get the hell out of the way and stay there. This entire business of modern war crimes, as identified by the liberal wings of politics and the media, began in Iraq and has been running downhill ever since. Everyone's got to have his little hands in it, blathering on about the public's right to know. Well, the view of most Navy SEALs, the public does not have that right to know, not if it means placing our lives in unnecessary peril because someone in Washington is driving himself mad worrying about the human rights of some cold-hearted terrorist fanatic who would kill us as soon as look at us, as well as any other American at whom he could point that wonky old AK of his.””
About This Quote
The speaker argues that modern warfare is driven by political decisions, and that secrecy is necessary to protect soldiers from unnecessary danger.
In simple terms: War is a political tool; secrecy protects troops.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind military actions.
Themes
war
politics
ethics
Mood
serious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- combat missions
- policy debates
- media coverage
- human rights discussions
Key Concepts
military strategy
civil‑military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Should citizens know the true cost of war?
- How can transparency be balanced with safety?
A Different Perspective
Secrecy can hide accountability and erode public trust.
