--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the squares who know how to fly the…" description: "\"It's the squares who know how to fly the fighter planes and operate the missiles and the bombs and work the M-16s. Liberals would still be fumbling wit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/p-j-o-rourke-184_bombs_it-s-the-squares-who-know-how-to-fly-the_2878969.png" --- # It's the squares who know how to fly the fighter planes… ![“It's the squares who know how to fly the fighter planes and operate the missiles and the bombs and work the M-16s. Liberals would still be fumbling with the federally mandated trigger locks.” quote by P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/p-j-o-rourke-184_bombs_it-s-the-squares-who-know-how-to-fly-the_2878969.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/p-j-o-rourke-184_bombs_it-s-the-squares-who-know-how-to-fly-the_2878969.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/p-j-o-rourke-184_bombs_it-s-the-squares-who-know-how-to-fly-the_2878969.png) > “It's the squares who know how to fly the fighter planes and operate the missiles and the bombs and work the M-16s. Liberals would still be fumbling with the federally mandated trigger locks.” [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts perceived competence of military personnel with civilian restrictions, suggesting a divide between expertise and regulation. **In simple terms:** Military skill vs. civilian control. Key Takeaway Recognize expertise before imposing rules. Themes military politics expertise Mood critical skeptical Type political satirical When to use this quote - policy debate - defense planning - public safety - gun control Key Concepts competence regulation civil-military relations Questions to Reflect On - Do regulations hinder or help safety? - How can expertise be integrated into policy? A Different Perspective Assumes all liberals lack technical knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bombs/) [Fighter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Liberals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberals/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) ## Related quotes > [We have missiles - nuclear missiles - on hair-trigger alert. 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None of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/the-globe-reports-that-north-korean-dictator-kim-jong-il-raises-money/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I call on the Iranian people: it is not too late to replace the corrupt regime and return to your glorious Persian heritage, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-call-on-the-iranian-people-it-is-not-too-late-to-replace-the/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) ## More by P. J. O'Rourke > [I'm fascinated by political enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/i-m-fascinated-by-political-enthusiasm/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. 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He's a good folk singer, if you can stand folk singing. And he's such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/pete-seeger-is-a-modest-unassuming-cheerful-and-kind-natured-man-he-s/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Journalists are notoriously easy to kid. All you have to do is speak to a journalist in a very serious tone of voice, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/journalists-are-notoriously-easy-to-kid-all-you-have-to-do-is-speak/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I like to think of my behavior in the sixties as a 'learning experience.' Then again, I like to think of anything stupid I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/i-like-to-think-of-my-behavior-in-the-sixties-as-a-learning/) [P. J. 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