Brutal Quote by Peter DeFazio
“Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant. I am glad he is now on trial for crimes against humanity. But, opposition to a dictator is not the measure I use when deciding whether to send our men and women in uniform off to war and possible death.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional remarks, 2005
The quote distinguishes moral opposition to tyranny from the decision to engage in war, urging broader criteria beyond dictatorial opposition.
In simple terms: Opposing dictators isn’t the only reason to go to war.
Key Takeaway
Consider all consequences before supporting military action.
Themes
war
ethics
politics
human rights
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- military planning
- public discourse
- humanitarian crises
Key Concepts
just war theory
political responsibility
humanitarian intervention
Questions to Reflect On
- What other factors should guide decisions to use force?
- How do we balance moral outrage with practical outcomes?
A Different Perspective
War decisions also involve strategic, legal, and humanitarian complexities.
![“[Saddam Hussein] could have easily reconstituted a program. He was a threat to peace before we went in. He'd have been a threat to peace had we left him in power. Oftentimes history judges you on the decisions you make.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/139/george-w-bush-64_decision_saddam-hussein-could-have-easily-reconst_100167.jpg)
