--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Action had to be taken in response to the…" description: "\"Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but I am very concerned about the current administration's rhetoric and ap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/scar-arias-8677_action_action-had-to-be-taken-in-response-to-th_2239706.jpg" --- # Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist… ![“Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but I am very concerned about the current administration's rhetoric and apparent zeal to expand military action to other places. I'm afraid that terrorism is being used as an excuse, not only for possible military action…” quote by Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/scar-arias-8677_action_action-had-to-be-taken-in-response-to-th_2239706.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/scar-arias-8677_action_action-had-to-be-taken-in-response-to-th_2239706.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/scar-arias-8677_action_action-had-to-be-taken-in-response-to-th_2239706.jpg) > “Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but I am very concerned about the current administration's rhetoric and apparent zeal to expand military action to other places. I'm afraid that terrorism is being used as an excuse, not only for possible military action in such places as Iraq, Iran, and the Philippines, but also for exorbitant increases in defense spending that have nothing to do with terrorism.” [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Warns that terrorism is being used to justify expanded military actions and increased defense spending, which may not address root causes. **In simple terms:** Terrorism is used as an excuse for more war and spending. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind security policies. Themes politics security military spending Mood critical analytical Type political inspirational When to use this quote - government hearings - policy forums - academic conferences - public debates Key Concepts geopolitics policy analysis peace studies Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives exist to address terrorism without war? - How can citizens hold leaders accountable for defense budgets? A Different Perspective National security concerns can sometimes be exploited for political or economic gain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Rhetoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhetoric/) [September](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/september/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Zeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zeal/) ## Related quotes > [“We must work together to strengthen our response to a terrorist attack, a tragic accident, or a natural disaster.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/historica-press/we-must-work-together-to-strengthen-our-response-to-a-terrorist/) [Historica Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/historica-press/) > [The appropriate response to terrorist crimes is police work, which has been successful worldwide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-appropriate-response-to-terrorist-crimes-is-police-work-which-has/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [We're living in a fearful time. Since 9/11 people have become more afraid than before, because of terrorism. There's a lot of confusion about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/we-re-living-in-a-fearful-time-since-9-11-people-have-become-more/) [Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/) > [I'm not afraid of terrorism at all. I'm afraid of loss of our freedom, loss of mobility, loss of global comradeship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-not-afraid-of-terrorism-at-all-i-m-afraid-of-loss-of-our-freedom/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [What Donald Trump knows is that people across this country and indeed world are afraid of terrorism, and they have a reason to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/what-donald-trump-knows-is-that-people-across-this-country-and-indeed/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [So far, the official definitions of terrorism have the role of demonizing the enemies of the United States and Israel, and of sanitizing recourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-falk/so-far-the-official-definitions-of-terrorism-have-the-role-of/) [Richard A. Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-falk/) > [9/11 changed everything. We lose more Americans every year drowning in the bathtub than through terrorism. But terrorism has been used as a lever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dean/9-11-changed-everything-we-lose-more-americans-every-year-drowning-in/) [John Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dean/) > [The war against terrorism should not be used to interfere with an independent, sovereign state.We need to identify concrete terrorist targets and do no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-war-against-terrorism-should-not-be-used-to-interfere-with-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is necessary to ensure that the requirement to combat terrorism is not used to clamp down on freedom of expression, legitimate dissent, freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-necessary-to-ensure-that-the-requirement-to-combat-terrorism-is/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [But the point is to get a whole new generation of people and people in general more re-engaged in news, and this has happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/but-the-point-is-to-get-a-whole-new-generation-of-people-and-people/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/) [Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/) > [America is stronger than ever. We will forever remember those we lost on September 11, 2001. In honoring their memory, we will remain true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-bayh/america-is-stronger-than-ever-we-will-forever-remember-those-we-lost/) [Evan Bayh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-bayh/) > [September 11 was a wake-up call to me. I don't want to contribute to the hate in any shape or form. I now regret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/september-11-was-a-wake-up-call-to-me-i-don-t-want-to-contribute-to/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked, and Britain stood with us. This was not only an attack against America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vito-fossella/mr-speaker-on-september-11-2001-the-united-states-was-attacked-and/) [Vito Fossella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vito-fossella/) ## More by Oscar Arias > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the-two-greatest-obstacles-to/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [On Dec. 1, 1948, after the triumph of the revolution, which insured the final victory of the will of the people expressed through elections,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/on-dec-1-1948-after-the-triumph-of-the-revolution-which-insured-the/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [“It is essential that justice be done, it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/it-is-essential-that-justice-be-done-it-is-equally-vital-that-justice/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [The best way to perpetuate poverty is by spending on arms and military, and the best way to fight terrorism is by fighting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-best-way-to-perpetuate-poverty-is-by-spending-on-arms-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and South Korea are heavily investing in nuclear arms. Since 21st century is the century of Asia, Asian countries should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/india-pakistan-china-singapore-and-south-korea-are-heavily-investing/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Peace consists, very largely, in the fact of desiring it with all one's soul. The inhabitants of my small country, Costa Rica, have realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/peace-consists-very-largely-in-the-fact-of-desiring-it-with-all-one-s/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [During my administration, our desire has been to strengthen the civilian spirit of our people. Thus, we have eliminated military ranks and salutes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/during-my-administration-our-desire-has-been-to-strengthen-the/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Our world is certainly dangerous, but it is made more dangerous, not less, by those who value profits over peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/our-world-is-certainly-dangerous-but-it-is-made-more-dangerous-not/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [It's clear to me that many weapons sales are very short-sighted. The U.S. and other arms-producing countries sell weapons for a variety of reasons,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/it-s-clear-to-me-that-many-weapons-sales-are-very-short-sighted-the-u/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision. It is not enough to change the name of the armed forces. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/to-demilitarize-the-country-means-to-make-a-profound-decision-it-is/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [We seek in Central America not peace alone, not peace to be followed someday by political progress, but peace and democracy, together, indivisible, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/we-seek-in-central-america-not-peace-alone-not-peace-to-be-followed/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Free trade will go a long way toward alleviating poverty in Central America. Yet trade alone is not enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/free-trade-will-go-a-long-way-toward-alleviating-poverty-in-central/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Many developing countries continue to be burdened by high percentages of their population living in poverty. Yet, instead of addressing this root cause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/many-developing-countries-continue-to-be-burdened-by-high-percentages/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [If there is no peace in Central America, it will not be because Costa Rica, and myself as president, have not done what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/if-there-is-no-peace-in-central-america-it-will-not-be-because-costa/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) [Explore all 79 Oscar Arias quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but I am very concerned about the current administration's rhetoric and apparent zeal to expand military action to other places. 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