Administration Quote by Thomas Sowell
“Against the background of the Obama administration' s negotiating what can turn out to be the most catastrophic international agreement in the nation's history, to complain about protocol is to put questions of etiquette above questions of annihilation.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commentary on policy, 2000s
Prioritizing minor protocol over existential threats shows misplaced priorities.
In simple terms: Focusing on etiquette instead of survival.
Key Takeaway
Address core threats before minor details.
Themes
politics
priorities
ethics
Mood
critical
urgent
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government negotiations
- environmental treaties
- public safety
- international relations
Key Concepts
policy analysis
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the biggest threat you’re ignoring?
- How can protocol aid, not hinder, crisis response?
A Different Perspective
Neglects the role of diplomatic norms in crisis management.
![“Nancy [Kassebaum] and I worked on a women's health agenda when I first came. Women were not included in the protocols at NIH, the famous study, 'take an aspirin a day, keep the doctor, you know, a heart attack away.' It was done on ten thousand male medical students.” quote by Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/200/barbara-mikulski-8601_agendas_nancy-kassebaum-and-i-worked-on-a-women_275749.jpg)
