I still lie awake at night thinking about everything that could have been, that wasn't done to stop 9/11. To the 9/11 families, I said, you deserve better from your entire government. All of us.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the deep regret and reflection on the failures that led to a tragic event, highlighting the need for accountability and support for those affected.
George Tenet's quote expresses a profound sense of personal accountability for the September 11 attacks, emphasizing the sleepless nights spent reflecting on the actions that could have prevented such a tragedy. By acknowledging the pain of the families affected, he advocates for a government that owes them better protection and vigilance, underscoring the responsibility of leadership during crises.
In practice
A speech about government responsibility during a remembrance ceremony for the victims of 9/11.
Here's the teaching point, if you're teaching kids about intelligence and policy: Intelligence does not absolve policymakers of responsibility to ask tough questions, and it doesn't absolve them of having curiosity about the consequences of their actions.
One mushroom cloud would change history. My deepest fear is that this is exactly what they [Al Qaeda] intend.
Non-violence is backed by the theory of soul-force in which suffering is courted in the hope of ultimately winning over the opponent. But what happens when such an attempt fail to achieve the object? It is here that soul-force has to be combined with physical force so as not to remain at the mercy of tyrannical and ruthless enemy.
Speak, speak, speak, & remember that whenever anyone's liberty to speak is denied, your liberty is denied also, & your place is where the attack is.
I was repeatedly told that there isn't an African American woman who can open a show on Broadway. I said, 'Well, how do we know? How do we know if we don't do it?' I said, 'I think you're wrong.'
Hate crimes are the scariest thing in the world because these people really believe what they're doing is right.
Sometimes, you get tired of fighting. I think you just sort of come to this realization that yes, that you will get tired, but that doesn't mean that you can give up the fight.
The greatest weapon any warrior can carry into battle is absolute certainty of her eternal soul.
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