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.
George TenetRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intelligence alone is not enough for effective policymaking; it requires responsibility and curiosity about the impact of decisions.
In this quote, George Tenet emphasizes that intelligence should not be a shield for policymakers from accountability. Having knowledge and intelligence is important, but it is equally crucial for policymakers to engage in critical thinking and reflection regarding the implications of their actions, thus highlighting the need for a responsible and curious approach to governance.
Themes
IntelligenceResponsibilityCuriosityPolicymakingConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about effective governance, this quote can illustrate the importance of accountability in leadership.
More from George Tenet
All quotes →One mushroom cloud would change history. My deepest fear is that this is exactly what they [Al Qaeda] intend.
George TenetRead
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