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I covered the Vietnam War. I remember the lies that were told, the lives that were lost - and the shock when, twenty years after the war ended, former Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara admitted he knew it was a mistake all along.
Walter Cronkite
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the complexity and moral implications of war, emphasizing the impact of truth and accountability.

Walter Cronkite's quote underscores the painful realities of war, highlighting the contrast between the information disseminated to the public and the tragic consequences of those decisions. The admission by Robert S. McNamara serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honesty and the responsibility leaders have in acknowledging their mistakes.

Themes

WarTruthAccountabilityMistakesHistory

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in discussions on the ethics of war during a public debate.

More from Walter Cronkite

Perhaps if all the peoples of the world understand what war really means, we would eliminate it.
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I feel no compulsion to be a pundit. As a matter of fact, I really don't have that much to say about most things. Working with hard news satisfies me completely.
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I think that our comfort is in our history.
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