"Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men
and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders.
The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough
to bury those that did not return."
by:
General Colin Powell
(1937- ) US Army General, Secretary of State (2001-05)
Source:
Popular quote on the internet, but inaccurate, see http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-colin-powell.htm
supposedly spoken in England when asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if US plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.
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Reader comments about this quote:
This is a good quote showing modern jingoism and what Americans think their duty in the world is. I'm using this in an essay on how the Gettysburg started this trend of bringing our ideals to others through force. Thanks for having this :)
 -- Anonymous, Marin County, California     
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    If freedom and protecting the weak from evil is just an "Ideal" then you are more than misguided; you are a coward who would risk nothing to help their neighbor. With great power comes great responsibility and while the US can not save the entire world, when it can help it should. People like you should be happy to just hide under your desk because you do not understand how lucky you are to like in a truly free and democratic county. You abuse your freedom of speech, but that’s ok, you will have people like me willing to fight for it. What are you willing to fight AND die for, that is not selfish?
     -- David Fawcett, Valdosta GA     
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     -- Anonymous      
    I would wonder what the world would think if we did totally mind our own business, only watch out for ourselves and do nothing to help the suppressed. Yes, the US has made many mistakes and many lose their lifes for freedoms sake. Alot of these countrys would still be under the thumb of dictators. I guess that is a peaceful way to live. But is it worth it?
     -- Anonymous, Milledgeville     
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    I like it, but as usual, it's an Urban Legend. See: http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-colin-powell.htm
     -- Greg, Fairfield     
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