"Though it took a decade to find bin Laden, there is one consolation for his long evasion of justice: He lived long enough to witness what some are calling the Arab Spring, the complete repudiation of his violent ideology. As we debate how the United States can best influence the course of the Arab Spring, can’t we all agree that the most obvious thing we can do is stand as an example of a nation that holds an individual’s human rights as superior to the will of the majority or the wishes of government? Individuals might forfeit their life as punishment for breaking laws, but even then, as recognized in our Constitution’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, they are still entitled to respect for their basic human dignity, even if they have denied that respect to others."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Military leaders from the United StatesMembers of the United States SenateUnited States presidential candidates, 2000United States presidential candidates, 2008Politicians from Arizona
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
"Bin Laden’s death and the debate over torture" in The Washington Post (11 May 2011)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_McCain
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
John McCain
politician, naval officer, autobiographer
1936 – 2018 · United States
John Sidney McCain III (29 August 1936 - 25 August 2018) was an American politician, statesman, and United States Navy officer who served as a United States Senator for Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and was the Republican nominee for president of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.
463 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by John McCain →
Related Quotes
"I've fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't the popular thing to do."
"We lost -- we lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. W…"
"I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington, Gov. Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska. ... …"
"I don't work for myself. I work for you. I've fought corruption, and it didn't matter if the culprits were Democrats …"
"I don't mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life. But I learned a…"
"I fight for the family of Matthew Stanley of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Matthew died serving our country in Iraq. I we…"
"I know how to secure the peace."
"All you've ever asked of your government is to stand on your side and not in your way. And that's what I intend to do…"
"Change is coming."
"In this country, we believe everyone has something to contribute and deserves the opportunity to reach their God-give…"