"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
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
John McCain, in "Bin Laden’s death and the debate over torture" in The Washington Post (11 May 2011)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Arab Spring
6 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Arab Spring →
Related Quotes
"For many on the American left and right, the "Arab Spring" has become the "Arab Winter" of triumphant fundamentalists…"
"The Arab revolutionary wave (also known as the Arab Spring and the Arab Awakening) that began on December 18, 2010, r…"
"People all over the Arab world feel a sense of pride in shaking off decades of cowed passivity under dictatorships th…"
"There are very few moments in our lives where we have the privilege to witness history taking place. This is one of t…"
"What happened in Abbottabad … has been the second death of Osama bin Laden. His physical one. Meanwhile, his symbolic…"
"Protesters have largely come from peripheral towns, cities, and rural areas across France and include many women and …"
"From all corners of the country, French protesters— the vast majority of them men—came by the thousands in trains, bu…"
"In the month-and-a-half since the Parkland shooting, lawmakers have passed more gun control legislation than in the l…"
"To the celebs supporting #MarchForOurLives, we veterans are with you and the kids."
"Marilyn and I are proud to stand with the brave young leaders from Parkland, Florida, who have taken their pain and g…"