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Bill Moyers

Bill Moyers Quotes

Former White House Press Secretary

Bill Moyers, born on June 5, 1934, is a former White House Press Secretary from the United States. He has extensive experience in politics and the media, serving as the press secretary for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and making a profound impact in the field of public television.

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Famous Bill Moyers Quotes

“In tracking down and eliminating terrorists, we need to change our metaphor from a "war on terror" - exactly what, pray tell, is that? - to the mind-set of Interpol tracking down master criminals through intense global cooperation among nations, or the FBI stalking the Mafia, or local police determined to quell street gangs without leveling the entire neighborhood in the process.”

“Presidents are afraid to lose wars. They're afraid to be outflanked on the right by the militarists. They don't want to be seen as soft on either communism or soft on terrorism or whatever. So presidents are constantly tugged away from their domestic commitments to foreign policy.”

Want War President Loses Policy Commitment Terrorism Communism Foreign Policy

Author:Bill Moyers

“The thing about war is that once it's triggered, it is unyielding in its appetite. And the more it consumes and gorges, the more it wants.”

Want War Appetite Unyielding Gorges

Author:Bill Moyers

“I can't speak for a war that I believe is immoral.”

Believe I Can War Speak I Believe Immoral

Author:Bill Moyers

“The things I really cared about - poverty, the Great Society, civil rights - were all being drained away by the Vietnam War. The line that keeps running through my mind is the line I never spoke: "I can't speak for a war that I believe is immoral."”

Mind Believe I Can War Running Speak I Believe Lines Poverty Rights Civil Rights Spokes Vietnam Immoral Vietnam War Drained Keep Running Great Society

Author:Bill Moyers

“Why is the country not having this conversation, the kind of conversation that requires the politicians who are responsible for the war to be specific to the concerns of the American people.”

People Kind War Country Politician Concern Responsible

Author:Bill Moyers

“In uniform patriotism can salute one flag only, embrace but the first circle of life - one's own land and tribe. In war that is necessary, in peace it is not enough.”

Firsts War Enough Land Embrace Circles Patriotism Flags Uniforms Tribes Salute Circle Of Life

Author:Bill Moyers

“War, except in self-defense, is a failure of moral imagination.”

War Self Imagination Moral Defense Self Defense Waging War

Book:Moyers on Democracy

Source: Moyers on Democracy

About the Author

Born: June 5, 1934
Known for: Former White House Press Secretary
Quotes: 144

Related Topics

People Democracy Political Believe Ifs America Journalism Corporate Knows Media Thinking War Government Long Mind News Barack Class Corporations Country

Popular Topics

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Books & Sources

Moyers on DemocracyRelated source material

The Power of MythRelated source material

A World of Ideas: Conversations with Thoughtful Men and Women about American Life Today and the Ideas Shaping Our FutureRelated source material

Faith Works: How Faith-based Organizations are Changing Lives, Neighborhoods, and AmericaRelated source material

Healing and the MindRelated source material

Moyers on America: A Journalist and His TimesRelated source material

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