David Hackworth Quotes

#1. Our fumbling government's response since Beirut - during both Republican and Democratic administrations - has been to cut and run, or to flat ignore this growing threat, apparently hoping it would go away.

David Hackworth

#2. That's because international Islamic religious fanatics have the same goal as the Axis fascists - the destruction of our way of life.

David Hackworth

#3. Their plan is to return the entire world - not just the Middle East - to the days of the caliphate and either convert all of us so-called infidels into born-again Islamic believers or kill us.

David Hackworth

#4. So it's not a matter of the military lying to the press, but it's the job of the military to deny the press any information that will provide aid and comfort to the enemy.

David Hackworth

#5. What we need to do is follow the axiom of World War II which was 'Loose Lips Sink Ships' and the media has really got to follow that.

David Hackworth

#6. Fortunately, it's still not too late to develop a comprehensive global strategy to eliminate our real enemy.

David Hackworth

#7. Respecting your opponent is the key to winning any bout. Hold your enemy in contempt and you may miss the strategy behind his moves

David Hackworth

#8. Fighting terrorism is not unlike fighting a deadly cancer. It can't be treated just where it's visible - every diseased cell in the body must be destroyed.

David Hackworth

#9. In order to drill into young men the need to stay alert and stay alive, I used to punish offenders with my fists, boots and rifle butt, and with stockade time.

David Hackworth

#10. Terrorism, too, must be excised wherever it exists, which will take years, and which can't happen without the total commitment and the everyday involvement of the American people.

David Hackworth

#11. The old saying that war is a racket has taken on an even more shameful meaning.

David Hackworth

#12. Grunts on the line, where the enemy wants them dead, still goof off - even knowing that by letting their guard down they might die.

David Hackworth

#13. We citizens don't need to know every detail of every military operation in this new kind of war. Nor should the media tell us and hence our enemy.

David Hackworth

#14. It's human nature to start taking things for granted again when danger isn't banging loudly on the door.

David Hackworth

#15. Because our homeland and very survival are once more at stake, the American people can't afford to treat this new war against terrorism like they did Vietnam.

David Hackworth

#16. Of course, it's imperative that we stabilize Iraq and quickly reduce our armed role there.

David Hackworth

#17. Our generals talk a good game about taking care of their grunts, and the majority of our Beltway politicians bay with moralistic fervor about how they, too, support the troops.

David Hackworth

#18. Writing with you is the only thing that keeps me alive.

David Hackworth

#19. War is the ultimate reality-based horror show.

David Hackworth

#20. Modern American war is as easy to script as a B movie.

David Hackworth

#21. That's what supporting the troops is really all about - making sure American grunts get the right stuff!

David Hackworth