#reed

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. ↗

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

#experience

Our alliances should be understood as a means to expand our influence, not as a constraint on our power. The expansion of democracy and freedom in the world should be a shared interest and value with all nations. ↗

— Chuck Hagel

#constraint #democracy #expand #expansion #freedom

I strongly support European sanctions against Mugabe and his ruling clique. We must do all in our power to help the people of Zimbabwe achieve their freedom and prosperity once again. ↗

— Peter Hain

#again #against #clique #european #freedom

We are living in the excesses of freedom. Just take a look at 42nd Street and Broadway. ↗

— Will Durant

#excesses #freedom #just #living #look

The goal of the EU is to form a region of freedom, security and justice. Freedom in this connection cannot be just the freedom of the strong, but it must be combined with fraternity and equality. ↗

— Tarja Halonen

#combined #connection #equality #eu #form

The fact is, beneath the hype, Iraqis will soon appreciate American help and idealism far more than French perfidy. It is never wrong to be on the side of freedom - never. ↗

— Victor Davis Hanson

#appreciate #beneath #fact #far #freedom

We both agreed that Stalin was determined to hold out against the Germans. He told us he'd never let them get to Moscow. But if he was wrong, they'd go back to the Urals and fight. They'd never surrender. ↗

— W. Averell Harriman

#agreed #back #both #determined #fight

Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter mush. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order. ↗

— Robert Jackson

#existing #freedom #heart #limited #matter

Nothing makes us more vulnerable than loneliness, except greed. ↗

— Thomas Harris

#greed #loneliness #makes #more #nothing

Trade creates jobs and lifts people out of poverty. And when that happens, societies stabilize and grow. And there is nothing like a stable society to fight terrorism and strengthen democracy, freedom and rule of law. ↗

— Dennis Hastert

#democracy #fight #freedom #grow #happens