The more fear confrontational activism can put into the heart of the political class, the better.

There are few things more bizarre than watching people advocate that another country be bombed even while acknowledging that it will achieve no good outcomes other than safeguarding the 'credibility' of those doing the bombing. Relatedly, it's hard to imagine a more potent sign of a weak, declining empire than having one's national 'credibility' depend upon periodically bombing other countries.

Beyond all the other reasons not to do it, free speech assaults always backfire: they transform bigots into martyrs.

Edward Snowden: The Whistleblower Behind the NSA Surveillance Revelations

I don't have a 'side'—I'm responsible for what I say and nothing else.

A president who is burdened with a failed and unpopular war, and who has lost the trust of the country, simply can no longer govern. He is destined to become as much a failure as his war.

It's hard to imagine a more potent sign of a weak, declining empire than having one's national 'credibility' depend upon periodically bombing other countries.