Paul Hackett

We're not going to spread democracy at the business end of a M16 held by a 23 year old Marine.

Paul Lewis Hackett III (born 30 March 1962) is a trial lawyer and veteran of the Iraq War who unsuccessfully sought election to the United States Congress from the Second District of Ohio in the 2 August 2005, special election.

Quotes

• With all that this country has given me, I felt it wasn't right for me to be enjoying life in Indian Hill when Marines were fighting and dying in Iraq.
  • Interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer.

• We're not going to spread democracy at the business end of a M16 held by a 23 year old Marine.
  • Appearance on the Colbert Report August 4th.

• You take a 22-year-old American, you shoot at him all day long, you deprive him of sleep, you make him see his buddies being killed, he has their blood on his boots and blouse, and when you don't see perfection in his decisions you court-martial him? It's absurd.
  • Quoted by reporter Thomas Watkins for the Associated Press.