Alexander Cockburn Quotes

How do you criticize corrupt public officials without attacking their honor or reputation?

I am in the public eye, and I accept that my actions may be open to question.

I haven't got a problem with scrutiny. If it gets hot in the kitchen, don't cook a meal. People should be able to criticise us - it's completely appropriate.

I always felt that a governor surrenders a certain amount of privacy. And I came to accept that.

You know, when you're in public life, everything you do is out there. But I am proud to stand on my record.

There must not be favoured treatment for those occupying a position of public responsibility.

When I talk to young people about entering government, I tell them, “Now think of the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life. Don’t tell me what it is. Now think about having it on the 10 o’clock news.”

Public men are bees working in a glass hive.

It does take courage to be in public life.

When you get into this line of work, you're in public office, you expect you're gonna have cheap shots taken at you. That's part of the process.

Even if you had the wherewithal to embarrass a reporter, there was no mechanism to do it. And in most cases, you might as well save your breath because the reporter had no shame anyway.

If you're in government, that's one of the one things you have to do is to always avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

When you are in the public eye, in the name of public service, you have to understand that the more people know about you, and the more people say they want to support you, the more you have to work even harder to uphold that trust.

A man made for public life and authority never takes account of personalities; he only takes account of things, of their weight and their conseqences.

I have been attacked by media critics and just critics of my own for years. And that, unfortunately, is part of the job in 2016 America. I was used to that. And I've developed a thick skin.

Congressmember Weiner has shown just a pattern of reckless behavior, an inability to tell the truth, and what New Yorkers deserve is a mayor with a record of delivering for them, of vision, and a level of maturity and responsibility.

Everybody who does anything for the public can be criticized. There's always someone who doesn't like it.

The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person.

I am disappointed that my 25 years in public life have apparently not earned me the benefit of the doubt, but I understand that Senator Mitchell's report has raised many serious questions. I plan to publicly answer all of those questions at the appropriate time in the appropriate way. I only ask that in the meantime people not rush to judgment.

If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my credibility.

Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on.

More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future.

I think that we have to do our job well, investigate thoroughly and then describe very honestly what we see to the Security Council. And some of the things might please people there and other things may not please the people.

It's not okay to just make up false things about someone, especially in their personal life. Professionally, fine! Scrutinize me all you want. I know that I can't please everyone, but personally, let's just leave it alone. It's going too far.

Nobody is that thick-skinned that it doesn't hurt you. Still, you always know what happens in football. I have got used to criticism, I suppose, having been high profile with England and Man U.