“General Turgidson, I find this very difficult to understand. I was...” – Muffley, Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb ... Movie Quotes Database

Muffley

General Turgidson, I find this very difficult to understand. I was under the impression that I was the only one in authority to order the use of nuclear weapons.

Turgidson

That's right sir. You are the only person authorized to do so. And although I hate to judge before all the facts are in, it's beginning to look like General Ripper exceeded his authority.

In this scene

General "Buck" Turgidson George C. Scott More Turgidson quotes →

President Merkin Muffley Peter Sellers More Muffley quotes →

More from Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Muffley General Turgidson, it is the avowed policy of our nation never to strike first with nuclear weapons. Turgidson Well, sir, I would say that General Ripper has already invalidated that policy! Muffley That was not an act of national policy and there are still alternatives left open to us. Dr. Strangelove The whole point of the doomsday machine is lost...if you keep it a secret! Why didn't you tell the world, eh?! Russian Ambassador It was to be announced at the Party Congress on Monday. As you know, the Premier loves surprises. Major T. J. "King" Kong Ain't nobody ever got the Go code yet. And old Ripper wouldn't be giving us plan R unless them Russkies had already clobbered Washington and a lot of other towns with a sneak attack.