"Nobody - myself included - believes that we could ever achieve total information awareness. But the government needs to set goals and long-range objectives. Total information awareness is a good goal"

John Poindexter's quote recommends that although overall details awareness is an enthusiastic goal, it is still worth striving for. He acknowledges that it is unlikely to be accomplished, however believes that it is necessary for the federal government to set goals and objectives that are enthusiastic and challenging. He thinks that total info awareness is a good objective, even if it is not achievable. This recommends that he believes that the government should pursue ambitious goals, even if they are not most likely to be attained. He thinks that this will help to press the government to pursue excellence and to accomplish the best possible results. He also thinks that setting enthusiastic objectives will help to inspire the government to strive and to pursue the best possible outcomes.