22 quotes
Colonel's Frustration with Trial Questions
Kaffee
You think this funny?
Col. Jessup
No, it isn't. It's tragic.
[face falls to a look of disgust]
Kaffee
Do you have an answer to the question, Colonel?
Col. Jessup
Absolutely. My answer is I don't have the first damn clue. Maybe he was an early riser and liked to pack in the morning. And maybe he didn't have any friends. I'm an educated man, but I'm afraid I can't speak intelligently about the travel habits of William Santiago. What I do know is that he was set to leave the base at 0600. Now, are these really the questions I was called here to answer? Phone calls and foot lockers? Please tell me that you have something more, Lieutenant. These two Marines are on trial for their lives. Please tell me their lawyer hasn't pinned their hopes to a phone bill.
Col. Jessup
Do you have any more questions for me, Counselor?
Judge Randolph
Lt. Kaffee? Lieutenant, do you have anything further for this witness?
[pause]
Col. Jessup
Thanks, Danny. I love Washington.
Kaffee
Excuse me. I didn't dismiss you.
Col. Jessup
I beg your pardon?
Kaffee
I'm not through with my examination. Sit down.
Col. Jessup
Colonel.
Kaffee
What's that?
Col. Jessup
I would appreciate it if he would address me as "Colonel" or "sir." I believe I've earned it.
Judge Randolph
Defense counsel will address the witness as "Colonel" or "sir.
Col. Jessup
I don't know what the hell kind of unit you're running here.
[to Judge]
Judge Randolph
And the witness will address this court as "Judge" or "your Honor." I'm quite certain I've earned it. Take your seat, Colonel.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Morality and Duty in Leadership
Kaffee
You, uh... you don't like me very much, do you? Forget it, don't answer that, it doesn't matter. You know, Downey worships you. He's gonna do whatever you do. Are you really gonna let this happen to him because of a code, Harold?
Dawson
Do you think we were right?
Kaffee
It doesn't matter--
Dawson
DO YOU THINK WE WERE RIGHT?!
Kaffee
I think you'd lose.
Dawson
You're such a coward. I can't believe they let you wear a uniform.
Kaffee
I'm not gonna feel responsible for this, I really did everything I could. You're going to Leavenworth for the better part of your life, and you know what? I don't give a shit. What happened to saluting an officer when he leaves the room?
[resigned; opens door to leave, then stops]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Honor Beyond Titles in Military Context
Kaffee
Harold?
Dawson
Sir?
Kaffee
You don't need a patch on your arm to have honor.
Dawson
Ten-hut! There's an officer on deck!
[salutes]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Chain of Command and Accountability Explained
Kaffee
Oh, Harold? You see what I'm getting at? If Santiago didn't have anything on you... why did you give him a Code Red?
Dawson
He broke the chain of command, sir.
Kaffee
I'm sorry, he what?
Dawson
He went outside of his unit.
Kaffee
Harold, I can't be hearing this right. He what?
Dawson
He went outside of his unit, sir.
[with a challenging look]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Weight of Responsibility in Leadership
Colonel Nathan R. Jessup
We're in the business of saving lives, Matthew. That is a responsibility that I think we have to take pretty seriously. And I believe that taking a Marine who's not quite up to the job and shipping him off to some other assignment puts lives in danger. Sit down, Matthew. We go back a while. We went to the Academy together, we were commissioned together, we did our tours in Vietnam together. But I've been promoted up the chain with greater speed and success than you have. Now, if that's a source of tension or embarrassment for you, I don't give a shit. We're in the business of saving lives, Lt. Col. Markinson. Don't ever question my orders in front of another officer.
[Markinson rises to leave]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Clarity in Military Orders and Accountability
Kaffee
A moment ago, you said that you ordered Lt. Kendrick to tell his men that Santiago wasn't to be touched.
Jessup
That's right.
Kaffee
And Lt. Kendrick was clear on what you wanted?
Jessup
Crystal.
Kaffee
Any chance Lt. Kendrick ignored the order?
Jessup
Ignored the order?
Kaffee
Any chance he forgot about it?
Jessup
No.
Kaffee
Any chance Lt. Kendrick left your office and said, "the old man is wrong"?
Jessup
No.
Kaffee
When Lt. Kendrick spoke to the platoon and ordered them not to touch Santiago, any chance they ignored him?
Jessup
You ever served in an infantry unit, son?
Kaffee
No, sir.
Jessup
Ever served in a forward area?
Kaffee
No, sir.
Jessup
Ever put your life in another man's hands and asked him to put his life in yours?
Kaffee
No, sir.
Jessup
We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Kaffee
Yes, sir.
Jessup
Are we clear?
Kaffee
Crystal. Colonel, I just have one more question before I put Airman O'Malley and Airman Rodriguez on the stand. If you gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, and your orders are always followed, then why would Santiago be in danger? Why would it be necessary to transfer him off the base?
Jessup
Santiago was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred...
Kaffee
That's not what you said. You said he was being transferred, because he was in grave danger.
Jessup
That's correct.
Kaffee
You said he was in danger. I said "grave danger"? You said...
Jessup
I recall what I said.
Kaffee
I could have the court reporter read back to you...
Jessup
I know what I said! I don't have to have it read back to me, like I'm...
Kaffee
Then why the two orders? Colonel?
Jessup
Sometimes men take matters into their own hands.
[hesitates]
Kaffee
No, sir. You made it clear just a moment ago that your men never take matters into their own hands. Your men follow orders or people die. So Santiago shouldn't have been in any danger at all, should he have, Colonel?
Jessup
You snotty little bastard.
Ross
Your Honor, I'd like to ask for a recess.
Kaffee
I'd like an answer to the question, Judge.
Judge Randolph
The court will wait for an answer.
Kaffee
If Lieutenant Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel? Lieutenant Kendrick ordered the Code Red, didn't he? Because that's what you told Lieutenant Kendrick to do!
Ross
Object!
Kaffee
And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose!
Ross
Your Honor--
Kaffee
You had Markinson sign a phony transfer order, and you doctored the log book!
Ross
DAMN IT, KAFFEE!
Kaffee
You coerced the doctor!
Judge Randolph
Consider yourself in contempt!
Kaffee
Now I'm asking you! Colonel Jessup, did you order the Code Red?!
Judge Randolph
You don't have to answer that question!
Jessup
I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Kaffee
I think I'm entitled to it!
Jessup
You want answers?!
Kaffee
I WANT THE TRUTH!
Jessup
You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like "honor", "code", "loyalty". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then QUESTIONS the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you are entitled to!
Kaffee
Did you order the Code Red?
Jessup
I did the job that—
Kaffee
DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED?!
Jessup
YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I DID!!!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Strategies and Tensions in Legal Proceedings
Kaffee
Anyway, since we seem to be out of witnesses, I thought I'd drink a little.
[drunk]
Galloway
I still think we can win.
Kaffee
Maybe you should drink a little.
[holds back a laugh]
Galloway
Look, we'll go to Randolph in the morning and make a motion for a continuance, twenty-four hours.
Kaffee
Why would we wanna do that?
Galloway
To subpoena Colonel Jessup.
Kaffee
What?
Galloway
Listen for a second.
Kaffee
No.
Galloway
Just hear me out!
Kaffee
No, I won't listen and I won't hear you out. Your passion is compelling, Jo; it's also useless. Louden Downey needed a trial lawyer today!
Galloway
You chickenshit. You're going to use what happened today as an excuse to give up?
Kaffee
It's. Over.
Galloway
Why did you ask Jessup for the transfer order?
Kaffee
What?
Galloway
In Cuba, why did you ask Jessup for the transfer order?
Kaffee
What does it matter? I wanted the damn transfer order!
Galloway
Bullshit! You could've gotten it by picking up the phone and calling any one of the dozen departments at the Pentagon. You didn't want the transfer order, you wanted to see Jessup's reaction when you asked for the transfer order. You had an instinct, and it was confirmed by Markinson. Now dammit, lets put Jessup on the stand and end this thing!
Kaffee
What possible good could come from putting Jessup on the stand?
Galloway
He told Kendrick to order the Code Red!
Kaffee
He did? Well, that's great! Why didn't you say so? And of course, you have proof of that? Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting, you were sick the day they taught law in law school!
[sarcastic]
Galloway
You put him on the stand and you get it from him.
Kaffee
Oh, we get it from him! Yes! No problem! We get it from him! "Colonel Jessup, isn't it true that you ordered the Code Red on Santiago?
Weinberg
Listen, we're all a little--
Kaffee
EEEGH! I'm sorry, your time's run out! What do we have for the losers, Judge?! Well, for our defendants, it's a lifetime at exotic Fort Leavenworth! And for defense counsel Kaffee... That's right! It's a court-martial! Yes, Johnny! After falsely accusing a highly decorated Marine officer of conspiracy and perjury, Lieutenant Kaffee will have a long and prosperous career teaching... typewriter maintenance at the Rocco Globo School for Women! Thank you for playing "Should We, or Should We Not, FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THE GALACTICALLY STUPID?!
[imitates buzzer]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Critique of Military Honor Code
Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel Kaffee
I want you to know that I think the whole fucking bunch of you are certifiably insane. This code of honor of yours makes me want to beat the shit out of somebody.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Colonel's Defiance in Courtroom Confrontation
Col. Jessup
What the hell is this? Colonel, what's going on? I did my job, I'd do it again! I'm gonna get on a plane and go on back to my base.
[Judge dismisses the jury; stands up defiantly]
Judge Randolph
You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MPs, guard the Colonel!
Marine MP
Yes, sir.
Judge Randolph
Captain Ross?
Col. Jessup
What the hell is this?
Capt. Ross
Colonel Jessup, you have the right to remain silent. Any statement you make...
Col. Jessup
I'm being charged with a crime? Is that what this is? I'm being charged with a crime? This is funny. That's what this is. This is... I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You fucked with the wrong marine!
[while Ross continues reading his rights; turns to Kaffee and lunges at him while MPs hold him back]
Capt. Ross
Colonel Jessup, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?
Col. Jessup
You fuckin people. You have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did was weaken a country today, Kaffee. That's all you did. You put people's lives in danger. Sweet dreams, son.
Kaffee
Don't call me "son". I'm a lawyer, and an officer in the United States Navy. And you're under arrest, you son of a bitch. The witness is excused.
[as Jessup picks up his military cap, he was eventually escorted away by the military police]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Father's Legacy in Law School
Kaffee
I think my father would've enjoyed seeing me graduate from law school. I think he would've liked that an awful lot.
Weinberg
I ever tell you I wrote a paper about your father in college?
Kaffee
Yeah?
Weinberg
One of the best trial lawyers ever.
Kaffee
Yes; he was.
Weinberg
And if I were Dawson and Downey and I had a choice between you or your father to represent me in this case, I'd choose you any day of the week and twice on Sunday. You should've seen yourself thunder away at Kendrick.
Kaffee
Would you put Jessup on the stand?
Weinberg
No.
Kaffee
You think my father would've?
Weinberg
With the evidence we got? Not in a million years. But here's the thing, and there's really no way of getting around this: neither Lionel Kaffee nor Sam Weinberg are lead counsel in the matter of US v. Dawson and Downey. So there's really only one question: what would you do?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting Concerns About Private Santiago
Jessup
Who the fuck is Pfc. William T. Santiago?
Kendrick
Private Santiago is a member of Second Platoon Bravo.
Jessup
Yeah. Well, apparently, he's not very happy down here at Shangri-La, because he's written letters to everyone but Santa Claus asking for a transfer, and now he's telling tales about a fence line shooting. Matthew?
Markinson
I'm... appalled, sir.
Jessup
You're "appalled". This kid broke the chain of command and ratted on a member of his unit. To say nothing of the fact that he is a US Marine, and it would appear he can't run from here to there without collapsing from heat exhaustion. What the fuck is going on in Bravo Company, Matthew?
Markinson
Colonel, I think perhaps it would be better to hold this discussion in private.
Kendrick
That won't be necessary, Colonel. I can handle the situation, sir.
Markinson
The same way you handled the Curtis Bell incident? Don't interrupt me, Lieutenant! I'm still your superior officer.
[Kendrick starts to speak]
Jessup
And I'm yours, Matthew. I want to know what we're going to do about this.
[to Markinson]
Markinson
I think Santiago should be transferred off the base immediately.
Jessup
He's that bad, huh?
Markinson
Not only that, but word of this letter's bound to get out. He's gonna get his ass whipped.
Jessup
Hmm... Transfer Santiago? Yes, I'm sure you're right. I'm sure that's the thing to do. Wait - but I've got a better idea. Let's transfer the whole squad off the base. Let's-- On second thought, Windward. Let's transfer the whole Windward Division off the base. John, tell those boys to get down off the fence. They're packing their bags. Tom?
[sarcastically; calling out to his assistant]
Tom
Sir?
[enters office]
Jessup
Get me the President on the phone. We're surrendering our position in Cuba.
Tom
Yes, sir.
[starts to leave office]
Jessup
Wait a minute, Tom. Don't get the President yet. Maybe we should consider this for a second. Dismissed, Tom.
Tom
Yes, sir.
[departs office]
Col. Jessup
Maybe, and I'm just spitballing here, maybe we have a responsibility as officers to train Santiago. Maybe we as officers have a responsibility to this country to see that the men and women charged with its security are trained professionals. Yes, I'm certain that I read that somewhere once. And now I'm thinking, Colonel Markinson, that your suggestion of transferring Santiago, while expeditious and certainly painless, might not be, in a matter of speaking, the American way. Santiago stays where he is. We're gonna train the lad! John, you're in charge. Santiago doesn't make 4646 on his next Proficiency and Conduct Report, and I'm going to blame you. And then I'm going to kill you.
[to Kendrick]
Kendrick
Yes, sir.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Over Code and Legal Strategy
Dawson
We have a code, sir.
Kaffee
Oh! Well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah! You and your code plead not guilty, you'll be in jail for the rest of your life. Do what I'm telling you, and you'll be home in six months. Do it, Harold! Six months, it's nothing - it's a hockey season!
Dawson
Permission to--
[pauses for a moment]
Kaffee
SPEAK! Jesus!
[exasperated]
Dawson
What do we do then, sir?
Kaffee
When?
Dawson
After six months we'll be dishonorably discharged, right, sir?
Kaffee
Probably.
Dawson
Well, what do we do then, sir? We joined the Marines because we wanted to live our lives by a certain code, and we found it in the Corps. Now you're asking us to sign a piece of paper that says we have no honor. You're asking us to say we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I believe I was right, sir. I believe I did my job, and I WILL NOT DISHONOR MYSELF, MY UNIT, OR THE CORPS SO THAT I CAN GO HOME IN SIX MONTHS! Sir!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation of Expectations and Responsibilities
Galloway
You're wrong - I do know you. Daniel Alistair Kaffee, born June 8th 1964 at Boston Mercy Hospital. Your father's Lionel Kaffee, former Navy Judge Advocate and Attorney General of the United States; died 1985. You went to Harvard Law, then you joined the Navy, probably because that's what your father wanted you to do, and now you're just treading water for the three years you've gotta serve in the JAG Corps, just... kinda laying low so you can go out and get a real job. If that's the situation, that's fine, I won't tell anyone. But it's my feeling that if this case is handled in the same fast-food, slick-ass "Persian Bazaar" manner with which you seem to handle everything else, something's gonna get missed. And I wouldn't be doing my job if I allowed Dawson and Downey to spend any more time in prison than absolutely necessary because their attorney had predetermined the path of least resistance.
Kaffee
Wow... I'm sexually aroused, Commander.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Identity and Deception in the Search
Weinberg
He said if Markinson doesn't wanna be found, we're not gonna find him. He said I could be Markinson and you wouldn't know.
Kaffee
Are you Markinson?
[suspiciously]
Weinberg
No.
Kaffee
I'm not Markinson. That's two down.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Honor and Truth in the Courtroom
Taglines
In the heart of the nation's capital, in a courthouse of the U.S. government, one man will stop at nothing to keep his honor, and one will stop at nothing to find the truth.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Legacy of Courage and Justice
Markinson
I, uh, had the pleasure of meeting your father once. I was a teenager, he spoke at my high school.
[to Danny]
Jessup
Lionel Kaffee?
Danny
Yes, sir.
Jessup
Well, what do you know? This man's dad once made a lot of enemies in your neck of the woods. Jefferson v. Madison County School District. Folks down there said a little black girl couldn't go to an all-white school. Lionel Kaffee said, "Well, we'll just see about that." How the hell is your dad, Danny?
[to Kendrick]
Danny
He passed away seven years ago, sir.
Jessup
Don't I feel like the fucking asshole?
[after a beat]
Danny
Not at all, sir.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding the Complexity of Orders
Downey
I don't understand... Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red.
Galloway
I know, but...
Downey
Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red! What did we do wrong?
Galloway
It's not that simple...
Downey
What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
Dawson
Yeah, we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willie.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Lighthearted Exchange in Tense Situation
Kaffee
It had to be ], in the library, with the candlestick.
[[w:Professor Plum|Professor Plum]
Galloway
I'm gonna talk to your supervisor.
Kaffee
Go straight up the ]. It's the big white house with the pillars.
[[w:Pennsylvania Avenue|Pennsylvania Avenue]
Galloway
Thank you.
Kaffee
I don't think you'll have much luck though.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Military Courtesy and Personal Boundaries
Danny
Lieutenant Kendrick. May I call you John?
Kendrick
No, you may not.
Danny
Have I done something to offend you?
Kendrick
No, I like all you Navy boys. Every time we gotta go someplace to fight, you fellas always give us a ride.
Galloway
Lieutenant Kendrick, do you think Santiago was murdered?
Kendrick
Commander, I believe in God and His son Jesus Christ. And because I do, I can say this. Private Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy. But he is dead because he had no code. He is dead because he had no honor, and God was watching.
Weinberg
How do you feel about that theory?
[to Danny]
Danny
Sounds good! Let's move on.
[uneasily]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Authority and Evidence in Military Court
Capt. Ross
You have proof?
Kaffee
I have the defendants.
Capt. Ross
And I have 23 Marines and a lieutenant with four letters of commendation.
Kaffee
Why did Markinson go U.A.?
Capt. Ross
We'll never know.
Kaffee
Wait, I can't subpoena Markinson?
Capt. Ross
You can try, but you won't find him. You know what Markinson did for 17 years? Counterintelligence. Markinson's gone. There is no Markinson.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Power Dynamics and Personal Relationships in the Military
Jessup
You know, it just hit me - she outranks you, Danny.
[to Kaffee, while Galloway questions him about Code Reds]
Kaffee
Yes, sir.
Jessup
I wanna tell you something, and listen up, cause I really mean this: you're the luckiest man in the world. There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me, gentlemen, than a woman that you have to salute in the morning. Promote em all, I say, cause this is true: if you haven't gotten a blowjob from a superior officer, well, you're just letting the best in life pass you by.
Galloway
Colonel, the practice of Code Reds is still condoned by officers on this base, isn't it?
Jessup
Course, my problem is, I'm a Colonel, so I guess I'll just have to keep taking cold showers until they elect some gal President.
[talking over her; chuckles]
Galloway
I need an answer to my question, sir.
Jessup
Take caution in your tone, Commander. I'm a fair guy, but this fucking heat is making me absolutely crazy. You wanna ask me about Code Reds? On the record, I tell you I discourage the practice in accordance with the Commander's directive. Off the record, I tell you it is an invaluable part of close infantry training, and if it happens to go on without my knowledge, so be it. I run my unit how I run my unit. You want to investigate me? Roll the dice and take your chances. I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4000 Cubans who are trained to kill me, so don't think for one second that you can come down here, flash a badge, and make me nervous.
Kaffee
Let's go. Colonel, I'll just need a copy of Santiago's transfer order.
[to Weinberg and Galloway; turns back to Jessup as they stand to leave]
Jessup
What's that?
Kaffee
Santiago's transfer order. You guys have paperwork on that kind of thing, I just need it for the file.
Jessup
For the file?
Kaffee
Yeah.
Jessup
Of course you can have a copy of the transfer order for the file, Danny. I'm here to help anyway I can.
[pause]
Kaffee
Thank you.
Jessup
You believe that, don't you? Danny? That I'm here to help you in anyway I can?
Kaffee
Of course.
Jessup
The Corporal will take you by Personnel on your way out to the flight line, and you can have all the transfer orders you want.
Kaffee
Let's go.
[to Weinberg & Galloway]
Jessup
But you have to ask me nicely.
Kaffee
I beg your pardon?
Jessup
You have to ask me nicely. You see, Danny, I can deal with the bullets and the bombs and the blood. I don't want money and I don't want medals. What I do want is for you to stand there in that faggoty white uniform and, with your Harvard mouth, extend me some fucking courtesy! You gotta ask me nicely.
Kaffee
Colonel Jessup, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like a copy of the transfer order, sir.
Jessup
No problem.
[politely, and with a triumphant smile]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Conflict Between Legal Strategy and Ethics
Weinberg
I strenuously object? Is that how it works? Objection. Overruled! No, no, no... I strenuously object! Oh, I should reconsider then!
Galloway
I got it on the record.
Weinberg
You got the court thinking we're afraid of the doctor. Christ, you even had the judge saying he was an expert! You object once, so we can say he's not a criminologist. You keep after it, our cross looks like a bunch of fancy lawyer tricks. It's the difference between paper law and trial law!
Galloway
Why do you hate them so much?
Weinberg
They beat up on a weakling. The rest of this is just smoke-filled-coffeehouse crap. They tortured and tormented a weaker kid! They didn't like him. So? They killed him. And why? Because he couldn't run very fast!
Weinberg
Why do you like them so much?
[turning back to face Galloway]
Galloway
Because they stand on a wall and say, "Nothing's gonna hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.
[with a confident tone]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.