Traffic (2001) - Quotes

Hurricanes and Their Gendered Naming Commentary

Ray Castro: Why are hurricanes named after women? Because when they arrive, they're wet and wild, and when they leave they take your house and your car.

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Dreaming of Busting Corruption Among the Elite

Ray Castro: I have actually dreamed about this, about busting the top people, the rich people, WHITE people!

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Conspiracy and Deception Perceived from Afar

Ray Castro: It sounds like they're conspiring to conspire. You know, I can feel the lies vibrating from that house.

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Law Enforcement as an Entrepreneurial Venture

Eduardo Ruiz: In Mexico, law enforcement is an entrepreneurial activity.

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The Harsh Reality of Addiction Management

General Salazar: Treatment of addiction? Addicts treat themselves. They overdose and then there's one less to worry about.

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The Path to Taking Down the Cartel

General Salazar: When he loves me like a father, he will never tell anyone he was here. He will freely give us the name of his superiors. Then, when we get to them, they too will give us the names of their superiors. And eventually somebody will get us to Juan Obregón, and when that happens, the Tijuana Cartel will fall.

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Seeking Truth Through Wine and Vigilance

General Salazar: They say in Latin, "In vino veritas". Wine tells the truth. Use this to write down the addresses of those bastards who killed my captains. And not where they were last week but where they are *now*, where they are this minute, and better yet, where they are going to be tomorrow. You know where they are going to be tomorrow, right?

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Conflicted Loyalties in a Complex Situation

Javier Rodriguez: I feel like a traitor.

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Self-Interest vs. Others' Expectations

Javier Rodriguez: You worry about getting me what I want. I worry about myself.

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The Importance of Parks and Safety for Kids

Javier Rodriguez: You like baseball? We need lights for the parks, so kids can play at night. So they can be safe. So they can play baseball. So they don't become burros para los malones. Everyone likes baseball. Everyone likes parks.

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A Dire Call to Action

Helena Ayala: This may be your last chance to do this. Now get out of the car and shoot him in the head! Just shoot him!

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The Doll Represents More Than Just Innocence

Helena Ayala: Not in the doll. The doll is cocaine.

A Wife's Right to Know Her Husband's Affairs

Helena Ayala: I'm on the board of my son's school, I have fundraisers for adult literacy at my own home. I think I have a right to know if my husband is a legitimate business man.

Struggling with Identity and Substance Issues

Caroline Wakefield: Hi, I'm Caroline, and I'm not sure if I'm an alcoholic. I mean, I don't really like to drink. For someone my age it's a lot easier to get drugs than it is to get alcohol. I guess I'm angry. I mean, I think I'm really angry about a lot of stuff. I'm just not sure what.

Support and Understanding in Family Challenges

Robert Wakefield: My name is Robert. And my wife, Barbara and I are here to support our daughter Caroline. And we're here to listen.

The Complexity of Family in the Drug War

Robert Wakefield: If there is a war on drugs, then many of our family members are the enemy. And I don't know how you wage war on your own family.

Corruption in Washington Compared to Calcutta

Robert Wakefield: What's Washington like? Well its like Calcutta, surrounded by beggars. The only difference is the beggars in Washington wear 1500 dollar suits and they don't say please or thank you.