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September 14, 2010
Famous Speeches: A Few Good Men
One of those times when Hollywood accidentally told the truth. It works even better if you think of them as Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
Which they are.
Lieutenant Kaffee: Colonel Jessep! Did you order the "code red?!!"
Judge Randolph: You don't have to answer that question!
Jessep: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Lieutenant Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?!
Lieutenant Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: 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 , 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 punch line. 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 that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand the post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you're entitled to!
Lieutenant Kaffee: Did you order the "code red?"
Jessep: I did the job I was --
Lieutenant Kaffee: -- Did you order the "code red?!"
Jessep: You're god damn right I did!!!
Judge Randolph: You don't have to answer that question!
Jessep: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Lieutenant Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?!
Lieutenant Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: 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 , 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 punch line. 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 that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand the post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you're entitled to!
Lieutenant Kaffee: Did you order the "code red?"
Jessep: I did the job I was --
Lieutenant Kaffee: -- Did you order the "code red?!"
Jessep: You're god damn right I did!!!
Except in my ending Nicholson leaps from the stand, beats Cruise with his shoe and everybody applauds.
Then everyone says "thank you" and goes on their way.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at September 14, 2010 07:42 AM