Lt. Col. Matthew Markinson quotes
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I don't want a deal, and I don't want immunity. I want you to know that I'm proud neither of what I have done or of what I am doing.
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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santiago, I was William's company commander. I knew your son vaguely, which is to say I knew his name. In a matter of time, the trial of the two men charged with your son's death will be concluded, and seven men and two women whom you've never met will try to offer you an explanation as to why William is dead. For my part, I've done as much as I can to bring the truth to light. And the truth is this: Your son is dead for only one reason. I wasn't strong enough to stop it. Always, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Andrew Markinson, United States Marine Corps. After writing letter, Markinson pulls a pistol from his uniform, places the barrel into his mouth and fires]
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Spradling: We were supposed to meet in your office 15 minutes ago to discuss the McDermott case. You're stalling on this thing! Now, either we get it done, and I mean now, or no kidding, Kaffee, I'm going to hang your boy from a ****ing yardarm!
Kaffee: Yardarm? [to guy playing 2nd base] Sherby, does the Navy still hang people from yardarms?
Sherby: I don't think so.
Kaffee: Dave, Sherby said he doesn't think the Navy hangs people from yardarms anymore.
Spradling: I'm going to charge him with possession and being under the influence while on duty. You plead guilty, I'll recommend thirty days in the brig with loss of rank and pay.
Kaffee: It was oregano, Dave. It was ten dollars' worth of oregano.
Spradling: Yeah, well, your client thought it was marijuana.
Kaffee: My client's a moron. That's not against the law.
Spradling: Kaffee, I've got people to answer to, just like you. I'm gonna charge him.
Kaffee: With what? Possession of a condiment?
Kaffee: Yardarm? [to guy playing 2nd base] Sherby, does the Navy still hang people from yardarms?
Sherby: I don't think so.
Kaffee: Dave, Sherby said he doesn't think the Navy hangs people from yardarms anymore.
Spradling: I'm going to charge him with possession and being under the influence while on duty. You plead guilty, I'll recommend thirty days in the brig with loss of rank and pay.
Kaffee: It was oregano, Dave. It was ten dollars' worth of oregano.
Spradling: Yeah, well, your client thought it was marijuana.
Kaffee: My client's a moron. That's not against the law.
Spradling: Kaffee, I've got people to answer to, just like you. I'm gonna charge him.
Kaffee: With what? Possession of a condiment?
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Capt. West: Commander Galloway, why don't you get yourself a cup of coffee?
Galloway: Thank you, sir, I'm fine.
Capt. West: Commander, I'd like you to leave the room so we can talk about you behind your back.
Galloway: Certainly, sir.
Galloway: Thank you, sir, I'm fine.
Capt. West: Commander, I'd like you to leave the room so we can talk about you behind your back.
Galloway: Certainly, sir.
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C.O.: It seems important to Division that this one be handled by the book, so I'm assigning co-counsel. Any volunteers? [Stares at Weinberg]
Weinberg: No! Sir, I've got a pile of papers on my desk about a mile high!
C.O.: Work with Kaffee on this.
Weinberg: Doing what? Kaffee will have this done in about four days.
C.O.: Doing various administrative things. Backup. Whatever.
Weinberg: In other words, I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
C.O.: Right.
Weinberg: My kind of case.
Weinberg: No! Sir, I've got a pile of papers on my desk about a mile high!
C.O.: Work with Kaffee on this.
Weinberg: Doing what? Kaffee will have this done in about four days.
C.O.: Doing various administrative things. Backup. Whatever.
Weinberg: In other words, I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
C.O.: Right.
Weinberg: My kind of case.
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Kaffee: Hi, I'm Daniel Kaffee. I was told to meet with, ah, Lieutenant Commander Galloway about a briefing?
Galloway: You're the attorney Division assigned?
Kaffee: I'm lead counsel. This is Sam Weinberg.
Weinberg: I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
Galloway: You're the attorney Division assigned?
Kaffee: I'm lead counsel. This is Sam Weinberg.
Weinberg: I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
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Galloway: Lieutenant, how long have you been in the Navy?
Kaffee: Going on nine months now.
Galloway: And how long have you been out of law school?
Kaffee: A little over a year.
Galloway: I see.
Kaffee: Have I done something wrong?
Galloway: No, it's just that when I petitioned Division to have counsel assigned, I was hoping to be taken seriously.
Kaffee: No offense taken, in case you were wondering.
Weinberg: Commander, Lieutenant Kaffee is generally considered the best litigator in our office. He's successfully plea-bargained forty-four cases in nine months.
Kaffee: One more and I get a set of steak knives.
Kaffee: Going on nine months now.
Galloway: And how long have you been out of law school?
Kaffee: A little over a year.
Galloway: I see.
Kaffee: Have I done something wrong?
Galloway: No, it's just that when I petitioned Division to have counsel assigned, I was hoping to be taken seriously.
Kaffee: No offense taken, in case you were wondering.
Weinberg: Commander, Lieutenant Kaffee is generally considered the best litigator in our office. He's successfully plea-bargained forty-four cases in nine months.
Kaffee: One more and I get a set of steak knives.
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Kaffee: Am I correct to assume that these letters don't paint a flattering picture of Marine Corps life at Guantanamo Bay?
Galloway: Yes, among —
Kaffee: And am I also right in assuming that an investigation of this incident might cause some embarrassment to the Security Council guy?
Galloway: Colonel Jessep--
Kaffee: Twelve years.
Galloway: I'm sorry?
Kaffee: I'll get them to drop the Conspiracy and Conduct Unbecoming. Twelve years.
Galloway: You haven't talked to a witness or looked at a piece of paper.
Kaffee: Pretty impressive, huh?
Galloway: You're going to have to go deeper than that.
Kaffee: Commander do you have some sort of jurisdiction I should know about.
Galloway: My job, is to make sure you do you job. I'm special counsel for Internal Affairs, so my "jurisdiction's" pretty much in your face.
Galloway: Yes, among —
Kaffee: And am I also right in assuming that an investigation of this incident might cause some embarrassment to the Security Council guy?
Galloway: Colonel Jessep--
Kaffee: Twelve years.
Galloway: I'm sorry?
Kaffee: I'll get them to drop the Conspiracy and Conduct Unbecoming. Twelve years.
Galloway: You haven't talked to a witness or looked at a piece of paper.
Kaffee: Pretty impressive, huh?
Galloway: You're going to have to go deeper than that.
Kaffee: Commander do you have some sort of jurisdiction I should know about.
Galloway: My job, is to make sure you do you job. I'm special counsel for Internal Affairs, so my "jurisdiction's" pretty much in your face.
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Galloway: [crisply, after Kaffee's risen prematurely to leave] You're dismissed.
Kaffee: [pause] I always forget that part.
Kaffee: [pause] I always forget that part.
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Kaffee: I've done something wrong again, haven't I?
Galloway: I'm just wondering why two guys have been in a jail cell since this morning while their lawyer is outside hitting a ball.
Kaffee: We need the practice.
Galloway: That wasn't funny.
Kaffee: It was a little funny.
Galloway: Lieutenant, would you feel very insulted if I recommended to your supervisor that he assign different counsel?
Kaffee: Why?
Galloway: I don't think you're fit to handle this defense.
Kaffee: You don't even know me. Ordinarily it takes someone hours to discover I'm not fit to handle a defense. [long pause] Oh, come on! That was damn funny.
Galloway: I'm just wondering why two guys have been in a jail cell since this morning while their lawyer is outside hitting a ball.
Kaffee: We need the practice.
Galloway: That wasn't funny.
Kaffee: It was a little funny.
Galloway: Lieutenant, would you feel very insulted if I recommended to your supervisor that he assign different counsel?
Kaffee: Why?
Galloway: I don't think you're fit to handle this defense.
Kaffee: You don't even know me. Ordinarily it takes someone hours to discover I'm not fit to handle a defense. [long pause] Oh, come on! That was damn funny.
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Galloway: 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, then 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 is absolutely necessary because their attorney has predetermined the path of least resistance!
Kaffee: Wow! I'm sexually aroused, Commander.
Kaffee: Wow! I'm sexually aroused, Commander.
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Kaffee: What do you want from me?
Galloway: I want you to let them be judged. I want you to stand up and make an argument.
Weinberg: An argument that didn't work for Calley at My Lai. An argument that didn't work for the Nazis at Nuremberg.
Kaffee: Oh for Christ's sake, Sam. Do you really think that's the same as two teenage Marines executing a routine order they never believed would result in harm? These guys aren't the Nazis!
Galloway: Don't look now Danny, but you're making an argument.
Galloway: I want you to let them be judged. I want you to stand up and make an argument.
Weinberg: An argument that didn't work for Calley at My Lai. An argument that didn't work for the Nazis at Nuremberg.
Kaffee: Oh for Christ's sake, Sam. Do you really think that's the same as two teenage Marines executing a routine order they never believed would result in harm? These guys aren't the Nazis!
Galloway: Don't look now Danny, but you're making an argument.
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Galloway: Listen, I came to make peace. We got off on the wrong foot. What do you say, friends?
Kaffee: I, uh--
Galloway: By the way, I brought Downey some comic books he was asking for. The kid, Kaffee, I swear he doesn't know where he is. He doesn't even know why he's been arrested!
Kaffee: Commander--
Galloway: You can call me Joanne.
Kaffee: Joanne.
Galloway: Or Jo.
Kaffee: Jo?
Galloway: Yes.
Kafee: Jo, if you ever speak to a client of mine again without my permission, I'll have you disbarred. Friends?
Kaffee: I, uh--
Galloway: By the way, I brought Downey some comic books he was asking for. The kid, Kaffee, I swear he doesn't know where he is. He doesn't even know why he's been arrested!
Kaffee: Commander--
Galloway: You can call me Joanne.
Kaffee: Joanne.
Galloway: Or Jo.
Kaffee: Jo?
Galloway: Yes.
Kafee: Jo, if you ever speak to a client of mine again without my permission, I'll have you disbarred. Friends?
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Kaffee: You got authorization from Aunt Ginny.
Galloway: Perfectly within my province.
Kaffee: Does Aunt Ginny have a barn? We could hold the trial there. I could sew the costumes, maybe his Uncle Goober could be the judge.
Galloway: Perfectly within my province.
Kaffee: Does Aunt Ginny have a barn? We could hold the trial there. I could sew the costumes, maybe his Uncle Goober could be the judge.
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Dawson: Do you think we were right?
Kaffee: I think you would lose.
Dawson: [to Kaffee] You're such a coward. I can't believe they let you wear a uniform.
Kaffee: I think you would lose.
Dawson: [to Kaffee] You're such a coward. I can't believe they let you wear a uniform.
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Kaffee: It's not going to win you a place in my heart, I get paid no matter how long you stay in jail.
Dawson: [contemptuously] Yes sir, I know you do, sir.
Kaffee: **** you, Harold!
Dawson: [contemptuously] Yes sir, I know you do, sir.
Kaffee: **** you, Harold!
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Kaffee: You and Dawson, you both live in the same dreamworld. It doesn't matter what I believe. It only matters what I can prove! So please, don't tell me what I know, or don't know; I know the law.
Galloway: You know nothing about the law. You're a used-car salesman, Daniel. You're an ambulance chaser with a rank. You're nothing. Live with that.
Galloway: You know nothing about the law. You're a used-car salesman, Daniel. You're an ambulance chaser with a rank. You're nothing. Live with that.
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Weinberg: You're my witness. The baby spoke. My daughter said a word.
Kaffee: Your daughter made a sound, Sam. I'm not sure it was a word.
Weinberg: Come on now, it was definitely a word.
Kaffee: Okay.
Weinberg: You heard her. The girl sat here, pointed, and said, "Pa". She did! She said, "Pa".
Kaffee: Sam,she was pointing at a mailbox.
Weinberg: That's right. Pointing as if to say, "Pa, look; a mailbox!"
Kaffee: Your daughter made a sound, Sam. I'm not sure it was a word.
Weinberg: Come on now, it was definitely a word.
Kaffee: Okay.
Weinberg: You heard her. The girl sat here, pointed, and said, "Pa". She did! She said, "Pa".
Kaffee: Sam,she was pointing at a mailbox.
Weinberg: That's right. Pointing as if to say, "Pa, look; a mailbox!"
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Kaffee: You don't believe their story, do you? You think they ought to go to jail for the rest of their lives.
Weinberg: I believe every word of their story. And I think they ought to go to jail for the rest of their lives.
Weinberg: I believe every word of their story. And I think they ought to go to jail for the rest of their lives.
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Kaffee: Is this your signature?
Dawson: Yes, sir!
Kaffee: You don't have to call me "sir". [to Downey] Is this your signature?
Downey: Sir, yes, sir!
Kaffee: And you certainly don't need to do it twice in one sentence.
Dawson: Yes, sir!
Kaffee: You don't have to call me "sir". [to Downey] Is this your signature?
Downey: Sir, yes, sir!
Kaffee: And you certainly don't need to do it twice in one sentence.
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Kaffee: All right, what's the code?
Dawson: Unit, Corps, God, country.
Kaffee: Come again?
Dawson: Unit, Corps, God, country. Sir.
Kaffee: The United States of America wants to charge the two of you with murder & you want me to go before the judge with "Unit, Corps, God, country"?
Dawson: Unit, Corps, God, country.
Kaffee: Come again?
Dawson: Unit, Corps, God, country. Sir.
Kaffee: The United States of America wants to charge the two of you with murder & you want me to go before the judge with "Unit, Corps, God, country"?
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Galloway: Tell your friend not to get cute down there, the Marines at Gitmo are fanatical.
Weinberg: Fanatical about what?
Galloway: About being Marines.
Weinberg: Fanatical about what?
Galloway: About being Marines.
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Weinberg: Don't forget to wear the whites. It's very hot down there.
Kaffee: I don't like the whites.
Weinberg: Nobody likes the whites, but we're going to Cuba. You got Dramamine?
Kaffee: Dramamine keeps you cool?
Weinberg: No, Dramamine keeps you from throwing up. You get sick when you fly.
Kaffee: I get sick when I fly 'cause I'm afraid of crashing into a large mountain. I don't think Dramamine will help.
Weinberg: I got some oregano. I hear that works pretty good.
Kaffee: I don't like the whites.
Weinberg: Nobody likes the whites, but we're going to Cuba. You got Dramamine?
Kaffee: Dramamine keeps you cool?
Weinberg: No, Dramamine keeps you from throwing up. You get sick when you fly.
Kaffee: I get sick when I fly 'cause I'm afraid of crashing into a large mountain. I don't think Dramamine will help.
Weinberg: I got some oregano. I hear that works pretty good.
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Barnes: I've got some camouflage jackets in the Jeep, sirs, I suggest you both put them on.
Kaffee: Camouflage jackets?
Barnes: Yes sir, we'll be riding pretty close to the fence line. The Cubans see an officer wearing white, they think it might be someone they'd wanna take a shot at.
Kaffee: Good call, Sam.
Kaffee: Camouflage jackets?
Barnes: Yes sir, we'll be riding pretty close to the fence line. The Cubans see an officer wearing white, they think it might be someone they'd wanna take a shot at.
Kaffee: Good call, Sam.
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Kaffee: Hold on a sec, we got to take a boat?
Barnes: Yes sir, just to get to the other side of the bay.
Kaffee: Nobody said anything about a boat.
Barnes: Is there a problem, sir?
Kaffee: No, no problem, I'm just not that crazy about boats, that's all.
Galloway: Jesus Christ, Kaffee, you're in the Navy for crying out loud!
Kaffee: Nobody likes her very much.
Barnes: Yes, Sir.
Barnes: Yes sir, just to get to the other side of the bay.
Kaffee: Nobody said anything about a boat.
Barnes: Is there a problem, sir?
Kaffee: No, no problem, I'm just not that crazy about boats, that's all.
Galloway: Jesus Christ, Kaffee, you're in the Navy for crying out loud!
Kaffee: Nobody likes her very much.
Barnes: Yes, Sir.
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Galloway: Are you planning on doing any investigating, or are you just gonna take the guided tour?
Kaffee: I'm pacing myself.
Kaffee: I'm pacing myself.
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Kaffee: Lieutenant Kendrick, may I call you John?
Kendrick: No. You may not.
Kaffee: 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 give us a ride.
Kendrick: No. You may not.
Kaffee: 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 give us a ride.
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Galloway: Lieutenant Kendrick, do you think Private 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?
Kaffee: Sounds good. Let's move on.
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?
Kaffee: Sounds good. Let's move on.
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Jessep: So how is your dad, Danny?
Kaffee: He passed away seven years ago, sir.
Jessep: Don't I feel like the ****ing asshole?
Kaffee: Not at all sir.
Kaffee: He passed away seven years ago, sir.
Jessep: Don't I feel like the ****ing asshole?
Kaffee: Not at all sir.
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Galloway: I'm just wondering if you've ever heard the term "Code Red".
Jessep: I've heard the term, yes.
Galloway: This past February you received a cautionary memo from the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, warning that the practice of enlisted men disciplining their own wasn't to be condoned by officers.
Jessep: Well, I submit to you that whoever wrote that memo has never faced the working end of a Soviet-made Cuban AK-47 assault rifle. However, the directive having come from the commander, I gave it its due attention. What is your point, Jo?
Kaffee: She has no point. She often has no point, sir. It's part of her charm.
Galloway: My point is that I think Code Reds still go on down here.
Jessep: I've heard the term, yes.
Galloway: This past February you received a cautionary memo from the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, warning that the practice of enlisted men disciplining their own wasn't to be condoned by officers.
Jessep: Well, I submit to you that whoever wrote that memo has never faced the working end of a Soviet-made Cuban AK-47 assault rifle. However, the directive having come from the commander, I gave it its due attention. What is your point, Jo?
Kaffee: She has no point. She often has no point, sir. It's part of her charm.
Galloway: My point is that I think Code Reds still go on down here.
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Jessep: You believe that, don't you, Danny? That I'm here to help you in any way I can?
Kaffee: Of course.
Jessep: The Corporal will take you by Personnel on your way back to the flight line, and you can have all the transfer orders you want.
Kaffee: [to Weinberg & Galloway] Let's go.
Jessep: But you have to ask me nicely.
Kaffee: I beg your pardon?
Jessep: 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 ****y white uniform and with your Harvard mouth extend me some ****ing courtesy! You gotta ask me nicely.
Kaffee: Colonel Jessep, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like a copy of the transfer order, sir.
Jessep: No problem.
Kaffee: Of course.
Jessep: The Corporal will take you by Personnel on your way back to the flight line, and you can have all the transfer orders you want.
Kaffee: [to Weinberg & Galloway] Let's go.
Jessep: But you have to ask me nicely.
Kaffee: I beg your pardon?
Jessep: 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 ****y white uniform and with your Harvard mouth extend me some ****ing courtesy! You gotta ask me nicely.
Kaffee: Colonel Jessep, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like a copy of the transfer order, sir.
Jessep: No problem.
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Kaffee: Joanne, you're coming dangerously close to the textbook definition of interfering with a government investigation.
Galloway: I'm Louden Downey's attorney. Aunt Ginny; she said she feels like she's known me for years, so I suggested that she might feel more comfortable if I was directly involved with the case. She had Louden sign the papers about an hour ago.
Kaffee: I suppose it's way too much to hope that you're making this up just to bother me.
Galloway: I'm Louden Downey's attorney. Aunt Ginny; she said she feels like she's known me for years, so I suggested that she might feel more comfortable if I was directly involved with the case. She had Louden sign the papers about an hour ago.
Kaffee: I suppose it's way too much to hope that you're making this up just to bother me.
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Jessep: Transfer Santiago off the base. Yes, I'm sure that's the thing to do. Wait, I have a better idea. Why don't we just transfer the whole squad off the base? As a matter of fact, why don't we just transfer the whole Windward Division off the base? John, go on out there and tell those boys to come down off the wall, they're packing their bags. Tom!
Tom: Yes, sir!
Jessep: Get me the President on the phone. We're surrendering our position in Cuba!
Tom: Yes, sir.
Jessep: Wait a minute, Tom, don't call the President just yet. Perhaps we should consider this for a moment. Dismissed, Tom. You know, maybe we have an obligation to young William. Maybe we as officers have a responsibility to our country to see to it that the men assigned to protect it are properly trained... yes, I'm certain I've read that somewhere and while your suggestion, Lt. Col. Markinson, of transferring William off the base, 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! Maybe, and I'm just spit-balling 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. John, you're in charge. Santiago doesn't make 4-6-4-6 on his next proficiency and conduct report and I'm going to blame you. And then I'm going to kill you.
Tom: Yes, sir!
Jessep: Get me the President on the phone. We're surrendering our position in Cuba!
Tom: Yes, sir.
Jessep: Wait a minute, Tom, don't call the President just yet. Perhaps we should consider this for a moment. Dismissed, Tom. You know, maybe we have an obligation to young William. Maybe we as officers have a responsibility to our country to see to it that the men assigned to protect it are properly trained... yes, I'm certain I've read that somewhere and while your suggestion, Lt. Col. Markinson, of transferring William off the base, 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! Maybe, and I'm just spit-balling 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. John, you're in charge. Santiago doesn't make 4-6-4-6 on his next proficiency and conduct report and I'm going to blame you. And then I'm going to kill you.
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Jessep: What do you think of Kendrick?
Markinson: Nathan, I don't believe my opinion of Kendrick is--
Jessep: I think he's pretty much of a weasel myself, but he's an awfully good officer. And we see eye to eye on a lot of things, including how to run a Marine Corps unit. And, I believe that taking a Marine who isn't quite up to the job and shipping him off to another assignment puts lives in danger! [Markinson, disgusted, gets up to leave] 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, Lieutenant Colonel Markinson. Don't ever question my orders in the presence of another officer. You're dismissed.
Markinson: Nathan, I don't believe my opinion of Kendrick is--
Jessep: I think he's pretty much of a weasel myself, but he's an awfully good officer. And we see eye to eye on a lot of things, including how to run a Marine Corps unit. And, I believe that taking a Marine who isn't quite up to the job and shipping him off to another assignment puts lives in danger! [Markinson, disgusted, gets up to leave] 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, Lieutenant Colonel Markinson. Don't ever question my orders in the presence of another officer. You're dismissed.
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Kaffee: Why did Markinson go U.A.?
Ross: We'll never know.
Kaffee: You don't think I can subpoena Markinson?
Ross: You can try, but you won't find him. You know what Markinson did the first seventeen of his twenty-six years in the Corps? Counterintelligence. Markinson's gone. There is no Markinson.
...
Ross: Look, Danny, Jessep's star is on the rise. Division will give me a lot of room on this one to spare Jessep and the Corps any embarrassment.
Kaffee: How much room?
Ross: I'll knock it down to Involuntary Manslaughter--two years. They're home in six months.
Joanne Galloway: No deal. We're going to court.
Ross: No, you're not.
Galloway: Why not?
Ross: Because Danny knows that even though he's got me by the balls out here, in a courtroom, he loses this case.
Ross: We'll never know.
Kaffee: You don't think I can subpoena Markinson?
Ross: You can try, but you won't find him. You know what Markinson did the first seventeen of his twenty-six years in the Corps? Counterintelligence. Markinson's gone. There is no Markinson.
...
Ross: Look, Danny, Jessep's star is on the rise. Division will give me a lot of room on this one to spare Jessep and the Corps any embarrassment.
Kaffee: How much room?
Ross: I'll knock it down to Involuntary Manslaughter--two years. They're home in six months.
Joanne Galloway: No deal. We're going to court.
Ross: No, you're not.
Galloway: Why not?
Ross: Because Danny knows that even though he's got me by the balls out here, in a courtroom, he loses this case.
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Kaffee: All right, here's the story. The government is offering Involuntary Manslaughter. Two years. You'll be out in six months. [Dawson and Downey react with stony silence] Wow, Kaffee, you're the greatest lawyer in the world! Ooh, how can we ever thank you? Fellas, you hear what I just said? You're going home in six months.
Dawson: I'm afraid we can't do that, sir.
Kaffee: Do what?
Dawson: Make a deal, sir.
Kaffee: What are you talking about?
Dawson: We did nothing wrong, sir. We did our job, and if that has consequences I'll accept them. But I won't say I'm guilty, sir.
Kaffee: [to Galloway] Did you — [turns to Dawson] did she put you up to this?
Galloway: No.
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, you'll be home in six months. Do it, Harold. Six months. It's nothing. It's a hockey season.
Dawson: Permission to--
Kaffee: Speak! Jesus!
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 that we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I belive I was right, I believe I did my job. But I will not dishonor myself, my unit, or the Corps so that I can go home in six months! Sir.
Dawson: I'm afraid we can't do that, sir.
Kaffee: Do what?
Dawson: Make a deal, sir.
Kaffee: What are you talking about?
Dawson: We did nothing wrong, sir. We did our job, and if that has consequences I'll accept them. But I won't say I'm guilty, sir.
Kaffee: [to Galloway] Did you — [turns to Dawson] did she put you up to this?
Galloway: No.
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, you'll be home in six months. Do it, Harold. Six months. It's nothing. It's a hockey season.
Dawson: Permission to--
Kaffee: Speak! Jesus!
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 that we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I belive I was right, I believe I did my job. But I will not dishonor myself, my unit, or the Corps so that I can go home in six months! Sir.
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Kaffee: Were you able to speak to your friend in the N.I.S.?
Weinberg: Yeah. She said if Markinson doesn't want to be found, we're not gonna find him. She said I could be Markinson and you wouldn't know it.
Kaffee [eyeing Sam suspiciously]: Are you Markinson?
Weinberg: No.
Kaffee: I'm not Markinson. That's two down.
Weinberg: Yeah. She said if Markinson doesn't want to be found, we're not gonna find him. She said I could be Markinson and you wouldn't know it.
Kaffee [eyeing Sam suspiciously]: Are you Markinson?
Weinberg: No.
Kaffee: I'm not Markinson. That's two down.
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Kaffee: Maybe if we work at it we can get Dawson charged with the Kennedy assassination.
Galloway: Are you drunk?
Kaffee: Pretty much...yeeaahh.
Galloway: I'll put on a pot of coffee. We've got a long night's work ahead.
Kaffee: She's gonna make coffee... that's nice.
Kaffee: Downey wasn't in his room, wasn't even there. That was an important piece of infromation, don't you think?
Galloway: Danny, it was a set back, and I'm sorry, but we fix it and move on to Markinson.
Kaffee: Markinson's dead. You really gotta hand it to those Federal Marshals... boy, it's not like he hanged himself by his shoelaces or slashed his wrists with a concealed butter knife. This guy got into full dress uniform, stood in the middle of that room, drew a nickel-plated pistol from his holster, and fired a bullet into his mouth. Anyway, since we seem to be out of witnesses, I thought I'd drink a little.
Galloway: I still think we can win.
Kaffee: Then maybe you should drink a little.
Galloway: Are you drunk?
Kaffee: Pretty much...yeeaahh.
Galloway: I'll put on a pot of coffee. We've got a long night's work ahead.
Kaffee: She's gonna make coffee... that's nice.
Kaffee: Downey wasn't in his room, wasn't even there. That was an important piece of infromation, don't you think?
Galloway: Danny, it was a set back, and I'm sorry, but we fix it and move on to Markinson.
Kaffee: Markinson's dead. You really gotta hand it to those Federal Marshals... boy, it's not like he hanged himself by his shoelaces or slashed his wrists with a concealed butter knife. This guy got into full dress uniform, stood in the middle of that room, drew a nickel-plated pistol from his holster, and fired a bullet into his mouth. Anyway, since we seem to be out of witnesses, I thought I'd drink a little.
Galloway: I still think we can win.
Kaffee: Then maybe you should drink a little.
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Galloway: We'll go to Randolph in the morning and ask for a continuance--24 hours.
Kaffee: Why?
Galloway: To subponea Colonel Jessep.
Kaffee: No
Galloway: Just listen for a second... 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. Lowden Downey needed a trial lawyer today.
Galloway: You're chickenshit. You're gonna use what happened today as an excuse to give up.
Kaffee: It's over. What possible good would come from putting Jessep on the stand?
Galloway: He ordered the Code red on Santiago.
Kaffee: He DID? That's great, and of course you have proof of this, right? Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting you were sick the day they taught law at law school.
Galloway: You put him on the stand and you get it from him.
Kaffee: Oh, we get it from him, yes! Colenel Jessep, isn't it true that you ordered the Code red on Santiago?
Sam: Look, we're all a little--
Kaffee: [imitates buzzer] 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 Levenworth, and for Defense Council Kaffee, it's a court martial, yes... After falsly accusing a highly-decorated Marine officer of conspiracy and perjury, Lt. Kaffee will have a long and prosperous career teaching typewriter maitenance at the rocko club and school for women. Thank you for playing "Now Should We or Should We Not Follow the Advice of the Galactically Stupid?!". [throws a stack of papers off the table]
Galloway: I'm sorry I lost your set of steak knives.
Kaffee: Why?
Galloway: To subponea Colonel Jessep.
Kaffee: No
Galloway: Just listen for a second... 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. Lowden Downey needed a trial lawyer today.
Galloway: You're chickenshit. You're gonna use what happened today as an excuse to give up.
Kaffee: It's over. What possible good would come from putting Jessep on the stand?
Galloway: He ordered the Code red on Santiago.
Kaffee: He DID? That's great, and of course you have proof of this, right? Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting you were sick the day they taught law at law school.
Galloway: You put him on the stand and you get it from him.
Kaffee: Oh, we get it from him, yes! Colenel Jessep, isn't it true that you ordered the Code red on Santiago?
Sam: Look, we're all a little--
Kaffee: [imitates buzzer] 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 Levenworth, and for Defense Council Kaffee, it's a court martial, yes... After falsly accusing a highly-decorated Marine officer of conspiracy and perjury, Lt. Kaffee will have a long and prosperous career teaching typewriter maitenance at the rocko club and school for women. Thank you for playing "Now Should We or Should We Not Follow the Advice of the Galactically Stupid?!". [throws a stack of papers off the table]
Galloway: I'm sorry I lost your set of steak knives.
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Kaffee: Is your father proud of you?
Sam: Don't do this to yourself.
Kaffee: I'll bet he is, I bet he bores the shit out of neighbors and relatives, Sam's made law review, got a real big case he's making. Arguing, he's making an argument. I think my father would've liked to see me graduate from law school, I think he would've enjoyed that an awful lot.
Sam: Did I ever tell you I wrote a paper about your dad in college?
Kaffee: Yeah.
Sam: One of the best trial lawyers ever.
Kaffee: Yes, he was.
Sam: And if I were Dawson and Downey and I were given a choice between you or your father to represent me in this case, I'd pick you every day of the week and twice on Sunday. You should've seen yourself thunder away at Kendrick.
Kaffee: Would you put Jessep on the stand?
Sam: No.
Kaffee: You think my father would've?
Sam: 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 is lead defense in the matter of the U.S. vs. Dawson and Downey, so there's really only one question. What would you do?
Sam: Don't do this to yourself.
Kaffee: I'll bet he is, I bet he bores the shit out of neighbors and relatives, Sam's made law review, got a real big case he's making. Arguing, he's making an argument. I think my father would've liked to see me graduate from law school, I think he would've enjoyed that an awful lot.
Sam: Did I ever tell you I wrote a paper about your dad in college?
Kaffee: Yeah.
Sam: One of the best trial lawyers ever.
Kaffee: Yes, he was.
Sam: And if I were Dawson and Downey and I were given a choice between you or your father to represent me in this case, I'd pick you every day of the week and twice on Sunday. You should've seen yourself thunder away at Kendrick.
Kaffee: Would you put Jessep on the stand?
Sam: No.
Kaffee: You think my father would've?
Sam: 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 is lead defense in the matter of the U.S. vs. Dawson and Downey, so there's really only one question. What would you do?
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Kaffee: And don't wear that perfume in court. It wrecks my concentration.
Galloway: Really?
Kaffee: I was talking to Sam.
Galloway: Really?
Kaffee: I was talking to Sam.
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Galloway: Danny, I--
Kaffee: I know what you're gonna say. You don't have to. We've had our differences, I said some things I didn't mean, you said some things you didn't mean, but you're glad I stuck with the case. And if you've gained a certain respect for me over the last three weeks, well, of course I'm happy about that, but we don't have to make a whole big deal out of it. If you like me, I won't make you say it.
Galloway: I was just going to tell you to wear matching socks tomorrow.
Kaffee: Okay. Good tip.
Kaffee: I know what you're gonna say. You don't have to. We've had our differences, I said some things I didn't mean, you said some things you didn't mean, but you're glad I stuck with the case. And if you've gained a certain respect for me over the last three weeks, well, of course I'm happy about that, but we don't have to make a whole big deal out of it. If you like me, I won't make you say it.
Galloway: I was just going to tell you to wear matching socks tomorrow.
Kaffee: Okay. Good tip.
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Galloway: Why do you hate them so much?
Weinberg: They picked on a weakling. That's all they did, all right? 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: They picked on a weakling. That's all they did, all right? 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!
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Weinberg: Why do you like them so much?
Galloway: Because they stand on a wall. And they say, "Nothing's gonna hurt you tonight, not on my watch."
Galloway: Because they stand on a wall. And they say, "Nothing's gonna hurt you tonight, not on my watch."
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Kaffee: [just seconds before the trial starts] Last chance. I'll flip you for it.
Bailiff: All rise.
Ross: Too late.
Bailiff: All rise.
Ross: Too late.
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Ross: I have here the Marine Corps Outline for Recruit Training. I'd like you to turn to the chapter on "code reds".
Barnes: Well, you see, sir, "code red" is a term we use, just down in Gitmo--
Ross: Oh, then, we're in luck. Marching Orders/Standard Operating Procedure, Rifle Security Company, Guatanamo Bay, Cuba. I'm sure we'll find it in there.
Barnes: You won't find it in there, either, sir.
Ross: Cpl. Barnes, I'm a Marine. You mean to tell me there's no manual, no set of instructions that tells me, as a Marine, one of my duties is to perform "code reds?"
Barnes: No, sir. No book, sir.
Ross: No further questions.
[As Ross returns to his seat, Kaffee gets up and snatches the Rifle Company SOP out of his hand]
Kaffee: Cpl. Barnes, turn to the page in this book that tells me how to get to the mess hall.
Barnes: Lt. Kaffee, that's not in the book, sir.
Kaffee: You mean the whole time you've been at Gitmo, you've never had a meal?
Barnes: No, sir. Three squares a day, sir.
Kaffee: Then how did you find the mess hall if it wasn't in this book?
Barnes: Well, sir, like everybody else, I just followed the crowd at chow time, sir.
Kaffee: No further questions.
Barnes: Well, you see, sir, "code red" is a term we use, just down in Gitmo--
Ross: Oh, then, we're in luck. Marching Orders/Standard Operating Procedure, Rifle Security Company, Guatanamo Bay, Cuba. I'm sure we'll find it in there.
Barnes: You won't find it in there, either, sir.
Ross: Cpl. Barnes, I'm a Marine. You mean to tell me there's no manual, no set of instructions that tells me, as a Marine, one of my duties is to perform "code reds?"
Barnes: No, sir. No book, sir.
Ross: No further questions.
[As Ross returns to his seat, Kaffee gets up and snatches the Rifle Company SOP out of his hand]
Kaffee: Cpl. Barnes, turn to the page in this book that tells me how to get to the mess hall.
Barnes: Lt. Kaffee, that's not in the book, sir.
Kaffee: You mean the whole time you've been at Gitmo, you've never had a meal?
Barnes: No, sir. Three squares a day, sir.
Kaffee: Then how did you find the mess hall if it wasn't in this book?
Barnes: Well, sir, like everybody else, I just followed the crowd at chow time, sir.
Kaffee: No further questions.
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Kaffee: Lieutenant Kendrick, in your opinion was Private Santiago a good Marine?
Kendrick: I'd say he was about average.
Kaffee: Lieutenant Kendrick, you signed three proficiency and conduct reports on Santiago, and on all three you indicated a rating of "Below Average".
Kendrick: Yes, Private Santiago was below average. I did not see the need to trample on a man's grave.
Kendrick: I'd say he was about average.
Kaffee: Lieutenant Kendrick, you signed three proficiency and conduct reports on Santiago, and on all three you indicated a rating of "Below Average".
Kendrick: Yes, Private Santiago was below average. I did not see the need to trample on a man's grave.
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Kaffee: Lieutenant, do you recall an incident involving a PFC Curtis Bell, who'd been found stealing liquor from the officers' club?
Kendrick: Yes, I do.
Kaffee: Did you report Private Bell to the proper authorities?
Kendrick: I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant: the Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I'm aware of are my commanding officer, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, and the Lord our God.
Kaffee: At your request, Lieutenant Kendrick, I can have the record reflect your lack of acknowledgment of this court as a proper authority.
Kendrick: Yes, I do.
Kaffee: Did you report Private Bell to the proper authorities?
Kendrick: I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant: the Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I'm aware of are my commanding officer, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, and the Lord our God.
Kaffee: At your request, Lieutenant Kendrick, I can have the record reflect your lack of acknowledgment of this court as a proper authority.
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Kaffee: Colonel, when you learned of Santiago's letter to the NIS, you had a meeting with your senior officers, is that right?
Jessep: Yes.
Kaffee: The Platoon Commander Lt. Jonathan Kendrick, and the executive officer, Lt. Colonel Matthew Markinson
Jessep: Yes.
Kaffee: And, at present, Colonel Markinson is dead, is that right?
Ross: Object! I would like to know exactly what the defense council is implying.
Kaffee: I'm implying simply that, at present, Colonel Markinson is not alive.
Ross: Surely, Colonel Jessep doesn't need to appear in court to confirm that information.
Kaffee: I just wasn't sure if the witness was aware that 2 nights ago Colonel Markinson took his own life with a .45-caliber pistol.
Judge: The witness is aware, the court is aware, and now the court members are aware. We thank you for bringing this to our attention. Move on, Lieutenant.
Jessep: Yes.
Kaffee: The Platoon Commander Lt. Jonathan Kendrick, and the executive officer, Lt. Colonel Matthew Markinson
Jessep: Yes.
Kaffee: And, at present, Colonel Markinson is dead, is that right?
Ross: Object! I would like to know exactly what the defense council is implying.
Kaffee: I'm implying simply that, at present, Colonel Markinson is not alive.
Ross: Surely, Colonel Jessep doesn't need to appear in court to confirm that information.
Kaffee: I just wasn't sure if the witness was aware that 2 nights ago Colonel Markinson took his own life with a .45-caliber pistol.
Judge: The witness is aware, the court is aware, and now the court members are aware. We thank you for bringing this to our attention. Move on, Lieutenant.
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Kaffee: Yes, Sir. Colonel, at the time of this meeting, you gave Lt. Kendrick an order, is that right?
Jessep: I told Kendrick to tell his men, that Santiago wasn't to be touched.
Kaffee: And did you give an order to Colonel Markinson as well?
Jessep: I ordered Markinson to have Santiago transferred off the base immediately.
Kaffee: Why?
Jessep: I felt his life might be in danger once word of the letter got out.
Kaffee: Grave danger?
Jessep: Is there another kind?
Jessep: I told Kendrick to tell his men, that Santiago wasn't to be touched.
Kaffee: And did you give an order to Colonel Markinson as well?
Jessep: I ordered Markinson to have Santiago transferred off the base immediately.
Kaffee: Why?
Jessep: I felt his life might be in danger once word of the letter got out.
Kaffee: Grave danger?
Jessep: Is there another kind?
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Kaffee: These are phone records from Gitmo for September the 6th, and these are 14 letters that Santiago wrote, in 9 months, requesting, in fact begging, for a transfer. Upon hearing the news that he was FINALLY getting his transfer, Santiago was so excited that do you know how many people he called? Zero. Nobody. Not one call to his parents saying he was coming home. Not one call to a friend saying "Can you pick me up at the airport?". He was asleep in his bed at midnight, and according to you, he was getting on a plane in 6 hours. Yet everything he owned was hanging neatly in his closet, and folded neatly in his footlocker. You were leaving for one day, you packed a bag and made three phone calls. Santiago was leaving for the rest of his life, and he hadn't called a soul, and he hadn't packed a thing. Can you explain that? The fact is there was no transfer order, Santiago wasn't going anywhere, isn't that right Colonel?
Ross: Object! Your honor, it is obvious that Lt. Kaffee's intentions this afternoon are to smear a high ranking Marine officer with the hopes that the mere appearance of impropriety will win him points with the court members. Now, it is my recommendation that Lt. Kaffee be reprimanded for his conduct and that this witness be excused with this court's deepest apologies.
Judge Randolph: Overruled.
Ross: Your honor--
Judge Randolph: Your objection is noted.
Kaffee: Colonel? [Jessep chuckles] Is this funny, sir?
Jessep: No, it's not. It's tragic.
Kaffee: Do you have an answer?
Jessep: 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 you have something more, Lieutenant. These two marines are on trial for their lives. Please tell me that their lawyer hasn't pinned their hopes to a phone bill. [Kaffee hesitates, dumbfounded] Do you have any other questions for me, Counselor?
Judge Randolph: Lt. Kaffee? Lt.! Do you have anything further for this witness?
[Jessep defiantly gets up to leave the courtroom]
Jessep: Thanks, Danny. I love Washington.
Kaffee: Excuse Me! I didn't dismiss you.
Jessep: I beg your pardon?
Kaffee: 'm not finished my examination. Sit down.
Jessep: Colonel.
Kaffee: What's that?
Jessep: I'd appreciate it if he would address me as "Colonel" or "Sir". I believe I've earned it.
Judge Randolph: Defense Counsel will refer to the witness as "Colonel" or "Sir."
Jessep: I don't know what the hell kind of unit you're running here.
Judge Randolph: And you will refer to this court as "Your Honor" or "Judge", and I'm quite certain I've earned it. Take your seat, Colonel.
Jessep:: What do you want to discuss now, my favorite color?
Ross: Object! Your honor, it is obvious that Lt. Kaffee's intentions this afternoon are to smear a high ranking Marine officer with the hopes that the mere appearance of impropriety will win him points with the court members. Now, it is my recommendation that Lt. Kaffee be reprimanded for his conduct and that this witness be excused with this court's deepest apologies.
Judge Randolph: Overruled.
Ross: Your honor--
Judge Randolph: Your objection is noted.
Kaffee: Colonel? [Jessep chuckles] Is this funny, sir?
Jessep: No, it's not. It's tragic.
Kaffee: Do you have an answer?
Jessep: 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 you have something more, Lieutenant. These two marines are on trial for their lives. Please tell me that their lawyer hasn't pinned their hopes to a phone bill. [Kaffee hesitates, dumbfounded] Do you have any other questions for me, Counselor?
Judge Randolph: Lt. Kaffee? Lt.! Do you have anything further for this witness?
[Jessep defiantly gets up to leave the courtroom]
Jessep: Thanks, Danny. I love Washington.
Kaffee: Excuse Me! I didn't dismiss you.
Jessep: I beg your pardon?
Kaffee: 'm not finished my examination. Sit down.
Jessep: Colonel.
Kaffee: What's that?
Jessep: I'd appreciate it if he would address me as "Colonel" or "Sir". I believe I've earned it.
Judge Randolph: Defense Counsel will refer to the witness as "Colonel" or "Sir."
Jessep: I don't know what the hell kind of unit you're running here.
Judge Randolph: And you will refer to this court as "Your Honor" or "Judge", and I'm quite certain I've earned it. Take your seat, Colonel.
Jessep:: What do you want to discuss now, my favorite color?
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Kaffee: Colonel, a moment ago you said that you told Lt. Kendrick to tell his men that Santiago wasn't to be touched.
Jessep: That's right.
Kaffee: And Lt. Kendrick was clear on what you wanted?
Jessep: Crystal.
Kaffee: Any chance Lt. Kendrick ignored the order?
Jessep: Ignored the order?
Kaffee: Any chance he forgot about it?
Jessep: No.
Kaffee: Any chance Lt. Kendrick left your office and said, “The old man is wrong�
Jessep: No.
Kaffee: When Lt. Kendrick spoke to the platoon, and ordered them not to touch Santiago, any chance they ignored him?
Jessep: You ever served in an infantry unit, Son?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: Ever served in a forward area?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: Ever put your life in another man's hands? And asked him to put his life in yours?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: We follow orders, son. We follow orders, or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Kaffee: Yes, Sir.
Jessep: Are we clear?!
Kaffee: Crystal.
Jessep: That's right.
Kaffee: And Lt. Kendrick was clear on what you wanted?
Jessep: Crystal.
Kaffee: Any chance Lt. Kendrick ignored the order?
Jessep: Ignored the order?
Kaffee: Any chance he forgot about it?
Jessep: No.
Kaffee: Any chance Lt. Kendrick left your office and said, “The old man is wrong�
Jessep: No.
Kaffee: When Lt. Kendrick spoke to the platoon, and ordered them not to touch Santiago, any chance they ignored him?
Jessep: You ever served in an infantry unit, Son?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: Ever served in a forward area?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: Ever put your life in another man's hands? And asked him to put his life in yours?
Kaffee: No, Sir.
Jessep: We follow orders, son. We follow orders, or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Kaffee: Yes, Sir.
Jessep: Are we clear?!
Kaffee: Crystal.
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Kaffee: Colonel, I have just one more question before I call Airman O'Malley and Airman Rodriguez. 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?
Jessep: Santiago was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred because--
Kaffee: That is not what you said, you said he was being transferred because he was in grave danger.
Jessep: That's correct.
Kaffee: You said he was in danger, I said "grave danger?" You said "is there another kind?"--
Jessep: I recall what I said--
Kaffee: I can have the court reporter read back to you--
Jessep: 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?
Jessep: Sometimes men take matters into their own hands.
Kaffee: No, Sir. You made it clear a moment ago that your men never take matters in to 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?
Jessep: 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: The court will wait for an answer.
Kaffee: If Lt. Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel? Lt. Kendrick ordered the Code Red, didn't he, because that's what you told Lt. Kendrick to do!
Ross: Object!
Kaffee: And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose!
Judge: Lt. Kaffee!
Kaffee: You got Markinson to sign a phony transfer order! You doctored the log books!
Ross: Dammit, Kaffee!
Kaffee: You coerced the doctor!
Judge: Consider yourself in contempt!
Kaffee: Colonel Jessep, did you order the code red?!
Judge: You don't have to answer that question!
Jessep: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Jessep: You want answers?!
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 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?
Jessep: I did the job I was sent to do--
Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?!
Jessep: You're god damn right I did!!
Jessep: Santiago was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred because--
Kaffee: That is not what you said, you said he was being transferred because he was in grave danger.
Jessep: That's correct.
Kaffee: You said he was in danger, I said "grave danger?" You said "is there another kind?"--
Jessep: I recall what I said--
Kaffee: I can have the court reporter read back to you--
Jessep: 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?
Jessep: Sometimes men take matters into their own hands.
Kaffee: No, Sir. You made it clear a moment ago that your men never take matters in to 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?
Jessep: 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: The court will wait for an answer.
Kaffee: If Lt. Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel? Lt. Kendrick ordered the Code Red, didn't he, because that's what you told Lt. Kendrick to do!
Ross: Object!
Kaffee: And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose!
Judge: Lt. Kaffee!
Kaffee: You got Markinson to sign a phony transfer order! You doctored the log books!
Ross: Dammit, Kaffee!
Kaffee: You coerced the doctor!
Judge: Consider yourself in contempt!
Kaffee: Colonel Jessep, did you order the code red?!
Judge: You don't have to answer that question!
Jessep: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Jessep: You want answers?!
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 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?
Jessep: I did the job I was sent to do--
Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?!
Jessep: You're god damn right I did!!
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Judge: The court members will retire to an anteroom until further instructed.
MP: All rise!
Jessep: What is this? I did my job, I'd do it again. I'm gonna get in a plane and go back to my base.
Judge: You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's, guard the Colonel.
MP: Yes, sir!
Judge: Captain Ross.
Ross: Colonel Jessep, you have the right to remain silent--
Jessep: What is this? 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-- [leaps towards Kaffee, MP's restrain him] I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You ****ed with the wrong Marine!
Ross: Colonel Jessep, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?
Jessep: You ****in' 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.
MP: All rise!
Jessep: What is this? I did my job, I'd do it again. I'm gonna get in a plane and go back to my base.
Judge: You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's, guard the Colonel.
MP: Yes, sir!
Judge: Captain Ross.
Ross: Colonel Jessep, you have the right to remain silent--
Jessep: What is this? 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-- [leaps towards Kaffee, MP's restrain him] I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You ****ed with the wrong Marine!
Ross: Colonel Jessep, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?
Jessep: You ****in' 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.
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Judge Randolph: All Rise! Have the court members reached a verdict?
Member: We have, Sir.
Judge: [reading the verdict] Lance Corporal Dawson, Private First Class Downey: On the charge of murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conduct unbecoming a United States Marine, the members find the accused guilty as charged. The accused are hereby sentenced to time already served, and you are ordered to be dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps. This court martial is adjourned.
Bailiff: All rise.
Downey: What does that mean? Hal, what does that mean? I don't understand. Colonel Jessep said he ordered the code red.
Joanne: I know.
Downey: Colonel Jessep said he ordered the Code Red. What did we do wrong?
Joanne: It's not that simple.
Downey: What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
Hal: Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.
Member: We have, Sir.
Judge: [reading the verdict] Lance Corporal Dawson, Private First Class Downey: On the charge of murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conduct unbecoming a United States Marine, the members find the accused guilty as charged. The accused are hereby sentenced to time already served, and you are ordered to be dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps. This court martial is adjourned.
Bailiff: All rise.
Downey: What does that mean? Hal, what does that mean? I don't understand. Colonel Jessep said he ordered the code red.
Joanne: I know.
Downey: Colonel Jessep said he ordered the Code Red. What did we do wrong?
Joanne: It's not that simple.
Downey: What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
Hal: Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.
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Kaffee: Harold?
Hal: Sir?
Kaffee: You don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor.
Hal: Ten-hut! There's an officer on deck! [Hal walks off]
Hal: Sir?
Kaffee: You don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor.
Hal: Ten-hut! There's an officer on deck! [Hal walks off]
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Ross: Airmen Cecil O'Malley and Anthony Rodriguez, what exactly were these guys going to testify to?
Kaffee: Unless 'm mistaken, they were going to testify under oath that they had absolutely no recollection of anything.
Ross: Strong witnesses.
Kaffee: And handsome too, dontcha think?
Ross: I'll see you around campus. I gotta go arrest Kendrick.
Kaffee: Tell him I say hi.
Ross: Will do.
Kaffee: Unless 'm mistaken, they were going to testify under oath that they had absolutely no recollection of anything.
Ross: Strong witnesses.
Kaffee: And handsome too, dontcha think?
Ross: I'll see you around campus. I gotta go arrest Kendrick.
Kaffee: Tell him I say hi.
Ross: Will do.