I always liked this classic exchange between Col. Nathan R. Jessep and Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the movie, A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin.
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
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, Lt. 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 to a life spent defending something. You use 'em 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 I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd 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're entitled to!
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: You're goddamn right I did!!
2 of my friends, myself and a non-profit organization which I co-founded in 2003 are now in the midst of a defamation case raised by an individual of whom we have named and provided details of our experiences with him. As of last week, he has changed his lawyer from one of Singapore's top law firms in the field of online legal suits to that of a larger firm while simultaneously expanding on his charges against us.
During the past 3 weeks, my friends and I have been taken away from our day-to-day, gathering and compiling evidence to back our statements, of which I am glad to say that we have mustered up over a hundred pages in both independent statements and public domain information to back up our case. However, the time wasted and the undue stress in which we are subjected to due to the need to respond to such an individual is draining and to say the least, highly unproductive.
What price, truth? When all that is said and done, is doing the right thing for the good of society still worth it?
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