Political Caption Competition

 

TAME: A moment ago, you said that you ordered Lt. Kendrick to tell his men that Santiago wasn’t to be touched.

ARDERN: That’s right.

TAME: And Lt. Kendrick was clear on what you wanted?

ARDERN: Crystal.

TAME: Any chance Lt. Kendrick ignored the order?

ARDERN: Ignored the order?

TAME:: Any chance he forgot about it?

ARDERN: No.

TAME: Any chance Lt. Kendrick left your office and said, “the old woman is wrong”?

ARDERN: No.

TAME: When Lt. Kendrick spoke to the platoon and ordered them not to touch Santiago, any chance they ignored him?

ARDERN: You ever served in an infantry unit, son?

TAME: No, Ma’am.

ARDERN: Ever served in a forward area?

TAME: No, Ma’am.

ARDERN: Ever put your life in another man’s hands and asked him to put his life in yours?

TAME: No, Ma’am.

ARDERN: We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It’s that simple. Are we clear?

TAME: Yes, Ma’am.

ARDERN: Are we clear?!

TAME: Crystal. Prime Minister, 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?

ARDERN: Santiago was a substandard marine. He was being transferred…

TAME: That’s not what you said. You said he was being transferred, because he was in grave danger.

ARDERN: That’s correct.

TAME: You said he was in danger. I said “grave danger”? You said…

ARDERN: I recall what I said.

TAME: Prime Minister, did you order the Code Red?!

ARDERN: I’ll answer the question. You want answers?

TAME: I think I’m entitled!

ARDERN: You want answers?!

TAME: I want the truth!

ARDERN: 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!

TAME: Did you order the Code Red?

ARDERN: I did the job that—-

TAME: Did you order the Code Red?!!

ARDERN: YOU’RE GODDAMN RIGHT I DID!!