There Are Two Kinds of People

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!

There are many ways that the world can be divided into two kinds of people. The Nicholson speech from A Few Good Men is one of those ways. People either think his character is a monster and that nice Tom Cruise is a hero or they view Jessup as the hero and that punk Tommy Cruise as a pompous twit.

When discussing things like banking surveilance and wiretaps, I often remember this speech and how it illustrates that the two sides will never agree. Jessup is either telling the truth and is doing something necessary or he's a power mad egomaniac. There's not much in-between.