17 quotes
Confronting Neutrality in Political Intervention
U. S. Ambassador
We're not involved, Mr. Horman. Our position has been completely neutral.
Ed Horman
That is a bald face lie, sir. How can you say a thing like that when you have army colonels, you have naval engineers, they're all over Viña del Mar.
U. S. Ambassador
Please sit down. Look, it's very obvious you're harbouring some misconception regarding our role here.
Ed Horman
What is your role here? Besides inducing a regime that murders thousands of human beings?
U. S. Ambassador
Let's level with each other, sir. If you hadn't been personally involved in this unfortunate incident, you'd be sitting at home complacent and more or less oblivious to all of this. This mission is pledged to protect America interests, our interests.
Ed Horman
Well they're not mine.
U. S. Ambassador
There are over three thousand US firms doing business down here. And those are Americans interests. In other words, your interest. I am concerned with the preservation of a way of life.
Captain Ray Tower
And a damned good one.
Ed Horman
Maybe that's why there's nobody out there.
[Staring out the window]
U. S. Ambassador
You can't have it both ways.
Capt. Ray Tower
I don't know what happened to your kid, Ed. But I understand he was a bit of a snoop. Poked his nose around in a lot of dangerous places where he didn't really belong. Now, suppose I went up to your town, New York, and I started messing around with the Mafia. I wind up dead in the East River. And my wife or my father complains to the police because they didn't protect me. They really wouldn't have much of a case, would they? You play with fire, you get burned.
Frustration and Disagreement in a Critical Situation
Beth Horman
They give me the same song and dance over and over again. He could be hurt or - tortured. They don't give a goddamn about him.
Ed Horman
Oh look, really, I don't want to hear any of your anti-Establishment paranoia! I certainly get enough of that from my son.
A Father's Desperate Plea for His Son
Ed Horman
Look, gentlemen, I know these are bad times, it's not fun for you people. It's certainly not fun for Beth or me. Or Charles. I know you're doing your best, I have to believe that. That's our only hope. But you have all the machinery on your side. Don't you see? You have all the connections. I'm a middle-aged businessman from New York City. I don't speak one word of Spanish. Here I am. My son may have been *shot*. Maybe he was tortured. Maybe he was, oh, Lord, beaten so badly that they're keeping him until he's well enough to be released. I don't know. I don't care! Oh, really, I don't care. Because what is done - is done. I just want you to reach those people and tell them I will take Charles back in any condition. I'm not gonna make a stink. I'm not gonna go to the newspapers. You make out any kind of a release form, I will sign it. I will absolve anyone, everyone, of everything. I just want my boy back! He's the only child I have, sir. Did you hear what I said?
Cultural Differences in Legal Assumptions
Silvio
You Americans, you always assume you must do something before you can be arrested.
Ed Horman
Isn't that the way it usually works?
Silvio
Not here, Mr Horman.
Frustration with Uncooperative Authorities
Ed Horman
Why aren't you cooperating with them?
Beth Horman
I am cooperating with them. I've been cooperating for two weeks, Ed! I'm sick and tired of getting fucked around by these people, that's why!
Navigating Guilt and Emotional Pain
Ed Horman
This past week I've felt like, erm, my heart has been torn out of me.
Beth Horman
It's okay.
Ed Horman
I feel very guilty.
Beth Horman
Hey, Charlie always says guilt is like fear. It's given to us for survival, not destruction.
Ed Horman
Oh. Beth, for what it's worth, I think you are one of the most courageous people I have ever met.
Understanding Character Complexity in Political Context
Silvio
Believe us, sir. Your son is not what they told you.
Ed Horman
How do you know that, Silvio?
Silvio
He's a nice guy. He's sincere. A hard worker. But he's a political neophyte. He's terrified of violence.
The Weight of Individual Cases
Consul Phil Putnam
Please try to understand. There are so many cases. They're all so important, and this isn't the only one we're working on
Ed Horman
It's the only one I care about.
Consul Phil Putnam
You and a lot of other people. Listen, I've never seen so many cables from Washington. What kind of pull do you have up there anyway?
Ed Horman
I'm an American citizen.
Demanding Accountability for Injustice
Consul Phil Putnam
Listen, Mr Horman, I wish there was something we could say or do.
Ed Horman
Well, there's something I'm going to do. I'm going to sue you, Phil. And Tower and the Ambassador and everybody who let that boy die. We're going to make it so hot for you you'll wish you were stationed in the Antarctic.
Consul Phil Putnam
Well, I guess that's your privilege.
Ed Horman
No, that's my right! I just thank God we live in a country where we can still put people like you in jail.
Disappearing Americans: Questions of Authority
Kate Newman
What we need to know is, can they order an American to "disappear" without consulting the Americans first?
Paris
No, they wouldn't dare.
Ed Horman
How can I verify that?
Paris
You can't.
Staying Ahead of the Power Curve
Captain Ray Tower, USN
If he falls behind the power curve and something happens, then it's adiós. You gotta stay ahead of the power curve, kid.
Exploring the Concept of Faith and Truth
Embassy driver
If you don't mind my asking, what's Christian Science about?
Ed Horman
Faith... It's about faith.
[Distracted]
Embassy driver
Faith in what?
Ed Horman
Truth.
Acknowledging Mistakes and Stubbornness in Relationships
Ed Horman
Now, erm, I owe you an apology.
Beth Horman
No, you don't.
Ed Horman
No, no, no. Well, for a long time now I've sold you short. Both of you. I don't really know why. Unless it's because I'm getting old. And I'm very stubborn.
Questioning Innocence and Parental Responsibility
Ed Horman
He, he seems so innocent. Almost deliberately naive.
Beth Horman
Is that so bad?
Ed Horman
Is that so good?
Beth Horman
You raised him.
Generational Conflict Over American Values
Beth Horman
And what are the basics? God, country and Wall Street?
Ed Horman
You know what I mean.
Beth Horman
I know, I know. God bless our way of life!
Ed Horman
Oh, a very good way of life it is, young lady, no matter how much people like you and Charles try to tear it down with your sloppy idealism. I can no longer abide the young people of our country who live off their parents and the fat of the land and then they find nothing better to do than whine and complain.
Government Accountability in Child's Death Case
Ed Horman
Ed Horman filed suit charging eleven government officials, including ], with complicity and negligence in the death of his son. The body was not returned home until seven months later, making an accurate autopsy impossible. After years of ], the information necessary to prove or disprove complicity remained classified as secrets of state. The suit was dismissed.
[voiceover; [Henry Kissinger|Henry A. Kissinger; [Lawsuit|litigation]
Disagreement on Missing Person's Situation
U.S. Ambassador
So, you see, Mr. Horman, the hiding theory seems to be the most viable, at least for the present.
Beth Horman
That's dumb. If he were in hiding, he'd call me and let me know he was all right.
Colonel Clay
Maybe he can't. There have been a lot of civilian accidents and injuries.
Beth Horman
No shit, Sherlock.