Yep, because he seized to be a president meeting with a priest. He was now a simple man professing his sins to Christ. He also can no longer separate himself from the office of president.
He was perfect in this role. In his typical style, he was loving, but firm and exact. Sorkin's choice of Malden as the priest for this particular episode, given its gravity was brilliant.
@@billboyle5456 I can't believe Mr. Malden was 88 here ... early 70s, maybe, but not late 80s. In many ways, looking back, he reminded me of a maternal Great Aunt whom U met, sadly, the one and only time when she turned 100. I swear, to this day, she acted like a lady in her mid-late 70s, but no more. A sparkling, dry, whit, and clearly had all her marbles. Although I was in my 30s, she made feel like a comparative teenager, such was the vast extent of her memories. Only at 103 did she develop dementia, and passed away at an remarkable 106. If only Mr. Malden lived as long ... ... and this scence was an apt bookend to a remarkable career, using the same Bible he had in 'On The Waterfront' ... the kindly, humble, compassionate priest, but with a rock-like interior that brooked no excuses. Although I'm by no means Catholic, he reminds me not just of Pope Francis, but a Bishop, whom, despite overseeing one of the largest diocese in America, was blunt about what should happen in the horrific part his Church played in the ongoing Child Sexual Abuse scandal. He was utterly scathing, and finished with --- to paraphrase --- "We (the Catholic Church), and especially the dioceses in America, all deserve to be sued for every single cent we have. It is the very _least_ that happen, even though all that money will never, ever, undo the damage done. But having the entire Church sued into literal bankruptcy is the _least_ we deserve ...", which I think went on to say "especially in the light of Christ's own words of Matthew ch18 vv6 ..." ...
So much in this scene. Right before this clip Father Tom asks Bartlet if he should call him Jed or Mr President and Bartlet says, "Mr President. It's not vanity, it helps me separate myself from the office." Their discussion touches on the power of the president, to be able to just call the Pope when he needs to, how he represents the People." But, at the end, he addresses Bartlet as "Jed". He is again the "boy from my parish," now a just another man, asking for God's forgiveness. Im not even a believer but this is beautiful writing.
that time he wasnt the president, and he wasnt just a priest. as others have said. the priest didnt stand up when the president was on his feet. And the fact that he addressed the president as just a kid from his parrish. the dynamic seems like for that brief time he was his father in a religious way.
Was just watching a West Wing roundtable on RU-vid, and Richard Schiff mentioned that he was there when they shot this, and Karl Malden had a small, rather well-worn bible with him to do the scene, he asked Malden where he got the prop and he said it was the same bible he'd used in "On the Waterfront." Just one of the many reasons I love this show so much.
As brilliant as the President Bartlett character was in TWW, one of the most brilliant aspects of this show is when he is shown to be weak, outsmarted and defeated. Remarkable television.
The idea is that he was human, and this was one of those moments where his humanity came out in force. It was a moment where his duty towards the office and his humanity were at odds, and he sacrificed a part of his ow humanity...to uphold his oath and duty as president.
It's one of the best parts about Jed Bartlett's character. He isn't perfect, he does mistakes, he says and does things he regrets later. Jed Bartlett might be a fictitious character, an ideal of what the writers want a President to be, but at the end of the day even the best men are still just men.
Only Aaron Sorkin could close an episode with the Catholic President of the United States giving confession to the music of "Hashkiveinu"--a Jewish Prayer about lying down in peace at night and rising the following day. Absolute on-screen poetry.
Well as a Christian who has known and befriended many Jews and Rabbi's I would simply venture this. "We have a lot more in common than we have different." That goes for many of the religions in the world. Maybe if we all realized that this world might be a better place.
It was more that the "Hashkiveinu" should be a continuous reminder true christanity and jewism have the same roots and like the Scene where Toby Ziegler was in the temple it is the SAME GOD who asks the People to stop killing each other.
@@Richman-iw4tv in the USA folk say "Christian" because there are so many Protestant denominations. We Catholics say "Catholic," or more specifically "Roman Catholic"--to differentiate from the Eastern Rites, which are still united under the Universal Church and the Holy Father, the Pope. Folk say "Christian," but they never say "Anglican," "Baptist," "Presbyterian," "Methodist," "Mormon," or anything else. When I hear "Christian," I think: "They hate Catholics and have no clue what Christ was about."
@Andrew Arbuckle - I'm record for my appreciation of Martin Sheen, and the roles he chose. And, your comment gives me a chance to salute Karl Malden. Une of the great character actors in cinema history.
@@retroguy9494 Absolutely ... in fact, if one bookends this with his performance in 'On The Waterfront' --- which is apposite, as the Bible he produced in this scene, was the exact same one he had in that film --- one could say it was a fitting end to an incredible career, that, imho, perfectly encapsulated whom Mr. Malden was, not just as an actor, but his humanity, and dignity, as well ... a rare moment of casting choice in which, I, personally, literally cannot think of anyone else playing that rôle ...
A similar quote is spoken by Kahless in TNG "Rightful Heir": "Long ago, a storm was heading toward the city of Quin'lat. The people sought protection within the walls. All except one man who remained outside. I went to him and asked what he was doing. I am not afraid, he said. I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me. I honoured his choice and went inside. The next day, the storm came and the man was killed. The wind does not respect a fool. Do not stand before the wind, Gowron."
@@gspendlove The world of sci-fi gives us so many lessons for situations like this. I've been thinking about the Terminator a great deal since the pandemic hit. "Listen, and understand. That coronavirus is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you are dead."
@@superslash7254 ....unless you wear one. If people weren't wearing them, it wouldn't be 700,000 dead in this country. It would be more like 5,000,000.
Many of you may not know Karl Malden, who is playing the priest. He was one of America's great actors, most nobably in the film "On the Waterfront" with Marlon Brando in 1954. You should see it and recognize that the integrity and respect of this character was from Malden himself, as was evident in many of his films. The depth of both these actors in this scene reflect their souls in their performance here and in their private lives as well. I wish we had more actors that this was true.
Karl Malden was wonderful in the 1961 movie "Parrish" with Claudette Colbert and Troy Donahue. He played a ruthless tycoon in Connecticut's shade tobacco industry, a character almost impossible to like. Then when Claudette Colbert's refined character accepted his proposal of marriage, you began to see how he was the catalyst for new beginnings in the Connecticut River Valley. "Parrish" was Claudette Colbert's last movie.
@@VolrinSeth It's a parable. It's not a story to be found in the non-fiction section. It's simply a life lesson that can be taken non-religiously as "Hey, the universe is trying to tell you something. Think about your life choices."
@@jerodast because it depicts god as either capricious or an idiot. An Omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnibenevolent (all-good) God would know how to save the Man by the River. He would know how deep the man's blind faith is and would know that the helicopter would not save him. And sends the helicopter anyway. Why? To tease and gaslight the man with a snarky remark when he dies? You think the man would have drowned had god sent the helicopter when the flood waters was up to his head?
Religion survives because of community and fear of death. There's nothing you or I can do about it, so we may as well relax and accept those who practice it.
tg72211 Depends on what you exactly mean with accepting them. Sure lets not create discriminating laws or something stupid as that. And what people do in the privacy of their homes do not really effect anyone 9/10 times. But i am sure as hell going to call them out when they try and push non nonsensical ideas based on fairy tales for grown ups.
+tg72211 How do you feel about having half the US school system taken over by right-wing religious bigots? Who deny science and try to rewrite history? Because half the textbooks sold to the public schools are now selected and approved by right-wing Christian groups who have taken over the school boards in key states (like Texas). It's easy to say "relax and accept," but that must also mean you are okay with the ideas being pushed on school children who are too young and naive to know they're being fed propaganda. You may not be able to stop religion, but you can do something about religious proselytizers.
No, it doesn't mean that. I didn't say relax and accept fairy tales as textbook substitutes. I said accept the people. They also need to accept us, which means no ten commandments outside the courthouse, and the kids are taught evolution. What I'm talking about is people who can't even watch a TV show, probably the most left-wing show to get a mass following, without whining about how other people think.
*'Parables' tend to obfuscate any true answer and in the instance of a drowned man asking 'Why did you let me die?' he should have asked "Why do You allow the suffering and ailments of all that lives on Earth?"* *"Since I am now dead and cannot reveal anything...TELL ME WHY LIVING CREATURES MUST SUFFER GRIEF AND LOSS AND TORMENT AND THEN DIE AS A 'FINAL REWARD"*
And also ask "why is it a person who lives a good life and helps others but does not believe in you goes to help but a person who led an evil life and harmed others and repents before they die gets into heaven?"
The darkness surrounding President Bartlets face when he’s handed the note, I don’t know if it was intentional or not but it’s so cinematically poignant. Malden and Sheen knocked this one out of the park.
It’s not required to kneel while during confession. It can be something as simple as sitting in the chair next to the priest. Martin Sheen made an actor choice to show Reverence and submission and the plea for forgiveness. Absolute brilliant
While it is not required today to kneel during confession, both Sheen & Jed Bartlett are of an age in which kneeling in a confessional was the norm. So, Sheen kneeling was being true to what would have been Jed Bartlett’s actual experience of growing up in the Roman Catholic church.
@@dorothygale1104 i like that! i guess i just showed my millennial-ness ;) i remember as a kid kneeling in the confessional behind the screen but in my adulthood i've done more of the the sit-down face to face. (i find it more intimate and makes me more remorseful)... now i'm gonna end up going down a rabbit hole about pre-Vatican-II traditions! merry Christmas!
@@robertpadillosandiego2821 Just to be clear, I wasn’t trying to diminish your observation, which I hadn’t thought of before I read your comment. Being of an older vintage, I assumed Bartlett/Sheen knelt for confession because that was what they grew up doing. But kneeling out of reverence and submission and out of the custom they grew up with are not mutually exclusive. Whether kneeling was in the script or an actor’s choice, it was powerful that that act represented both takes.
I'm a lot younger than Sheen and I still kneel while confessing. It is to show God that I humble myself before His presence. I could care less what the modern church allows. I still do it and will do it until age or illness prevents me from doing so. As for face to face, I still prefer the traditional confessional with the screen and sliding door or curtain. The priest only serves as the vessel through which we confess to God. Its based on the power Jesus gave to the apostles. "Whos sins you forgive shall be forgiven. Those you retain shall be retained." The anonymity of the confessional for me helps me to feel closer to God and to confess my sins better and to be more remorseful. Remember, we confess to God, not to the priest as the man.
Carl Malden at his best, his swan song... What a powerful scene! HE sent you a priest, a rabi and a quaker... What else do you want from HIM??? Powerful stuff indeed
What a powerful powerful moment. No words were spoken about the note. You could tell by his very mood, the music, and the way he acted, what happened, proving one again that Sorkin is one of the greatest TV writers ever. This, along with the Brother's in Arms music at the end of "Two Cathedrals", and the airport scene in "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen" are why I love this show so much.
These kinds of scenes always make me so sad. I used to think it was because the character's in them were going through rough times, and that music... Now that I'm older, I realize the reason these scenes make me sad is because these are points at which humanity fails oh so miserably, and we are being duped to feel bad for the wrong reasons.
The subtle shifts in tone and body language at the end of this scene were fantastic. From the entire man by the river story to the incredible line "he sent you a priest a rabbi and a quaker...what do you want from him" he's acting as a wise teacher giving an important lesson. The shift to a more angry tone in the delivery of "do you want me to hear your confession" shows that he is a scolding mentor who is upset with his pupil. Specifically showing him pull out the holy symbols of his station as a priest communicates that in the final moments of the scene he was acting as a different person separated from his personal feelings performing his duty. So much can be communicated through so little
Karl Malden plays the young Catholic priest struggling against the stubbornness of good people refusing to do good in "On The Waterfront". In that film he makes a few mistakes and doesn't always take the most effective rhetorical line. He struggles to remove the wool from the eyes of his flock. Malden essentially reprises his role in this film, but with the wisdom of an extra 46 years, every word now lands a deliberate punch. He hits Bartlett right where he needs to to wake him up, and he does it in one conversation.
To this day I'm not sure which scene from season one was more powerful... this, or the finale. It's that good. Also, the song at the end is "Hashkiveinu" by Max Helfman for anyone that's curious.
Simply one of the best acted scenes in television history. I am not a Catholic, nor am I even Christian, and I BELIEVED these two men on screen. The religious overtones are true to the characters. Toby's Rabbi and the President's Priest brought great wisdom to this debate and yet the decision was right because we live in a democracy. I do not know when the last person who sat in the Oval Office acted like that. My favorite episode of the series.
@@Kathdath Yes, REAGAN! As in 'The Gipper.' As in 'the great communicator.' As in the guy who won the second biggest landslide in history in '84. Only Nixon got more votes in '72.
What is the lesson here? Was he supposed to commute a prisoner's sentence based on a religious choice? I don't know what is supposed to be so subtly conveyed here.
The whole story and speech was about how people ignore God’s message because he speaks through others at times. Why wouldn’t he have done so here with a servant of the Lord. And would it have changed anything. Jed blamed God for not speaking to him but ignored those who spoke around him, not knowing if perhaps God was also speaking. Whatever your view on the death penalty, Jed did what he believed was wrong for fear of political consequences and not for fear of his faith.
I don't think we will ever see a television show like this again in our lifetimes such beauty, I fall in love with this show more and more with each viewing
@@Millie226 ... and, unfortunately, we are all the lesser for it ... But ratings are ratings, and, unfortunately, the days of cerebral television, which really made you stop, and think about the very possibility of decency, civility, and dignity, especially in poltics, has lost out in favour of 'light entertainment', where --- and this is a massive assumption on my part --- what television executives think their audiences want is mindless entertainment to remove themselves often dreary, nine-to-five, working lives which are, quite likely, making people ill, physically, mentally, and psychologically; so no wonder programs that effectively dulls that pain are so popular ...
@nigelft To be honest Always Sunny is a great satire on the current state of affairs. They act like fools but are only slightly exaggerate our narcissism , arrogance, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, etc. I'm not saying it's West Wing, but it's a lot smarter than people give it credit for. Behind the laughs, it's cutting.
I love this lesson. People always search for a sign when there is either plenty in plain sight or there are none. It is up to us to make the choice. People argue that God is cruel to deny us good actions. If God bailed us out of everything then we would never understand the consequences and we would never have free will because our path would be chosen for us. We have the choice to commit acts of good or bad regardless of his interference. I love Stargate SG1 because they create a literal approach to enlightenment from Buddhism in the form of ascension. You become pure energy with great power on a galactic scale. Only rule is not to interfere in the lower planes. Perhaps God exists and he does not interfere anymore because he learned his lesson. If we chose to kill every bad guy or reverse every bad moment in history then we would never learn of the consequences of our actions. For those who believe or do not, that is the best way to understand the role of God on the basis that he does exist.
Or perhaps the God concept is so far beyond men that they need, desperately, to reduce it and Him to a guy that makes mistakes, rather than accepting that they weren’t there when He created Leviathan … and that He’s always had the right to judge them. Jed understands.
I get the message they're trying to convey, I really do. But the idea that we can live in a world where we can pardon notorious criminals who engage in murder and violence on a professional and organized basis is a form of optimism that I unfortunately can't wrap my head around. I don't believe the execution is the answer, far from it! I wish we didn't need it! But I do think it is *an* answer. It's not a good one, and it's not perfect but no other answer is! And as far as things go, for major criminals who have no sense of regret or desire to change and would upon release re-engage in the same activities that placed them in prison in the first place, there is no place for them in our society and they should be removed! And I don't want my taxes to go to keeping these scum alive! I want my money to go to building schools, supplying hospitals, planning affordable housing for low income individuals and families! It's a brilliant episode with fantastic writing and has a lot of great arguments, but unless you have a better solution to the problem don't remove what's there and leave a vacuum!
nYou don't have to pardon someone on death-row, just commute their sentence to life in prison. The death penalty is no solution and it's more expensive to kill someone than to keep them alive due to the appeals process. Even if it was more expensive, it's a bad argument to say we need the death penalty so we can save money. 1 human life is priceless 2. it's not like the money we'd save would go to the things you mentioned. They'd go to war and taxes cuts for corporations. 3. the amount of money saved would be minuscule compared to the amount of money needed to solve those issues. Finally, the death penalty is a final solution in an imperfect justice system. too many people are wrongly convicted in our system and it is known that innocent people have been killed by the state. the death penalty serves no purpose and is wrong.
This was the final television appearance by Karl Malden prior to his death in 2009. As always, he gave his best performance as his final exit from show business, just as he gave his best in all of his roles. In this scene, I did not see Martin Sheen and Karl Malden; I truly saw an anguished President Bartlett seeking solace from Father Thomas Cavanaugh. Great performances by both of them. RIP Mr Malden, my favourite actor! Another Hollywood legend is now amongst the stars. You are missed dearly, but you are alive on both the silver screen and the small screen.
The more I rewatched The West Wing, the more my sense of Jed Bartlet as a character was as a man initially fundamentally emotionally unprepared for the realities and demands of the Presidency. He wasn't even supposed to really get out of his home state in the race, much less win. He just wanted to keep his party and its likely sure win candidate honest by offering his genuine, alternative further-Left views as a fringe candidate. Then it all takes off and after a terrifying campaign, he's the President. And for all his wit and wisdom and charisma, he's not ready for the reality of that post, the decisions he has to make because of that post. Abby says as much on Election Day, and while her faith that he will be ready is not misplaced, I think it ultimately takes longer than anyone is willing to admit. His dry humor, his back and forth with Mrs. Landingham, his somewhat lovingly demanding style of leadership; these are perhaps both personality traits, but also rehtorical and personality-based methods of defense, of hiding his frustrations and fears of how he meets the demands and responsibilities of the Presidency. This whole episode is a perfect example, where his personal morals as a intense Liberal and Catholic crash full speed against the wall of his responsibility to not abuse Presidential authority by unduly pardoning a man condemned to death. It's not until part way into season 2 (if memory serves) when he abandons the 2 years long strategy of staying in the political center for reelection purposes that he truly seems to feel comfortable as the President, and that comfortability quickly gets dashed by the MS scandal and Mrs. Landingham's death. It's his decision to run for reelection in spite of the intense adversity he'll face from all sides, in embracing his flaws and potential as a leader, that seems to really help convince him that he is fit for the office, that he can be who he is and govern according to himself and his beliefs without being in danger of failing as the highest authority in the country.
My two favorite things from the scene is the powerful use of the music and after Bartlet gets the note and the priest whose name I can't remember says instead of "Mr.Preisdent" says "Jed" it A small and discreet way to humble the president and show that no man is above God
RetroGuy76 That's because he wasn't talking to the president of the united states but to one of his parishioners. The presidential office doesn't need absolution but his catholic parishioner did.
A good scene, and good comments too (for a change!) I’d add that Sheen’s change from being Mr President to becoming Jed is subtle and meaningful. Also, the way Father Tom (Carl Maldon) prepares himself to receive Confession reinforces his priestly Office, ready to hear from his humble parishioner Jed. Nicely done.
And Jesus said “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Man made laws are Caesar’s, as much as we might hate and disagree with them. God’s kingdom is not of this world.
What are you talking about? The episode ended with Jed just about to confess. They didn't actually show it. Its up to us to believe he confessed to allowing a murder to happen.
@@retroguy9494 They shouldn't have shown it. But the form, the lead in, the way the actor playing the priest used the correct prayers, all done well. Confession itself I would hope would never actually be shown.
This episode got me permanently hooked on this show. The dialogue and the brilliance of the casting of Karl Malden made me realize how special this show is
Brilliant series, but the number of theological flaws in it are (for want of a better word) biblical. "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord" - absolutely true, but how do you suppose the Lord exercises that vengeance? The Bible also clearly states that the governments He puts in place wield the sword.
So is it your contention that no Christian or Jew or Muslim could ever run for president? Because for all of these religions, murder or allowing murder is a mortal sin and is in the Ten Commandments. A person should NEVER be allowed to have to break God's laws to hold public office.
Powerful scene. A strong lesson taught by many pastors of different faiths using a variety of scenarios. The people who refuse to take the vaccine because they don't believe the science and that God will take care of them, missed the point that it WAS God responsible for the science and the vaccine.
@@christianwestling2019 Uhuh. God also gave the man by the river natural buoyancy but he still drowned. Why are some people so afraid of the idea that God might want people to innovate with the science of the world he created for us, and use it to help each other?
I use this point when some of my religious friends who argue that Climate change is not real, Vaccines don't work, or any other instances when they say its Gods will when ignoring scientific facts. I Say, God has given us the means to understand how this world works. That his will and gift is in our ability to understand and to have compassion for everyone. I say that you are wasting ( like the man in flood) his gift because of your ignorance or pride. The man in the floods pride at being a Christian and his ignorance at the tools in front of him killed him. Being Religious is more about going to church and remembering a book.
Another testament to The West Wing’s strength was that Jed Bartlett, while a supremely decent character and leader, was also written as having feet of clay. He had a temper, could be arrogant and, as Toby in particular got on him about, could falter on what he knew was right if it was politically unpopular. A lesser show would have made him super-human, but TWW makes a Jed a more complex and relatable character
As a Catholic, an American, a Hispanic ... This scene really touched me. (Why bring up Hispanic? Because it's the same to say "Irish-Catholic.") We are raised the same way!
Thinking about the direct line between President Bartlett looking at his watch and saying, "I'm not kidding," and him standing in the National Cathedral telling God, "Eas in crucem."
The WW was an amazing show. Thats why the last year, the presidential race was such a disappointment. So unrealistic. Someone like Santos winning the nomination in the fashion that he did. Extra ballets. Today's money makes the decision and usually by super Tuesday its over. Vinick should have won. I will always wonder if Sorkin was doing the writing what will happen. Leo never would have been chosen as VP. A health history like that? But i could watch the first six years over and over. Especially this episode.
There is great power and sentiment in this particular script. Since the time of Rome, leaders and citizens search for the truth, for the truth shall set you free. However some cannot even believe the truth when it slaps them in their face. Real good script writing here.
Aaron Sorkin is one of the best screenwriters of our time. Here and in The Newsroom starring Jeff Daniels, about a cable news station. His writing is crisp, moving, inspiring and often rapid-fire. But he aims to demonstrate the humanity that distinguishes us and the times when we can rise above expediency and pragmatism. We need that more than ever.
In a rare broadcast TV series that had more than any series' fair share of great or near-great episodes, TTSD has got to rank in the Top Ten, maybe the Top Five, and it's one of the few I consider perfect.
This scene hits me in two ways: It is another brilliantly written scene by Sorkin and perfectly acted by Sheen and Malden. On a personal front Karl Malden resembles my late Father-in-Law who used to tell stories exactly the same way Karl does here. He would bend over and look you in the eye and use his finger to emphasize certain points. This episode is one of many that always brings tears to my eyes. One thing that bothered me was Jed saying he wanted to be called "Mr. President" out of respect for the office but he did not return the consideration to the Priest who he should have called "Father" out of the same respect.
Up until the note about the execution came, Bartlet was discussing matters pertaining to his office as President. In that capacity even close friends always call the President by his title -- that's the protocol. But when Malden's character saw that Jed Bartlet the man needed spiritual comfort, he switched to first name.
It was also Jed's way of putting a bit of separation between himself (and personal sense of the guilt) and the decision he was making. When it came to life or death decisions such as this one or military decisions he wanted to think of himself as the President making the decision, not Jed Bartlet.
I understand your replies about the protocol of speaking to the President. My point was that he should have returned the courtesy and referred to the Priest as Father. That is what Catholics do until we are asked by the priest to call him by name.
@@tomsampson8084 I think you make a great point. I’ve always wondered that myself as Jed is always rather formal in the oval, using title and courtesy rather than informality
I'm not a religious man, though I spent my whole academic life in Catholic schools and have studied the Bible cover to cover as a philosophical text. At best, I'm an agnostic. Mostly because of how inadequately adapted we all seem to be to any one faith. But I deeply appreciate this kind of thoughtfulness in any faith. And it's profoundly sad that our current White House occupant, Trump, surely lacks anything close to this kind of depth, gravity, or intelligence. Yep, Jed was a TV president. I know. But we've had leaders in the White House who were leaders who cared, who considered, who wanted to do more than just win adulation from a throng or power from the elites. Obama was a thoughtful man. Clinton, at some level, despite his scheming side. Reagan may have been too, at least in the earlier years. Carter, absolutely. Nixon could have been, if not for his paranoia. Johnson, yes, despite his crassness. Kennedy, at least to some degree, though imperfectly. Eisenhower definitely. Truman too. Both the Roosevelts, Wilson, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Adams. Trump is a stain on history and a big one. But if we survive him, there could be better leaders ahead.
I can only hope and pray.. yes pray.. that there will be enabled to be leaders ahead.. I'll settle for good.. decent.. doesn't have to be remarkable.. just sympathetic.. natural empathy.. true compassion.. ability to admit when they're wrong and ask forgiveness.. to someone.. anyone who matters to them.
One of so, so many brilliantly written and acted scenes in this incredible show. Sorkin at his absolute best. Every time I watch this scene, it hits me hard. What we know to be "right" juxtaposed with what is practically "right" or "one needs to do." Sometimes one has to make decisions that we know, going in, that we'll regret forever. It's, obviously, a more heightened version of what most of us will experience in our lives. But, the premise is familiar to us all.
There is an easy way out. Even if you could personally pull the switch on every person who deserves it, could you pull it on the one guy who doesn't? We have an imperfect justice system. There are people in jail for crimes they didn't commit; including ones that warrant the death penalty. The estimates vary widely from are 4-25% of death row inmates are executed for crimes they didn't commit. Even if we're charitable and go with 4%, do we really need to execute the other 96% or is 4% an acceptable number, like the number of car accidents or the amount of roach parts in hotdog meat?
Hey religious people who won’t wear masks or follow guidelines because God will protect you, listen to the messages being sent from God through scientists so you can be safe and keep others safe!
It is not indicated that the president has told the priest that he met a Rabbi and a Quaker. The fact the priest knows this gives this scene a supernatural feeling which enhances its power.
ROMANG, IIRC, THEY "SHOWEDUP" EARLIER IN THE SHOW-IN ONE CASE TOBY'S RABBI PREACHES A LESSON DIRECTED TO HIM ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WHICH HE TELLS BARTLET ABOUT, I FORGET THE GUISE OF THE QUAKER.
