How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
A few of the neighbors got word of Billy's visit and dropped by with cakes and casseroles, as if there'd been a death in the family. […] We are so proud. We always knew. So brave, so blessed, so honored. Edwin! I yelled, come quick! Billy Lynn's on TV and he's taking out a whole mess of al-Qaedas! Nice people but they did go on, and so fierce about the war! They were transformed at such moments, talking about war—their eyes bugged out, their necks bulged, their voices grew husky with bloodlust. Billy wondered about them, then, the piratical appetites in these good Christian folk, or maybe this was just their way of being polite, of showing how much they appreciated him. (Bully.83)
Do you think these people would react the same way to Billy if they had their own experiences of violence? Maybe they have this insane bloodlust because they don't have the faintest idea of what it feels like to kill someone.
Quote #5
"To all those who argue this war is a mistake, I'd like to point out that we've removed from power one of history's most ruthless and belligerent tyrants. A man who cold-bloodedly murdered thousands of his own people. Who built palaces for his personal pleasure while schools decayed and his country's health care system collapsed. Who maintained one of the world's most expensive armies while he allowed his nation's infrastructure to crumble. Who channeled resources to his cronies and political allies, allowing them to siphon off much of the country's wealth for their own personal gain. So I would ask all those who oppose the war, would the world be a better place today with Saddam Hussein in power? Because what is America for, if not to fight this kind of tyranny, to promote freedom and democracy and give the peoples of the world a chance to determine their own fate? This has always been America's mission, and it's what makes us the greatest nation on earth." (All American.177)
Cue the flag backdrop and a softly swelling national anthem to really set the scene. Norm might as well run for president—he certainly knows how to schmooze like the best of them.
Quote #6
"I've got serious problems with Hollywood anyway," says the Cowboys owner as everyone footsies around their marks. "I think they're way out of step with the rest of the country, the concerns and value systems of mainstream Americans. Someone needs to get out there and start making films that reflect what America's really all about." (Shitty Movie.70)
Who gets to decide what American's really about, though? People like Norm? Just because he has money? Norm has basically no idea what's going on in the world outside of his financial mini-empire. He might have a lot of money, but that's basically all he's got. So why do people like Norm have so much power?