Law & Order (TV Series)

Paradigm (2004)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

Quotes 

• Jack McCoy : Lindsay Starr didn't deserve to die. She was no longer a soldier. She worked in a supermarket. She was lured into a deserted office and ambushed. And while Nadira Harrington's misfortunes might explain her actions, they can't excuse cold-blooded retribution for the abuse of her brother. If Corporal Starr's conduct at Abu Ghraib exceeded military or international standards, we have, in our civil society, procedures to redress those wrongs, if wrongs they be. Yes, the processes are slow, messy, uneven, but Nadira Harrington had choices; to vote, to sue, to advocate for justice. Instead she opted for blood feud, and the end product of blood feud is chaos. Our history books are rife with examples of religious zealots of all stripes - Christians, Muslims, Jews - twisting their faith's fundamental morality to accommodate a personal, or political, agenda. Neither rationale justifies killing. The highest moral law in our culture is "Thou shalt not kill". And where we live, killing in the name of God, country, or brother, is still called murder.

• D.A. Arthur Branch : We can't have Iraqi assassins roaming the streets of New York executing Americans.

  A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn : I still think we should have handed her over to the military. We could have just ducked the whole issue instead of trying to set policy.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : And I can't believe I have pusillanimous pussyfooters on my own staff!

  Jack McCoy : I don't think Spiro Agnew is the person to be quoting here, Arthur.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : If the shoe fits.