Friday, May 01, 2015

"Break's over." (From Pilot of "The West Wing," September 22, 1999).


BARTLET
"Hello, Mr. President. Did you have a nice trip, sir? How's the ankle, sir?"
Seems to me we've all been taking a little break. Thinking about our personal lives or thinking about keeping our jobs. Breaks are good. It's not a bad idea taking a break every now and then. I know how hard you all work.

MARGARET, Leo's secretary, brings Leo a note, which he slips to Bartlet after reading it.

BARTLET
… [reporting the information from the slip of paper] Naval Intelligence reports approximately 1200 Cubans left Havana this morning. Approximately 700 turned back due to severe weather, some 350 are missing and presumed dead, 137 have been taken into custody in Miami and are seeking asylum. [pause] With the clothes on their backs, they came through a storm. And the ones that didn't die want a
better life. And they want it here. Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over.

(This line reminds me of our Minorcan neighbors, who walked some 70 miles here in 1777, fleeing British oppression, "with the clothes on their backs, they came through a storm. And the ones who didn't die want a better life. And they want it here. Talk about impressive." Their progeny, including Sam Pacetti, the Micklers, Pellicers, Versaggis, et al. were just some of the many people present at the March 23, 2015 City Commission, mocked by the Record's errant April 26, 2015 editorial, below.) See my account here.

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