Beyond "Boston Legal" - a must read speech

[question everything]

Every Tuesday night some of us come here to express our marvel at David Kelley's TV program on ABC called "Boston Legal." Certainly this season alone he tackled important issues: suing the government by family members of National Guards in Iraq who cannot go home when their tour is over, and died; innocent people being sucked by Credit Card companies; smokers being fired by "at will" employers, and others.

Yesterday was a brilliant show where a young assistant at the law firm was hauled to court not just on tax evasion, but because she attached a Post-It note to her return saying "Stick It."

The prosecutor was talking about "our troops dying in Iraq," of course, about our patriotic duty to pay tax, etc.

Her lawyer, "Alan Shore" who has been carrying the liberal load on the program had a wonderful speech and I found it on the program message board:

http://forums.go.com/abc/primetime/bostonlegal/thread?threadID=940451&forumStart=0

When the weapons of mass destruction thing turned out to be not true, I expected the American people to rise up... they didn't.

Then, when the Abu Ghraib torture thing surfaced and it was revealed that our government participated in irendition, a practice where we kidnap people and turn them over to regimes who specialize in torture, I was sure then the American people would be heard from. We stood mute.

Then came the news that we jailed thousands of so-called terrorists suspects, locked them up without the right to a trial or even the right to confront their accusers. Certainly we would never stand for that, we did.

And now it's been discovered the executive branch has been conducting massive, illegal, domestic surveillance on its' own citizens. You and me. And I atleast consoled myself that finally, finally, the American people will have had enough. Evidentally we haven't.

In fact, if the people of this country have spoken, the message is we're okay with it all. Torture, warrantless search and seizure, illegal wiretappings, prison without a fair trial or any trial, war on false pretenses. We as a citizenry are apparently not offended.

There are no demonstrations on college campuses. In fact there's no clear indication that young people seem to notice.

...

She could have protested the old fashioned way, made a plackard and demonstrated at a presidential or vice-presidential appearance, but we've lost the right to that as well. The secret service can now declare free speech zones to contain, control and in effect criminalize protest.

Stop for a second and try to fathom that.

At a presidential rally, parade, or appearance, if you have on a supportive t-shirt... you can be there. If you are wearing or carrying something in protest, you can be removed.

This in the United States of America.

This in the United States of America.

...

What I'm most sick and tired of... is how every time somebody disagrees with how the government is handling things, he/she is labeled UN-AMERICAN.

(Lawyer: Evidentally it's speech time.)

And speech in this country is FREE, you hack! Free for me, free for you.

I object to governments abusing its power to squash the constitutional freedoms of its citizenry. And God forbid anybody challenge it, there smeared as being a heretic.

Melissa Hughes is an American!

Melissa Hughes is an American!

Melissa Hughes is an American!

...

Last night I went to bed with a book. Not as much fun as a 29yr. old, but the book contained a speech by Adlai Stevenson. The year was 1952, he said,

"The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live, and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the bill of rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-communism."

Today, it's the cloak of Anti-Terrorism. Stevenson also remarked, "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them."

I know we are all afraid, but the bill of rights... we have to live up to that. We simply must.

[SharonRB]

1. I love this show

and I love how Kelley uses it to talk about important issues.

[liberalnurse]

2. Thanks for posting this.....

I felt the pain, embarrassment and frustration too!

Just say, " Stick-It". O8)

[nini]

3. excellent.. thanks for posting

:thumbsup:

[Mythsaje]

4. I never miss Boston Legal...

Spader delivers some of the best rants ever to hit the airwaves. That show is probably one of the most important tv programs to hit in years, if not decades. It has the heart and soul of another MASH, and every episode I wonder if it might not be getting through to someone who wasn't paying attention before they saw it.

[stanwyck]

13. I never miss the show...because of the Alan Shore rants

and isn't it really pathetic...truly disheartening...that an actor on a TV show is bringing up issues that our leaders should be addressing?
I have to tune in to Boston Legal and The Daily Show to remind myself that the airwaves have not been totally taken over by the cretinous hatetalkers like O'Reilly and Hannity. Or the dimwitted reality shows (...excepting, of course, my favorite - Project Runway). Or the sitcoms with their hot Moms, arrested adolescent Dads, and Hollywoodized, creepy children.
I love Alan Shore.

[Mythsaje]

15. I generally don't do sit-coms.

They've come to the point that they're just generic... Who what huh? Which show is this now?

I'm fascinated by human motivations, even twisted ones, so I watch a lot of the crime dramas. I used to watch the Law and Orders but now I'm more fascinated by such shows as Criminal Minds, Bones, and the CSIs. For comedy I watch Gilmore Girls, which, in my opinion, is MUCH funnier than most sitcoms because it mixes real drama in as well. I also like Smallville and Supernatural, and enjoy both Medium and The Ghost Whisperer (which is amazingly heart-wrenching on a regular basis--damn near every episode gets me a little teary-eyed). I don't do reality shows because, frankly, they're not real to me. The one exception to that was last year's "Rock Star: INXS) mostly because I often enjoy song covers as much as the originals. I'm hoping that another band steps up for the project this year.

[stanwyck]

24. I like the crime shows, too

CSI has such high production values that's it's always a guilty pleasure. I haven't caught Criminal Minds. The "Bones" series is based on one of my favorite mystery writer's works: Kathy Reichs. I only saw one show and it was so different from the novels that I couldn't adjust.
Another guilty pleasure...which I shouldn't even tell you...is A&E's City Confidential. Don't know why that show is so addictive.

[Mythsaje]

25. Bones has such great characters...

And I think Angel's David Boreanz has stepped into his role very well. Criminal Minds has both Mandy Patankin (who's been a favorite of mine since I saw The Princess Bride) and the guy who played Greg on Dharma and Greg--which was one of the more amusing sit-coms, I thought).

I've caught bits and pieces of City Confidential. It's kinda interesting to see behind the scenes stories about the various cities.

[robbedvoter]

41. Bones & Boston Legal - the only 2 shows worth watching in my book

And I don't like either crime shows, or lawyers. Both shows are more than that.

[question everything]

19. At some point Alan Shore told Melissa to "change the channel"

that they are not "fair and balanced." Was really a nuance that I barely caught, took me a second to catch what he meant.

[Mythsaje]

26. I about exploded when he said that...

That was a great line. I had to keep it quiet because the wife was sleeping in the other room, but I wanted to LOL.

[Cleita]

5. The whole speech rang true for me and this part particularly

stood out:

And speech in this country is FREE, you hack! Free for me, free for you.

I object to governments abusing its power to squash the constitutional freedoms of its citizenry. And God forbid anybody challenge it, there smeared as being a heretic.

Thanks for the post because I wanted to keep that speech.

[datadiva]

6. Boston Legal

is the best show on TV. I heard the freepers will boycot their sponsors. I suggest we find out who they are and counter their efforts. I love this show!

[flamin lib]

7. He read Adlai Stevenson and I just recently dragged War Of Numbers

Off my bookshelf. It the notes and memoir of Sam Adams who was a CIA operative during the Vietnam war and published posthumously in 1994.

Like the quote from Stevenson it's like deja-vu all over again.

[Nomad559]

8. Video here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=109x25096

:)

[question everything]

21. Thank you so much.

(took forever to load, perhaps because so many are logging into it... I forgot about it, was on the phone, hung up and all of a sudden was startled to hear a voice by my desk..)

[chat_noir]

9. K&R

Thanks for typing that up. Will be used elsewhere.

[valerief]

10. I loved this speech on last night's show

I only wish an acknowledgment of voter fraud could have been added to it.

[EVDebs]

11. Anyone in this administration 'going along with this' is violating their

oaths of office to protect and defend the Constitution. Instead they protect and defend GWB. How pathetic is that ?

[Blue Belle]

12. OOh I was hoping someone would post about this...

That speech gave me goose bumps. I can't imagine anyone who heard this not being outraged or embarrassed with our government.

I especially liked the part when Denny came charging in and lambasted Allen for defending the woman who refused to pay her taxes.

Denny:"If the little people don't pay they're taxes, what will happen then?

Allen: "The rich are going to have to actually pay their taxes?"

Denny: "That's right! We're talking about my tx break being at risk here!"

:)

[WiseButAngrySara]

14. Thanks SO much for posting this! I saw it last night and loved it! K&R!

n/t

:kick:

[Marlie]

16. Absolutely Need to Invade the Message Board

The freepers have taken control and are really going nuts over there.
Need some brilliant DU input to take these people down a peg or two.

[question everything]

28. When I was there it appeared that most were pro-Alan

but I know that many freepers read our board so they may have gathered the troops.

[RazzleDazzle]

31. post the link -- make it easy for folks to comply with your request

[Gidney N Cloyd]

17. Thanks for this.

I almost never catch Boston Legal but something whispered 'channel surf' in my ear last night and I switched over from the news just at the moment the speech began.

[fooj]

18. I watched for the first time last evening and I was in tears!

It was genius! Best. Show. Ever.

peace.

[Marlie]

20. Please, always remember, Tuesday, Boston Legal

It is by far, the best show on television. Bless David Kelley and the cast for
having the guts to tell the truth and show true passion when delivering the well
written lines. We libs have to watch as the freepers will be tuning out and this show must stay around. The shows first season will be out on DVD in May and
I've already preordered from Amazon.

[question everything]

29. I used to watch "Picket Fences" also from Kelley

and I always loved the end, where the judge - wonderfully played by Ray Walston - was rendering his rules with, again, a lot of concerns for civil liberties and against the arbitrary of the law. And this was in the 90s before any criticism of anything was labeled as "anti American."

[global1]

22. I Wonder What David Kelley's Handle Is Here On DU?......

I have to think that he is a member of DU and gets some of his material from DU.

Slowly but surely American's are being exposed to the crimes that *Co has perpetrated on this country. They are finding out from the likes of Kelley, Letterman, Leno, Conan, Kimmel, Keith O and other TV shows and hosts that are vocal about what *Co is doing to this country. Some is done with humor. Some, like Boston Legal is done with passion. Whatever way it is done - it is this slow, subtle, gnawing at people that will help turn the tide.

[Mythsaje]

27. Makes you wonder sometimes, doesn't it?

I know I have on occasion. This is such a wonderful resource, I'm sure plenty of "names" check in from time to time.

[Buck Rabbit]

23. If I had been on that jury it would have been hung.

But enough about my anatomy.

At the moment the prosecutor said "cut and run" in his little speech I would have coughed "bullshit" and adjusted my glasses with my middle finger at him.

The prosecution was trying a $400 case to make a political statement. I would have made a political statement back by being the holdout on the jury.

Good TV, fun and often informative. The credit card company episode probably still has industry sphincters in a knot.

[rainbow4321]

30. K&R n/t

[GoneOffShore]

32. Rainbow

Like your avatar - UUA?

Where you an LRY'er?

[rainbow4321]

34. Yep, I am a UUer....

But I just became one in 1998. My kids are being raised as UU..the oldest (18) has gone to YRUU rallies around the Southwest. The youngest (now 15)is just starting to want to go the YRUU get togethers on Sundays and hopefully will go to the rallies soon, also! They've stayed pretty involved throughout their teen years (rallies, volunteering, going to the RE's OWL meetings). They both have a very diverse groupof friends and I credit their UU exposure at a young age (5 and 8) for their open mindedness/respecting other culture, etc...

[HeeBGBz]

33. Last night's episode sure has the Freepish riled on the BL forum

To the point of informing on the "traitorous" David E. Kelly to Speedy Gonzales.

----quote----

"I have written a letter to Attorney General Gonzales to make our government aware of the acts of DEK which I believe borders on sedition.. I do not do this out of hate but out of love for America and I think DEK because of his liberal upbringing may not be aware of his evil acts. This is a intervention for DEK and I hope he wakes up."

----/quote-----

http://forums.go.com/abc/primetime/bostonlegal/thread?threadID=939997&forumStart=0

Whiney little rat bastards. Boo fuckin hoo.

[Mythsaje]

35. "...to make our government aware..."

Yeah, like the goddam government is made up of people who don't own a TV.

"Just doing my civic duty--uh-huh."

Wow...do they have oxygen where you come from? Your brain is obviously missing some valuable connections.

[HeeBGBz]

37. Bush has his little informant weasels, doesn't he.?

Brown shirts all.

[kiteinthewind]

36. It was a great show!! Thanks for posting!

:patriot:

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Thanks for posting this

It was an awesome speech. Jerry Springer played a tape of it on AAR this morning. It was great to hear it again and great to see it posted here tonight.

[Stephanie]

39. oh my god

that was on television? that is fucking brilliant and David Kelley is my new hero.

[Stephanie]

40. I edited your post into an email for my friends -do you mind if I do that?

Here's what I'd like to send. I'd love to see this get going as a chainmail.



------------------------------------------

This is by David Kelley, from the most recent episode of Boston Legal.

The plot: a young assistant at the law firm is hauled to court, not just on tax evasion, but because she attached a Post-It note to her return saying "Stick It."

The prosecutor talks about "our troops dying in Iraq," of course, about our patriotic duty to pay tax, etc.

Then her lawyer, "Alan Shore," who has been carrying the liberal load on the program, gives this speech:


==============================================


When the weapons of mass destruction thing turned out to be not true, I expected the American people to rise up. They didn't.

Then, when the Abu Ghraib torture thing surfaced and it was revealed that our government participated in rendition, a practice where we kidnap people and turn them over to regimes who specialize in torture, I was sure then the American people would be heard from. We stood mute.

Then came the news that we jailed thousands of so-called terrorist suspects, locked them up without the right to a trial or even the right to confront their accusers. Certainly we would never stand for that. We did.

And now it's been discovered the executive branch has been conducting massive, illegal, domestic surveillance on it's own citizens. You and me. And I at least consoled myself that finally, finally, the American people will have had enough. Evidentally we haven't.

In fact, if the people of this country have spoken, the message is we're okay with it all. Torture, warrantless search and seizure, illegal wiretappings, prison without a fair trial or any trial, war on false pretenses. We as a citizenry are apparently not offended.

There are no demonstrations on college campuses. In fact there's no clear indication that young people seem to notice.

...

She could have protested the old fashioned way, made a placard and demonstrated at a presidential or vice-presidential appearance, but we've lost the right to that as well. The secret service can now declare free speech zones to contain, control and in effect criminalize protest.

Stop for a second and try to fathom that.

At a presidential rally, parade, or appearance, if you have on a supportive t-shirt... you can be there. If you are wearing or carrying something in protest, you can be removed.

This in the United States of America.

This in the United States of America.

...

What I'm most sick and tired of... is how every time somebody disagrees with how the government is handling things, he/she is labeled UN-AMERICAN.

(Lawyer: Evidently it's speech time.)

And speech in this country is FREE, you hack! Free for me, free for you.

I object to government abusing its power to squash the constitutional freedoms of its citizenry. And God forbid anybody challenge it, they're smeared as being a heretic.

Melissa Hughes is an American!

Melissa Hughes is an American!

Melissa Hughes is an American!

...

Last night I went to bed with a book. Not as much fun as a 29 year old, but the book contained a speech by Adlai Stevenson. The year was 1952, he said:

"The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live, and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of Anti-Communism."

Today, it's the cloak of Anti-Terrorism. Stevenson also remarked, "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them."

I know we are all afraid, but the Bill of Rights... we have to live up to that. We simply must.

[question everything]

44. Hi Stephanie, just now saw your post

Of course you may use it. We need to distribute this to everyone and, of course, make sure that ABC does not try to rule of the content.

Someone posted someplace that they were warned not to use Faux news by name, therefore he just alluded to them as not being "fair an balanced."

[DemReadingDU]

42. Thanks for sharing!

[AngryOldDem]

43. ER had another anti-war statement Thursday night

I normally don't watch this show, so I don't know the character's name, but apparently one of the doctors is married to a soldier serving in Iraq. The doctor belongs to a spouse support group. On Thursday's episode she said that while she supports her husband, she does not support the war, and will not fall lockstep into blind nationalism. It was all so well-written and so understated that it was stunning.

Needless to say, her comments did not go over well and one was left with the impression that she was not welcome to return to the group.