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Mark M. Bello Quotes

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Famous Mark M. Bello Quotes

“It’s the times, Joey. Muslims are guilty of everything these days, even the destruction of our own place of worship, the center of our community. I cannot explain it, this prejudice and hatred. The jihadists have brought some of this upon us, but non-Muslims are just as guilty when they paint an entire society with such a broad brush.”

“In an actual criminal trial, before a judge or jury, the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt. In the grand jury proceeding, no one on the defense side is present to hold the prosecutor’s feet to the fire. And, because of the absence of defense arguments, grand juries almost always return an indictment. When prosecutors bring cases to grand juries, they are looking for a rubber stamp.”

“The rider was a distance away, but Arya could make out the beat-up leather jacket and grey hair spouting out all sides of the man’s helmet. A cold chill went through her body. No one else noticed the sound or the man. For no particular reason, she decided to keep this sighting to herself, and continued walking with Zack and her parents. Perhaps later, she’d confide in Zack. Was this the guy? Is he watching me?”

“If we assume they were all in this together, and Blackwell got careless and easily identifiable, then the group became concerned this Blackwell dude would cave when the cops showed up asking questions. They couldn’t have him naming co-conspirators, so they decided to carve the guy uplike a Thanksgiving turkey. You with me?” “I am,” Zack winced at the analogy. Thanksgiving would never be the same.”

“Despite many hiccups, an ICE spokesperson called the sweep the most successful weeklong event in history. The spokesperson, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that while crime involving Muslim immigrants in this country was not increasing or at dangerous levels currently—in fact, it was almost non-existent—the president was looking for people who had criminal histories, were Muslim, and were potentially deportable. Critics joked it was the most successful one-week sweep of its kind in history because it was the only one-week sweep of its kind in history.”

“Have you read about Timothy McVey in school?” “The Oklahoma bomber guy?” Kenny boasted, with pride he knew the answer. “Yeah, the Oklahoma bomber guy. He was Christian. Does the fact he was a Christian and a terrorist make all Christians terrorists?” Zack queried. “Of course not,” Kenny agreed, as if the question was ridiculous. “Of course not,” Zack mimicked. “So why then, if a terrorist is Muslim, are we so quick to assume all Muslims are terrorists?”

“Why should we hate or trash someone because of his or her faith? After all, religion, regardless of how it is practiced or who is practicing it, is supposed to be a good thing, right? Religion can just as easily be used as a force for evil rather than a force for good. Since we know this to be true, doesn’t this present us with opportunity? Shouldn’t we seize the moment to be more tolerant of each other’s beliefs, so hatred is not victorious in this moral battle?”

“If Jack Dylan was Captain Ahab, Bart Breitner was Moby Dick. Jack felt exhilarated, as Ahab must have felt when he finally encountered the great white. He would approach with caution and test the waters. He was alone, and he sensed extreme danger, but this was a tremendous opportunity that he could not pass up.”

“Out of two different and distinct traditions, Jennifer and Zachary have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that being together is far better than permitting religious differences to keep them apart. As we bless this marriage under the chuppah, we will also light a unity candle, the Christian symbol of two people becoming one in marriage . . .”

“Mr. President—are you asking me, a member of the executive branch, to ‘talk to’”— Parley hand-signed quotation marks—“a sitting judge about a case he’s currently adjudicating, in an effort to sway his view of the case?” “I’m suggesting a simple conversation, Parley. ‘Hi, Judge. Parley here. How’s it going?’ What’s wrong with that? It’s not like I’m interfering with an FBI investigation or something.” “Nothing is wrong with that, the way you phrased it, sir,” Parley conceded. “Sometimes though, it is the appearance of impropriety that gets one in trouble, sir.”

“We travel to sporting events, to work, to school, and we feel safe doing so, because people we don’t know are working under our radar, keeping us safe. All of these unseen, unknown, under-appreciated law enforcement officers deserve the Medal of Valor. They place the public safety ahead of their own safety, loving their neighbors more than themselves.”

“Imagine what the public outcry would be if the president stated he didn’t wish Blacks or Jews to settle in the United States, not because they’re Jewish or black, but because he is afraid of them. Since his motivation is fear, not race or religion, he is not discriminating. That rationale, as fictional President Andrew Shepard declared in the movie The American President, would make him the ‘President of Fantasyland.”

“Benjamin Blaine,” he muttered. Glad that asshole is locked up for the rest of his miserable life. But Jack was not naïve; he knew that there were thousands like Blaine, across America, spurred to action by the sinister rhetoric of a racist president. Either way, they were equally as dangerous, perhaps more so.”

“Come on, Jack. Be reasonable. Let’s run this up the chain of command.” “Acker will never approve, and even if he does, we would have to deal with some Barney Fife type cop up in Manistee, and he would never agree. I’m screwed either way.” “Who’s Barney Fife?” “He’s an old television character…oh…never mind . . .”