The Majestic (2001)

Hal Holbrook: Congressman Doyle

Quotes 

• Peter Appleton : The 5th Amendment is out of the question. But there is another Amendment that I'd like to invoke. I wonder if anyone here is familiar with it. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

  Congressman Doyle : Mr. Appleton, you're out of order, Sir!

  [Congressman Doyle continues to berate Appleton as he continues his speech] 

  Peter Appleton : [reading from Adele's book of the Constitution]  "Congress shall make no law... respecting... an establishment of religion... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press... or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances."

  Congressman Doyle : You will not presume to lecture this Committee, Sir!

  Peter Appleton : That's the First Amendment, Mr. Chairman. It's everything we're about if only we'd live up to it!

  Elvin Clyde : [speaking softly to Congressman Doyle]  Let him, let him talk. He's just hanging himself.

  Peter Appleton : It's the most important part of the contract every citizen has with this country. And even though these contracts - the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! - even though they're just pieces of paper with signatures on them... they're the only contracts we have that are most definitely NOT subject... to renegotiation... not by you, Mr. Chairman...

  Congressman Doyle : Mr. Appleton!

  Peter Appleton : Not by you, Mr. Clyde...

  Congressman Doyle : You will stand down, Sir!

  Peter Appleton : Not by anyone, ever. Too many people have paid for this contract in blood!

  Congressman Doyle : Enough, Sir! You are out of order!

  Peter Appleton : [holds up Luke's Congressional Medal of Honor and the room falls silent]  People like Luke Trimble... and all the sons of Lawson, California.

  Stan Keller : [in Mabel's Diner in Lawson, with Mabel, Bob, Mayor Doyle, and Stan listening to the radio]  You're damn right. And they deserve better than this.

  [looks at Bob working the grill] 

  Stan Keller : All you boys do.

  [Mayor Doyle is speechless as a tear rolls down his cheek] 

  Congressman Doyle : [banging his gavel]  I will have order or I will clear this chamber!

  Peter Appleton : When you get right down to it, fellas... that's all I have to say to you.

  [turns and begins walking out of the courtroom] 

  Congressman Doyle : You are not excused, Sir. The witness will resume his seat, you are not excused, Sir!

  [the crowd in the courtroom stands and begins to applaud as Appleton nears the exit] 

  Congressman Doyle : You will resume your seat! You...

  [Congressman Doyle cuts off as he realizes no one is listening] 

• Peter Appleton : I'm sorry... but it occurs to me that there is a bigger issue today than whether or not I'm a Communist.

  Elvin Clyde : Bigger issue? Mr. Appleton, there 'is' no bigger issue.

  Peter Appleton : Actually, not to be contrary, I think there is... Gosh, I don't quite know what to say.

  [Peter takes a drink of water] 

  Peter Appleton : The fact is I... I've never been a man of great conviction. I never saw the percentage in it... and quite frankly, I suppose I, uh... lacked the courage. See, I'm not like Luke Trimble. He had the market cornered on those things. I never met the guy, but I feel like I've gotten to know him. The thing is, I can't help wondering what he'd say... if he were standing here right now. You know, I think what I think he'd probably tell you: the America represented in this room... is not the America he died defending.

  [the crowd noise in the background rises] 

  Peter Appleton : I think he'd tell you your America is bitter...

  [Congressman Doyle begins banging his gavel] 

  Peter Appleton : and cruel... and small.

  Congressman Doyle : The chamber will come to order!

  Peter Appleton : I know for a fact that his America was big... bigger than you could imagine... with a wide open heart

  [Congressman Doyle bangs the gavel again] 

  Peter Appleton : ... where every person...

  Congressman Doyle : Mr. Appleton! You are out of order!

  Peter Appleton : [Speaking over Congressman Doyle]  ... has a voice! Even if you don't like what they have to say.

  Congressman Doyle : Enough, Sir! You are out of order!

  Peter Appleton : If he 'were' here, I wonder how you'd respond... if you could explain to him what happened to his America.

  Congressman Doyle : Mr. Appleton, you are skating on the very thin edge of contempt.

  Peter Appleton : Well that's the first thing I've heard today that I completely agree with!

  Kevin Bannerman : Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman, my client is clearly under an enormous strain as a direct result of the belligerent questioning of Mr. Clyde, and he is therefore not responsible for his comments. At this time, we wish to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

  Peter Appleton : No, no we don't.

  Kevin Bannerman : Yes, Pete, we do.

  Peter Appleton : No, Kevin, we don't, so knock it off!

  [pounds his fist on the table for punctuation, quieting the crowd] 

  Peter Appleton : [in a quieter voice]  Just shut the hell up and let me get through this.

• Elvin Clyde : Are you asking this committee to believe that you attended the meeting of a communist organization because of a girl?

  Peter Appleton : Yes, sir. I'm sure that even a majority counselor like yourself is familiar with the concept of impressing a girl.

  [laughter in the courtroom] 

  Congressman Doyle : Mr. Appleton, you will please confine your answers.

  Peter Appleton : I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman.

  Elvin Clyde : I'm having trouble reconciling your testimony here, Mr. Appleton. Now we're told you're prepared to read a statement purging yourself of communist ties. Yet when questioned about the meeting you attended, you claim not to have gone as a member.

  Peter Appleton : I didn't.

  Elvin Clyde : Then what did you attend as?

  Peter Appleton : I'm a little hesitant to say.

  Elvin Clyde : You agreed to be forthcoming. I insist you do so.

  Peter Appleton : [sheepishly]  Well, I went as... a horny young man.