Predjudice Quotes

“As John finished his speech, Zack couldn’t help but wonder how a country that had been served by a brilliant and inclusive president for eight years now chose to elect a narcissistic, xenophobic, homophobic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic racist with no experience in government.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“Change was, indeed, possible, one person at a time.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“The ages of individual Supreme Court Justices were of significant concern to Zack, as were the nominations President John would make if these elderly Supreme Court Justices retired or passed away. Zack smiled to himself and wished the justices good health and long life.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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 . . .”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“People feel more loyalty to how they think things should be than to other people, including their family.”
― Megan Giddings, Lakewood

“This is what I do. More than that, this is who I am. When I see injustice, I am compelled to seek justice. When I see a wrong, I try to right it.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“We must learn to celebrate, not fight over, our differences. A pluralistic society requires no less, and the world will be a vastly better place if we can find a way to embrace this simple truth.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“This is a constitutional democracy, not a dictatorship. Unchecked power, even if well-intentioned, is the reason the geniuses that founded our democracy set it up the way they did.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“With Ronald John running all over the country condemning Muslims and focusing on the Khan family, the government will not want to admit the terrorist, in this case, is the white guy.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“The war between President Ronald John, Muslim nationals, Muslim immigrants, and the federal judiciary was peaking at the wrong time for Arya Khan and Zachary Blake. Picking a jury and conducting voir dire would be difficult if not impossible.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“If we could all see racial or religious differences from the eyes of a child.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“Being different makes all of us more interesting and gives us each something to learn about another.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“If you have been intolerant, unkind or hurtful, you can ask God’s forgiveness, but wouldn’t it be better if you seek forgiveness and understanding from the victim or victims of your intolerance or hurtfulness?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“Our mosque was bombed. Our community members were threatened with deportation, and one of our own has been framed for a murder she didn’t commit. And . . . we are the terrorists?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“If these were normal times, I could tell you, with absolute certainty, these proceedings are unconstitutional and will be dismissed or withdrawn. But these are not normal times. For the first time in my lifetime, we have a president who I consider openly bigoted.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“Now, the good news is the government of this great country has three branches for a reason.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“That’s because you focused on my client from the beginning, refused to listen to her story, and figured, what the fuck, she’s a Muslim. She must be guilty.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“The President of the United States just offered me a bribe to decide a case in a way that promotes his agenda. He conveyed that bribe through the Attorney General of the United States. Who do you report something like this to?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“. . . throw the fucking thing as far as you can and get the hell out of there!” Stu yelled, animated for the first time.
Now, there’s a real technical solution! Why didn’t I think of that?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“Why do I feel like taking a shower every time I finish talking to that man?”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“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.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“The Constitution lives!”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“I look forward to proving you wrong and making a fool out of you, Farhad.”
“I shall look forward to the making of a fool, sir,” Farhad quipped. He was tired of this nonsense, president or not.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice

“A horrible year in which faith was tested and justice was betrayed transitioned into a new year, one filled with the joyful and tangible rebirth of love, justice, faith, and, as Allah willed it, salaam. Peace.”
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal of Justice