“… it ain’t nothing compared for the contempt my government has for me.”

After I watched Molly’s Game and heard a “Sorkinese” line I remembered I saw “Trial of the Chicago 7” on IMDb. When the scene was playing out, I could tell the line was coming. And it still landed just fine.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Harriet: “If Al Gore had won the election, if President Gore had sent his top emissary out here, say he sent Bill Clinton out here to talk to leaders in Hollywood about how the entertainment industry could help right now – would you have had an objection?”
Matt: “Hm.”
Harriet: “Would you?”
Matt: “No.”
Harriet: “And what’s your smug rejoinder?”
Matt: “I don’t have one. I’m saying no, you’re right, I wouldn’t. I’d flock to that meeting, and so would almost everyone else I know. You wouldn’t have been able to get a seat.”
Harriet: “You don’t find that hypocritical?”
Matt: “I do. I think you are making an excellent point.”
Harriet: “I seem to have made peace with it.”
Harriet: “Matthew – what?”
Matt: “You think I have contempt for my government. Harry, if I do, it ain’t nothing compared for the contempt my government has for me.”
Harriet: “Your government doesn’t know who you are.”
Matt: “I know. But that doesn’t stop them from getting votes by calling me a lazy, pampered, anti-American, anti-family, immoral, perverted, dishonorable, weak fairy.”

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Richard Schultz: Do you have contempt for your government?
Abbie Hoffman: I think the institutions of our democracy are wonderful things, that right now are populated by some terrible people.
Richard Schultz: Please answer the question.
Abbie Hoffman: Tell me again?
Richard Schultz: Do you have contempt for your government?
Abbie Hoffman: I’ll tell you, Mr. Schultz, it’s nothing compared to the contempt my government has for me.