Mark

“I have no doubt that we will one day abolish the death penalty in America. It will come sooner if people like me who know the truth about executions do our work well and educate the public. It will come slowly if we do not. Because, finally, I know that it is not a question of malice or ill will or meanness of spirit that prompts our citizens to support executions. It is, quite simply, that people don't know the truth of what is going on. That is not by accident. The secrecy surrounding executions makes it possible for executions to continue. I am convinced that if executions were made public, the torture and violence would be unmasked, and we would be shamed into abolishing executions. We would be embarrassed at the brutalization of the crowds that would gather to watch a man or woman be killed. And we would be humiliated to know that visitors from other countries - Japan, Russia, Latina America, Europe - were watching us kill our own citizens - we, who take pride in being the flagship of democracy in the world. (p. 197)”
― Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account Of The Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

“Peer pressure!'
'Alvin son, you are the only virgin we know...'
'Nae mingers for me,' I emote, waving a Shakespearean finger. 'When this shagger starts, it will be with the finest creation on God's earth'
'Tyra's probably gettin a ride at the back of the Maniqui right now,' Frankie mutters, 'Brian's probably fuckin shagged her already!'
Brian turns to him, snappily. 'Whit ye tryin to say?'
'Brian, you cannae get it up unless yer surrounded by bin-bags”
― Alan Bissett, Boyracers

“Joey told me nothing ever goes back exactly the way it was, that things expand and contract- like breathing, but you could never fill your lungs up with the same air twice.”
― Andrew Smith, Winger