Short charcoal marble column wrapped in a complete red velvet cord with gold tassels

Original artwork, not a still

Captain Ramsey

We're here to preserve democracy, not practice it.

— Crimson Tide ‧ 1995

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

This is a blunt, ironic justification for withholding power. The speaker separates the stated goal of protecting democracy from the act of actually living by its rules. It suggests an institution comfortable with hierarchy, even while claiming to serve democratic ideals.

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