Dialog from the 1995 HBO production "Citizen X."

Stephen Rea's character, the forensic detective (Burakov)is arguing with Donald Sutherland's character (Col. Fetisov) about the Soviet bureaucracy hindering the search for the child serial killer due to its unwillingness to accept certain facts lest they admit a number of shortcomings of the Soviet system.

I watched it again a few nights ago after recommending it to a friend (there's a free version on YouTube if anyone's interested).

It reminded me of the shit-for-brains that we have to deal with (leadership, representatives... many of our fellow citizens) in addressing pressing issues and having to proceed as best we can though hobbled by the ignorant and malevolent. And these murders were happening for over a decade before the killer was apprehended. It's hard not to get insanely frustrated, but the consequences are far too dire if we give up.

Victor Burakov: Bondarchuk is a stupid man!

Col. Fetisov: He may be stupid, but he is in charge.

[Col. Fetisov explains to Burakov why the committee turned down his request for the resources needed to help catch the killer]

Fetisov: The only way I have been able to get anything done, is behind closed doors... by hording favors, by bribing, by wheedling...

Burakov: But that will take time!

Fetisov: It always does.

Burakov: Only in this case, people will die.

Fetisov: People will die... and it will take all our strength to suffer these outrages, but suffer them we must. Because we are the people who have to catch this monster, Comrade Burakov. You and I. And you may have noticed, no one else is even willing to try.