“Sanguine chuckled. "I like you, boy. You got optimism in these bones. I like you so much that I ain't gonna tell you what I did to poor old Jethro, the first Jethro, may he rest in peace, may they someday find his head.”

Pedantic & Whimsical (2006)

Source: The Blue Sword

Source: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

"Too Much Attention" (song)
Song lyrics
Source: Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Too Much Attention" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR47R4uWdDo (song on YouTube)

I Ain't Got Time To Bleed (1999)
Context: During my transition period, I brought in 13 people who were either first-time voters or who hadn't voted in five consecutive elections. I asked each of them a question: Now that you've come into the system, how do we keep you involved?
Their answers were very clear, very honest. They said, It's the same story every four years. Whenever an election's coming up, all the politicians come out and give you the same song and dance about the same issues, all the way up until they get elected. Then you don't hear any more from them until it's time for them to get elected again. We're tired of it. If you want to keep us involved, don't tell us what you think we want to hear, tell us the truth.
There's a great need in our government right now for honesty. I speak my mind. You might not always like what you hear, but you're gonna hear it anyway. I call it like I see it; I tell the truth. And if I don't know something, I'll say so. Then I'll try to find the answer.

After the US Supreme Court ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States (The Pentagon Papers Case).
2000s

Source: The Tales of Alvin Maker, The Crystal City (2003), Chapter 4 “La Tia” (p. 74).

"Doll Parts"
Song lyrics, Live Through This (1994)

Source: Lothaire