Law, Power, and Justice

Saturday 6 June 2026

UKRAINE

Democrats working on bill of sanctions on Russia. The bill in the House passed with bipartisan vote. This may help in the Senate. Greg Meeks, worked on. Sen. Blumenthal says Putin is losing troops 30,000 a month. He is losing territory at the moment. He has launched a bloody attack on civilians. St. Petersburg oil depot. It is impressive.

BOOKS

“All the King’s Men,” Robert Penn Warren

“All the King’s Men” is loosely based on the real story of Huey P. Long, who was a flamboyant and populist governor and Senator from Louisiana durinf the Depression. His knickname was “The Kingfish,” which leads me to wonder if he was not named after the character whose knickname was “The Kingfisher,” in the wildly popular ratio show “Amos and Andy.” In the beginning when “Amos and Andy” was so popular as a radio show, all the actors were white. Later when the show went to television, these actors were replaced by black actors.

Huey P. Long’s slogan, which he used on the political trail was “Every Man is a King.” He began his career as a champion of the poor against the corporate elite. He became more and more dictatorial as he attained political power. He was assassinated in 1935.

“All the King’s Men” was published in 1946.

Stark, the character who played the Huey P. Long part after being defeated badly by corporate interests and the local elite, becomes a lawyer and then a politician, where he learns that tactics such as bribery, intimidation, grift are essential tools to bring about the fulfillment of programs like a hospital for the local population, and roads for rural areas. But, over time, Stark’s focus was less on the people and more on his own interests.

This is a valuable study in political development and what power and position can do to even well meaning politiicans.[1]

PODCASTS

“The Daily Stoic” Interview with Mark Kelley.

Quote: Kelly: “There is a lot at stake here.”

If you have never listened to Mark Kelly talk, this is a great opportunity. Not only does he talk about politics, he talks about his life and the devastating shooting of his own wife, his time in space and staying calm under pressure. This is well worth a listen and I think it makes Kelly a truly great nominee for president.

QUOTES:

“This is not America.” Jeffries after visiting Delany Hall.

Mikey Sherman actually accused “outside agitators” of causing the problems at Delany Hall. I am over 75 years old and I spend my formative years listening to Georgia Wallace and others blaming “outside agitators.” Rev. Al Sharpton also joined in this. He ought to be ashamed.

Congressman Bonnie Coleman (D) New Jersey: “This is a money making proposition.” “This is a collaboration between Donald Trump, the most corrupt president we’ve ever had and his donors…and folks of that ilk.”

[1] I can think of two other movies which depend on similar story lines: “Borm Yesterday,” (1950) starring Broadrick Crawford.