Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Posted by Mickey Z on 12/29 at 09:07 AM

Gotti’s was a trophy conviction, and the ethical bankruptcy of the prosecution does the worst possible thing in the circumstances: it nearly makes him a sympathetic character. It did in the tabloids, that’s for sure. There are good, pragmatic reasons for playing by the rules.

Posted by harry on from upstate 12/29 at 09:54 AM

You’re right. Even though Gotti ended up dying in isolation, the government managed to end up looking like the bad guys and come out as the losers. Same deal in Iraq, I guess. The average, Saddam-hating civilian would rather side with repressive fundamentalists than the hypocrites who talk of democracy (sic).

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 12/29 at 10:12 AM

Being able to bring overwhelming violent force to bear makes our ruling class stupid. They always need bail outs and they also seem to get sick more often than I’d expect, given their access to healthcare. Pretty ironic for social darwinists to be unfit by their own standards.

Posted by harry on from upstate 12/29 at 11:26 AM

Trophyism (literary license here)... is a prevailing standard of conduct these days. As a culture, we tend to raise those who have the most trophies above us for our societal adulation. And the underpinning for our trophy-inspired conduct is often our desire for praise and appreciation by others. Just look at our Judeo-Christian heritage. A heritage which professes that our value comes from Somebody Else’s love for us.

Posted by Nader Rider on from 12/29 at 01:24 PM