A witness in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, who admitted passing cash to the Georgia mayor, testified last week that he also made a large cash payment to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.He's expected to testify in the former Atlanta mayor's trial this month. Maybe they'll ask him to explain this quote in regards to Operation Tennessee Waltz (the sting partially responsible for our current dead voter dilemma):
Herenton said he "hurts" for those indicted, but he declined to hazard an educated guess about the scope of the investigation. "Nobody brings me funny stuff," he said. "Nobody comes to me inappropriately. Nobody even attempted to come to me."This guy's been a rolling entertainment show for years, threatening reporters for "touching him" and challenging city council members to "step outside". He also illegitimately fathered a child. Will he fall? Doubtful. This is the same city that elected just about every member of the Ford family. And the fact is, he's greatly improved parts of the city.
Will there be any racial angle here? Well, the fact mayor Herenton is black should make no difference, but it does point out an irony. For years blacks struggled to unlock the oft-corrupt white stranglehold on local American politics. When they finally accomplished their just goal, the replacements were often just as corrupt as those they replaced, just a different color.
So perhaps this speaks to a greater point about elected officials in general. Is the corruption that seems rampant from dog catcher to DC just a product of society or not? In other words, are politicians no different than the rest of us, only more visible in their evil deeds due to their stature, etc.
Sure, we can do as Jefferson suggested:
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.But it has to be worthwhile. If those leading the revolution are as corrupt as the scoundrels they're trying to replace, what's the point? Successful long-term self-government requires responsibility, personal ethics and honor among the governed, otherwise it's just fancy jungle law.
THE REVENGE OF CAMERON HARPER? 2/5/06
Anchor Cameron Harper from ABC News in Memphis has a history with the Mayor. Tonight during the Super Bowl Harper could barely contain his glee while promo-ing audio tapes recorded by the FBI linking Herenton to the case against Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.
Mayor Herenton's name came up in context with large sums of money and meetings at Memphis City Hall by a go-between, allegedly involving payoffs to secure city contracts. We'll not hear anything formal from Herenton until after he testifies, but I'm sure when we do get a statement it'll be, shall we say, newsworthy.
2 comments:
I visited Memphis once. I saw Beale Street, ate fried dill pickels at BB King' place, took a carriage ride through downtown, hit the Grand Victoria in Tunica, etc.
Doesn't Memphis have two mayors?
Yes, a city and a county mayor. But your travelogue is what I was talking about--Herenton's done a good job of refurbishing the downtown area and bringing in more money to the area.
That's why I'm wondering if the average constituent will give him a pass on this (assuming the FBI does).
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