Patterico's Pontifications

11/4/2007

Retired Harlem Drug Dealers Pick Predict Hillary will be the Next President

Filed under: 2008 Election — DRJ @ 9:02 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Back in the 1970’s, Frank Lucas and Leroy “Nicky” Barnes were larger-than-life Harlem drug dealers:

“During the Harlem heroin plague of the seventies, few dealers were bigger than Frank Lucas and Leroy “Nicky” Barnes. Both made millions selling dope, lived the wide-brimmed-hat high life, enabled the addiction of whole neighborhoods, and, eventually, got caught. Both were locked up and later cooperated with authorities—some might call it snitching.

Now, with Lucas confined to a wheelchair and Barnes in some Witness Protection Program locale, each is the subject of a current film. Barnes reports on his life and times in the flava-full documentary Mr. Untouchable. Lucas hit the ultimate Hollywood jackpot, getting Denzel Washington, no less, to play him in American Gangster.”

Mark Jacobson in the New York Magazine engaged Barnes and Lucas in a conversation that included a good-natured debate over who was the biggest and best drug dealer and, like the businessmen they were, they agreed the title went to whoever had the best product at the time. Their conversation also took an interesting twist into politics:

“MJ: Rudy Giuliani chased both you guys when he was D.A. [sic] What do you think about him running for president?

NB: Giuliani would make a good president because he’s a principled guy.

FL: When Giuliani tells you something, he means it. But I don’t think we’re ready for an Italian president. I don’t think we’re ready for a black president. I don’t think we’re ready for a woman president, but I tell you right now: I think Hillary Clinton will win this thing hands down.

NB: Hillary will be the next president.

FL: No question about it.”

I’m not sure if this is good or bad news for Rudy or Hillary but it looks like Hillary has made believers out at least 2 retired Harlem drug kingpins.

PS – If you click the link, check out page 4 where the kingpins reminisce about Puffy Combs’ dad Melvin and share information about vitamin supplement products.

— DRJ

58 Responses to “Retired Harlem Drug Dealers Pick Predict Hillary will be the Next President”

  1. Saw the movie today (AG). Excellent.

    Itsme (2a72c3)

  2. If Hillary can get some Sicilian endorsements, she’ll have the whole Harlem, Chinese Tong, Mafia axis behind her.

    SPQR (6c18fd)

  3. When I look at Rudy one word comes to mind.

    Douche Bag

    Ok, that’s two words.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2y1IM17sM

    A Republican, playing a Democrat, playing a Republican!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_90nRRoXK8

    Stan (4af310)

  4. But who would Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling pick?

    Psyberian (9a155b)

  5. It looks like they pick Rudy, but predict Hillary will win.

    whitd (10527e)

  6. Regrets . . . they have a few, just like the song.

    Banjo (b5278d)

  7. The film is entertaining if a little grim at times and too celebratory of Frank Lucas and too critical of Richie Roberts. The New York Post points out a few almost Michael Moore sized flaws in the film: Frank Lucas was not as literate as Denzel, or as church going. Frank Atkinson, Lucas’s Bangkok connections, smuggled his product in teak & bamboo furniture not coffins.
    The SIU was not constituted at the time of the film’s events. Lucas’s cooperation did not net nearly so many cops on the take. He only served 8? of the 70 years. Robert’s personal life wasn’t nearly as messed up as portrayed on film. Other details not referred by the Post Nate the retired sgt, major who is a composite of Atkinson and Lucas’s relative; is played by an actor; who portrayed a similarly conspiratorial FBI agent in the Black Panther hagiography Panther.Frank Matthews, not Lucas or even Nicky Barnes, had a more reliable French Corsican connection. Interestingly, the most conspiratorial angle doesn’t emerge in the coffins as drug stash; but in the comments of fellow truther spawn Josh
    Brolin’ Agent Trupo; who shows concern when an attempted hit on Lucas, threatens his meal ticket.
    Trupo, who is seen early in the film as stealing part of the film as stealing part of the French Connection’s haul and taking payoffs from Lucas; his caught in the undertow of Lucas’s revelations.
    This is a point your antiprohibitionist web pal Radley Batko would probably have made himself. Lucas’ plundering of the 110th-116th street neighborhoods (where Denzel himself grew up??) is retrospectively justified by the treatment of one of his relatives in childhood.

    The broader point is that this film’s wide circulation with it’s many flaws abetted by MaxAllen Collin’s novelization, uphold the likes of Frank Lucas, and by extension Ricky Ross; just at the times when society is breaking down under the pressures of entrepreneurs like Lucas and Barnes. The film opens with a critique by Clarence William’s ‘Bumpy Johnson” of corporate capitalism
    over small business, You see the heroin trade is just like McDonald’s or Microsoft? and anyone who tries to stop it is a chump like Richie Roberts or a authoritarian hypocrite like Trupo. Seeing how Guiliani and Freeh were on the frontlines of
    this campaign; you draw the conclusions.

    narciso (6884e7)

  8. Its sad that scum like these drug dealers are given publicity. But given Hillary’s endorsement of votes for felons I guess its clear why these two up standing businessmen would endorse her. She’s got the PRC, Arab terrorist, felons, drug traffickers, conmen all rooting for her. If only the MSM wouldn’t ask her such difficult questions and gang up on such a poor defenseless female.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  9. its clear why these two up standing businessmen would endorse her.

    See comment #5 — they didn’t endorse her, they just think she’s going to win. The title of this post is rather misleading.

    kenB (1ad56f)

  10. KenB,

    I selected the title on purpose because these men did pick Hillary as the eventual winner. They didn’t endorse her which is why I didn’t use that term. I suspect people who used the term “endorse” did it casually, as is typical of most blog comments (including mine).

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  11. kenb – There is nothing misleading about the title. If you are asked to pick the winner of a football game between the Patriots and the Raiders, and you pick the Raiders, that in no way means you are endorsing the Raiders. It just means you picked them to win, and that you know nothing about football.

    JD (49efd3)

  12. Do you think she will end up getting support from the mob or perhaps maybe the MAFIA who know what kind of support the wicked witch will get

    krazy kagu (171210)

  13. DRJ & JD,

    I can see that interpretation, but I still think that the average reader, on seeing the title, will read “pick” as “endorse”, especially since the post has something of a “drug dealers for Hillary!” feel to it. I think comments #2, #8, and #12 are pretty good evidence of that.

    kenB (1ad56f)

  14. kenB – If someone chooses to not read the article, and just skims the headlines, then what responsibility does DRJ have to them? I would argue that it is most certainly not the responsibility of DRJ, or any other writer, to write in such a manner that the most dumb amongst us could not possibly misinterpret the headline.

    JD (49efd3)

  15. Some may back Hillary but others work for Thompson, at least until today.

    blah (fb88b3)

  16. In other words, kenb, DRJ should not be forced to write a headline so simple that even blah could understand it.

    blah – I suppose you were right out front calling for Hillary’s head when it was discovered that she had been working with felons as well.

    JD (49efd3)

  17. Blah – How is Hillary’s Chinese fundraising campaign coming along?

    daleyrocks (906622)

  18. Actually Hillary was not just working with felons to raise campaign funds, but a fugitive.

    Adds a more piquant taste to the campaign, as it were.

    SPQR (6c18fd)

  19. JD, DRJ isn’t forced to do anything, of course. I enjoy her blogging here, and I really wasn’t trying to be critical; already I’ve spent way more time on this minor point than I ever intended to. All I said was that the headline was rather misleading, as evidenced by the fact that a number of people were in fact misled. I think a natural reading of the headline in the context of a righty blog is that the ex-drug kingpins supported Hillary (which if true would be snark-worthy) and not just that they expect her to win (which is just based on simple observation — all kinds of people think she’ll probably win, and many of them aren’t happy about it).

    kenB (88b394)

  20. How’s Giuliani’s pedophile Priest?
    I’m not a fan of Billory, but I may end up voting for her.

    blah (fb88b3)

  21. Blah – Didn’r know Giuliani had one. Maybe he can hook up with Obama’s cured gay pastor buddy he just had at his big rally.

    daleyrocks (906622)

  22. Now I’m linking to Free Republic?
    Here’s your link daley.

    blah (fb88b3)

  23. How about Edwards channeling the ghosts of dead people, blah? How about Hillary being as crooked as Bill? How about Fred Thompson being an actor? Really, what is the point of this drivel?

    If you are trying to point out that arrogant, egotistical people are drawn to politics, then I would agree. But you just want the Republicans to look bad.

    JD (49efd3)

  24. KenB,

    I spent more time on this title than I usually do because I thought of the point you made and I wanted to avoid suggesting that the drug dealers endorsed Hillary. Other than choosing a title like “Retired Harlem Drug Dealers Pick – but don’t Endorse or otherwise say they Like – Hillary,” this was the best I could come up with.

    Of course, I could have used something completely different but the main point of the post was not only that they had firm views on the next President but that they were sure it would be Hillary. That’s interesting and I wanted to convey that in the title.

    Like you, now I’ve spent more time than I intended to on this but I think it’s time well spent because the point is to convey information in a better and more reliable way. Thus, KenB, what title would you suggest? Titles are sometimes the hardest part of a post so if you have a better idea I would like to hear and learn from it for the future.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  25. “Hillary Loved By Scum”?
    “Child-poisoning, Community-destroying, Murderous Filth in Hillary’s Camp”?
    “Who Else Would Sell Them A Presidential Pardon”?

    nk (334528)

  26. Now I know who to ask when I want a catchy title.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  27. “I selected the title on purpose because these men did pick Hillary as the eventual winner. They didn’t endorse her which is why I didn’t use that term.”

    Thats a nice weasel.

    whitd (10527e)

  28. BTW, trolls, DRJ is much nicer than I am. So she didn’t say what I’m saying — that these two slimes were expressing their wishful thinking that Hillary would be elected. Sure, they’d vote for Giulinia … when pigs could fly (or when I take what scum like that say at face value).

    nk (334528)

  29. whitd,

    I’m happy to hear your alternate title suggestions, too.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  30. “I’m happy to hear your alternate title suggestions, too.”

    ‘Harlem drug kingpins prefer Giuliani: find him “principled.”‘

    whitd (10527e)

  31. whitd,

    I like it except I don’t understand your use of the word “prefer.” Can you explain why that’s justified?

    For instance, I would agree to something like this: “Harlem Drug Dealers find Giuliani Principled but think Hillary will Win.”

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  32. To be fair DRJ, now you’ll have to write a post about Fred Thompson’s drug dealer fan advisor too:

    Republican presidential candidate Fred D. Thompson has been crisscrossing the country since early this summer on a private jet lent to him by a businessman and close adviser who has a criminal record for drug dealing.

    Psyberian (9a155b)

  33. I think you just did, Psyberian!

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  34. There’s a vast difference between a post and a comment DRJ. And you know it, too.

    Psyberian (9a155b)

  35. Why does DRJ “have” to be fair, Psyberian? The Thompson subject you wanted was already raised in this thread by blah.

    Seems like you want to play “See? See? You guys do it too!”

    Paul (66339f)

  36. Honestly, I find it easier to poke holes in other people’s work than to compose my own, but something like “Retired Harlem Drug Dealers Think Hillary Will Win” would be less ambiguous.

    Although I agree with whitd that their feelings on Giuliani are the real takeaway from the piece, so maybe I’d change it to “Retired Harlem Drug Dealers Respect Rudy, but Call It For Hillary”.

    kenB (88b394)

  37. From the article Psyberian linked to:

    Martin entered a plea of guilty to the sale of 11 pounds of marijuana in 1979; the court withheld judgment pending completion of his probation. He was charged in 1983 with violating his probation and with multiple counts of felony bookmaking, cocaine trafficking and conspiracy. He pleaded no contest to the cocaine-trafficking and conspiracy charges, which stemmed from a plan to sell $30,000 worth of the drug, and was continued on probation.

    Thompson’s campaign said the candidate was not aware of the multiple criminal cases, for which Martin served no jail time. All are described in public court records.

    Is Martin doing it now? See, I thought you Lefties were for rehabilitating criminals.

    And since you want to play moral equivalence:

    Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton decided in September to return more than $800,000 raised by Norman Hsu, one of her top bundlers, after newspapers disclosed that he had been convicted of fraud and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

    At least Thompson wasn’t associating with a fugitive from the law.

    Paul (66339f)

  38. Blah, you have to press your point home around here or it will just float over most casual readers’ heads.

    It isn’t moral equivalence Paul, it’s “How can you be so self-righteous when one of your own has been dealing with a convicted drug dealer? “

    Sure, I’m all for rehabilitation. But a Presidential political campaign seems to be the wrong place for it doesn’t it?

    Psyberian (9a155b)

  39. kenB (and whitd, too),

    I think you’ve made a good point and I will modify the title as a result. However, kenB, I’m not sure I agree that they respect Rudy. It’s a fair conclusion and I admit that saying Rudy would be a “good President” and is “principled” is compelling but it’s also open to different interpretations. The fact that the ex-drug dealers “picked” Hillary (that is, they think she will win) is clear-cut so I’m sticking with that.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  40. So, Psyberian, it is alright for Hillary, Obama, et al. but not for a Republican. Nice lack of actual standards you have there.

    Pressing your point, or repetition, just makes it look like you are pressing a meme, rather than participating in a discussion. Par for the course with you guys.

    JD (49efd3)

  41. DRJ,

    You did say you wanted my suggestions. 😉 If you’re going to modify the title may I suggest, “Soulless Scum Think Hillary’s A Winner”?

    nk (334528)

  42. Why didn’t I think of that? No doubt everyone (except the ex-drug dealers) would agree it’s perfect.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  43. Like I said, you’re nicer than I am. I’d no more say “ex-drug dealer” than I’d say “ex-murderer”.

    nk (334528)

  44. “I like it except I don’t understand your use of the word “prefer.” Can you explain why that’s justified?”

    Thats the only preference they express: that he’d make a good president. They don’t say good or bad about anyone else.

    my headline tells a different story uh?

    whitd (10527e)

  45. Yes, whitd, it was a better word choice. Thank you.

    However, I disagree they expressed a preference for Rudy. I wish they had. It would have made an ever better post.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  46. Hey whitd, learn how to read. Start here:

    “MJ: Rudy Giuliani chased both you guys when he was D.A. [sic] What do you think about him running for president?

    NB: Giuliani would make a good president because he’s a principled guy.

    FL: When Giuliani tells you something, he means it. But I don’t think we’re ready for an Italian president. I don’t think we’re ready for a black president. I don’t think we’re ready for a woman president, but I tell you right now: I think Hillary Clinton will win this thing hands down.

    NB: Hillary will be the next president.

    FL: No question about it.”

    Find me a “prefer” in there.

    What I find is slimes applying their standards for a successful presidential candidate.

    nk (334528)

  47. NK #43:

    I’d no more say “ex-drug dealer” than I’d say “ex-murderer”.

    This has turned into my version of the neverending song. How about this one: “Harlem Drug-Dealing Snitches admire Giuliani but predict Hillary will Win”?

    By the way, it’s academic at this point. I’m not changing the title again but the conversation has been fun.

    DRJ (5c60fb)

  48. narciso #7:

    You make some interesting points, but I disagree with a few points. I don’t think the film glorified Lucas, portrayed as an amoral but brilliant businessman, at the expense of Roberts or was even too critical of Roberts, who was portrayed as human but exceedingly honest and dilligent. Which character do you think the audience identified with?

    No doubt the storyline telescoped or exaggerated certain events. However, whether the “cadaver connection” came by way of the Bangkok supplier or otherwise, it is by all acounts (including Lucas’) true. Lucas, by the way, served a total of 15 years because he was rearrested after he was paroled.

    It’s Lucas who tries to justify his feelings about the police by telling the story of his dead cousin. There’s nothing in the movie that pretends that he was justified in what he did, nor that Richie Roberts was a “chump.”

    Itsme (08285b)

  49. “Find me a “prefer” in there.”

    If you’d like, we can make it say that they find him good, and have nothing to say about the rest. For me, thats a prefer.

    whitd (10527e)

  50. When DRJ starts thinking that I’m picking on her it’s time for me to shut up.

    nk (334528)

  51. whitd – Saying that these slimy criminals found Giuliani “good” certainly distorts the point being made.

    JD (49efd3)

  52. Really it’s no difference if it came in the coffin of a fallen soldier? or as the Miami
    Vice episode on the topic; with guest star
    Gordon Liddy suggested; in the body cavity
    of a soldier; then if it came in teak furniture.
    If they updated the story to Afghanistan; since
    apparently that battlefield doesn’t mean anything
    anymore; according to the publicity materials for
    “Lions for Lambs” ;did I really here Redford say; wars don’t solve anything?

    narciso (c36902)

  53. Actually I wouldn’t think the Hildabeast need the endorsements of drug traffickers when she can count on the Harvard MBAs to give her the necessary cover to turn 1K into 100K in 6 months in the commodities market. Criminals don’t need to peddle drugs to be scum. Why some of the Hildabeast’s best friends and donors are embers of the PRC politboro and you can’t get better than that.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  54. the movie was entertaining at times, and quite long. But my main problem was the distraction made in 85% of the scenes that had the boom mike or the mike all down in their faces or hanging over their heads. The whole theatre I saw it in Owasso, Okla., did nothing but crack up every time it appeared. Very annoying, and cheap looking,……anyone else see this…….?

    william hale (e260e3)

  55. How about Rush Lamebrain ,exjunkie,prefers Huckababy
    while some jerk who snitched on his own mother thinks Rudy is a stand-up guy

    nat finkelstein (61bea0)

  56. American Gangster is not so much Frank Lucas’ story as Frank Matthews – Frank Matthews made billions not millions…Tobar (Leon Bryson) was Frank Matthews’ leutinent and Frank was the man behind the shipments…Frank Lucas was an underling – Frank Matthews is still alive and and well – and no doubt gave permission for this version of the story to be told- Denzel’s character is a composite character…but Frank Lucas is a loyal man to the end and never gave up his partners….and that my friends is the unvarnished truth…please don’t ask me how I know:)Cause I won’t tell:)

    Nan (80bda5)

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