Politics

All the Governor’s Men, by Katherine Clark

November 18, 2018 by Site Author Leave a Comment

Published 2016

Characters: Daniel Dobbs, the Harvard graduate from rural Alabama, whose ambition is to enter Alabama politics on the coat tails of George Wallace’s opponent
Caroline Elmore, a Harvard student from Mountain Brook, his fiance’
Aaron Osgood, a democratic challenger to George Wallace in the 1982 governor’s primary
Bobby and Shaye Dobbs, Daniel’s long-suffering parents

Daniel Dobbs has just received a new (used) car as a present from his parents for his graduation from Harvard. The choice had been between a Honda and a Chevette, and while Daniel had made it clear that he highly favored the Honda, his parents, ever aware of the financial strains of their ambitious lives, opted for the less expensive model. He arrived at his fiance’s house in Mountain Brook in a Chevette, probably the least expensive car in the whole neighborhood; even the help had better wheels. But Daniel is filled with the fire of youth and has other things to think about. He believes as only the young can in a Democratic challenger, Aaron Osgood, to George Wallace’s hold on his home state. Daniel has taken a summer job with the campaign and hopes to play a leading role which will launch his own political career with gusto.
This novel creates a contrast of worlds, that of the elite Mountain Brook neighborhood where Catherine grew up and that of Daniel’s parents, and everyone else. While Daniel’s parents struggled to get off the farm and into the middle class, Catherine’s father is hauling in manure by the bag full for his roses. Daniel is getting no support in his venture from his folks, or from anyone else except Caroline, who is dutifully encouraging but not a true believer. Oddly enough, although the two are both from the same state, they could never have met there. It took both getting away to Harvard for their paths to cross. There simply isn’t a social mechanism for them to get to know each other back home in Alabama, those from Mountain Brook don’t mix with other classes. Daniel’s choice of careers puts a strain on the relationship and old love affairs resurface to challenge these young lovers. The politics is dirty as usual, and there’s a lot of sex in the novel, but not inappropriate for the age of the main characters.
The second novel about Mountain Brook by Katherine Clark, following The Headmaster’s Darlings.

The Chickenshit Club, by Jesse Eisinger

January 31, 2018 by Site Author Leave a Comment

Published 2017

The title sort of grabbed me and since I thought I knew why corporate executives have not been prosecuted for the financial crisis of 2008 I decided to see what Mr. Eisinger had to say. It turns out I was at least partially wrong and that the problem is much more complex and more troubling than I had thought.
The title comes from a speech given by James Comey before he became the (now fired) FBI director, to an elite group of prosecutors. These were the best and brightest the finest institutions in the country had to offer, and Comey asked the question, how many of you have never had an acquittal or a hung jury? Those who raised their hands, he explained were members of the club. The dubious distinction meant that they had never taken on a case where there was any likelihood they would lose.
As I read the book I realized just how much the Chickenshit Club mentality has pervaded not just the Justice department, which Eisinger does an excellent job of detailing, but a lot of American business and even the culture. I can’t count the times that people who should’ve done something or tried to do something have sat on their hands for fear of losing or pissing off people who could pretty much ruin their financial lives. I have done it myself to some extent. But the results of my membership in the club reach only as far as my immediate family. For the Justice Department, the consequences affect the vast majority, if not everyone, in the nation, and sometimes beyond. As is pointed out in the book , many of the prosecutors who had won convictions against executives prior to the 2008 crisis (think Enron) had ended their careers in small, out of the way places. What becomes apparent is that the people who are supposed to be prosecuting executives either came from firms who represent the very companies they have to go up against, or plan on working there after their stint in government is over. People who do anything to cause harm to individuals of high-profile companies can consider their careers on the decline or quickly over.
The book is a fascinating read and you will surely recognize a lot of names; Kenneth Lay, Skilling, Comey, Goldman Sachs, AIG, they’re all here. A lot of research went into the writing and it’s very well done. I rarely read non-fiction but this one is well worth the time.