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Letters to the Editor: For Rudy, It's All About Him

Letters to the Editor

For Rudy, It's All About Him

To the Editor:

Richard Steier (May 26 column) is right that the movie "Giuliani Time" doesn't come close to being objective or balanced. Rudy was, and is, the ultimate example of a mixed bag, and you have to take the good with the bad.

Rudy took the handcuffs off cops, and told criminals (in effect) that, notwithstanding the unfairness of life, no one has a right to be a criminal. Loud notice was given that criminal acts, even small ones, would not be tolerated. But on the negative side, William Bratton and the cops did the work, while Rudy insisted on getting all the credit.

Giuliani certainly hurt the Mafia, for whom he seemed to hold a very personal hatred (similar to that of Bobby Kennedy), and he took glee in destroying the lives of Mafiosi, one at a time or in bunches. But Rudy is a man without compassion, and it doesn't take a fan of "The Sopranos" to know that prosecutors are not saints and even criminals are human beings.

The scary thing about Rudy Giuliani is that he seems to enjoy using Machiavellian strategies that include disloyalty to employees, friends and even family to further personal and political ambitions. To Rudy, loyalty is a one-way street. If one wants to work with Rudy, one must be utterly loyal to him, while Rudy has no such obligation.

Giuliani's ability to "get things done" is partly based on his cavalier disregard for the law and the Constitution, which he seems to see as obstacles to overcome, rather than as important limits to power. Wayne Barrett said as much when he said Rudy's administration "shows an astounding disrespect for the law."

I think both Wayne Barrett and Kevin Keating (who made "Giuliani Time") correctly show that it would be a serious, possibly catastrophic, mistake to allow Rudy Giuliani to become President. His recent olive branch extended to radical religious zealot Ralph Reed indicates that Rudy's political goal (the presidency) is the end that will justify any means necessary (with apologies to Malcolm X).

An interesting comparison can be made between Barry Goldwater and Rudy. People demonized Barry Goldwater, but he was a superb military officer who never expected anyone to take risks he wasn't willing to take himself. Regardless of politics, Goldwater was willing to "pay the price" for his moral principles. Rudy has leadership ability (as shown after 9/11), but he was a draft-dodger (the judge he clerked for needed him too much to allow him to be drafted!), whose flexible moral and legal principles place him far behind Goldwater, the man. Rudy for President? Not on your life - literally!

MICHAEL J. GORMAN

Editor's note: The writer is a retired NYPD Lieutenant and an attorney.