Tag: RFK

The Enemy Within-Robert F. Kennedy

On By Genyc79In RFKLeave a comment

313839On January 30, 1957 the United States Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management was created to investigate corruption in American labor unions.  Designated with the role of Chief Counsel was a young attorney who later went on to become attorney general and 1968 democratic presidential hopeful, Robert F. Kennedy.  In this memoir of his time on the committee, Kennedy recounts the exhaustive investigative efforts of those who served on the committee in an effort to shed light on the nefarious dealings of union and labor officials and effect reform throughout the United States.   At the center of the committee’s target lay James R. Hoffa and his International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  Starting with Dave Beck, Kennedy carefully reconstructs the deeply seated mismanagement of union funds resulting in the most opulent lifestyles for top officials. Facing a culture in place for many years, Kennedy and his staff are met with opposition and resistance to efforts to probe into the dark side of American labor unions.   It’s no secret that Kennedy and Hoffa had a strong distaste for each other and on more than one occasion, Hoffa threatened the future attorney general with physical violence.  Kennedy would respond with his “get Hoffa squad” in an attempt to bring down the man who Kennedy believed was a menace to the American way of life.

Kennedy’s memoir serves as a step back into time when labor unions and the American criminal underworld were held together with strong ties resulting in a  dark cloud hanging over workers throughout the nation.   And while John Kennedy does make an appearance, this is Bobby’s show and he does not disappoint. Some of the most notorious figures in underworld history also make an appearance such as Johnny Dio, Joey Glimco, Larry and Joe Gallo.  Their testimony and the anecdotes about their appearances  before the committee are both humorous and mystifying.  We see through Kennedy’s recollections and samples of committee testimony that a very dark side to American labor unions remained unknown to the American public for many years.  But this phenomenal account one of America’s most defining eras, has stood the test of time as a go to source for information of the mission to stop the legendary and infamous James Riddle Hoffa.  And as Kennedy reminds us at the end, in order for society to move forward and for justice to prevail, we must always be willing to confront the enemy within.

ISBN-10: 0306805901
ISBN-13: 978-0306805905

Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years -David Talbot

On By Genyc79In American History2 Comments

BrothersThe administration of John F. Kennedy continues to draw fascination and examination more than 50 years after his assassination.  The young president and his brother had  envisioned a new America full of social change, changes in foreign policy and economic reformation.  The murders of John and Robert Kennedy permanently changed the course of American history.  Following their deaths, the Vietnam War, Watergate, Iraq and many other regrettable events would damage America’s reputation abroad.  David Talbot, author of ‘The Devil’s Chessboard’, brings to us this New York Times Bestseller about the relationship between Jack and Robert Kennedy, the obstacles the new administration faced and the aftermath of that fateful trip to Dallas.

Camelot is the word most often used to describe the Kennedy administration, and its usage only grew after Kennedy’s death.  His administration is still subject to fierce criticism and debate often dividing people between either for or against its actions from 1961-1963.  But from all accounts, it was an eccentric mix of young intellectuals, fanatical military advisers, intelligence agents and law enforcement agencies, some of whom proved to be deadly enemies.  Talbot’s masterpiece reveals an administration at war with itself in which the new young president was forced to fight battles on several fronts, each one testing his patience, wisdom and foresight.

The election of John F. Kennedy sparked hope in the minds of thousands of Americans.  Social upheaval and the resolution of conflict without weapons at war were attractive to many voters.   Racial conflict marred with segregation, horrific violence, communist paranoia, religious division and memories of World War II helped fuel a decade that is one of the most violent in the history of this country.   Talbot takes us on a journey investigating what really happened during those times and how dangerously close Kennedy came to losing control of his own government and being provoked into launching nuclear weapons at the Soviet Union.  He also faced the threat of losing control of the Senate, at the time filled with conservative Republicans determined to protect supremacist views and the power hold of the conservative right.   In this torrid environment, two brothers bonded together walking a tight line in the process.

I’ve heard more than one person that things were never the same after Dallas.  The official story to this day is the conclusion reached by the Warren Commission.  However, over the past 50 years, pubic faith in the report has decreased exponentially.   An increase in assassination books and documentaries has caused many to take another look at what is often called the crime of the century.   Following JFK’s murder, Talbot continues along the trail following the life of the night watchman himself, Bobby.  His descent into depression, resurgence to public service and entry in the presidential race is one of the most fascinating political stories in the history of this nation.  But his assassination in 1968,  served as a sense of complete loss to those still mourning JFK and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s deaths while clinging to a shred of faith in state of the country.   There are many dark moments in the book and through Talbot we painfully relive each one. But what results in the end, is an invaluable account of an era that helped defined the modern day United States of America.

ISBN-10: 0743269195
ISBN-13: 978-0743269193

 

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter-Kate Clifford Larson

On By Genyc79In BiographiesLeave a comment

ows_144380183016065Political dynasties are as American as apple pie.   We all know the names Bush, Clinton, Rockefeller, Roosevelt and Kennedy.  Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (1888-1969) and Rose Kennedy (1890-1995) produced nine children together and helped create a legacy that continues to this day.   Tragically they lost four of their nine children to violent deaths.  Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy (1932-2009) carried the touch for the family for many years until his own death in 2009.  In death, they became larger than life figures who became staples of American politics.  But behind the historical speeches, money, looks and fame was a Kennedy whose life took a tragic course of its own.  She is nearly forgotten in history books about the Kennedys but her story is one that must be told.  And here, Kate Clifford Larson tells the sad story of Rose Marine “Rosemary” Kennedy (1918-2005).

From the outset, the story is gripping as Rose realizes that something is not right with her daughter who seems to be developing much slower than she should be.  It is not long before it is realized that Rosemarie is developmentally disabled.  Rose refuses to give up and teaches her daughter, eventually making enough progress where Rosemarie is able to function with some independence.  Larson even includes snippets of letters Rosemarie wrote showing both her progress and lack of development.

In the time period in which mental disability was rarely spoken of and in primitive stages of treatment, the Kennedy family name had much to lose.  And this could not be allowed.  The family desperately wanted to help its beloved Rosemarie and her father Joe, finds out about another new experimental treatment.  And this is the turning point in the book and the author captures the tragedy perfectly, driving home the point to the reader.   For Rosemarie, her life would never be the same again and in some ways was  over for good.  Tragically, she spent the rest of her life in an assisted living facility, never again able to venture out on her own.  In seclusion, she remained a carefully guarded secret but her sisters would use her disability in one of the most moving examples to date.

While she may have been unaware, Rosemary’s condition served as the catalyst for her brother John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) and sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver  (1921-2009) to create the Special Olympics, through the Kennedy Foundation in partnership with several organizations.   The Special Olympics continues to this day and through the games, the memory of Rosemary Kennedy lives on.  This is her story, the good, the bad and the heartbreaking.

ISBN-10: 0544811909
ISBN-13: 978-0544811904

Robert Kennedy & His Times- Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

On By Genyc79In Biographies3 Comments

20181210_200246On November 19, 2008, the Tri-Borough Bridge which links the boroughs of Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City, was renamed in the honor of the late Robert Francis Kennedy.   At the time of his assassination, the presidential candidate was an active senator from the State of New York.  June 6, 2016 will mark 48 years since his murder but his legacy and name continue to live on.   Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. (1917-2007) had  served as special assistant to President John F. Kennedy from 1961 to 1963 and was a long-time Kennedy family friend.  In this extensive biography, he chronicles the life of the seventh child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy and former Attorney General.  Dozens of books have been written about the Kennedy dynasty and “Camelot”, but Schlesinger’s account of Robert Kennedy’s life still stands as one of the best.

At times he was simply called “Bobby” and at others, a range of names applied to him by friends and enemies alike.  Often described as cold, abrasive and having a hair-trigger temper, Kennedy’s sharp piercing eyes and steel cold manner earned him the reputation as one of Washington’s toughest characters.  However, Schlesinger also reveals a man with a heart of good intention deeply committed to his Catholic faith and the husband and father of 11 children.   His strong belief in family ties would help guide him as he served his older brother Jack during their time in the oval office.  His protective nature and ability to get things done by any means necessary has resulted in him being described as both the night watchman and the avenging angel of the Kennedy family.

The events in Dallas shocked the world and left an entire nation in mourning.  For Bobby, life would never be the same.  But in 1968, he made the fateful decision to win the office his brother once occupied.  His campaign and his transformation from persecutor of the mafia and Justice Department hawk into a champion of the people is one of the true shining moments of this book and his life.  As a New York senator, his ability to reach the people of the ghettos and lower-income neighborhoods remains unmatched by any political candidate to this day.  The once naive Attorney General had become a wiser and more engaged participant in the struggle for civil rights and the resolution of the raging Vietnam War.  His win the California primary was a crucial victory in a campaign that showed enormous promise of success.   Those who had felt betrayed after Dallas, found renewed hope that the direction of the country would once again change onto a path of positive reformation.   June 5th changed that and the history of this nation.   The 1960s saw the deaths of highly important figures and in the process spread fear throughout the nation.   Sometimes I ask myself what if Kennedy had lived? He accurately predicted in 1961 that one day we would have a president of African-American heritage and was a strong supporter of Cesar Chavez and other minority groups in their quests for equality.   I believe that if he had lived and were around to see the United States today he would be both satisfied and optimistic.  His short life was filled with unforgettable events and he remains one of the most important people of the 20th century.  For the full story of Kennedy’s life, Schlesinger’s book has no equal.