(In the sense of despair and hopelessness that is often created by our democracy during what ought to be civil discourse, I got to thinking again about what difference each of us might make. Can our actions or even a single vote facilitate change? I still believe that is possible, and the story below is of a man who did precisely that. It is about a lonely drifter who took on city hall and would not accept historic corruption in a Texas border town. I hope you find it inspirational, and maybe even motivational. And, as always, please share, if you like this work, and subscribe, if you haven’t. - JM)
Yeah, I didn't realize what I was witnessing and participating in at the time, John, as we often don't as journalists, as you well know. But those days have grown in importance with a perspective of the years. Lawrence was one very courageous man, and, in many ways, saved an entire town.
Thanks so much, Joe. I have long appreciated your support of my work, and your friendship from afar. If I can engage a person of your stature, I suspect I might be on to something.
Great story. It's amazing what can happen when one citizen with a backbone stands up. My Dad used to say: "You know what happens when a person has no backbone? They don't walk... they slither." Lots of slithering underway these days. Here's to more citizen backbones firming up across the Lone Star State... and the nation
I'd not head about Lawrence Berry before; thanks for sharing this story, Jim. Sadly, I read it right after perusing a Statesman story about how indicted Texas AG Ken Paxton (N.B.: the style manual should require that the word 'indicted' be included as part of his title, given that he has been under indictment during his entire career as AG.) has engineered another delay in the whistleblower lawsuit filed by four of his top assistants after he fired them for reporting his likely criminal activity to the FBI.
Lawrence Berry took on a corrupt city government and beat it by being relentless — and because the free press did its job. But these four lawyers, who have advantages Mr. Berry could only marvel at, continue to be denied justice by Paxton's delaying tactics.
You end your essay with the hopeful wish that there are more Lawrence Berrys out there, but that may not be enough anymore.
We are watching something similar as the House Select Committee exposes the massive grift of Donald Trump and his corrupt enablers. Other than the people he duped into attacking the capital on Jan 6, I doubt anyone will see the inside of a jail cell, color TV included or not.
Yeah, I didn't realize what I was witnessing and participating in at the time, John, as we often don't as journalists, as you well know. But those days have grown in importance with a perspective of the years. Lawrence was one very courageous man, and, in many ways, saved an entire town.
Thank you, Donna. We all have no choice but to celebrate these types of heroes, right?
Thanks so much, Joe. I have long appreciated your support of my work, and your friendship from afar. If I can engage a person of your stature, I suspect I might be on to something.
Great story. It's amazing what can happen when one citizen with a backbone stands up. My Dad used to say: "You know what happens when a person has no backbone? They don't walk... they slither." Lots of slithering underway these days. Here's to more citizen backbones firming up across the Lone Star State... and the nation
What a great story Jim. Thank you for writing it. You are living proof that some people get better and better with age.
I'd not head about Lawrence Berry before; thanks for sharing this story, Jim. Sadly, I read it right after perusing a Statesman story about how indicted Texas AG Ken Paxton (N.B.: the style manual should require that the word 'indicted' be included as part of his title, given that he has been under indictment during his entire career as AG.) has engineered another delay in the whistleblower lawsuit filed by four of his top assistants after he fired them for reporting his likely criminal activity to the FBI.
Lawrence Berry took on a corrupt city government and beat it by being relentless — and because the free press did its job. But these four lawyers, who have advantages Mr. Berry could only marvel at, continue to be denied justice by Paxton's delaying tactics.
You end your essay with the hopeful wish that there are more Lawrence Berrys out there, but that may not be enough anymore.
We are watching something similar as the House Select Committee exposes the massive grift of Donald Trump and his corrupt enablers. Other than the people he duped into attacking the capital on Jan 6, I doubt anyone will see the inside of a jail cell, color TV included or not.
Thanks for sharing this and helping to expose hateful crimes and disgusting greed.