by Frank James
With the release of the movie "American Gangster" on Friday, the dramatized tale of the very real Frank Lucas, the one-time Harlem drug kingpin, there's renewed interest in Lucas and another big-time narcotics dealer from the 1970s, Nicky Barnes.
Both men were New York legends in their day, wealthy lords of the underworld amid Harlem's poverty who were responsible for much of the violence and heroin-fueled misery that plagued many New York neighborhoods in the 1970s. (A documentary about Barnes called "Mr. Untouchable" was recently released as well.)
Barnes, who was sentenced to life without parole, was released from prison in 1998 and placed in a witness protection after giving prosecutors information that led to the convictions of others who were once a part of his drug empire. Lucas is apparently retired from the drug trade too and confined to a wheelchair.
The writer Mark Jacobson moderated a conversation between Lucas and Barnes, who were rivals back in the day. A transcript of the three-way talk ran in the Oct. 25, 2007 issue of New York magazine.
One of the session's most surreal moments was when the former drug kingpins turned into political analysts of presidential politics after Jacobson asked them what they thought of Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid. Before he became New York City's mayor, as a U.S. attorney, Giuliani pursued the two men. (Jacobson mistakenly refers to Giuliani as having been a district attorney or D.A.)
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 it really helps Giuliani with his target voters to have these two men vouching for him. On the other hand, they did deal with Giuliani when he was a prosecutor so have more first-hand experience with him than many others do.
It also probably doesn't do much for Clinton either to have them predict she's the next president. But it was definitely different to see two old dope dealers talk presidential politics.
(Mug shots of Nicky Barnes, top, and Frank Lucas.)
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Comments
Rudy:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/15/the-real-rudy-can-you-trust-this-man-to-keep-us-safe/
Giuliani:
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=11973
Is A Phony:
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2007/02/will-real-rudy-giuliani-please-stand-up.html
And A Liar:
http://therealrudy.org/blog/11777-the-real-rudy-mistakes-in-30-seconds?play=1
Posted by: The Smirking Chimp | November 4, 2007 12:46 PM
If this reporter had any principles, he'd shoot both criminals in the head after concluding the interview.
Posted by: Leroy Jones | November 4, 2007 1:05 PM
NB: Giuliani would make a good president because he’s a principled guy.
No wonder the movie American Gangster is about Frank Lucas and not Mr Barnes.
Frank hung out with winners.
Posted by: Sammy the Bull | November 4, 2007 1:15 PM
These thugs are picking Hillary to win. Wishful thinking? No doubt. They know who would be tough on crime and who would not. In fact, it takes one to know one.
Posted by: Gonzaga | November 4, 2007 3:26 PM
I'd keep this in mind Frank once the presidential elections are over and the dust settles enough to look back. They might be on to something. Criminals have nothing to lose when they are locked away. Kinda like alcohol prison makes you say the darnest things. The former lowers your inhibitions so you are free to tell the truth and screw yourself over, and the other leaves a lot of time on your hands to reflect on life, morality, love, faith, and politics. So, no words of advice on Paris and Lindsey out of rehab? Their TV's must get a different reception.
Posted by: Betsy the Cow | November 4, 2007 3:27 PM
At least the Clinton DOJ did their part. The ‘93 WTC perps are all in prison. Maybe Rudy and The Chimp in Chief should get a b-job, it’s not as if Bush or Rudy actually WANT to catch Bin Laden, what they WANT to do is scare you with the thought of him.
Posted by: Ghouliani's ghost | November 4, 2007 4:32 PM
No matter how you slice and dice it, this is a New Yawk thing. The battle of the big apple is pegged to be between Don Rudolfo and Hillary/Bill, with the backing of the Harlem and Sciliano mafioso almost certain. Boy, controversy will be up and down I-95 between New Yawk and DC for years to come. The rest of us cuntry bumpkins will be sitting on the sidelines watching the show, unless we wake up and turn the page.
Posted by: GW | November 4, 2007 5:55 PM
Way to play the race card a la Willy Horton. Nice work Mr. James. Using racist fears to get people to feel like they should pick Guiliani over Clinton if in fact that's how it ends up. Black gangsters for Clinton? You haven't provided any basis for such a conclusion.
How about this fact - the gangster with the criminal record who says Guiliani is a principled guy. Do you believe him? If you do, then you are a fool.
Posted by: jimmy | November 4, 2007 6:44 PM
This will make the Dems rethink their stance on giving convicts and dead people the right to vote.
Posted by: Shalom Goldstein | November 4, 2007 9:43 PM
Another stellar endorsement for Hillary.
Chavez,Castro,Mondale and now a gangsta...
Every creep in the world loves her...Hmmmmmm?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | November 5, 2007 12:59 AM
"...who were responsible for much of the violence and heroin-fueled misery that plagued many New York neighborhoods in the 1970s."
Any suggestion that this or any other major drug activity could have been done or is being done without the tacit approval of unindicted white people is ludicrous.
That's the hard true fact of the drug wars. We're constantly led to believe that poor blacks who never stepped out of their neighborhoods are able to make international connections and arrange for all of the trades necessary to take place without the knowledge or assistance of unindicted white folk.
You must think we're 'tupid.
Posted by: Franklin | November 5, 2007 6:23 AM
You can take makeup, a dress to replace the Mao pant suits, but you can't disguise the criminal and hateful personality of Hillary!!
Posted by: Sam Jones | November 5, 2007 7:32 AM
First of all, Paulo, they only said they "think" Hillary would win. It's not an endorsement. Their statements about Giuliani sounded more like an endorsement.
Secondly, exactly why do these to thugs' opinions matter? Check me if I'm wrong, but convicted felons can't vote, can they?
Someone let me know if I am incorrect.
Posted by: Steve34 | November 5, 2007 9:13 AM
"DRUG LORDS FOR RUDY!"
Now there's a bumper sticker that should go on any car driven by Geographically Challenged Dumb Dumb little Johnnie D, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood".
Posted by: BC | November 5, 2007 11:07 AM
Another stellar endorsement for Hillary.
Chavez,Castro,Mondale and now a gangsta...
Every creep in the world loves her...Hmmmmmm?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | November 5, 2007 12:59 AM
Paulo please seek psychological help immediately. Your childish rants grow very tiresome and make me worry about you. Seems like your pretty close to the edge. The same could be said of "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood".
What does that DEAD END sign look like anyway???
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 5, 2007 12:38 PM
"Every creep in the world loves her...Hmmmmmm?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | November 5, 2007 12:59 AM"
You too, then???
Posted by: Op109 | November 5, 2007 2:51 PM
Frank Lucas Should have been president....
Posted by: Devven | February 5, 2008 12:35 PM