Lonnie T Brown

Defending the Public's Enemy

The Life and Legacy of Ramsey Clark

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Lonnie T. Brown, Jr. is the A. Gus Cleveland Distinguished Chair of Legal Ethics and Professionalism at the University of Georgia School of Law. He specializes in legal ethics and civil procedure, and speaks and publishes widely in the area of legal ethics in the adversary process.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Stanford University Press
• Seitenzahl: 328
• Erscheinungstermin: 9. Juli 2019
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 231mm x 163mm x 36mm
• Gewicht: 635g
• ISBN-13: 9781503601390
• ISBN-10: 1503601390
• Artikelnr.: 53543855

Autorenporträt

Lonnie T. Brown, Jr. is the A. Gus Cleveland Distinguished Chair of Legal Ethics and Professionalism at the University of Georgia School of Law. He specializes in legal ethics and civil procedure, and speaks and publishes widely in the area of legal ethics in the adversary process.

Inhaltsangabe

Contents and Abstracts
Prologue
chapter abstract
The Prologue recounts the origins of my interest in Ramsey Clark, including
two inauspicious early encounters during which I had virtually no idea who
he was. As the years passed, I became ever-more intrigued with Clark,
spawned largely by a case that I covered in my civil -procedure class in
which he served as lead counsel-Saltany v. Reagan, as in President Ronald
Reagan, one of the defendants that Clark sued on behalf of Libyan
residents. When he volunteered to represent former Iraqi president Saddam
Hussein, I had to figure out why a former U.S. attorney general would do
such a thing, among many other things. I wrote a law review article
examining the Hussein representation, and with a nudge from a former
colleague and friend of Clark's, I shared it with my subject and soon
thereafter embarked on my quest to tell his life story.
Introduction: A Puzzling Journey
chapter abstract
This Introduction sets the stage for the book, posing the conundrum that is
Ramsey Clark, an enormously important figure in American history who is
largely unknown by most. It provides an overview in terms of his
immeasurable contributions to society through his service within the
Department of Justice during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations,
highlighting some of the most significant events in which he played pivotal
roles, especially in the area of civil rights. The Introduction also notes
the seemingly dramatic change that he underwent in his post-DOJ life,
taking on causes and clients that almost inevitably appeared to be adverse
to the country that he had so loyally served for eight years. Many have
sought to understand and explain what happened to Ramsey Clark, if
anything, and here I introduce some of the theories proffered by friends,
colleagues, and other observers.
1Baby Bubba
chapter abstract
With the disclaimer that the book will not go into excruciating,
chronological detail concerning Ramsey Clark's family tree and personal
history, this chapter proceeds to cover the beginning of Clark's journey,
broadly depicting his childhood and early adult years, including service in
World War II, college, marriage, law school, children, and law practice in
Dallas, Texas. The chapter also examines some defining episodes during
those years that foreshadow the direction that his life would take, such as
the death of his 6-year-old brother, his father Tom's oversight of the
World War II-related internment of Japanese Americans, and Ramsey's
perplexing acquisition of a large bust of Adolf Hitler while serving as a
Marine courier.
2The Preacher
chapter abstract
This chapter chronicles Ramsey Clark's transition from private to public
life. With the election of President John F. Kennedy, Clark was moved to
seek an appointment within the Justice Department. Some strong
family-related connections, including with Vice President Lyndon Johnson,
helped him secure an appointment as assistant attorney general for the
Lands Division. While his noteworthy Lands Division work is touched upon in
the chapter, the concentration is on Clark's dedicated involvement in
emerging civil rights issues. He acted as a DOJ surrogate throughout the
South, ensuring the enforcement of the Supreme Court's desegregation
mandate. Clark became known within the DOJ for his willingness to speak his
mind, garnering him the nickname "the Preacher." The chapter concludes with
the devastating impact upon Clark of the tragic assassination of President
Kennedy and his subsequent increased role within the new Johnson
administration.
3"Language of the Unheard"
chapter abstract
This chapter examines the significant role that Ramsey Clark played in
pivotal aspects of the civil rights movement, beginning with his crafting
of a memo to Bobby Kennedy that provided much of the initial inspiration
and framework for what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He wrote
this on the heels of his involvement with the historic admission of James
Meredith as the first African American at the University of Mississippi. In
addition, the chapter canvasses Clark's important work on behalf of black
citizens as the deputy attorney general, including his oversight of the
third Selma to Montgomery civil rights march and his extensive involvement
in the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
4Taking Poor Black People Seriously
chapter abstract
This chapter delves deeply into Clark's transformative role as chair of the
President's task force that investigated the Watts riots, which were
triggered by a combative police arrest in the black community. As the
chapter's title conveys, Clark took the rioters seriously, and he
compassionately sought to understand what had led to the dramatic civil
unrest. By listening, Clark came to profoundly comprehend the frustrations
and hopelessness felt by African Americans, and he communicated this in a
hard-hitting report to the president-so unashamedly truthful, in fact, that
it was not released to the public. The chapter reveals that this was a
defining experience for Clark, one that likely colored virtually everything
Clark did thereafter. In addition, the chapter recounts his elevation to
attorney general, a role in which he would controversially continue to deal
with urban rioting in the same empathetic way.
5"I Am a Man"
chapter abstract
This chapter examines the profound influence that Martin Luther King, Jr.
had on Ramsey Clark. The focus is on the labor strike by black sanitation
workers in Memphis, Tennessee, inspired by the slavelike treatment they
received as employees of the city. Dr. King had already announced his Poor
People's Campaign, which was designed to shed a revealing light on the
intense poverty problem in America. The Memphis strike-with its simple, but
unforgettable slogan "I Am a Man"-embodied the poverty issue. It captured
Dr. King's attention. Unfortunately, his involvement provided the setting
for King's assassination on April 4, 1968. Attorney General Clark was the
first federal official on the scene and led the international manhunt to
capture King's assassin. The chapter demonstrates how Dr. King's example
helped shape Clark's views on society. In many respects, he would
subsequently carry the mantle that Dr. King hoisted throughout his life.
6"Hell No, We Won't Go!"
chapter abstract
This chapter focuses on the widespread protests that emerged in opposition
to America's involvement in the Vietnam War, particularly in the form of
draft-eligible men refusing induction into the military, either on their
own accord or at the urging of others. President Johnson was obsessed with
the war, believing that defeat would forever tarnish his noteworthy civil
rights legacy. As such, he took great offense to those who actively opposed
the war effort, and he placed intense pressure on Clark to put an end to
the draft-dodging and related demonstrations through criminal prosecution.
The chapter examines and seeks to explain two instances of Clark's actions
in response that were perplexingly inconsistent: his refusal to indict
Black Power activist Stokely Carmichael and, in contrast, his decision to
prosecute antiwar proponent and noted pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock and
the other members of the so-called Boston Five.
7Battling on the Inside
chapter abstract
This chapter reveals the palpable tension between President Johnson and his
independent attorney general. Clark was so committed to his values that he
was willing to defy the president if he thought that was the right thing to
do. The chapter examines significant examples of this dynamic, including
Clark's stalling of a controversial judicial appointment that upset the
close relationship between Johnson and Georgia Senator Richard Russell. The
chapter also recounts Clark's defiance of President Johnson and Chicago
Mayor Richard Daley in connection with the 1968 Democratic National
Convention. Clark was intent on protecting the anti-Vietnam War protesters,
much to Johnson and Daley's dismay. The chapter recounts the intense
police-protester clash that ensued and the resulting criminal prosecution
of the so-called Chicago Seven. It also notes Clark's principle-based
filing of various lawsuits, notwithstanding Johnson's directive that no
new, long-term projects be undertaken after Nixon's election.
8Taking the Battle to the Outside
chapter abstract
This chapter picks up with Clark's departure from the Justice Department
and chronicles his developing penchant for undertaking seemingly
anti-American causes. Most notably, the chapter details Clark's opposition
to the Vietnam War, which, besides promoting complete amnesty for draft
evaders, also included a controversial visit to North Vietnam to test
firsthand the accuracy of his government's positive portrayal of its war
effort. Clark determined the "truth" to be otherwise, and he publicly
revealed what he witnessed and demanded an end to the "unjust" war. Related
to this, the chapter likewise examines Clark's representation of various
antiwar advocates and his growing stature as a leader in the international
antiwar movement. Furthermore, the chapter recounts Clark's unsuccessful
U.S. Senate campaigns, plus his representations of Frank Serpico and one of
the Attica Brothers.
9Black Is Beautiful
chapter abstract
This chapter observes that Ramsey Clark was involved in a number of highly
notable matters following his departure from the DOJ and tells the story of
one of his most intriguing cases, the defense of Ruchell Magee. The
prosecution of Magee, who is African American, emanated from an armed
courtroom seizure of hostages and resulting shooting deaths of various
individuals, including a trial judge. The controversial racial component of
the case, combined with the unjust nature of the justice system that
shackled Magee throughout virtually his entire life, are used to highlight
Clark's concern for and appreciation of black people. In a similar vein,
the chapter recounts Clark's oversight of the investigation into the
police-sanctioned murders of Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton and Mark
Clark, and it elaborates on Clark's unique predisposition to view the black
race as beautiful.
10Anti-Semite?
chapter abstract
This chapter explores the theory of some Clark critics that he is
anti-Semitic. It delves into his controversial representations of reputed
Nazi war criminals Karl Linnas and Jack Reimer, as well as his longstanding
association with and representation of the PLO, including his defense of
the organization in the infamous lawsuit stemming from the murder of Leon
Klinghoffer, a disabled American Jew, by Palestinian terrorists. Apart from
Clark's participation in these matters, he has also taken some
controversial supportive positions that seem to go beyond what one would
expect in a pure attorney-client relationship. The chapter analyzes and
questions the claims of anti-Semitism after discussing details of some of
Clark's contentious associations. In this regard, it casts doubt on the
pejorative label by examining parallels between similar affiliations, such
as his representation of the Branch Davidians and his involvement with
other demonized individuals and groups.
11Saddam Hussein
chapter abstract
This chapter centers around what has to be Clark's most controversial
representation-that of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. The chapter
examines why Clark would choose to defend Hussein and tests the widely held
view that this particular client choice confirms that Clark is simply
unpatriotic and anti-American. As the chapter reveals, Clark has
represented a number of international clients and causes that could be
characterized as siding with America's enemy, including inserting himself
into the 1980 Iran hostage crisis and suing President Ronald Reagan, among
others, on behalf of a number of Libyan residents in the aftermath of the
U.S.-led bombing of Tripoli and Benghazi. Most notably, Clark installed
himself as counsel for notorious Rwandan Pastor Elizaphan Ntakirutimana and
Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic. The chapter suggests that Clark's
motivations for representing these individuals are far more complex than
most believe.
12Cold Pizza
chapter abstract
This chapter delves more deeply into Ramsey Clark's personal qualities,
especially his unassuming nature and utter lack of concern with the
accumulation of wealth. It begins by exploring the extraordinarily close
relationship between Clark and his wife Georgia, and it emphasizes the
enormous contribution that she made in her own right, as well as to her
husband's ambitions. She was a remarkable woman, and without her, much of
what Clark accomplished would not have been possible. The chapter also
recounts a very revealing episode regarding Clark's law school classmate
and dear friend George Anastaplo. Most importantly, the chapter examines
Clark's relationship with his daughter Ronda and the pivotal effect that
she undeniably has had upon her father. His empathy for and love of people
who are less fortunate most assuredly was inspired, at least in part, by
lessons that Clark learned from his daughter.
13Like Father, Like Son
chapter abstract
This chapter compares and contrasts Ramsey Clark with his equally famous
father Tom Clark. Tom and Ramsey are the only father and son to have held
the post of U.S. attorney general, which turns out to be but one of a
number of telling similarities between the two men. Tom, who would
culminate his career in public service as a U.S. Supreme Court justice, was
viewed as politically conservative. As such, most would presume that he
could not have been more different than his ultra-liberal son. The chapter
reveals the fallacy of this assumption by chronicling examples where their
social views coincided-most significantly, in the area of civil rights. To
be sure, Tom and Ramsey were different in many respects, and the chapter
addresses these distinctions. It also explores the nature of their somewhat
complex father-son relationship, as well as the internal dynamics of their
respective families.
Conclusion: "Carry On . . . and Kick Up Some Dust"
chapter abstract
The Conclusion reflects on the entirety of Ramsey Clark's life journey,
focusing on his 90th birthday celebration and the screening of a
documentary about him by filmmaker Joseph Stillman titled "Citizen Clark .
. . A Life of Principle." The chapter emphasizes the enormous complexity
and contradictory nature of Clark's life, which have led some to view him
as heroic and unfailingly goodhearted and others to conclude that he is
unpatriotic and evil. Most, however, are completely unfamiliar with him,
oblivious to the critical role he played in countless historical episodes.
He is a true enigma-a nonviolent, fearless, self-deprecating defender of
those whom society has been conditioned to recognize as enemies. There is
simply no way to reconcile all of the incongruities in his life journey,
and this is what makes Clark so fascinating and why it is essential for the
world to know his story.