What will be Merrick Garland’s Legacy?
Many men and women care deeply about their legacy, especially if they are famous and influential figures, but many don’t. I remember someone asking Bill Barr what he wants his legacy to be. He said, “Who cares? I’ll be dead.”
I believe that you should always start with the end in mind. What I mean by that is you should live your life in such a way that your tombstone will reflect what your life was all about and what you meant to others. Hopefully, it is a tombstone with effusive praise. A tombstone that says, “Here lies a wonderful person who cared deeply about others more than he/she cared about himself or herself.”
You can look at today’s famous people and tell whether they care about their legacy. And you can almost write their tombstone now without them even dying. The twice-impeached Florida retiree doesn’t care about his legacy. His tombstone will say, “Here lies trump. And he’s still lying. He was a liar. The Biggest Liar. And this is his last lie.” But even trump’s tombstone will have a wonderful P.S. Yes, it will say, “This is a public urinal where anyone can P.S., no matter your race, creed, sex, religion, or sexual orientation. Shitting on it will cost you an extra $50.00.”
Jeff Bezos’ tombstone will be shaped like a dick, just like the spaceship that he built to take him on his vanity ride to outer space while his workers are slaving away making minimum wage. Gym Jordan’s tombstone will be terrifying and will say, “Look the other away!” Marjorie Greene and Lauren Boebert will share one tombstone that says, “Here lie two birds of a feather who Glocked together and formed a rock band known as “Guns and Poses.” Rudy Giuliani’s tombstone will be like Jesus’ and will say, “Rudy dyed for your sins.” By the way, you can play along with me in the comments section with your own funny tombstones for people who you despise, or even people who you admire. But trust me, the funniest ones will be of the former and not the latter.
But what will be Merrick Garland’s legacy? And if you start with the end in mind, like I mentioned above, what will his tombstone say? It may say one of two things. It may say, “Here lies a brave man who did the right thing. He prosecuted a criminal who was responsible for the death of countless lives and cruel acts against humanity.” Or it may say, “Here lies a coward who could have saved our Democracy by prosecuting the most corrupt criminal in our country’s history.”
So, what will it be, Mr. Garland?
Okay…and before I get the inevitable pushback like I got in my last Merrick Garland diary titled, “Should Merrick Garland be put on the shot clock?” let me say the requisite caveats. Garland cannot do anything until he gathers all the facts. To do otherwise would be foolish. Fair enough. I agree with that caveat. But I’m not Dick Caveat. I am frank, and frankly speaking, there are enough facts already to at least convene a Grand Jury to review the facts and determine whether charges should be brought.
And to paraphrase Glenn Kirschner “He should at least start an investigation if he hasn’t done so already. Time is running out. After the 2022 Midterm elections, the Republicans – if they regain control of the House -- will disband the January 6th Committee in a New York minute. A Grand Jury should be convened and allowed to get all of the evidence that has already been gathered by the Committee. Let the Grand Jury decide whether and when charges can be brought against trump. Our Democracy hangs in the balance and Garland is uniquely positioned to prevent our Democracy from tipping over into outright fascism.”
Of course, many will say, “Frank, let the process run its course and play itself out.” And that is exactly what I’m worried about: the process and the shot clock running out.
What do you think will be Merrick Garland’s legacy? I already know what you HOPE his legacy will be. But what will you write on his tombstone if you were to write it today?
Okay, I’ve donned my suit of armor and I’m ready for the slings and arrows that will surely come.
So, my question to myself will be…
To be or not to be? Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous Kossacks, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?