RUDY CAN FAIL. AND DID.

This morning, I am thinking about Rudy Giuliani, and how as a character in a play he is quite interesting. Here is this public figure, who was given this global spotlight at a very dramatic time. He could have become some kind of political super hero, a person who through this horrific experience finds complete moral clarity and salvation, and then uses his powers for good.

Sort of a political Spiderman.

But when his chance came, after Uncle Ben gets killed by the crook he let run by, Rudy doesn't connect the dots. Doesn't realize that with great power comes great responsibility. No. Instead, he tries to join the Sinister Six. But he can't even get into that group of super baddies, because he instantly loses his super powers. 

I am thinking of him and his odd fall from momentary grace because of two things. First and foremost, he is in the news a lot thanks to his trying to help the former Lunatic-- sorry, former President -- steal the last election. A lot. He actually wanted to overturn a democratic election in the land of E Pluribus Unum. I always thought that when someone tries to stand for Law and Order, they should do just that. Stand up for the law. And order. But no. Rudy just wanted to keep his buddy in power, regardless of who actually won. 

He wanted to cheat. 

A lot.

And thus, became more of a joke. And man, what a joke. Hair dye running down his head during a press conference. Farting on mic during a hearing. Holding that other presser in front of that run down warehouse. You can't make this shit up. It's too weird. Too on the nose, to use screenwriting speak. 

Besides his clear involvement in the attempt to kill democracy in America, I am also thinking of Rudy, who I think looks more and more like Nosferatu, because of the series Dopesick, which is where I learned that shortly after 9/11, he became a lawyer for Purdue Pharma. He decided, after being declared America's Mayor, to represent a company that pushed some very addictive and not good for you drugs, through lies and more lies, into the mouths of millions of his fellow Americans. 

What a dick.

What a sad, pathetic, waste of space dick.

I lived in NYC when 9/11 happened. I did not think he was a good mayor. He was clearly in bed with landlords and corporate interests. He pursued laws against small time crime, but was never that good going after corporate goons. 

Then that horrible day came, and he stood up. Briefly. And became a true leader. 

It didn't last long, but he had a shot, a chance to wash his hands of his past imperfections and become something better.

And he didn't. 

He failed. 

How sad.

So, on this Tuesday, I am going to try and remember old Rudy, how he failed when opportunity knocked, and do my best to not make the same kind of mistakes if I am lucky enough to be given a chance to do something good.

Here's a song. It's Rudy Can't Fail, by The Clash.