Year ten of Papa’s life stands out with vivid memories. Television was in its infancy and much of the news came from radio. However, what I most remember are from News Reels. These were often played at movie houses as well as at school assemblies. The events described might be from a week or more prior to showing but the narrator’s voice coupled with film of far away places captured my imagination.
The armistice ending the Korean War was of most significance in 1953. Communist China and North Korea’s invasion had at least been halted. Jubilant crowds in London for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation seemed quaintly out of date to my eyes. Except that it will be in color, I suspect the next coronation won’t be much different for me seventy years later. Conquering Mount Everest was feted as another unattainable goal finally reached. It was a human achievement to celebrate. There was still a fascination with “firsts”. Not that many years later I was just as inspired when JFK said we’d put a man on the moon in the 60’s. And, this country did.
Yet, so much of 1953 was also impacted by the fear generated by Socialist Totalitarians represented by the Soviet Communists. After stealing secrets to build the A-Bomb in the 1940’s, the USSR exploded a hydrogen bomb for effect in 1953. That year the Rosenbergs were executed for their roles as Soviet spies. The murderous monster Stalin also left planet earth that year. For a nine/ten year old kid I knew the significance of these events. I remember knowing the name of the other Soviet monster that died that year. Secret Police Chief Beria. It was as clear as a bell that one did not want to live under a government run by the main communist thugs; Stalin and Beria. We felt sorrow for and prayed for the plight of children behind the Iron Curtain.
Beria is a name you will hear following today’s indictment of a leading Presidential candidate/former President. The Soviet Secret Police Chief bragged ” show me the man and I will show you the crime.” An Attorney General/Supreme Court Justice appointed by FDR warned of the dangers represented by Beria’s disdain for fairness. Robert Jackson said prosecutors should not be out to get the person but rather chose prosecutions that are needed. Beware of reacting to public clammer/hysteria for scalps of opponents. Trump’s indictment is a “first” that does not inspire. A prosecutorial dam has been broken. It better turn out to be a near perfect case. If not, and it becomes seen as for political gain, who can doubt a precedent of fair game crimes might be used against future enemies.
You will hear much debate and perhaps see more turmoil about this pending criminal case as well others being teed up before the 2024 election. I am not holding my breath for calm discussions. I do hope that you become engaged and have the opportunity to think long and hard about legal issues. I remember reading many opinions from Justice Jackson in my casebooks. I have a great respect for the legal pillars of our constitutional republic. Never voluntarily give up the right to due process. Even a supposed political champion did not get it right by implying the defendant gets a chance to prove innocence in our system. That is wrong. America’s system is based on the presumption of innocence, Defendants do not have to prove it. Beware of sliipery talk on the basics. That is where informed voting by you comes in. I believe I gave each of you a pamphlet that contained the founding documents. Now, is a good time to read it/reread?