The Divine Right of Mayors

As every student of history knows, most of humanity’s governments have been led by men who believed their authority derived from a “Divine Right of Kings.” The rule of law did not exist, as "law" was simply whatever the king felt suited his purposes.

One revolution and a couple hundred years later, Richard Nixon proved that even constitutional republics aren’t immune to imperial leaders. “When the president does it,” he explained, “that means it is not illegal”.

In Jackson, our own King Frank adores the Divine Right of Mayors. The law forbid him from carrying a gun onto school grounds, but he wanted to, so he did; the law be damned. When he pled no contest to breaking that law, one condition of his probation was that he not drive the Jackson Police Department’s Mobile Command Unit—but he wanted to, so he did; and the law be damned.

In response, a probation service official sent King Frank a letter reminding him of the conditions of his probation. Imperious men are rarely persuaded by stern letters, however, and I doubt this is the last time we will see King Frank thumbing his nose at the law. The question is, when he does it the next time, will the law or the king prevail?

I imagine King Frank is actually asking himself the same question as he glances up from the warning letter to admire the Mobile Command Unit. Let’s hope King Frank is also a student of history and remembers what happened when King George and President Nixon got the answer wrong.

posted by ladd on 01/12/07 at 09:00 PM

posted by Brent Cox on 01/12/07 at 09:07 PM

posted by Kacy on 01/12/07 at 09:14 PM

posted by ladd on 01/12/07 at 09:19 PM

posted by Doc Rogers on 01/12/07 at 09:20 PM

posted by Ex on 01/13/07 at 02:19 AM

posted by Brent Cox on 01/13/07 at 11:26 AM