For What it’s Worth: Warren Hecht

President Trump has engaged in a campaign of intimidation against Congress, the media, universities, and the legal system, including judges and lawyers. He has been most successful in intimidating Congress, which has Republican majorities in both chambers. They are so afraid of the threats of Trump supporting another candidate in a Republican primary that they have given Trump whatever he wants.

February 24 was the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Very few people gave Ukraine much of a chance. Ukraine’s success has been due to their ability and also because of military and financial support from the United States and Europe.

My favorite column to write is the one for the Purim edition. However, it has become difficult, since what used to be considered crazy and satirical is now normal.

On October 20, 1973, President Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Richardson refused and resigned. Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus also refused and resigned. The next in line, Solicitor General Robert Bork, fired Cox. That became known as the Saturday Night Massacre. It did not work out too well for either Nixon or Bork. Nixon resigned as president ten months later and Bork’s nomination to be a justice to the United States Supreme Court was rejected by the Senate.

Although I had a partial conflict on the night of the QJL 13^th anniversary celebration, I made sure to be there, since I am one of the writers. I also came because one of the honorees was Paul Brody. I have known Paul for a long time. It does not appear that he is slowing down. He is working full time and is still involved in Jewish causes. Paul is a throwback to a time when people would have political disagreements, but it would not affect their relationship.

Right after the October 7 massacre by Hamas, there were elected officials who went to Israel to show their support. Many of these elected officials were not Jewish. They put themselves in harm’s way to show their support. Then, at the Queens Jewish Community Council breakfast this past Sunday, I heard Governor Hochul tell a story that reached a whole new level.