Larry Langford: the final words

A former mayor, a convicted felon. A roundup of the post-Langford eulogies and rants …

Joey Kennedy, Birmingham News:

What is there, exactly, to laugh about here? Whatever one thinks of Larry Langford, he’s a human being with feelings, family, dreams. He feels pain. He certainly is convicted of committing horrible crimes, but it’s not like he chopped up kids and buried them under his Fairfield house.

Kyle Whitmire, Birmingham Weekly:

After the verdict, Birmingham News columnist John Archibald opined about (NBC 13 reporter Jon) Paepcke’s Olympics question: “What is this, ‘The Daily Show’? It was vile, pointless and inappropriate.”

It wasn’t “The Daily Show,” but maybe it should have been. A little more incredulity the last few years would have revealed the Langford administration for what it was: vile, pointless and inappropriate.

Still, after the conviction, the Langford apologies did not stop. In fact, they increased. Commentators took pains to complement Langford’s good qualities, while glossing over the bad. Birmingham, it seems, is the new Stockholm.

Boyce Watkins, BV Black Spin:

If a politician is being a little selfish on the side, I don’t usually care as long as he is doing his job effectively. Call me cynical, but I don’t trust politicians as far as I can throw them, and I believe that for every convicted politician, there are 10 others who did the same thing unscathed.

Reuters:

[This is probably our favorite unintended blooper line.] Whoever wins [the mayor’s race] next month would appear to have their work cut out in trying to persuade local voters that corruption is endemic and deep-rooted here.

David Pelfrey, Black and White:

Let’s stop fooling around. Any rational, honest observer of Langford’s political trajectory understands that he was intellectually unexceptional, self-absorbed, devoid of sincerity, and wholly without remorse for any deed committed or word spoken.

Whether at a City Hall meeting or while engaged in one of his many publicity stunts, or when he was viciously haranguing some poor soul who voiced an opposing view, or if the mayor was dreaming out loud about some needless, expensive project, Larry Langford can be described as simple-minded and unlikable.

In no category does he qualify for respect, but in a town where the political brain trust is regularly engaged in self-delusion, Langford receives some measure of admiration.

Our assessment:

Hubris propelled Langford far in his career, and hubris ultimately brought him down. He acted as if other opinions, especially contradictory ones, had zero merit. He bullied when he could have collaborated. He preached humility before God, then proceeded to use his office (then and now) as though anointed with divine power.

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Also:

• Complete coverage: The trial of Larry Langford
• Vote 2009 coverage

Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009, 9:13 pm, in B'ham.
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