A (Corrupt) Coat Tale

Oh, what a quaint and honest country we once were

Hello, hungry people

What you’re looking at above is a vicuña coat. Vicuña is the world’s rarest wool. It comes from cute, little llama-like creatures that live high in the Andes Mountains.

These days, a good vicuña coat will run in the neighborhood of $12,000-plus. But back in 1958, when this particular coat made headlines, they went for about $1,500.

Keep that number in mind.

***

The guy you see below is Sherman Adams.

In 1958, he was one of the most powerful men in the world. Adams, a former governor of New Hampshire, was chief of staff for President Dwight Eisenhower.

By all accounts, he was a highly competent, no-nonsense manager who ran a tight ship.

So closely did Adams guard access to Ike from those who sought his favor that he was nicknamed the “Abominable No Man.”

Adams wielded so much influence that a popular joke around D.C. had one Democrat asking another: “Wouldn’t it be terrible if Eisenhower died and Nixon became President?” With the other Democrat answering: “Wouldn’t it be terrible if Sherman Adams died and Eisenhower became President?”

***

Here’s where the vicuña coat comes in.

A rich textile manufacturer from Boston, under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, gave the coat to Adams, along with an expensive oriental rug.

Astonishing as it might seem, there were once rules in place that forbid government officials, including the President, from accepting gifts from those wanting to curry favor with decision makers. A Congressional committee held hearings on the matter of the vicuña coat. It was big news.

Before any charges were brought down, Sherman Adams resigned rather than bring shame upon the Eisenhower administration and tarnish the sanctity of our system of government.

He returned to New Hampshire and went to work building Loon Mountain, which became the large ski resort in New England.

Sherman Adams made a stupid mistake, but he did honorable thing. Back when playing by the rules meant something.

***

You see where I’m heading here, don’t you?

A $1,500 vicuña coat compared to:

• A $200 million jet.

• Jeff Bezos financing a Netflix documentary about Melania Trump that will put an estimated $28 million in her pocket.

• $320 million heading to the Trump family business from its recent cryptocurrency offerings.

***

I don’t need to beat this into the ground. Either you’re outraged. Or you’re not.

And, if you’re outraged, considering joining in the No Kings Day protests taking place across the country on June 14, the same day the VSG¹ will hold a North Korean-style parade to celebrate his 79th birthday with tanks and soldiers and an estimated $75 million price tag.

I plan to attend the protest in Orlando. I think I’ll carry a sign that says: “Sherman Adams Did the Right Thing.”

Thanks for reading. See you back here soon.

1. Very Stable Genius