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Chicago, Mar. 11, '67 Dear Jack:
You've probably heard of the new bill up in the Illinois legislature, the so-called "Stop and Frisk law." This measure, should it become law and sustained (I hope not) by the U.S. Supreme Court, will get off fireworks and hell of a nature similar to life in Nazi Germany. On the gab programs (new to me), which you've probably heard, as you were in this area until fairly recently, it's interesting to see how people respond. Cops are all for it, so are the comfortable citizens, this experience, was always apprehensive, as cops in Chicago always feeling that they will be the principal targets of this measure, and perhaps they're right.
Have you heard the PILL joke about the pregnant mother whose baby was born with one clenched fist? When opened, there was the pill inside the hand.
From the time JFK's ambition to enter the White House was realized, I used to say (with Bobby playing such a prominent role and Ted being frequently mentioned) that the Kennedys were bent on establishing a dynasty (pron. "din-asty"in England ), giving JFL god-like qualities, totally false, moreover there was nothing in the Kennedy's past that showed the family more than normally disposed towards suffering humanity. It was funny after living in N. Ireland, realizing how in Sou. Ireland used to ask about this "great man," and in Ulster people started off by saying that they didn't think Jackie was so beautiful (agreed), then seemed to want to hear how rotten old Joe and the others really were. So Gore Vidal has delivered himself of the same kind of sentiments I had, only in his case he had more evidence, having a distant sort of relationship with that bunch through Jackie and he being some sort that JFK was elected by a tiny majority, practically all of which was through vote fraud, The So. Irish didn't care, which was always the way with the people everywhere - win at any price. You will recall how a judge from E. St. Louis was brought to Chicago after the 1960 election to whitewash each and every person who had stuffed ballot boxes, etc.
Have often wondered if you manage to get the Chicago newspapers, especially those Sunday ones that are important to you. Anyways, here's a clipping on the Algren, et al, case.
Our house in Maidstone has been on the block for a couple of months now. Slow in getting anybody with our price, which is what we paid in the first place (but we put 500 bucks into it). As I sometimes think (mainly to not having made the right connections here as yet) I should return, and as my wife might weary of it all, it would be a matter of personal reproach and Christ know how much from my kids and others; maybe I will, if only long enough to get rid of the joint and accompany her home by boat. I have to think about it a mite more. I don't regard the affair as a complete loss, the experience was most worthwhile, but you know some people moan when they lose a race.
Best wishes to you and Mrs. Conroy, and I hoper her leg is improving.