Caffeinated Politics

After reading my article about the Department of Justice listening to a two-hour spiel on why Richard Nixon and Watergate defendants were somehow treated unfairly in the legal process in the 1970s, a reader sent me the following photographs. (This reader knows I am a fan of how the Grand Ole Opry once was, and a great admirer of Roy Acuff.) Donald Trump sycophants at every level are working to shape and mold even history itself so that Dear Leader cannot be held accountable for his actions. MAGA wants to say the courts and the federal government unjustly went after Nixon; therefore, Trump must be innocent too. MAGA and Mensa both start with an M… but after that, it is all downhill.

Martha was the wife of John Mitchell, United States Attorney General under President Richard Nixon. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury, but served only 19 months. Her public comments and interviews during the Watergate scandal helped create the Martha Mitchell effect. This is when a psychiatrist mistakenly identifies a patient’s true but extraordinary claims as delusions. Her comments about the Watergate scandal eventually led the press and investigators to uncover the truth behind the scandal. She died at age 57 on May 31, 1976, from multiple myeloma. She was a colorful and dynamic woman.

Martha Mitchell, right, shares a moment with fellow guest Roy Acuff during the final taping of the week’s sessions of the Mike Douglas show at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on May 1, 1975. Looking on is guest fiddler Mitchell Fuston, 12. Ernsberger / The Tennessean

In the same vein, here are other photos of Roy with some famous politicians.

Republican vice president candidate George Bush, left, sings along with host Roy Acuff during a Grand Ole Opry show at the Opry House on Oct. 14, 1980. Bush was a guest of the Opry after campaigning in Nashville earlier. Bill Welch / The Tennessean

President George Bush, left, joins in the finale of “I Saw the Light” with Crystal Gayle, Roy Acuff and Kevin O’Neal during Bush’s visit to Nashville on Sept. 29, 1992. O’Neal was the operations manager of WSM Radio and served as emcee of the show at the Roy Acuff Theater at Opryland USA. Mike DuBose / The Tennessean

King of Country Music Roy Acuff, front, speaks after President Ronald Reagan, Gov. Lamar Alexander and fellow Grand Ole Opry stars help him celebrate his 81st birthday on the stage of the Opry House on Sept. 13, 1984. Acuff, whose birthday was Sept. 15, was honored in a tribute emceed by Minnie Pearl. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

President Richard Nixon, front left, thanks Roy Acuff after the Grand Ole Opry star made a second and formal introduction of him before he delivered remarks during the dedication ceremony of the new Grand Ole Opry House on March 16, 1974. Frank Empson / The Tennessean