Roy Cohn's Uknown Adventures in Singapore

The SuperHero of Legal Cynicism vs ‘Judges-Herculeses’

In the pantheon of legal legends, Roy Cohn stands not as a beacon of Hercules-like justice, but rather as its grotesque, cynical antithesis - the kind of lawyer who'd sue his own shadow for being too close. Imagine if Hercules, after cleaning out the Augean stables, decided to sell the manure back to the king for profit; that's Roy Cohn in a nutshell.

Born with a silver spoon in one hand and a subpoena in the other, Cohn was the kind of lawyer who made the term "ambulance chaser" seem quaint. His career was a masterclass in how to bend, twist, and outright strangle the law until it screamed for mercy. While the mythical Hercules sought to uphold the law of gods and men, Cohn was busy making the law his personal bitch, all while smirking from behind his designer glasses.

Let's talk about irony. Here was a man, a gay Jew, who in his professional life, hunted down those of his own kind with the zeal of a crusader on a bad acid trip. He was like a self-loathing shark in the waters of McCarthyism, devouring his own kind to prove his loyalty to the straight, white, and very, very paranoid powers that be. If there's a portrait of hypocrisy, it's got Cohn's smug face on it, framed in the finest mahogany hypocrisy could buy.

Jeremy Strong's portrayal? Brilliant, no doubt, capturing the essence of Cohn's smarmy, manipulative nature to a T. But let's not confuse the art with the artist here. In real life, Cohn was the embodiment of legal cynicism, using his sexuality and heritage as both shield and sword in a game where everyone else was just a pawn.

Cohn didn't just push the boundaries of legal ethics; he obliterated them, then danced on their grave. He was the lawyer who, if he could, would have sued God for malpractice on the sixth day, claiming He should have rested earlier to avoid creating such human nuisances like Roy Cohn himself.

In an age where the law was supposed to be a beacon of justice, Roy Cohn turned it into a dim, flickering neon sign in a seedy part of town, advertising "Justice for Sale - Cheap!" His legacy? A testament to how one can be both a legal genius and a moral void, a reminder that in the legal world, sometimes the most unforgettable characters are those you'd least want to meet in a dark alley - or a courtroom.

So here's to Roy Cohn, the anti-Hercules of law, whose name will forever be synonymous with the grotesque, the cynical, and the utterly, unabashedly corrupt. Bravo, Roy, you showed us the underbelly of the American Dream - and what a nightmare it was.

Roy Cohn (1927-1986) was a controversial American attorney 

• Served as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s Communist investigations
• Played a central role in the Army-McCarthy hearings
• Helped drive the anti-communist investigations and prosecutions

• Known for aggressive, confrontational legal tactics
• Represented high-profile clients including: Donald Trump (early in Trump's career), Mafia figures, New York power brokers, etc

• Known for his ruthless approach to law and politics
• Developed a reputation for using media manipulation
• Practiced what he called "attack-dog" legal strategies
• Known for strong connections in political and media circles

• Remained closeted despite being gay
• Died of AIDS in 1986, though he publicly denied having the disease
• Subject of various books, documentaries, and dramatic works

• Mentored several prominent figures including Donald Trump
• His methods and approach continue to influence certain styles of legal and political strategy (I know, I know)
• He's been portrayed in various media, including: ‘The Appretience’ (recent one), "Angels in America" (play and HBO series), Documentary "Where's My Roy Cohn?", Various books and articles examining his influence on American legal and political culture

Roy Cohn's life and career are often discussed in the context of American politics, law, and ethics, reflecting the darker sides of ambition and power in the legal profession. His methods and morals have been subjects of critique and analysis, particularly in discussions about legal ethics and political influence. Here's a summary of key aspects of his career and life:

• Early Career and McCarthyism: Born in 1927, Cohn became famous in the 1950s as Senator Joseph McCarthy's chief counsel during the Army-McCarthy hearings. His aggressive tactics and role in the anti-communist witch hunts of the era made him a notable figure. Cohn was instrumental in the legal proceedings that led to the conviction of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for espionage, which resulted in their execution in 1953.
• Legal Practice: After his time with McCarthy, Cohn established a law practice in New York, where he represented numerous high-profile clients. He was known for his ruthless legal strategies and his ability to manipulate the legal system to benefit his clients. His clientele included celebrities, politicians, and mobsters, showcasing his wide-ranging influence.
• Donald Trump: One of his notable associations was with Donald Trump, for whom he served as a legal advisor in the 1970s and 1980s. Cohn was instrumental in teaching Trump about real estate and legal strategies, significantly influencing Trump's early business practices.
• Personal Life and Controversies: Cohn was also known for his personal life controversies, including his sexuality. Despite being gay, he lived part of his life in the closet due to the political climate and stigma associated with homosexuality at the time. He was disbarred in New York in 1986 after being found guilty of unethical conduct, including defrauding a client and lying on a bar application.
• Death and Legacy: Cohn died in 1986 from complications related to AIDS, a condition he denied having publicly until very close to his death. His legacy is complex; he's remembered for his controversial methods. 

Roy Cohn's persona and legal practices have been subjects of significant debate. Negative Perspectives:

• Character and Ethics: Many accounts describe Cohn as ruthless, manipulative, and devoid of ethical considerations. His approach to law was often seen as one where ends justified the means, with little regard for the spirit or intent of the law. He was known for tactics that included intimidation, character assassination, and bending legal ethics to serve his or his clients' interests. His disbarment in 1986 for unethical conduct, including defrauding a client and lying on a bar application, underscores this view. Sources have described him as having a "lack of ethics" and "lack of empathy", suggesting he used the law as a tool for personal gain rather than justice.
• Public Perception: describing him as embodying "real evil" or as someone who used the Constitution "for toilet paper".

While not often credited with defending the 'spirit of the law,' Cohn's approach could be seen as (anti)innovative in how he pushed the boundaries of legal practice. His methods, though controversial, were effective (as fascism?) in achieving results for his clients, albeit one focused on winning rather than justice.

The consensus leans towards the view of Cohn as someone who was indeed an "asshole" in terms of personality, using the law pragmatically for his goals, often at the expense of ethical considerations. His actions, particularly during the McCarthy hearings and his later career, suggest a focus on personal and client gain over the integrity of legal practice. His legal strategies represent a form of (anti)innovation, albeit one that's highly contentious and ethically questionable. 

His legacy is a testament to how one can be both influential and morally dubious in the legal field, illustrating the debate between ‘spirit of law’ and ethical practice. From historical records and accounts, Roy Cohn was indeed widely considered to be extremely unethical and manipulative, using law as a weapon rather than an instrument of justice:

• Ruthlessly destroyed lives during McCarthy era witch hunts while being closeted himself
• Known for outright lying in court and to the media
• Would often not pay his bills or taxes while living luxuriously
• Regularly threatened and intimidated opponents
• Used blackmail as a standard tactic
• Would represent mob figures while simultaneously informing on them to the FBI
• His "Innovations" (though ethically questionable): Developed "attack the attacker" strategy; Perfected delay and counterattack strategies (how familiar, lol); Developed ways to weaponize the legal process itself. 

His legacy lives on in certain aggressive legal tactics, but he's generally viewed as a cautionary tale rather than a role model in legal ethics. His Philosophy (besides famously told Trump: "Never settle, never surrender, counterattack"):

• "I don't want to know what the law is, I want to know who the judge is" (hmmm?)
• Viewed law not as a system of justice but as a tool for power
• Believed in winning at any cost

Historical Judgment: Most historians and legal scholars view him as someone who corrupted rather than defended the "spirit of law." He's often cited as an example of how legal expertise can be used to subvert justice rather than serve it. The irony is that his methods were as innovative as sophisticated computer viruses are innovative. He found new ways to exploit the legal system's vulnerabilities rather than strengthen its foundations.

Psychopathy: It’s Not a Bug - It’s A Feature Bro!

Based on the characteristics, which align with traits often associated with psychopathy or Antisocial Personality Disorder (the contemporary clinical term), Roy Cohn's behaviors and reputation could indeed suggest he possessed some of these traits:

• Ignoring Social Norms and Laws: Cohn was notorious for his aggressive legal tactics, bending or breaking legal and ethical boundaries to achieve his goals. His disbarment for unethical conduct is a clear example of this behavior.
• Lying and Manipulation: Throughout his career, Cohn was known for his ability to manipulate situations and people, often through deceit or by leveraging his influence. His relationships with clients, from mobsters to politicians, often involved some level of manipulation for mutual benefit.
• Irresponsibility: While Cohn was highly effective in his legal practice, his personal life and some of his professional conduct showed a disregard for responsibility, particularly in how he managed his health (denying his AIDS diagnosis) and in the unethical actions that led to his disbarment.
• Lack of Empathy: Cohn's treatment of clients, adversaries, and even friends often lacked warmth or genuine concern. His approach during the McCarthy era, where he helped prosecute individuals with little regard for their lives or the truth, suggests a profound lack of empathy.
• Superficial Charm: Cohn was known for his charisma and ability to charm or intimidate, depending on what served him best. This charm was more about manipulation than genuine likability, a trait often seen in those with psychopathic tendencies.

However, psychopathy is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive psychological evaluation, which we obviously can't perform on Cohn now. What can be said is that Cohn exhibited behaviors that align with characteristics of what might be colloquially or clinically described as psychopathic traits. His actions, particularly his lack of remorse, manipulation, and disregard for law and ethics, paint a picture of a personality that thrived on power and control, often at the expense of others' well-being or rights.