Takes one to know one.
The old saying will have special meaning for Washington, D.C., Councilman Marion Barry who is expected to take leadership of the governmental panel that oversees legislation to help ex-felons.
While Barry's status as a local icon gives him little in common with the average ex-felon in D.C., Barry could end up being a powerful advocate for people who seek to better themselves after running afoul of the law.
Of all his ills, not being in touch with the common man has never been among them.
Though he has broken laws during his time dealing with drugs, alcohol and taxes, Barry has worked to get everyday people a slice of government pie that had been restricted to big shots and people with ties to members of Congress.
As chair of the Committee on Aging and Community Affairs, Barry will have the power to make it easier for ex-felons to find city work, return to school and find housing.
Barry will have to endure a few snide comments like the one that led this piece.
But in his new position, the 74-year old lawmaker will have the power to help a class of people who often find little compassion when they want to turn their lives around.
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Comments: (4)
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By: butchcrews on 1/18/2011 8:17PM
He got what everyone gets when they become the focus of powerful enemies. He was lucky, in that he is, as one of the commentators on this site was astute to enough to perceive, CONNECTED, not merely in the negative connotation, but actually and even more so, to pulse of the community at large. This simply means that he is much more adored by the majority, than hated or dispised by the minority. He has the ability to smile and pass it on to others, covincingly. His street credits are impeccable, his IQ (believe me), is in the top 2%, which makes him a hard act to intellectually follow. He wasn't born to lose at what he does best, the entertainment of the Washington area population. Intellectual entertainers hold the attention of the majority of the educated, and equaly, the normals. They who are blessed with the ability to radiate the power of the knowing smile to everyone, becomes a brilliant light within the darkness of their pessimism. A wonderful gift to have. keep on Mr. Barry.
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By: bob on 1/18/2011 9:06PM
yeah butch no one can hold a pipe er I mean a candle to barry.
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By: butchcrews on 8/07/2011 12:01AM
Dear disgruntled Bob,
If you had his brains you would probably possess the ability garner FREE publicity, and therefore, wealth and fame. It's obvious that Mr. Berry has figured out secrets that you covet, namely, the ability to behave as he pleases, have fun while becomming extremely wealthy and famous, stay good and high, get richer and (thanks to people such yourself )more famous and still be beneficent to his community and still yet, land on top, smiling with more power than he earlier possessed as the mayor. Jealousy is more painful to the possessor of it than to it's object. Now on that one, allow me to say " (quote):, " me thinketh though protesteth too much. " (unquote ).
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By: MaryAnnehasspoken on 1/24/2011 9:34AM
As a former Washingtonian, I say hail to Mayor Barry. I think that he is always trying to help those who are disadvantaged. Shame on you bob with a small b.
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