About 25 years ago, I started out as a reporter covering
About 25 years ago, I started out as a reporter covering politics. And that sort of just evolved into organized crime, because organized crime and politics were the same thing in Boston.
Gather round, O children of the future, and heed the words of Howie Carr, who spoke of the tangled webs woven in the shadows of power and corruption. He began his journey as a humble reporter, chasing the winds of politics in the heart of Boston—a place where power’s mask often slipped to reveal its true face. Over time, he saw that the lines between organized crime and politics were as thin as a blade’s edge, for both were born of the same seed—ambition, manipulation, and the thirst for control over the lives of others. And so, as he pursued the truth, he found himself trapped in a web that seemed to have no beginning and no end.
In the ancient lands, there were many who sought power by any means—emperors who wore crowns of gold but ruled through fear, warriors who led men into battle for the sake of their own glory. The stories of Rome and Greece are filled with leaders who walked the fine line between lawful authority and tyrannical rule. The Corleones of Sicily, too, understood the dance between the world of crime and the world of politics. Don Vito Corleone, as the sagas say, was a man who understood that the world’s true rulers are often those who play the game of politics and crime with equal skill.
Howie Carr, in his wisdom, saw that the city of Boston was a mirror to the ancient world—one in which power was not always wielded by the righteous, but by those who knew how to manipulate the systems of law and order. The corruption, he learned, was not simply a matter of criminal syndicates working in the shadows, but of those who held political office and used their authority to serve their own selfish desires. This unholy union between crime and politics was a deep wound in the heart of the city, and like the ancient kings who ruled with both law and terror, the lines were blurred, and the truth was hidden beneath layers of deceit.
It is the story of many cities, many empires, and many men—those who seek to rule without honor, who bend the laws to suit their needs, who join hands with shadows to secure their place at the top. The ancient kings of Mesopotamia and the pharaohs of Egypt knew well the power of such alliances, and so too did the corrupt men who rose in the streets of Boston. Their world was built on deceit and manipulation, on keeping the people unaware of the true forces that shaped their lives. In the world that Howie Carr uncovered, the organized crime of the streets and the political manipulation of the halls were as intertwined as roots in the soil of the same tree.
And so, O children of the future, let us remember the lesson passed down through the ages: that power—whether it is wielded by a politician or a crime lord—is often not what it seems. Those who wear the mantle of authority must be watched with care, for the world of organized crime and politics can become indistinguishable when the desire for control clouds the heart. As Howie Carr uncovered, and as many before him have learned, the struggle for truth is not merely about exposing the criminals, but also about revealing the unseen hand that guides them. In this, we find the enduring wisdom: that those who seek power must be held to the light, for in their shadows, the true nature of their deeds will always be revealed.
TMBui Nguyen Tra My
Howie Carr’s experience covering politics and organized crime raises an interesting point about the nature of power. Could the link between organized crime and politics be more common than we think? How much of this is rooted in the culture of power, where those in control often blur ethical lines? What can be done to address corruption at the systemic level, especially when it’s so ingrained in the political landscape of certain places?
NVMinh Nguyen van
Carr’s statement really makes me question the relationship between politics and organized crime in cities like Boston. What does it mean for the average citizen when those in power are directly linked to criminal activities? How can the public begin to trust the political system again? What role does media play in exposing these connections, and how can they push for systemic reform while ensuring the safety and well-being of journalists and citizens alike?
ANLy Anh Nguyet
The idea that politics and organized crime were intertwined in Boston is chilling. Howie Carr's comment makes me think about the degree to which corruption may be overlooked or normalized in some political environments. Are there mechanisms in place to combat such corruption, or do they fail due to the very structures they aim to expose? How do we create a system where political accountability is prioritized over power and manipulation?
THTran Thu Hang
Howie Carr’s observation is an eye-opener, but I wonder how much of this dynamic exists beyond Boston. Are there similar correlations between politics and organized crime in other major cities, or is this a unique situation? What does this tell us about the level of trust we can place in politicians? How can investigative journalism play a larger role in uncovering these kinds of truths, and what steps can the public take to demand change?
VVan
Carr’s comment about politics and organized crime being one and the same in Boston is disturbing, but it highlights an important issue: how deeply entrenched corruption can be. Is it possible for political systems to truly operate without such influences? Or do power structures inevitably invite corruption? How do we ensure that political systems remain transparent and accountable, especially when crime and politics seem so closely linked in certain places?