Black History: The Bad and the Ugly: Nicky Barnes, Mr. Untouchable

>Mr. Untouchable is the name of a documentary DVD on the life of Nicky Barnes, a huge heroin dealer in all 5 boroughs of new york. His criminal enterprise had an estimated net gross of $72,000,000 a year in the 70's. He was one of the only black drug king pins who had direct dealings with the mafia. He and his 6 partners formed 'the council' that ruled his empire like a fortune 500 company.
Mr. Untouchable is a charming, intelligent, articulate, well-read, philosophical, charismatic as well as mesmerizing, loquacious and hypnotic speaker. What is most notable about Mr. Barnes, was that a few years into his sentence, he turned states evidence and provided direct testimony that lead to the convictions of 75 individuals, most or all of which received sentences of 15 years to life in prison.
Mr. Untouchable has no compunction about his testimony. Nor does he have any particular feelings about the effect of the all of the drugs in the community and the lives that were ruined.
In any event, the DVD is a fascinating watch. like a train wreck. I found it enlightening, in hardly any way, but fascinating all the same. it was also disgusting in many ways and sickening to not only view the glorification of a drug lord, but to also, have no ability to not also be in awe of the individual known as 'The Black Godfather'
When asked why he snitched, which is the cardinal sin of all criminals, Mr. Untouchable says, "What good is a rule, if it isn't a jewel, that's fit for the crown of a King? If you gonna take the rule, and just use it for bling and you gonna say, 'fuck the king', then the King gonna sing."