| The presentation offered in "Two Men, Two Lives" would have us believe that this is a tale of redemption; a little morality play that demonstrates the importance of recognizing the errors of one's ways, of atoning for one's misdeeds, of trying to do right and prevent one's sins from being visited on future generations. Those are all valuable lessons, but they have precious little to do with this story. As described here, Edward O'Hare was nothing less than a corrupt lawyer and out-and-out hoodlum. Despite his having entered a profession in which he was expected, of all things, to uphold the law, he willingly broke it to enrich himself by engaging in a variety of unethical and illegal schemes in partnership with the most notorious gangster in American history, Al Capone. What's more, he served as Capone's attorney, aiding the mobster in setting up numerous illegal enterprises and helping to keep Capone and his cronies out of prison. If "Easy Eddie" did eventually provide information that aided federal authorities in sending Capone to prison for income tax evasion, it was not because he had an attack of conscience, wanted to right the wrongs he'd done, or sought to teach his son Edward Jr. (known as "Butch") the value of integrity -- he did it because he could see the handwriting on the wall (i.e., Capone was going to be nailed soon with or without his assistance), and by doing the feds a favor, he could secure an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis for his son (presumably at expense of other worthy candidates who lacked the advantage of having mob-connected lawyers for fathers).  Perhaps Edward O'Hare believed or knew he would be killed for what he had done; perhaps not. Either way, it was his son Butch who redeemed the family name through his wartime bravery and heroism, and the price he paid for that redemption was his life. None of that redemption was achieved through the actions of Edward Sr., save that the old man traded on some mob connections to move his son to the head of the line for Annapolis. Do we think Easy Eddie "was able to pass the value of integrity on to his son"? Hell, no. Quite the opposite: He taught his son that if you're clever enough and sufficiently lacking in moral values you can live a life of wealth and privilege by victimizing others, and if your gravy train should ever derail you can always grab a few last ladlesful by ratting on your associates. Butch O'Hare was suitably honored when the Chicago airport known as Orchard Depot was renamed O'Hare International in 1949. It's unfortunate that he and the airport have to share the O'Hare name with his criminal father. |
