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[News Articles 1989-1991]
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415892676
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[News Articles 1989-1991]
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13896-012
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Tony Snow Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
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S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Snow, Tony, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1993
OA/ID Number:
13896
Folder ID Number:
13896-012
Folder Title:
[News Articles 1989-1991]
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G
18
29
2
4
RAP
Mr. President
and Eazy-E
A
mold Schwarzenegger be
longs So do George Shultz
Estée Lauder and Joe Coors
Now Eric (Eazy E) right of the
rap group N.W.A. (Niggers
With Attitude) is also a membe
of the Republican Senatorial
Inner Circle, an elite group of
GOP high rollers. Eazy E was
invited to join last month by
Texas Sen Phil Gramm: "I be
lieve your accomplishments
prove you worthy of member
ship, wrote Gramm Among
those accomplishments:
N.W.A.'s megahit record F
tha Police. E, a Bush fan, po
niedup the $2,500 dues, and this
week he and a par tner are off
to D.C. for a luncheon with the
president.
GOP rap outreach? Wright
Photocopy-Preservation
INTERVIEW
pete on the basis of wages, which means
that the effort will constantly be to pull
wages down instead of building skills up.
Will Americans Work
We are making the wrong choice.
Q. What is the consequence of going the low-
For $5 a Day?
wage route?
A. We take on the characteristics of a
Third World country after a while. We will
Former Labor Secretary WILLIAM BROCK warns
gradually have less and less net real income
in the U.S. Our savings will continue to be
that we must either provide better training for our
inadequate, and businesses will have to ei-
ther shut down because Americans won't
workers or risk paying Third World wages
work for Third World wages or go overseas
for their production. The net effect is an
economy that goes downhill very fast.
By GISELA BOLTE
A. We increased our production signifi-
cantly. We did it in part by investing in
Q. What are businesses doing about upgrad-
Q. Do we have a work-force crisis?
more productive equipment. But the big-
ing the skills of their workers?
A. Yes, but it pales in comparison with the
gest single source of growth came from the
A. Less than 1% of our businesses are
management crisis. Workers work with the
surgé of women, young people and immi-
spending 95% of the training money. Most
tools they are given. Workers do not reor-
grants into the work force. That pool of
are doing very little, and the ones that are
ganize the workplace. Managers do. It has
low-skill, low-wage labor is going to dry up.
doing very much are using their funds to
to tell us something if Japanese and Ger-
If we are going to have growth, it has to
train management. There is almost nothing
man and Swiss firms come to the U.S., put
come from greater human productivity.
in most companies for the great majority of
up a plant, hire American workers and pro-
workers, but the workplace is changing un-
duce a competitive product that is better
Q. And what has happened to productivity?
derneath their feet. The average young
than one produced in an American plant.
A. The rate of improvement is half of what
person coming out of high school today will
It happens too often.
it was 20 years ago. The only reason family
have at least four to six jobs in his working
We can make our workplace so much
income is up is because we've got two-
life, two to three different careers. If work-
more fun, and we can get rid of so much
earner families. Wages in real terms are
ers are given continuing training and edu-
overhead. We have as much bureaucracy
lower today than in 1973. Business tried to
cation by the firms they work for, that is not
in some of our businesses as we have in
pull wages down and put in laborsaving
going to be a problem. If they are not, we
Washington, because by de-emphasizing
machinery because so many workers who
are going to leave 15% to 30% off to the
the quality of workers, we have to increase
are coming in from our educational system
side of the road every year. We proposed in
the number of supervisors. What a waste.
cannot read and write. The easy answer is
our Commission on the Skills of the Ameri-
to buy the most idiot-proof machinery so
can Workforce that those firms that do not
Q. What kind of labor force does America
business can continue to compete.
train their workers pay a 1% tax so that we
need?
Today every country in the world can
as a country can train them and that those
A. All my life people have talked about the
buy the same machinery. If there are peo-
employees are not disadvantaged by work-
global economy in prospect. Suddenly it is
ple in other parts of the world who will
ing for those companies.
here. We are moving in the most funda-
work for $5 a day and they have the same
mentally different world in history, a world
equipment as Americans who want $10 or
Q. Is this the fault of the public schools?
in which individual nations are increasingly
$15 an hour, either we have to change the
A. We have put our emphasis on the col-
vulnerable. Governments are going to be
way people work here-not only work
lege bound, who are 30% of our young
faced with increasing pressures to deal with
harder but smarter, more effectively-or
people. We have the finest university sys-
issues like global growth or the environ-
we have to compete on the basis of wages.
tem. We have public education at the ele-
ment or drugs that are almost invariably
The choice is between high skills and low
mentary and secondary level that ranks
subject only to an international solution.
wages. We seem to be continuing to com-
below every industrial competitor we have
In economic terms,
the world is moving be-
yond multinationals to
firms that are truly trans-
"We are the only
national. The successful
country in the
firm will be one that is
industrial world that
very fast on its feet, capa-
ble of short production
says to 1 out of
runs, short product life
every 4 of its young
cycles, very creative, very
flexible. That will drive
people, We are
them to have a work
going to let you drop
force that is equally flexi-
ble and responsive and
out of sight."
that can adapt to rapidly
and even radically chang-
ing economic demands.
Q. We have had economic
growth for seven years.
Why worry?
12
TIME, JULY 23, 1990
Photocopy-Preservation
ROBERT J. SAMUELSON
End of the
being rapidly dismantled. Britain freed India and Pakistan
in 1947 and Nigeria in 1960. In 1955, President Sukarno of
Indonesia hosted the first conference of 29 nonaligned
nations in Bandung. Many more conferences followed.
Third World
It was always easy to denounce imperialism and ask for
more foreign aid. Unity on other issues was strained or
nonexistent. Countries' interests and circumstances di-
verged too much. "The commonalities between Mexico and
Mali are hard to find," says John Sewell, head of the
The term never
Overseas Development Council, a Washington think tank.
What has also fragmented the Third World are huge
made much sense,
differences in economic growth. In its World Development
but as the cold
Report, the World Bank-the largest international devel-
opment agency-publishes the following table. It gives
war fades, it's
average annual growth rates of per-person income for poor
regions. (East Asia generally stretches from Indonesia
become totally
through Thailand to China; South Asia covers Sri Lanka,
meaningless
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and nearby nations.)
1973-80 1980-89
Sub-Saharan Africa
0.1
-2.2
he Third World is gone. It has been vanishing for a
East Asia
4.7
6.7
11
long while, but now it has completely disappeared.
South Asia
1.7
3.2
Oh, the countries once assigned to the Third World
Eastern Europe
5.3
0.8
are still there, but the concept of the Third World
Latin America
2.6
-0.6
is no longer connected to any reality.
Middle East, North Africa
2.1
0.8
We will still deal (quite obviously) with the Brazils,
Here is a snapshot of progress and poverty. With rapid
Indonesias, Nigerias and Indias. But the idea that these
population growth, poverty has deepened in sub-Saharan
many nations represent anything like a single bloc with
Africa, and disruptions in food production threaten fam-
similar characteristics and interests is shattered forever. It
ine. Latin America, middle-class living standards have
is yet another casualty of the end of the cold war. The term
declined, and the poor have gotten poorer. Meanwhile,
Third World originally reflected a globe divided into the
much of East Asia has boomed. South Korea's income per
First World (the industrialized democracies), the Second
person has climbed 7. percent a year since 1965. In 1988 it
World (the communist bloc) and everyone else. Bingo. The
stood at $3,600. South Korea has more in common with the
implosion of the communist bloc obliterates this geopoliti-
United States than with Zaire (per-person income, $170).
cal arithmetic.
You can make two generalizations about the past 30
What this means is that developing countries, as a
years. First, there have been big gains in reducing poverty.
group, have lost much of their political leverage. The Third
Incomes in most countries have risen. Diets and life expec-
World was once viewed as a vast terrain on which the free
tancies have generally improved. In Colombia, the mortal-
world and the communist bloc struggled for power and
ity rate for children under 5 fell from 135 per thousand in
influence. In this situation, countries could subtly (or not
1965 to 42 per thousand in 1985. Second, massive poverty
so subtly) tout their importance in the cold-war contest as a
remains. The World Bank counts as the poorest of the poor
way of winning more foreign assistance. No longer.
anyone who lives on $1 a day or less. By this measure, a
"Their value as pieces on the strategic and ideological
billion of the world's 5-plus billion people are in poverty.
chessboard has significantly depreciated," writes political
One thing we have learned is that foreign aid doesn't
scientist Mark Falcoff in the current issue of The Ameri-
permanently cure poverty. Countries do it on their own or
can Enterprise magazine. "These countries will find it
don't. Culture matters. So do competent governments with
increasingly difficult to extract concessions and resources
popular support that pursue sensible economic policies.
from Western governments."
When conditions are favorable, foreign aid can help.
What we will see is rich nations everywhere trying to
The recognition of this reality is a further reason why
stabilize their regions with some aid and trade concessions
the idea of the Third World no longer makes sense. The
to their poorer neighbors. The United States is already
concept of a Third World implicitly presumed that all poor
focusing on Latin America, Japan on China, and Western
nations could be made wealthier with the correct doses of
Europe on the former Soviet bloc. But even here, poorer
outside money and advice. This was a wild exaggeration. In
countries will increasingly be thrown back on their own
1989, foreign assistance to developing countries from rich-
resources: they're not likely to get much help unless they
er nations amounted to $51 billion. But skepticism about
demonstrate the ability to organize legitimate govern-
the therapeutic power of aid means that-aside from East-
ments and to stimulate internal economic development.
ern Europe and, perhaps, the Soviet Union-there won't
The discipline will be imposed not only by stingy taxpay-
be a dramatic increase during the 1990s.
ers in richer countries but also by the multinational com-
In many ways, some countries of the former Third World
panies that control large private investment. Companies
will become increasingly important as time passes. Brazil,
will locate plants where they think they can count on
Korea, Taiwan and Thailand are already major trading
productive workers and political stability.
nations. Countries like China, Brazil and India will be
Of course, the Third World was always a simplistic label,
crucial in any negotiations on the "greenhouse effect." But
whose relevance has progressively faded. In the 1950s and
as for a Third World agenda, forget it.
1960s, there were repeated efforts by many new nations to
The label may linger until someone invents a new one to
act as a bloc and exploit their position between the free
describe today's more muddled situation. The Third World
world and the communist bloc. Colonial empires were
still sounds nice. It just doesn't mean much.
Photocopy-Preservation
NEWSWEEK JULY 23, 1990 45
CURRENTS
Communism is dead; now
who will restore decency?
T
he past gives no answers to present-day problems. The past only has lessons
showing us that we can no longer live like we did," said Mikhail Gorbachev
at the 28th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party. Lenin the opportunist
would approve: Lenin the icon might have more qualms. As Gorbachev puts his
imprimatur on heresies such as private property, stock markets and the rights of in-
dividuals, it is clear that nothing less than the Communist Party's Leninist lega-
cy-"that dead weight on the mind of the nation," according to the historian Yuri
Afanasyev-is being jettisoned.
Lenin's followers have been adept scavengers, picking and choosing those articles
of faith that suit them at the time. At the end of his life Lenin was preoccupied by
three themes vital to perestroika: Economic recovery, nationalism and bureaucratic
resistance to change. Gorbachev, who has no other source of legitimacy, is still try-
ing to mine Lenin's texts. But the faith has gone; fully 80 percent of the delegates
to the Party Congress admit that Lenin's "scientific theory" needs "purification"-
a code word for his trip to the dustbin of history. Led by that charismatic enigma
Boris Yeltsin, some of Communism's most zealous
reformers last week gave up on trying to reform
'Lenin's
Leninism and abandoned Lenin's sinking ship.
peculiar
Other delegates at the party conference stopped
short of quitting, but they hardly referred to Marx-
legacy was
ism-Leninism at all, and the masses are_taking their
a system
cue. Soviet universities are dropping mandatory
where values
courses in Marxism-Leninism. In Tbilisi, Georgia,
Lenin's statue is guarded by a wire cage to protect
were inverted.
it from marauding mobs. Now, the first public crit-
Lying became a
icisms are being aired. As Pravda put it recently,
virtue; charity
Lenin was "by no means a saint."
was a dirty
Worse indignities lie ahead: Leningrad may be
renamed St. Petersburg, and the new Moscow City
word'
Council may succeed in expelling Lenin's bust from
its meeting chamber. Radicals have even suggested
that Lenin's body be removed from its Red Square
mausoleum and given "a Christian burial." Meanwhile, a Russian parliamentary
inquiry is studying "the violent overthrow of the legal and democratic government
of the Russian Republic in 1917." Today, the savior's halo is slipping. Tomorrow,
it will be gone altogether.
That has been the great lesson for totalitarians in this century. Leninism has
done better than its fascist counterparts, surviving a civil war, mass purges, a world
war and seven decades in power. But as with fascism, there is no middle ground.
Democracy can swing from socialism to Thatcherism and back and barely miss a
beat. That is the nature of free choice and compromise. Once the followers of total-
itarian ideologies start to doubt, they are apt to pull down the whole house.
Recently, Soviet newspaper readers were asked to list all that is bad and ugly in
the Soviet Union. Along with empty shelves and rising crime, many mentioned bez-
dushi, or heartlessness-the absence of decent human feelings. No one, of course,
mentioned addressing bezdushi in all the embittered hard-line rhetoric about "true
Leninist values" that flew about the Communist Party Congress. But there is every
reason to believe that little else in Soviet society will change until bezdushi is cured.
Lenin's peculiar legacy was a system in which values were inverted. Lying be-
came a virtue: charity was a dirty word; good manners were synonymous with
counterrevolution, and corruption and fear were natural conditions of life. Nation-
alism has begun to exploit this void. It may be too late for any product of the sys-
tem, such as Gorbachev, to pose as the enemy of bezdushi. Yet perestroika-indeed,
the Soviet Union-depends on it. "Communism with a heart" may be the Soviet
party's, and Gorbachev's, last hope.
by Robin Knight
Exit, stage left. Lenin's followers have been
10
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, July 23, 1990
Photocopy-Preservation
SOCIAL POLICY
EDUCATION
and teachers, math and science schol-
arships and alternative methods for
GOP Senators Block Passage
certifying teachers. In addition, it
would have coordinated literacy pro-
Of Bush School Initiatives
grams at the local and regional levels,
and authorized programs to improve
teacher training and recruitment.
President's program dies on final day of session,
When Congress reconvenes in Janu-
ary, members will be preoccupied with
prompting recriminations from all quarters
the reauthorization of the Higher Edu-
cation Act. William D. Ford, D-Mich.,
who is expected to be the next chairman
O
nce again, members of President
of the House Education and Labor Com-
Bush's own party have thwarted his
BOXSCORE
mittee, has already said he does not look
agenda. Despite Bush's proclaimed de-
favorably on the Bush proposals and is
sire to be the "education president,"
not interested in moving them next year.
several conservative Republican sena-
Bill: HR 5932 Omnibus
White House officials say they do
tors blocked action the last day of the
education authorization
not know whether they will try again.
101st Congress on legislation (HR 5932)
that carried his education initiatives.
Latest action: Bill died in Senate
The defeat came just weeks after
on Oct. 27. House had approved
Casting Blame
House Republicans rebelled en masse
it on Oct. 26.
Democrats complained that the bill
had been languishing since July because
against a White House-congressional
Background: Previously
administration officials had lost inter-
budget summit agreement that Bush
numbered HR 5115, 695, S
est and did not want to negotiate the
had urged them to support.
1310 and 1676. Combined into
details. But two weeks before the end of
The $800 million education bill ap-
one bill, compromise negotiated
Oct. 18
the session, when Bush was taking a
peared headed for enactment after ne-
shellacking on the budget from GOP
gotiations between administration of-
Reference: Compromise
members, White House officials began
ficials and key members of Congress
advancing, Weekly Report, p.
asking for meetings.
reached agreements on three sticking
3614 partisan jockeying, p. 3427;
Although Sen. Nancy Landon Kas-
points. (Weekly Report, p. 3614)
House passage p. 2317.
sebaum, R-Kan., and Rep. Bill Good-
But the administration could not
ling, R-Pa., had worked long hours to
line up the GOP support needed to
move the legislation, a small number
call up the bill. Republican members
doing a better job educating students.
of Republicans accused Democrats of
kept a rolling hold on the legislation
Coats finally lifted his hold.
subverting the process. They included
- as soon as one member lifted his
But when Mitchell again tried to
Helms, Coats, Grassley, and Sens.
objection to the bill, another member
call the bill up at about 7:30 p.m.,
Malcolm Wallop, R-Wyo., and Gordon
put a hold on it.
Jesse Helms, R-N.C., spoke up: "Mr.
J. Humphrey, R-N.H., among others.
In the last few days of any session,
President, there are $800 million of
The GOP senators noted, for exam-
it takes only one senator's objections
taxpayers' money in here, and I sug-
ple, that there was never any formal
to block a bill. Without a unanimous-
gest the absence of a quorum."
conference between the House and Sen-
consent agreement to limit debate,
Helms has spent the last year pro-
ate. The House had passed one bill (HR
nothing can move.
testing that the bill contains a grant to
5115), while the Senate had passed two
the National Board for Professional
Objection, Objection
(S 695, S 1310) and still needed to pass
Teaching Standards, headed by his 1984
its teacher-training measure (S 1676) in
Majority Leader George J. Mitch-
Democratic opponent, James B. Hunt
order to go to conference.
ell, D-Maine, first tried to call the bill
Jr., a former North Carolina governor.
Like the final education measure,
up for a vote around 6:00 p.m. on Oct.
The board is developing a voluntary
the teacher-training bill was not al-
27. But Daniel R. Coats, R-Ind., said
certification process for teachers. The
lowed to move forward. So House and
he still had problems with it.
grant, originally set at $25 million, was
Senate members got together anyway
Coats was concerned that a provi-
pared to $10 million during negotiations
and melded all the bills in a "pre-
sion by Rep. Peter Smith, R-Vt., would
with the administration.
allow or even encourage schools to start
conference." The House then pro-
Even before Helms protested, staff
ceeded to pass a new bill - the result
clinics that might provide information
members had worked out language to
of the conference - on Oct. 26.
on abortion or family planning.
exempt private-school and home-
At the White House, officials com-
Staffs, however, had already
school teachers from the certification
plained that House members had sat
worked out report language explicitly
process - which is entirely voluntary.
on the president's bill since it was first
stating that it was not the intent of
About an hour later, Mitchell tried
sent to Capitol Hill in April 1989.
the Smith provision to allow federal
one last time to bring the bill to the
"If you're looking for villains, look to
funds to be used for school-based clin-
floor, but Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa,
the House and the failure to get it
ics. The Smith language was designed
objected. At that point, Democrats be-
through earlier," said Roger B. Porter,
to help school districts combine fed-
gan lamenting the measure's demise.
assistant to the president for economic
eral funds, and avoid rules and regula-
The bill's failure will not disrupt
and domestic policy. "The fact was that
tions that might prevent schools from
current education programs. It con-
it went down to the wire, and the Senate
tained a number of proposals by Bush
is a place where a small number of
By Jill Zuckman
for cash awards to excellent schools
people can hold something up."
3752 - NOVEMBER 3, 1990
CQ
Photocopy-Preservation
ficials insist that their units do not over-
Who Needs the Marines?
lap. Behind the scenes, however, Army
officers charge that the Marines may be
fine for assaulting enemy shorelines but
From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of redundancy
"can't engage beyond the beaches." Ma-
rine Brigadier General John Sheehan
By BRUCE VAN VOORST
bile forces boasting most of the same
counterattacked last fall by claiming that
fighting capabilities as the Marines. On
an Army light division, which has less
T
hey are the nation's oldest fighting
top of that, the Pentagon has developed
firepower than a comparable Marine
unit. Their stirring anthem and brave
the 38,000-troop Special Operations
unit, "is light enough to get there, but
slogan-"Semper Fidelis," always faith-
Forces which include the Navy's sea, air
just light enough to get itself into trou-
ful-have lifted patriotic hearts for 122
and land SEAL forces; the Air Force's
ble. You don't need the Army building
years. They have won some of the most
First Special Operations Wing; and the
toward another Marine Corps." When
revered battles in military history: Bel-
Army's highly trained Ranger force, for
Powell heard that senior Marine and
leau Wood, Guadalcanal, Iwo
use against terrorists and in
Army officers would testify before Con-
Jima, Inchon. Their nick-
guerrilla warfare.
names are synonyms for fierce
FREDERICK SUTTER
gress, he insisted on appearing with them
In a nation that maintains
to head off any public sniping. "The need
fighting men: Jarheads, Leath-
four air forces (the real one
for flexibility," he declared, "dictates
ernecks, Devil Dogs.
plus one in each of the other
that we maintain both Marine and Army
But now the U.S. Marine
services), it should come as no
ground forces."
Corps is battling its most awe-
surprise that taxpayers are
Powell has a point in saying that the
some and implacable enemy:
supporting more. low-intensity
three forces do not exactly duplicate one
the defense budget squeeze.
warfare units than they need.
another. The Marines, prepositioned in
Says Marine Commandant
But the budget squeeze has
three expeditionary forces for power pro-
General Alfred Gray: "The
sparked a debate about
jection overseas, have the capacity to come
coming budget climate creates
whether the U.S. can afford
ashore and sustain themselves for 30 days
the most difficult times for the
three military forces designed
without further help. Their units come
Marines since World War II."
new needed
to do the same job. "We just
equipped with their own close air support,
The corps's problem is to
can't maintain all these forces
while the Army has to depend on the Air
find a mission that would justify its con-
in this budget climate," says defense ex-
Force. The Army's mobile divisions, on the
tinued existence. In what defense special-
pert Steven Canby.
other hand, can drop on targets from air-
ist Edward Luttwak calls a "geopolitical
Earlier this month General Colin
craft. But to gain such mobility, they must
meltdown," the collapse of the Warsaw
Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
travel with less artillery and heavy armor.
Pact has forced the Pentagon to reassess
Staff, predicted that the Pentagon budget
The lightly armed Special Operations
what sorts of war the U.S. may have to
would be slashed 25% to $218 billion in
Forces are equipped to make lightning
fight in the future. Rather than a huge
five years. For the Army, that would
raids behind enemy front lines. Still, there
tank-and-artillery Armageddon on the
mean a one-third cut in personnel, to 500
is enormous overlap between the three
central front of Europe, the most likely
million. For the Marines, a proportional
separate forces. Taken together, they are
outbreaks will be "low-intensity conflicts"
reduction would mean losing 60,000 of its
simply too much of a good thing.
such as the American invasions of Gre-
195,000 Marines.
In an analysis of the Pentagon, defense
nada and Panama. Although these are
On the record, Marine and Army of-
specialist Richard Halloran argues that the
precisely the sort of as-
best way to eliminate the
signment for which the
Marines were created,
SUTTER
WHO PACKS THE
glut of low-intensity forces
MOST PUNCH?
would be to meld the Ma-
they played no central role
rines into the Army. Al-
in either of them. Their
Though a Marine
though many experts agree
absence bolstered the ar-
expeditionary battalion
with Halloran, any move in
guments of those who
has fewer personnel, it is
that direction would en-
want to dismantle the
equipped with more heavy
tanks and armored
counter huge political land
corps.
vehicles than the combined
mines. Harry Truman once
In their attempt to de-
forces of the Army's 82nd
tried to slash the Marines
fine a new role, the Ma-
Airborne Division and
on the grounds that the
rines have reoriented
7th Light Infantry.
Navy did not need its own
themselves toward becom-
Marine
Army
army, but he was beaten by
ing a contingency force for
Battalion Division
what he described as a
low-intensity conflicts.
Personnel
Leatherneck "propaganda
What unnerves the Ma-
rines is that, as Grenada
18,000 24,000
machine that is almost
equal to Stalin's." Aside
and Panama demonstrat-
Tanks
from the clout of ten Sena-
ed, other armed services
17
58
Heavy MIAI
Light MS51
tors and 21 Representa-
are grabbing the action.
Armored vehicles
tives in the current Con-
Acting on its post-Viet-
74
0
gress who served in the
nam review, the Army has
Marines, the corps exudes
added five light divisions
Artillery
to two legendary units of
33
such a mystical aura that it
62
is unassailable.
its own, the 82nd para-
Attack belicopters
As the budget battle
troopers and the 101st
12
29
rages, the Marines will take
Airborne Division. The
Attack aircraft
heavy hits, but they seem
Army now has seven light
74
0
sure to prevail once again, a
divisions, so called be-
*Includes the 7th Light and 82nd Airborne
testament to their political
cause they are highly mo-
Close are support supplied by the Air Force
firepower.
28
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
Photocopy-Preservation
Essay
George J. Church
The Case for War
S
o Congress wants to reassert its constitutional preroga-
But if aggression is to be opposed only when the targets are
tive to decide whether or not the nation should go to war.
kindly liberal democracies, the world is going to become a far
About time. U.S. Presidents have gone much too far toward
more dangerous, savage and bloody place.
claiming (or rather exercising without even bothering to
Comparisons of Saddam Hussein to Hitler may be over-
claim) the power of Louis XIV to send a whole nation into
blown. The Iraqi dictator has not built a Middle Eastern
battle on his sole judgment, even whim. The makers of the
Auschwitz-yet. But Saddam does seem to share one Hitlerian
Constitution were determined never to give one man that
trait identified by British historian Alan Bullock: he is "con-
power in the new republic, and they were right. If the U.S. is to
sumed [by] the will to power in its crudest and purest form
fight Iraq, it should be by conscious decision of its elected rep-
power and domination for its own sake," to be expanded with-
resentatives, reached after full debate.
out limit. If Saddam is allowed to keep part of Kuwait-and
But that debate should not be dominated by the antiwar
make no mistake, that is what those advocating a "diplomatic
critics, as the front and op-ed pages have been in the past few
solution" are hinting at-he will be back to take a bite out of
days. In a full-fledged congressional debate, one may hope,
another victim. Not right away, maybe, but after the U.S.
the case for war will be argued more
troops have left Saudi Arabia and all
forcefully and cogently than an odd-
has returned to a delusive quiet. If he
ly tongue-tied Bush Administration
has lately managed to do. And there
993H
meets resistance, he will use chemi-
cal, bacteriological and, one day, nu-
is a compelling case for war. Yes,
clear weapons. Millions may die.
even if one believes, as I do, that it
Nor is Saddam the only leader
will probably not be won in a week or
who would redraw the map of the
so by heavy bombing, but may turn
world by force-to rectify border
into a long, bloody and disruptive
disputes, reclaim "unredeemed"
struggle with major casualties.
territory, seize a neighbor's natural
Oil is one reason, and to make
resources. What lesson would these
(not concede) that point is by no
others draw from a failure to stop
means to admit that we would be
Saddam? Go ahead. The U.S. cer-
fighting for a few cents a gallon on
tainly will not stop you. Oh, it may
the price of gasoline or to maintain a
shout and scream and bluster. But if
fat, self-indulgent life-style. What is
it did not use force when a vital eco-
at stake is the power to shut off the
nomic interest was threatened, when
heat in millions of homes, freezing
it had a clear moral justification and
the old and frail; to close down thou-
the support of a worldwide coalition,
sands of factories and utility plants,
when would it? Letting Iraq's ag-
causing mass unemployment and no
gression stand is a recipe for a world
little additional poverty. A price
of endless aggressions, of local and
run-up or supply restriction sharp
not-so-local wars, some possibly nu-
enough could touch off a similar
clear (India VS. Pakistan for a fourth
worldwide recession-and an inflationary recession to boot.
round? Israel against the Arabs yet again?), and of bloody
That power cannot be put into the hands of a megalomaniac
chaos from which the U.S. could not forever stand aloof.
who can be trusted to deal with anyone who might try to stop
But, says the antiwar faction, Saddam can be turned back
him by squeezing in the most vulnerable spot. And if Saddam
without war, by persistence in the embargo. If only that were
Hussein gets away with his seizure of Kuwait, he will be master
true! All too probably, those who make this argument are de-
not only of the supplies from that nation and his own Iraq, but
luding themselves. Far more likely, if Iraq is still occupying
also, through invasion or bullying, of the oil pumped out of
Kuwait next Aug. 2, a year after the invasion, much of the
Saudi Arabia, the gulf sheikdoms and other states. Of course,
world will conclude that Saddam has won. The embargo will
the U.S. should have acted long ago to lessen its dependence
begin leaking badly; nation after nation will start casting
on foreign oil. Of course, it should do everything it can in that
around for a diplomatic solution; Washington itself will be un-
direction now. So what? For the immediate future, a reliable
der growing pressure to bring G.I.s home from Saudi Arabia
supply of oil at affordable prices is vital to any modern econo-
where they will have been "sitting around in the sand for a
my. It just is, and the loftiest moral and ecological disapproval
year accomplishing nothing." A formula will be found to let
cannot change that brute fact.
Iraq keep part of Kuwait. Curtains for any hope of a world in
But oil is not the only or even main cause for war, whatever
which aggression does not pay.
the cynics say. Would the U.S. have fought to conquer the
Maybe, just maybe, Saddam can be scared out of Kuwait
Middle Eastern oil fields if Saddam Hussein had peacefully
by the threat of a war that would destroy his military machine
persuaded Kuwait, Saudi Arabia et al. to restrict production
and/or his life. But that would require something like an ulti-
enough to shoot the price up to $40 per bbl.? Get real. The
matum, backed by a genuine readiness to fight, and Saddam
central issue is aggression, and how-make that whether-it
might not believe it even then. So the U.S. has to prepare for
can be contained in the post-cold war world. And forget all
war. Anyone with a shred of human feeling can say that only
the moaning about shedding blood to keep feudal autocracies
with a suppressed scream of fear and pain. The U.S. confronts
in control of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. One might well wish
a bitter, tragic, even ghastly necessity. But, this time, it is a ne-
for more appealing victims and potential victims to champion.
cessity that there is no honorable way to avoid.
106
TIME, NOVEMBER 26, 1990
Photocopy-Preservation
EDITORIAL PAGE
by DAVID R. GERGEN
Editor at Large
CAN AMERICA STAY ON TOP?
If
you find the world confusing, don't worry:
world. The productivity of our manufacturing
You have plenty of company. Events have
workers rose dramatically in the late 1980s.
suddenly gone on fast-forward so that we are
But there is a second point to remember that is
whirling through history at a dizzying speed.
equally important: America cannot afford com-
Moscow, Berlin, Brussels, Tokyo and this week
placency. During our fat years, we inflicted lots of
Houston-every dateline brings news of incredible
damage upon ourselves that is still there and
changes. To make sense of it all, it is worth
could get worse. We allowed our public debts to
remembering two essential points.
skyrocket, our schools to plummet, our middle
First, history is moving decisively in America's
class to stagnate, our poor to grow more disillu-
favor. In intellectual circles, it is fashionable to
sioned. As much as other nations want our leader-
argue that we face a dark, foreboding future. Just
ship, they worry that we will lose faith in our-
the opposite is true: America stands on the thresh-
selves. A runaway bestseller in France, written by
old of what could be a golden era. Thanks in
President Mitterrand's closest adviser, argues that
considerable measure to our own perseverance, our
America, like the Soviet Union, is fading. And
most dangerous enemy is imploding,
that causes fear. America has carried
totalitarianism is on the run and the
the banner of world leadership so long
world is rushing to embrace political
that no one can be sure what would
and economic freedoms. It is plain fool-
happen if we dropped it. Probably, the
ishness to keep flagellating ourselves at
world would retreat into regional pow-
the very moment that Western values-
er blocs, scrapping over bits and pieces
our values-are triumphing.
of commercial advantage and drifting
There is also good reason to believe
toward conflict.
that America can remain the world's
Not long ago, a colleague obtained a
leader. We can no longer call every.
private paper from the Japan Econom-
shot from the Oval Office; we must be
ic Planning Agency forecasting that
part of an international steering com-
throughout the 1990s America would
mittee with the Europeans and Japa-
continue growing but Japan would
nese. But have no doubt, the rest of the world
grow twice as fast. He later asked Britain's Mar-
wants us to continue as first among equals. Should
garet Thatcher what difference that would make.
we falter and Japan or Germany step forward to
"It would be a disaster," she reportedly said. Mrs.
take our place, the chandeliers in every world
Thatcher is right (as usual). While Japan has a
capital would vibrate from the seismic shocks.
much smaller economy than ours, it now com-
Thankfully, no one knows that better than today's
mands world finance and before the end of the
generation of Japanese and German leaders.
decade, its per capita income could far exceed
As barriers have come down around the world,
America's. A united Europe will be the largest
economic growth is picking up. The cover package
marketplace, and investors are hopping to get in
in this week's issue, together with a provocative new
on its future. The United States should welcome
book by Charles Morris, makes clear that the world
high growth rates in Japan and Europe, but we
is heading toward an economic boom. America can
must learn better ways to keep up. Should we
not only share in it but can stay on top economical-
allow them to outpace us, or if we slid into reces-
ly. There was a time during the 1970s and early
sion while they chugged happily along, Americans
1980s when our companies grew fat and lazy. The
would turn crabby and our latent xenophobia
Japanese started to blow us away in key industries.
would explode into the open.
Then, as Morris points out in his book, many of our
It is thus essential, both for our own welfare and
best corporations-IBM, Xerox, GE, Ford, Cum-
for world stability, that we pull ourselves together.
mins, Caterpillar-began fighting back and can
We have led the world to the edge of a promised
now compete with anybody, anywhere. Our chemi-
land, and if we just live up to our own values, we'll
cal and food companies remain the best in the
love every minute of the coming world boom.
68
Photocopy-Preservation
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, July 16, 1990
The First Irish American Saint?
Children of the North
/
09 # 7
622190 E
07
NENOON PEGGY
ANINTERVIEW WITH
$2.95
JULY/AUGUST 1990
IRISH AMERICA
Read Her
PS
t was New Orleans, August,
1988. George Bush was behind
An Interview With
Dukakis by 14 points in the polls.
Dukakis had just made the
speech of his life at the Demo-
cratic National Convention.
Bush waited on deck for his
Peggy Noonan
chance to address his own crowd
and the nation. He had just
points began to melt away in the hot August
with Henry Kissinger and . Laurence
stumbled badly by picking Dan Quayle as
sun. In November, Bush won the election
Rockefeller vying to sit next to her at a big
his running mate. The press was all over
by nine points. And whom had George
Republican dinner.
him. His acceptance speech would make
Bush called in to write his "do-or-die"
But before this fame and celebrity, and
or break him. The speech, the speech, the
acceptance speech - to fashion the phrases
before returning to New York from Wash-
speech. The media was ready to spring
that have now become part of our popular
ington, she had served two and a half years
into action the second after he delivered it
speech? He turned to the same person who
as a special assistant to Ronald Reagan.
and pounce on the comparisons. Bush
had done it for Reagan in his most memo-
She tells all about it in her memoir. The
needed a big one. Nothing less than a
rable speeches-the 40th-anniversary D-
book paints rich, vivid and memorable
home run. He stepped up.
Day speech and his stirring remarks the
portraits of the powerful in the Reagan
Remember? "I want a kinder, gentler
day the "Challenger" blew up.
White House. With style and a keen sense
nation" "Read my lips-no new
Her name: Peggy Noonan - a young,
of humor, Peggy Noonan describes how
taxes" and then, "This is America: The
good-looking, Brooklyn-born, Irish
government in the executive branch works
Knights of Columbus, the Grange, Hadas-
American and author of the current best-
on a day-to-day basis where history un-
sah a brilliant diversity spread like stars,
seller What I Saw at the Revolution -A
folds by the minute.
like a thousand points of light in a broad
Political Life in the Reagan Era. These
The day before this interview, Noonan
and peaceful sky."
days you see her on TV talk shows or read
delivered the commencement address at
It was a grand slam! The beginning of
about her in gossip columns, a recent one
her alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson Uni-
the end for Dukakis. The next day the 14
referring to her as "The Belle of the Ball,"
versity, where she had been honored with
a Doctorate of Humane Letters. "I told my
As speechwriter for President Reagan
two-and-a-half-year-oldson, Will, he may
now refer to me as 'Dr. Mom' - that is if he
and for President Bush during his election
wants his dessert."
campaign, Peggy Noonan offers a unique
Scanlon: You make several references
to the Irish and things Irish in your book.
insight into life in the White House. She
How Irish are you?
Noonan: I am as Irish as you can be. I
is interviewed by Michael Scanlon.
was born in Brooklyn in an Irish-Italian
neighborhood, which was intensely Catho-
IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE July/August 1990 23
C
with
THE LAND BREAKERS
The Romagnolis Table
bhir Gardher October Light
NIERTA or UNITE
BOOK
01
MICHIGAN OTATIONS
APOLIO
OSCAR
And
1.1
TRAI LorTEARS
ULYSSES
1115
1
NEWO
lic. And the people I grew up around were
Irish. It did not pass without notice by me
changes. I don't mean to sound patroniz-
my mother's parents, who were Irish. My
that in Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vani-
ing, that's not how I feel, but there's
mother's name is Mary Jane Byrne. Her
ties, which is very rough and unillusioned
something that makes me feel almost
father came from County Donegal and her
about all of New York's ethnic groups,
protective about them. We're losing them.
mother was Mary Dorian from County
that the only heroic ethnic group was the
That may seem funny. I mean, the great
Clare. My father, Jim Noonan, was born
Irish.
universities are still graduating "Wad-
here and his parents were born here and
Scanlon: I noticed that too.
sworth Worthington IVs" (laughs). We
nobody quite knows when the Noonans
Noonan: Remember the tough little guy
probably shouldn't worry too much about
and the Dalys on my Dad's side came
in the DA's office?
ole "Wadsworth."
over. It looks like sort of late 19th century.
Scanlon: Yes, there are a few colorful
Scanlon: How many people switched to
But the biggest emotional presence in
Irish characters in that book with that
the Republican Party because they some-
my life when I was a kid were my mother's
certain integrity and toughness.
how saw it as the "white" party in this
father's two sisters, Aunt Jane-Jane and
Noonan: He's not Irish, Wolfe. He's
country?
Aunt Etta. They came over here about
got that thing, though, that conservative
Noonan: I would say not many. People
1912 or 1915 and they were pure Irish.
Irish love. Interesting.
from Democratic families became Repub-
They taught me to go to Mass and they
Scanlon: Speaking of affection for the
licans in the late 60's, the 70's and then the
taught me attitudes about life. I absorbed
Irish, you, as a young girl, were enamored
80's. That's when the trend began and it
from them the very lovely, beautiful old
of JFK weren't you?
was about two issues. Probably the most
patriotism that the Irish felt about Amer-
Noonan: The family hero.
important one was taxes and what your
ica. It came naturally to them. They em-
Scanlon: But then after JFK you started
government is doing to you and should do
braced America very quickly and saw it
to move towards conservatism, although
for you. And the other was America and
totally as a place of promise and literally
you quote your mother, in your book, as
foreign affairs, America vis-a-vis Com-
unlimited possibilities.
saying, "My father always said, stick with
munism, America vis-a-vis strength in the
Scanlon: And have you been to Ireland?
the Democrats."
world. They came to see the Democrats as
Noonan: Oh, yes. I've been to Ireland
Noonan: That's right, "the party of the
the big-spending, big-taxing, weak, bloated
three or four times. The first time I ever
working man." As soon as the Irish landed
government party. That's why they went
went back, I met a very old man named
here, the Democrats organized them.
Republican.
Paddy Kennedy, who as a little boy had
Everybody was a Democrat in those neigh-
Scanlon: You see, I sometimes say to
grown up with my mother's father. He was
borhoods in Brooklyn in the 30's, 40's and
my friends who have switched to the Re-
so excited when I came to see him that he
50's. You didn't have to say it. It was like
publican party," What about your grand-
poured me a glass of whiskey and we sat
saying you were Catholic. Of course,
parents who came over here on the boat
and drank the whiskey and he told me
you're Catholic, you live here. Of course,
and were taken care of by the Democrats,
about the day my grandfather left Ireland.
you're a Democrat.
and now you're going off and joining the
My great-grandfather walked my grandfa-
Scanlon: But many of the children of
bankers and 'Wadsworth Worthingtons'
ther down to the end of the road where he
these people have now gone over to be-
of this world. Don't you feel some sense of
was to be picked up and taken to a train.
come Republicans like you.
betrayal?" And after we are finished talk-
And my great-grandfather put his hand on
Noonan: That's right.
ing, I sometimes perceive it comes down
grandpa's shoulder and shook his hand,
Scanlon: In your book you introduce a
to a black/white issue and that's why they
didn't kiss, didn't embrace-very Irish.
kind of central-casting character named
really switched.
Shook his hand and said, Go now and
"Wadsworth Worthington, III" and you
Noonan: We don't perceive it the same
never come back to hungry Ireland." A
describe him as a certain type of Republi-
way. America is not a racist country. It
whole class, a whole race of people, who
can: over 45, a man of pinstripes, parent-
would be silly not to declare that we have
thought it was finished where they came
age and pedigree. A country-club type, the
certainly had our racial problems but
from. And who had-luckily for the
kind who wear those funny plaid pants.
Americans are not perniciously racist.
American gene pool-enough grit and
How does a woman with your background
Americans perceive at this time that the
optimism and wit to come here.
feel about these people?
black/welfare statist/pressure group/spe-
Scanlon: So you were always proud to
Noonan: When I was a teenager, I re-
cial interest group people have gained an
proclaim your Irishness.
sented them. And one reason I would
extraordinary power in the Democratic
Noonan: I've always thought being Irish
never be a Republican in my early 20's
party. There is this radical wing of the
was wonderful. I don't mean special like
was because of "Wadsworth Worthing-
Democratic party, like the leftist Jackson
Jewish, like the Chosen. I just mean won-
ton-ism." Because you see, I wasn't the
wing, the "hug-Fidel, increase-the-wel-
derful, you know. Lucky. I found, by the
side of the members of the country club, I
fare-state, hug-Arafat, and apologize-for-
way, when I became involved in conserva-
was on the side of the waiters. But I'll tell
Louis-Farrakhan-wing." And that makes
tive politics in the '80's that every now and
you how I feel about them now. I feel a
people wary of the Democrats. You know,
then I'd meet some guy, a big intellectual
certain tenderness towards the "Wadsworth
the American people do have an under-
or a conservative writer, and I'd sit and
Worthingtons," because they are a vanish-
standing that if you're going to be ruled by
talk with him and we're having coffee and
ing race and a vanishing breed. America is
pressure groups, you probably will not
eventually - and this happened more
changing. The Protestant ascendancy is
successfully look out for the whole. Re-
than once-we'd talk about ethnic back-
over. Those people are not only increas-
publicans at least have resisted being ruled
grounds and our families. And they would
ingly in the minority, but somehow their
by pressure groups within their own party
say,"I like the Irish. I always wished I was
traditions and their values and their way of
in this way. And I should add, by the way,
Irish." Among conservatives, there's a
understanding the world is leaving little
that blacks like George Bush to an extent
special thing about being Irish. They're
by little, as America changes demographi-
they haven't liked a Republican in a long
charmed, or they see something in the
cally, as we all change, as the world
time, which is very heartening and very
24 July/August 1990 IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE
good.
about him which fascinated you in an
Scanlon: Now Bush, on the other hand
Scanlon: So it looks like you'll never
almost teenage adoration kind of way.
Noonan: Different cat.
have the problem of becoming a Democrat
Have you thought about that? Or what do
Scanlon: Seems like a regular straight
again.
you make of it?
arrow kind of guy from what I read in your
Noonan: I had an early defensiveness
Noonan: I have. Maybe the best way I
book. He calls you from the airplane,
about it, of course. I'm Irish! (laughs). But
can explain it was that, in the late 70's,
"How're you doing, can I help out?" and
look, the Democratic Party changed. Some-
early 80's, I really thought my country was
so on.
time you've got to get over it. It isn't what
in trouble in so many ways. First of all eco-
Noonan: A different kind of cat. He still
it was when you were a kid or when I was
nomically, and then in terms of our spirit,
does it. I was at the Gridiron dinner a few
a kid or when our parents were kids. It
in terms of our understanding of the world
weeks ago in Washington. I was extremely
changed in the 70's. Sometimes you've
and our role as a player for good in the
flattered to be invited. Five years in Wash-
got to admit change happened. Now if the
world. And I came to see Reagan as the
ington, no one ever asked me to go to the
Republicans are smart, they will open up
leader of the modern Conservative move-
Gridiron. I wanted to go and see it. I
their doors in a really big way and become
ment, as the man who might arguably be
wanted to observe it as the insiders' inside
a much more inclusive party. They'l be
the only man who could really help us out.
dinner, you know. The press puts on a big
teaching all their party operatives to speak
He was this enormously attractive, funny,
show for the politicians and they get some
Spanish, to begin with.
unpretentious, charming, slightly roguish
good shots in on the pols and the pols make
Scanlon: Now turning to your book, has
fellow. I just thought, "This guy is great,
speeches, get some good shots in on the
Reagan contacted you about it?
this guy I feel sure is the FDR of my time."
press. So I get dressed up in my gown and
Noonan: No. He never did. Reagan was
And I really wanted to work for him. And
I go.
someone I worked for and admired very
when I did work for him, I just adored him.
And Bush did a very gracious thing. As
much, but he was not my friend and I
But being close to him, or being someone
we all sat down to our appetizer, the Presi-
didn't have the illusion that he was. He
in his proximity for a year or two years,
dent sends over his personal aide, Tim,
was not a man who was ever in touch with
made me, not lose my admiration-I
who says: "Peggy, I hate to disturb you
me and I thought that he would never be in
walked out of there admiring him-but
while you are eating, but the President
touch with me about the book. And he
feeling the disorientation that those who
wants to see you, could you go up and see
hasn't been. And I suspect he didn't read
worked around Reagan always inevitably
him?" And, naturally, my first impulse
it, which disappoints me.
felt.
was to be funny and say, "It's all gimme-
Scanlon: That's amazing to me.
Scanlon: You certainly worked well to-
gimme with you guys" (laughs). But natu-
Noonan: But it's not his type of book.
gether judging from the fine speeches that
rally, what I did say was, "Of course, Tim,
It's just not.
resulted. Wilfred Sheed said in his review
I'd love to see him." So this is Bush-and
Scanlon: Well, is he that much of a
of your book in the New York Times that
he's so different from Reagan-he's up
reader to begin with?
you worked with the part of Reagan that
there on the dais with Bill Rehnquist and
Noonan: Yes, he is. But he's the kind of
was the best Reagan, the Irish working-
Mrs. Graham and the First Lady and Donnie
reader who likes authors like Louis
man's Reagan.
Graham and the Washington establish-
L'Amour and Tom Clancy-a little his-
Noonan: Yes, and since that is where I
ment. And he's just sitting around shoot-
tory sometimes.
am from, that's where my sympathies lie,
ing the breeze and he just wanted me to
Scanlon: I sensed from your book a big
and since that is part of what he is, I do
come up and spend time with him and
disparity in the kind of attention you gave
think, yes, there was a certain pinging and
chat.
him and the response you got from him.
ponging off the two of us.
And he wanted to tease me very nicely
Noonan: That's Reagan. That's the
Scanlon: But as a reader of your book,
and say, "We all see you on TV. What's it
central paradox of the man, really, in a
one wished for him to be less withholding.
like being a celebrity?" This from the
way. He had a lovely, and genuine, but
Noonan: Yes, and as a person one did
President of the United States. And he
surface, warmth, a warmth that was utterly
too, really.
asked me about my baby. He knows my
egalitarian. He could sit for two hours with
Scanlon: When you left the White
son and he knows how close I feel with my
the doorman from the Mayflower Hotel
House, he didn't even acknowledge it.
son. So that was always a thing between us
and they could shoot the breeze and talk
Noonan: It's true and it hurt me. Look,
because he's got the same thing with his
about life and Reagan would have a ball.
there was a guy, a very top, top aide, who
kids. He introduced me to everyone on the
He wasn't doing noblesse oblige. He'd
spent almost every day in the Oval office
dais, and then he just wanted to sit and
have fun. When you met him, he made you
with Reagan the first four years of the
chat. And that's Bush just being a person.
comfortable in a way that sometimes made
administration, and he left and went some-
I used to work for him. He hasn't seen me
you feel that you ought to make him a little
where else. And Reagan never called him
since January of 89-actually, that's not
comfortable. But he was a paradox. When
to chat. Reagan never called to say,' You
true, he's seen me a lot since then, but he
you came right down to it, there was what
know, I miss you, buddy." Reagan never
hasn't had a chance to sit down and talk.
his friends called "the wall," past which
called and asked his advice. Reagan liked
And he just made me feel I missed him,
you did not get. And behind this wall was
him. But the guy wasn't in the room any-
and he made me feel, oh, I've got a friend
a man who didn't have many friends, and
more, so, he disappeared off Reagan's
here. And that's a nice way to feel with
who was, it appeared, not close even to
radar. screen. It hurt me. I'd worked there
people you used to work with.
members of his own family. It was jarring.
almost twoand a half years and I felt in my
Scanlon: And I'm sure he's very appre-
I still don't understand it. That actually
imagination that I had some relationship
ciative that you wrote this great accep-
may be a character or personality perfectly
with him. And when I left and got a good-
tance speech for him when he really needed
suited for modern politics. But it was jar-
bye letter from the autograph pen that had
a great speech.
ring.
nothing to do with Reagan, it hurt. You
Noonan: Well, we worked well together,
Scanlon: There seemed to be something
know, those things do hurt.
I must say.
IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE July/August 1990 25
Scanlon: And I wonder if he's thinking
his greed. I don't know.
Scanlon: You were actually offered the
about asking you back from time to time to
Scanlon: Now how about some of the
job as head of the Office of Public Liaison,
write more speeches. Wouldn't you think
others in the Reagan White House? You
which, by long tradition, is the highest
that he would?
worked for Pat Buchanan. How Irish was
staff position held by a woman in the
Noonan: No, I wouldn't. The day I left
he?
White House. Was there a part of you that
him to finish my book and then come here
Noonan: I'll tell you it's impossible for
considered taking that job?
to New York, we shook hands on, "If
me to think of Pat as anything but Irish.
Noonan: Yes, the part of me that would
you're ever in a jam, here I am." But his
However, I think he's part Irish, part
like to rise, the part of me that likes to be
presidency is not, and was not intended to
Scottish, and his mother may be German.
treated well at cocktail parties and that
be, a rhetorical presidency. It's not the
don't know. He explains it in his book but
knew that if I took that job, all of a sudden
thing he gives the most attention to.
I forgot. And I forgot it in part because to
my status within Washington would have
As for me, I hoped my book would kind
me he's Irish.
increased to the extent that people would
of blast me out of speech-writing and help
Scanlon: How about Don Regan? You
have paid more attention to me at cocktail
to situate me as a writer. And I live in New
depict a scene comparing Tip O'Neill and
parties, because they would have had to
York now. Although if he ever asked me
Don Regan, both Boston Irish, and O'Neill
lobby me. And I would have been a good
to, if something terrible ever happened,
comes off better-at least the way I read it.
person to know. I would have been an
and he said I really want to work with you
Noonan: Well, Don Regan had a case of
assistant to the President. So all of that was
on this, I'd say, of course. And I'd take the
"Wadsworth Worthingtonitis," you know.
good. But my reasons for ultimately not
shuttle down there.
He wasn't put off by them. He thought:
taking it had nothing to do with class and
Scanlon: Getting back to Reagan for a
"Where's the country club? What's the
ethnicity and that stuff. It had much more
moment, how do you think he is doing
address? I'll join." This was not a man
to do with temperament and knowing what
now?
who went nuts identifying with waiters
my talents are. I mean, I didn't want the
Noonan: Not well. I think the realm of
(laughs). And see, as we Irish become
Peter Principle to work in my life. I knew
former presidents is an intensely awkward
Republican, forgive me, Don Regan, but
what my talents were and I knew I was a
one. It has been awkward for Nixon for
that is not what we want to become. We
writer and that's where I ought to be. And
some special reasons. But it would have
want to remain true to ourselves and to our
I should not be a greeter and deal-maker
been awkward for him anyway. It has been
own sympathies and our own people, and
and compromise-putter-together and all
awkward for Jimmy Carter, and it is awk-
be in the Republican party for the right
that because I don't have the right tem-
ward for Reagan. I think he has made some
reasons, and not just because we're climb-
perament for it. And it doesn't seem as
mistakes. He is a private citizen now, but
ing. Not just because we want to join the
much fun as writing, you know?
a former President is never a private citi-
club. Yes, the club is a nice place to be,
Scanlon: And indeed, as far as getting
zen, and he never will be again. And if he
nothing wrong with it, but for the right
the attention and fame, it seems to have
chooses to go out to our biggest economic
reasons.
come to you from writing anyway. In your
competitor and make a speech for $2 mil-
Scanlon: I enjoyed the scene in your
book you mention how reading poetry
lion, making it almost appear as if an
book where you are working with Richard
helped you in the writing of the speeches.
American President had been rented by
Darman and some Harvard types on Bush's
Noonan: Yes, it knocks down barriers
our competitors, it becomes a public rela-
acceptance speech and they were dictating
in the head somehow.
tions disaster. It should not have been
what words they thought the average citi-
Scanlon: Do you still read much po-
done. Reagan, you see, had a really won-
zen likes and doesn't like. And you were
etry?
derful ear. Some people have a tin ear and
correcting them.
Noonan: Yes, just the other day I was
some people have a great ear. Reagan had
Noonan: I had fun with it. But that is not
reading Marianne Moore. I like her base-
a great ear for the mood of the American
so much a story about ethnicity as it is a
ball poetry best, "Hometown Piece for
public and for what the common guy was
story about politics. These are upper-
Mssrs. Alston and Reese." Wonderful
saying. And when I read in the paper he's
middle-class and sometimes wealthy guys
stuff. I went through a major Edna St.
going to Japan, I thought, fine, he's going
who came from a certain America and
Vincent Millay period last summer. Iloved
to make a speech. But for $2 million, uh-
who tried to keep in touch, but they are too
poetry when I was a kid. I could recite
oh, his ear is failing. He doesn't know that
busy running the world to be in touch. But
poetry a very Irish thing to do. I grew up
people are not going to like this, the people
they know it's good to be in touch, so they
with people who would recite "In Flanders
who love him, like myself, are not going to
have these odd ideas on what the "people"
Field" and sentimental poems about
like this. So it was a mistake. When you
think. And when Dick Darman, whom I
America. Henry Van Dyke type poems. I
make a mistake that big and colorful, it
adore, would say things like, "Don't write
grew up with them and I thought it was
takes a while to recoup the loss. But he
the word 'excellent', that's an elitist term,"
normal to know poetry and it still means a
will.
it would bring out the Jimmy Cagney in
lot to me. And I still read it. I thought of
Scanlon: Some people have suggested
me. Do you know what I mean?
Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach" the other
that Nancy may have had something to do
Scanlon: Yes, and you must have felt a
day and picked it up and read it. I don't
with the Japan trip.
sense of power in pointing out to them
understand a lot of that poem but it just
Noonan: The gossip. One thing unfor-
what the average person was thinking.
sends me. I went through a big W. H.
tunate about being Mrs. Reagan is that she
Noonan: Yes, because I knew more,
Auden time while I was in the White
gets blamed for everything that he does
and also because when you bother to know
House. I grew up when poets were as big
which doesn't work. I'll tell you, being a
more, there is an implicit respect in it, and
as movie stars, when Life did major stories
First Lady is a horrible position if you are
when you just get these odd ideas about
on people like Robert Frost and Carl
not universally beloved. And she was not,
what quotes "they"-meaning the
Sandburg. Poets were the real thing.
of course. So, I don't know. People say it's
people-like and don't like, it's disre-
They're not so much now. Poetry is too
her greed. You know what? Maybe it was
spectful.
often obscure, in words sometimes utterly
26 July/August 1990 IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE
inaccessible, except to other self-obsessed
of Peggy Noonan who wants to carry on an
long time, and then I went back. Then I
neurotics in New York.
apostolic mission.
went away, then I came back. I'm in the
Scanlon: What kind of writing are you
Noonan: (Laughs) I wouldn't put it that
back phase now. It's funny. I don't know
working on these days?
way, but there is a sense of, well, there
if this is Irish or-maybe it is-I don't
Noonan: A novel. It's based in New
must be answers. Also, as a person, I
know. But I cannot-I cannot pluck the
York, and it's about the people at the heart
happen to be engaged by people who are
Catholicism from my heart. It is there.
of the dysfunction of New York. What
looking for answers. I'm very excited by
And I don't wish to pluck it from my heart
used to be page one of the Daily News
the things they tell me. I'm excited by
anyway. It is there as strong as when I was
headline and is now page 13: "Girl, 4,
people who see problems and look for
a kid. The beliefs I had then are the beliefs
Thrown from Roof of Housing Project."
answers. It's very moving to me.
I have now. And I stray from them, always
I'm fascinated by "Girl, 4." I'm fascinated
Scanlon: So this is the future of Peggy
knowing God will forgive me. But I still
by who she is and what her life is like and
Noonan?
believe in everything. And I guess it's the
the dysfunction there. I'm about to go up
Noonan: Yes, writer. I'll always stay in
greatest gift the Irish and my family have
to Mother Teresa's people in Harlem to
politics, of course. I love politics.
given me. They taught me and I believed.
see just what they do. Another central
Scanlon: Now I know this is switching
But it's a lovely gift to have.
character in the book is this girl's mom,
gears a bit, but you mentioned earlier that
Scanlon: When did you go back?
who is in trouble and trying to solve her
you are a hopeful person. Are you a relig-
Noonan: My big going back was when
problem but can't manage to do it. I'm in
ious person, I mean, do you go to church?
the part of creativity, well, I'm in the
Noonan: I do these days. I didn't for a
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
obsessed stage. When I go into full obses-
sion on something, on a thought or an idea,
I start clipping things from newspapers
and magazines that have to do with it. And
I start taking notes. And sooner or later, I'll
be going through my house after a few
weeks or months, and in whatever drawer
I open, I find clippings. When there're
clippings in every drawer, I know I'm
World
really totally obsessed. Then I go through
my notes and I realize, oh, you've got 20
pages of ideas here. So then I start to type
it up. Then I put it in a large notebook.
Apart
Now I'm in the part where I go to lunch
with people who I think are very smart and
might be helpful to me.I tell them what I'm
up to with regard to the novel and ask, "If
A
you have any ideas or thoughts or if any-
thing crosses your desk, please call and tell
me." And people tell me wonderful things.
Scanlon: Will this novel have a political
Fragrance
theme?
Noonan: It will have a political subtext.
It would have to, if I'm writing it. But also
Apart
because I think I am a somewhat hopeful
person. And if you are writing about pro-
found and pervasive dysfunction in Amer-
ica's cities, it may be good enough, if you
are an artist, to just write about it. But if
you are a journalist and a person who cares
Eire
very much about the cities, it is also right
for you to consider the definition of the
problem and also remedies and answers to
it.
Scanlon: But is that really the function
of a novel?
Noonan: Well, suppose you have an au-
thor like Alan Drury who is so much fun to
Éire
read. Alan Drury was always getting his
political subtext in there. And that's fine
EAU DE PARFUM
and that's legitimate. I mean, what an
honorable thing to entertain people while
Available exclusively in selected Irish import shops.
For the shop nearest you, call 1-800-255-ERIN.
informing them. So I tend also a little bit in
that direction.
Scanlon: Sounds like there's a little bit
IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE July/August 1990 27
"Father Capuchin" to Detroiters. He rep-
painful illness, he sat upright and de-
now feel a closer kinship with Father
resented his order at auto-workers union
clared, "I give my soul to you, Jesus
Solanus. I know that he will soon be recog-
meetings, at high school commencements
Christ." He left nothing material, only a
nized as a modern saint in the company of
and the like. He loved people and he was
legacy of love. More than 5,000 people
the saints for his generosity of spirit, his
loved, even by those who called him "that
filed passed his coffin at St. Bonaven-
uncommon decency, and for his abiding
damned Irishman."
ture's chapel; more than 6,000 attended
love of God. And, because I'm no saint, I
When World War II broke out, he was
his requiem. As our people would say,
can't help adding this petition: "Solanus,
seventy, and, when the bomb was dropped
"He had a grand funeral, thank God."
please grant me a leg up on the rest of the
on Hiroshima, he grieved that man, blessed
I am, of course, proud of Solanus. I would
clan-the Casey tribes in Ireland and of
with reason, should have to conceive an
be proud of him if we were only related
the diaspora, the in-laws and the outlaws,
instrument of such wholesale destruction.
through Adam. I am indebted to Patrick
and even 'Allie of the North'-when it's
He said, "Like a vast school for supposed-
James Derum, who wrote The Porter of
canonization time at St. Peter's."
to-be philosophers that elaborate their days
Saint Bonaventure's, for his text and for
and go into eternity blowing bubbles, so is
this quote from Daniel Rops: "In the ac-
that generation that fails to foster gratitude
counts of all men of genius and sanctity,
to God. "The first sign of intelligence, he
there is always something which evades
said later, "is gratitude to Man's
our grasp and rebuffs our analysis. That
inhumanity in time of war puzzled him
something is precisely the genius and the
and saddened him. His own faith was
sanctity." Solanus Casey apparently had
absolute.
both gifts aplenty.
During his final years, the Capuchins
In July, 1987, during my first week as aca-
shifted Solanus to St. Michael's in
demic vice president at the College of Our
ST
BONAVENTURE
Brooklyn and to St. Felix in Huntington,
Lady of the Elms, one of the sisters stopped
MONASTERY
Indiana, to provide him relief, but peti-
by the office with a copy of The National
tioners sought him out. "Father, through
Catholic Reporter. The front page head-
the years I have often heard people speak
lined the exhumation of Solanus' remains.
of you," said a persistent caller. Solanus
The sister laughed and said that she thought
shrugged off the compliment with a prac-
maybe the saint and I were related. "We
ticed ease. "People speak often of Jesse
are," I answered with an authority not of
James, too," he'd jest.
this world.
When he died on July 31, 1967, at 86 years
Having worried through this canoniza-
and 60 years a Capuchin, after a long,
tion process with him over the years, I
Peggy
like candles, I like statues, I like the whole
lem with it. It's a little hard to talk about
deal. But this church is very non-Catholic
this because it sounds like I'm virtuous.
looking. It's like an "upscale" church, you
I'm not virtuous. I'm great at sin and can
Noonan
know, we don't need candles and statues.
sin in a big way (laughs). But I still really
But I was watching the priest give com-
believe all of this.
munion. I must have been sitting up front
Scanlon: It seems to be the answer for a
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
and the priest was making the sign of the
lot of people.
cross with each wafer and said, as they
Noonan: It's a good thing to have. Old
I was in my early thirties, when I hadn't
always do: "Body of Christ," as he gave it
Rose Kennedy, it must have kept her going.
been in the church or to confession in 15
over. And suddenly, had a-I don't know
I mean, an utterly genuine, daily commu-
years, and then I went to confession and
what the word is "epiphany" isn't quite
nicant. And the woman in Stephen Bir-
joined the church again, and enjoyed a
it-but suddenly, knew it was true, which
mingham's book Real Lace. She was one
very intense religious time. Then I married
is something I also knew when I was a
of those old Irish Catholic Cuddahy's from
a man who had been divorced a few times
child. I believe in what Flannery O'Con-
this old Irish Catholic American family.
and we couldn't marry in the church. So I
nor said. Remember when Flannery O'Con-
She tells Birmingham," 'If I couldn't have
was living in sin. So I thought, why am I
nor went out to dinner with Mary Mc-
communion, I'd just die." And she meant
going to bother? Then, of course, I left the
Carthy, and someone at the dinner table
it. She was happy. She wasn't this tor-
man and decided, well-go to church. My
asked why Catholics make so much of
mented person. She was a daily communi-
non-Catholic friends laugh when I tell
communion? And Mary McCarthy said,
cant and it was bread
them this: "Oh, you Catholics!"
like a sophisticated Catholic, "Well, Idon't
for her. It was bread.
Scanlon: And when you go to Mass
really mean to, it's just symbolic, you
Scanlon: Well,
these days, do you see it the same way as
know, it's symbolic of the body and blood
that's good. So
when you were younger?
of Christ." And Flannery O'Connor -
you're lucky. That's
Noonan: Yes. I think a miracle happens
who was a very serious Catholic, of
good.
at every Mass. I honestly do. I went toMass
course-said, "Well, if it's symbolic, then
Noonan: Yes, that
once at the great old Catholic Church in
the hell with it. Who needs symbols? We
is lucky. But I also
Georgetown called Holy Trinity. It's so
have enough symbols." She was saying,
think I was taught
Washingtonian it looks like an old Protes-
"No, it's real." So I don't see it as an acting
by the right people.
tant church. I like the old Catholic stuff, I
out or symbolism. I just don't have a prob-
34 July/August 1990 IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE
When George Bush sauntered out of his log cabin at Camp David to at-
f. Dowd, M.
nd a joint press conference with his weekend guest, West Ger-
man Chancellor Helmut Kohl, last spring, his aides were dis-
mayed. First of all, the president was wearing a brown shirt-
E:
always a poor choice for television, but a particularly bad one
yo:
Tea
when hosting the leader of the country where the fashion was
adr
once synonymous with Fascism. Even worse, Bush had chosen an
tim
wit!
incongruous and clashing silver-and-blue rep tie, knotted tightly
The
at the collar of his western-style shirt. The president topped off
turr
the Texas shirt and Yale tie with a tweedy sport coat that looked
row
the
as if it had been plucked from Mr. Chips's closet.
wha
For Bush, this combination did not seem strange; he was
It
day
wearing his life. His politics, speech and cultural taste have
the
sture
always been an offbeat amalgam of patrician and cowpoke.
forti
But to Sig Rogich, the ultra-stylish Las Vegas advertising-and-
en h
set 0
public-relations man who was brought into the White House
TI
last fall to polish the president's image, this burst of cross-
call i
place
dressing was simply too much.
with
rolle
"Nice touch," Rogich teased Bush. "Was there a power
over
outage? Did you dress in the dark?"
a mo;
remai
Bush, who is known as the fastest dresser in Washington
on t}
(ten minutes, shower included), took the jibe with
ONI
good humor. Shaking his finger with a show of
(conti:
mock sternness, Bush warned Rogich, "You're not
towar.
getting off to a good start with your president."
low pl
took i
Washington, D.C., knows a lot about power but
on the
him o:
very little about clothes. Dedicated to the con-
he was
servative business of politics and
It W
trunt
devoid of any bohemian quarter to
laving
amble
provide inspiration otherwise, the capital breeds
er tha
conformity. Year after year, decade
ame C
de of
after decade, the uniform for men re-
hings I
mains basically the same: a gray or
asebal
itting
navy single-breasted three-button
ips a
ive be
suit, a white buttondown shirt and a
nply
red tie. The mainstream here is J. Press,
ing.
There
Brooks Brothers and Garfinckel's. Hickey-
es yo
Freeman and Hart Schaffner & Marx are getting out on
own i
:h tin
the edge. Flusser, Armani and Boss are still considered the
I for S
domain of gigolos and New York investment bankers.
DW cl
therr
"Anyone who shows any individuality is deemed a fop,
k ho
merel
eccentric or dangerous," says John Buckley, a Republican
ibiner
political consultant. "The Brooks Brothers dress code that
ught
ib do
wouldn't be up to the minimum standards of Wall Street is
the 1
the outer envelope of what they wear in Washington.
vers
1 fac
: ten
222
By
Maureen
Dowd
and
Michael
Duffy
PS
IF YOU
KNEW WHAT
SUNUNU,
WOULD YOU
DRESS
LIKE THIS?
There are entire categories of buttons for buttondown shirts
He may be giving the capital too much credit. Asked it
earmarked just for the Washington market. Pleats didn't
he was a side-vent or a single-vent sort of guy. top White
even hit this town until 1987."
House aide Ed Rogers replied: "What's a vent?"
Fred Khedouri, who became an investment banker, at
Bear, Stearns's Washington office, after a stint working on
resident John Kennedy once joked that
Vice-President George Bush's staff, says he feels "weird"
Washington is a city of northern charm
every time he visits his old workplace sporting his new look.
and southern efficiency. The stereotypi-
"My custom-made Italian suit, my Savile Row shirt, my
cal sartorial image of the capital is that
Italian tie all seem perfectly normal in my office. But when I
of the old, fat southern senator wearing
go into the White House, suddenly I feel ostentatious."
his ice-cream suit on a hot summer day
Edward McNally, one of Bush's thirtysomething speech-
and fanning himself with a straw hat.
writers, showed up one day on Air
Washington was built on a swamp, and
Force One wearing a dress shirt
there's still more seersucker here than
with blue horizontal stripes and a
anyplace outside Calcutta. The Dixie
white collar. It was noted with
influence can also be observed among
disapproval. But the president's
presidential aides at play, wearing their
rumpled, crumpled advisers for-
Alabama State or University of Virginia
gave McNally his impetuosity be-
sweaters tucked into their sharply creased jeans.
cause he did not ever attempt to
But George Bush, who boasts a tall, fit, very American
go horizontal aloft again. A for-
kind of build, wears the clothes of his class-and well. In an
mer prosecutor, McNally recalls
essay in The New Republic, Alessandra Stanley dubbed
how he used to envy his writer
Bush's administration the Ralph Lauren Presidency, claim-
friends who could wear whatever
ing Bush's imagemakers had exploited the value of a large
they wanted while he toiled away,
and attractive Connecticut clan brimming with the Wasp
restrained by a lawyer's dress code.
aesthetics and pseudo-English gentility that Lauren has
But when McNally got his job
been selling to middle-class Americans for over a decade.
writing for the president, he also
Crested blazers, polo shirts, tennis sweaters. faded natural
got a uniform. "For me, it's tor-
fibers. "The Bushes come by their subdued fashion sense the
ture," he says. "This is the only
old-fashioned way," Stanley wrote. "They inherited it."
writer's job in America that re-
So while the president scorns fashionable duds-he still
quires you to wear a suit."
picks up running suits at Sears-he does have a classic
Roger Stone may be the only man in Washington with
eastern-Establishment look that suits the office he holds.
enough chutspah to mix politics with high fashion. The
Bush picked up a snappier look during his 1988 run for the
political consultant, an aficionado of double-breasted suits
White House. Desperately trying to shake his elitist-preppy-
and an investor in the pricey new Alan Flusser made-to-
wimp label, he shed his buttondown collars, half-rimmed
order boutique in the District, takes a harsh view of Wash-
glasses and striped watchband. Now he favors shirts of solid
ington sartorial standards: "We're talking high-water pants
blue or of blue vertical stripes with white spread collars, and
too tight in the crotch, black socks down
around the ankles with a lot of skin showing,
jacket sleeves that come down and almost cover
the knuckles-the sort of look that's big with
"We're talking pan.
Chinese leaders."
Designer Flusser, who's based in New York
too tight in the crotch and bla
and who franchised the shop in Washington,
socks down around the ankles
defines the difference between the two cities
more diplomatically. While New York and
with a lot of skin showing
Washington are both in the eastern corridor of
style, he says, New York has been influenced by
international trends and Washington by "the
Virginia Ivy League" look. Just as the women wear what one
shops for himself at J. Press and, until recently, at Arthur
wag calls "contrived Virginia"-outfits from Neiman-Mar-
A. Adler. (It is a frightening thought that. since J. Press is
cus, patent-leather flats with bows, gold Chanel jewelry,
owned by Kashiyama, a Japanese manufacturing-and-dis-
black velvet headbands and Hermès scarves-so the men
tributing company, even the president of the United States
who work in the capital lean toward a Dixie interpretation
has been taken over by the Japanese.)
of the preppy look. "In the southern influence, there is a bit
With the exception of a certain pair of lime-green golfing
more of the Fifties idea of traditional business garb," Flusser
pants, the president looks his best when he sports Aber-
says, adding compassionately, "I would have to call Wash-
crombie & Fitch-style rugged wear. It's hard sometimes to
ington a single-vented town."
tell which he likes best, the fishing and the hunting or the
224
costumes that such hobbies require. The president never
Carolina faster than you can say "double-vented."
looks happier than when quail hunting in Beeville, Texas,
"There are no double-breasted people," Sig Rogich com-
as he does every Christmas, wearing snake-resistant boots,
plains about his staid West Wing colleagues. "The only
camouflage pants and a baseball cap from the local dog
variation is the width of the pinstripe-if you want to really
kennel, and toting a shotgun. This look appeals to his
do it up, you go from a quarter inch to a half inch. It's
"kick-a-little-ass" self-image, the same side that likes beef
madcap! It's wild! It's zany! It's cool!
jerky and pork rinds slathered with Tabasco sauce.
"The most risqué they get is argyles," he adds. "That's
It must have been Bush's flair for colorful layering that
their little 'I'll-throw-caution-to-the-wind' gesture."
inspired the look of a photo spread of the Bush family at
For the Bush inner circle of advisers, men such as Budget
Kennebunkport in the March issue of Paris Match, "le plus
Director Richard Darman, Treasury Secretary Nick Brady
populaire des Presidents." In a shot in the living room, Bush
and White House Counsel Boyden Gray, the look is Stud-
is wearing black cowboy
Nicholas Brady, oppo-
boots, cuffed gray trousers,
site page, dresses in
a red T-shirt, a green polo
shirt and a gray tweed
the manner of old
sport coat with a burgundy
money, as befits a
stripe. In a shot in the
treasury secretary.
kitchen, where he is help-
Bush's inner circle
ing Paula Rendon, the
includes, this page,
cook, make "un gâteau tra-
left to right, Budget
ditional," the president has
Director Richard Dar-
changed to a blue-striped
work shirt and a gray her-
man, whose trade-
ringbone jacket over a red
mark is a self-inflict-
turtleneck. In a third shot,
ed haircut; James Bak-
on his speedboat. the
er, known to wear or-
Ralph Lauren president is
ange ties: and White
wearing a rust-colored
polo shirt and a white
House Counsel. Boy.
Nike pullover sweater with
den Gray, wearer of
dark-green chinos.
very old clothes.
Yet. despite Bush's natural feel for sportswear, Alan
ied Oldness. This is the "This-sport-coat-was-handed-
Flusser does not think Mr. Smooth-as the president refers
down-to-me-by-my-grandfather-when-l-was-at-Harvard'"
to himself on the links-will have much lasting impact on
crew. The model here is Claiborne Pell, the blue-blooded
the nation's sense of style. "I don't think he'll help it or hurt
Rhode Island senator who, at age 71, still wears suits that
it," Flusser said. "There will be no dominant theme-kind
once belonged to his father. As Jim Pinkerton, an official in
of like his presidency. No here or there."
the White House domestic-policy office, describes the no-
Indeed. to his near and dear, Bush is a hap-
blesse-oblige approach to dressing, "The trick is to wear an
less dresser who uses clothes primarily as props.
originally good-quality shirt until it falls off you and the
"He does things because he wants to be kidded," Barbara
sweat stains become like tree rings. You might even use a
Bush has said. "I kid him about his clothes. I almost fainted
length of rope from your yacht as a belt. None of this
when he was named one of the ten best-dressed men in
upwardly mobile thing for you. You come from ten genera-
America." One object of family scom is the president's
tions of money, and now you're doing a little public service.
favorite pair of cowboy boots, on which Bush's initials and a
You don't give a damn."
map of the Lone Star State are hand-tooled. The Bush kids
This group is oblivious to all trends in fashion. National
also used to tease their dad mercilessly about a pair of green
Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft alarmed reporters last fall
double-knit trousers that Bush seemed to wear constantly.
in Kennebunkport when he showed up for a golf game
When her father was voted preppiest dresser in America,
wearing brown-and-white-checked pants hemmed neatly
"Doro" Bush, 31, could not believe it: "All these preppies
above the ankle. When a White House official is described
would roll over in their graves. He doesn't care about it.
in a newspaper or magazine profile as "disheveled." he views
He's not your typical Wasp."
it as a compliment, and great pride is taken in those 1975-
But Bush's playfulness about clothes isn't catching on in
vintage wash-and-wear shirts and suit trousers with the
his workplace. In a town where the style is studiously
hems falling out. You want to look as though you've been
square. the squarest styles can be found at the Bush White
up all night thinking about Social Security offset taxes and
House. If fashion scares a lot of high-powered men, these
budget-deficit-reduction plans-even if you haven't. A
guys are terrified: If they deviate from the uniform, someone
stain on your tie doesn't convey sloppiness, it just proves
might begin to doubt their membership in the Club. And
that you had soup at your desk as you sorted through those
then where would they be? Back in Minnesota or South
troublesome lumber tariffs.
225
John Buckley, who lived in New York before moving to
the White House as Sig's Rule: "Get six-inch pleats because
Washington, jokes that all of this is an advantage because
if you get four-inch pleats they'll pull apart."
"just as you find the prices of housing and restaurants cheap-
"It was my first venture into pleatism," says Fitzwater,
er when you get here, you find you don't have to throw out
sounding pleased with his newfound daring. "Now, if I can
just stay skinny long enough to wear them."
your old clothes."
When it comes to the White House dress code, as aide Ed
But this is not the beginning of a whole new look. Fitz-
Rogers says, "there's Sig, and there's everybody else."
water, whose daily press briefings make him the most visible
Rogich, unrepentantly nouveau, has a look that one col-
White House official besides the president, intends to stick
league describes as "Gucci-Pucci-Fiorucci." He grew up
with his standard-issue navy sport coat, khaki trousers and
black loafers. "I can't
As chief executive,
imagine going out in
front of my press corps
George Bush must
wearing a double-
wear many hats. But
breasted suit with a pur-
must he wear these
ple silk handkerchief
hats? Or. for that
drooping out of the
matter, these duds?
pocket," he says. "The
''It's hard some.
press corps doesn't
dress that way, and I
times to tell which
couldn't be taken se-
he likes best,'
riously if I did."
write the authors,
Besides, the 47-year-
"the fishing and the
old Kansas native is in-
hunting or the COS.
timidated by depart-
tumes that such
ment stores and expen-
sive boutiques. "When
hobbies require.'
I have tried to go to a
Opposite page, Sec-
store, the clerks are ex-
retary of State
tremely threatening.
James Baker strikes
They say things like
a Mariboro-man
"May I help you?'
pose on his ranch.
"Shopping by-mail is
dirt-poor outside of Las Vegas and parlayed political con-
the most satisfying physical event in recent years for me."
nections into a multimillion-dollar public-relations firm.
he says with his staccato laugh. "You can get everything but
He blew into Washington last fall with a flashy $3,000
food from these catalogues-closet hangers, shoe trees,
chain-link Bertolucci watch, Bally loafers and a closetful of
boots, hats, buttondown oxford-cloth shirts. If L.L. Bean
Versace, Valentino and Armani. The White House hasn't
had suits, I'd be a customer.
been the same. Rogich gets teased relentlessly about every-
"The basics never disappoint," Fitzwater concludes, in
thing he wears, from his loosely fitting navy-blue washable-
the sage tone of a man who has seen the future and declared
silk Missoni Uomo trench coat ("Is that your bathrobe,
it buttoned-down.
Sig?") to his brown suede Cole-Haan loafers. "Your shoes
Like light from a distant galaxy, even the few fashion
cost more than my car," Rogers teases Rogich. Or as Secre-
trends that penetrate the District of Columbia's borders
tary of State James A. Baker likes to ask the imagemaker
arrive about seven years late. Women in Washington are
with mock scorn, "I'm fighting for freedom around the
just now turning up at hot Italian restaurants wearing little
world SO you can wear shoes like that?"
black dresses, just as the style has been banished from the
Rogich ignores the taunts and tries to win converts. He
pages and corridors of Vogue by editor Anna Wintour. You
has persuaded his aide, Bruce Zanka, to wear smarter ties
can just now see acres of yellow power ties-big
and spread-collared shirts. "It's not stamped on your job
on Wall Street in the go-go mid-Eighties-ap-
application that you have to wear buttondown collars," he
pearing in the White House mess, worn by administration
officials on a lark.
told the suspicious Zanka.
After teddy-bearish White House Press Secretary Marlin
There is a small cabal of younger aides at the Office of
Fitzwater lost fifty-five pounds on a liquid diet, Rogich
Management and Budget who favor full-cut suits, Forties
talked him into getting some khakis with pleats. Fitzwater,
ties and flashy footwear. Among them is Robert Grady. 33,
who buys most of his clothes from the Spiegel and L.L.
a Harvard-trained economics-and-policy whiz kid who OC-
Bean catalogues, with an occasional trip to Sy and Marcy
casionally sported a ponytail before the inauguration. But
Syms's discount store in Falls Church, Virginia, didn't go
the Young Turks at OMB are the stark exceptions to the
hog-wild. He bought the pants at Hecht's, a large local
rule and are tolerated. perhaps, because they work for Dick
department store, and followed what is now known around
Darman, the budget director who is famous for cutting his
own hair-jaggedly-
their jackets on. The meticulous secretary of state, James
to save money.
Baker, never even unbuttons his suit jacket.
For the most part, it's
not how your clothes
SHIRTS: The style is white and monogrammed. Fitzwater
move and drape, it's
recently stepped outside his office and saw three reporters in
how they bulge that
¡EXAS
striped shirts. "Striped shirts, huh?" he said as though a
counts: At the White
CATTLE RAISERS
light bulb had switched on over his head. "I may have to get
House, it's gear, not
some of these." The occasional light-blue shirt with a white
cut, that connotes power. Most Bush aides wear their beep-
collar is the outer limit, though Secretary of State Baker
ers even while at their desks. When they leave Washington
wears a classy striped version with a small "JAB III" mono-
on trips with the president, many strap walkie-talkies to
grammed on its front. There are fewer French cuffs in this
their belts. One, wire, running down the sleeve to the shirt
White House-although Baker wears them with expensive
cuff, is for talking to colleagues; another goes up the back,
gold cuff links and the president sometimes wears them,
over the collar and into the ear. Lower-level aides bulk up
with presidential-seal or souvenir cuff links given to him by
their pockets with calculators, pens and pencils, plastic pen
other heads of state. Bush also wears whimsical cuff links,
holders and pencil guards. The coolest bulges belong to the
such as a pair that features large gold-plated elephants.
Secret Service agents, who carry automatic pistols, auto-
matic bullet reloaders and other manly equipment. Even
TIES: Once upon a time, a media consultant told an ambi-
Bush tends to fill up his pockets with notes, presidential tie
tious politician that he should wear a red tie because it
clips and secret memos. At one televised press conference,
would be telegenic. Politicians took this suggestion as the
the president had a fingernail-sized triangle sticking out of
Eleventh Commandment. John Sununu, the White House
his jacket pocket. The tension was unbearable as reporters
chief of staff, wears a blood-red tie every day (except when
tried to figure out whether the white spot was a handker-
he surprised his staff by sporting a green number on. Saint
chief or an index card. "Handkerchief," Rogich proudly
Patrick's Day). An engineer by training, Sununu, when he
said afterward.
first decided to get into politics, had been told to wear a red
Suffice it to say that this is not a look to which Cary
vest because it would be a conversation piece and memora-
Grant or Fred Astaire ever aspired.
ble. Not a vest type, he started wearing red ties instead. "He
thinks it keeps reporters from asking the tough questions
A checklist for Washington power dressers:
because they're always asking about his ties," says Sununu
BELTS: George Bush is crazy about old belts. Although he
aide Ed Rogers.
prides himself on being prudent and cautious, he stops short
President Bush does have a weakness for holiday ties and
of imitating the Kirk Douglas character in The Big Carnival,
was seen sporting a green-and-red-striped version at Christ-
who wore suspenders and a belt, explaining "I am a careful
mastime and a pumpkin-adorned variation for Halloween.
man." Even when wearing a nice suit, Bush will cinch his
Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher said he and his
trousers with a length of worn leather that looks like a
modish wife, Georgette, had sent the president the pump-
barber's strop. He also cherishes one belt with a Texas Lone
kin tie, as well as an Easter tie with a large bunny on it.
Star buckle.
But on normal days, according to Bush's tailor, John
After Marlin Fitzwater shed six inches from his waist, it
Adler, owner of the recently closed Arthur A. Adler
did not occur to him to buy a new belt. He wandered back
clothes shop, the president favors traditional designs.
to the galley on Air Force One one morning to ask the
"What he's gotten from us is basic, classic neckwear: prints,
steward for a corkscrew so that he could punch in some new
reps, foulards," says Adler. His favorite tie colors are gray
holes. The Secret Service agents wear wildly patterned sus-
and burgundy; his preferred knot a half-Windsor. (Unfortu-
penders, probably to help with the weight of their guns. But
nately, Bush has a strange habit of clipping his tie clip to his
besides Rogich, who has many pairs of elegant suspenders,
tie but not to his shirt, so the presidential neckwear swings
the rest of the White House staffers consider the wearing of
like a pendulum.)
braces to be ostentatious, and, besides, they always keep
Secret Service agents, who dress to fit in but also to flex
their working-class sex appeal, prefer full-Wind-
sor knots. There is a growing bright-green-tie
faction, headed by Baker to challenge the red-tie
. mes Baker taunts imagemaker
faction. Baker proves the rule that if you are
g Rogich: "I'm fighting for
influential enough, you can make variations on
the theme. Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady
eedom around the world so you
bravely picked up on the style, but the ever-
77 wear shoes like that?"
slippery Baker has now switched to bright
orange.
UNDERSHORTS. No blue-bikini town, this. The
president, like most
(continued on page 260)
227
READ MY HIPS
El
(continued from page 227) good preppies,
look more like his mentor, Bush. But there
the look of a Canadian trapper.
you
wears white boxer shorts. Just trust us on
is still the occasional fashion slip. At a
Tea
this one.
Washington black-tie dinner, Quayle
Although there seems to be little indica-
adr.
sported faux-alligator tasseled loafers with
tion that Washington is ready to move into
tim
SHOES: Wing tips are so deeply rooted in
his tuxedo. "He just can't get it together,
the 1990s, many haberdasheries are betting
witi
the Washington mentality that when
can he?" an administration official said,
otherwise. Besides the Flusser shop recent-
Richard Nixon was filming a political com-
sighing.
ly opened by Mark Rykken, a veteran of
The
mercial while ostensibly strolling casually
Britches of Georgetowne, there is a new
turr
on the beach, he wore-as his aides,
HATS: Ever since John Kennedy refused to
Hugo Boss shop and talk that Paul Stuart
row
blanching, noticed-a pair of the heavy-
wear one at his inauguration, leaving his
and Barneys might open stores. Rykken-
the
soled shoes. Bush is a less uptight presi-
thick chestnut hair to rustle freely and
whose shop carries suits in the $1,100 to
wha
dent, and his cardinal rule of style is "Wear
make women swoon, hats have been un-
$1,600 range-seeks to bring a double-
It
what is comfortable." In those pictures of
fashionable in Washington. Marlin Fitz-
breasted Douglas Fairbanks-Duke of
day
the Kohl press conference that now hang
water may single-handedly bring them
Windsor sort of elegance to the men of
the I
in the White House, the president is fea-
back, though. Fitzwater began wearing
Washington. We're talking lisle-cotton
sture
tured wearing brown Hush Puppies that
hats in 1971 after a bout with skin cancer
socks with a pattern of tiny clocks. We're
forti-
match his brown shirt. He wears New Bal-
and now has a collection of hundreds-
talking butter-yellow cashmere sweater
en h
ance running shoes during his frequent ex-
from Australian outback hats to Chinese
vests and rich and supple woven-jacquard
set 01
ercise sessions. And he has extended this
Army caps to Amish straw hats. He keeps a
ties and French-cuffed shirts with horizon-
TI
casual note by donning rubber-soled Rock-
fox-fur cossack number on a couch in his
tal stripes and trousers with reverse pleats
call i
ports for both day and evening dress. Presi-
bedroom, claiming that he will give it only
and a rainbow of pocket squares and silk
place
dential aides immediately picked up on the
to the woman he falls in love with. "Marlin
summer suits and brown-and-white and
with
new status symbol, asking reporters where
is a hat man," according to the president.
black-and-white spectator shoes and
rolled
they could get "these Rockport things,"
"Unafraid about what his peers might
shawl-collared tuxedos.
over
and now they are everywhere. Rogich, nat-
think, he'll try any hat."
Asked if he could ever get into this sort
a moi
urally, was less than enthusiastic about this
Although most politicians hate to wear
of look, Marlin Fitzwater merely shakes his
remai
trend and asked Bush to try not to cross his
the funny hats that are proffered at every
head in wonder. "I don't know who they're
on the
legs when he is on-camera so that the inex-
campaign stop, Bush loves them. "He puts
going to sell that stuff to. They're not going
pensive shoes would not get in the frame.
on funny hats and he does these silly
to sell it to any of the GS-15's I know.
ONI
"At least he's not wearing the kind with
things," said Barbara Bush. Ronald Reagan
"What's next?" he marvels. "Se-
(conti:
ridges," Rogich notes.
popularized cowboy hats, but Bush, the for-
quins?"
towar.
Shortly after the election, Dan Quayle
mer Yale first baseman (good field, no hit),
was criticized for wearing shirts with frayed
prefers baseball caps. He also wears, when
Maureen Dowd and Michael Duffy cover the
low pl
took it
collars. He visited Arthur Adler to get
on winter walks in Maine, a very strange
White House for, respectively, The New York
on the
some suits and shirts that would make him
fur number with earflaps, which gives him
Times and Time magazine.
him 0:
he was
ENGLAND'S LAKE DISTRICT
It W
(continued from page 221) presence of
to tour an unassuming two-story cottage
ty strong and all pretty much past retire-
grunt
Wordsworth or of the great men, such as
with stucco walls, green-framed windows
ment age. They cleared the wine tray in
having
De Quincey, Charles Lamb or Scott, who
and a gabled doorway guarded by quince
less than two minutes but became very qui-
gamble
had communed with him in these rooms.
and wisteria vines. I was enlightened by
ter tha
et when Brookes announced that he would
And I could hardly expect to find a muse
caretaker Bill Latham, who showed me
Fame C
read Wordsworth's poetry once they had
at Greta Hall. The former home of Cole-
around, that this was the house where
side of
toured the house.
ridge and Southey is now a girls' dormitory
Pigling Bland, Tom Kitten and other an-
"Don't look so horrified, gentlemen,"
things 1
and not normally open to the public. My
kle-high creatures romped. In that vege-
basebal
Brookes added. "It's not compulsory."
guide for a quick, unofficial tour was a tall
table garden, he said, right there, is the rhu-
Nonetheless, the entire group convened
hitting
17-year-old blonde in a brief tennis skirt
barb patch where Jemima Puddleduck laid
in the drawing room when Brookes stood at
haps a
and a T-shirt. As she whisked me from
her eggs. I can't honestly say I was thrilled.
have be
the ready beside the fire grate. Gone were
room to room, I saw little to indicate that
the painting clothes; he wore a blacer and
simply
this had been the home of great poets, oth-
Fortunately, Don Brookes had invited me
held a pipe in one hand and a slim volume
doing.
er than a few hand-lettered signs on some
There
back to Rydal Mount for a poetry reading
of poetry in the other. He began with "She
doors denoting where each had slept. The
the next night. He does the readings on
Was a Phantom of Delight," and then on
does yo
walls were covered with rock posters, the
weekends in the off-season and most nights
known i
through "Lines Written in Early Spring"-
air was rent by loud music. Had Southey
throughout the summer. Often, parties of
"Have I not cause to lament/What man has
with tin
walked in then, no doubt he would have
tourists set out from the big hotels in Kes-
tell for $
made of man?"-and finally, "I Wandered
said "Lower that music! And who's been
know tl
wick or Windermere, cruise the length of
Lonely as a Cloud."
sleeping in my bed?"
the lake at Windermere, visit Dove Cot-
northerr
By the window, with the light over Ry-
In desperation, I wondered if it was
back ho
tage briefly and then round out the evening
dal all but gone, I could just see Winder-
worth visiting a memorial to a mere literary
it merel
with a glass of wine and a few poems at
mere in the distance. The fire at Brookes's
mortal, children's writer Beatrix Potter.
Grabiner
Rydal Mount. Tonight's group was an hour
feet was now just a glow, and when he
Her home is along a narrow, twisting road
late, but I waited by the fireplace, with
finished, there was a heartbeat of silence
thought
leading south through Hawkshead to the
dumb do
Brookes's mutt collie, Clio, lying peaceful-
and then the room filled with applause.
hamlet of Near Sawrey: thirty-odd houses
But the
ly at my feet, and concluded that there
Nice moment, but certainly there was
and a pub. Incredibly, some 90,000 visitors
were worse ways to spend a chilly, wet eve-
rent vers'
more to learn, something I was missing.
In fac
a year come to see Potter's Hill Top Farm,
ning in the Lakes.
In one of his poems, Wordsworth himself
have ten.
where she wrote thirteen books. They get
Finally, the group trooped in, about thir-
had advised "Up! up! my Friend, and quit
160
ESSAY
William Safire
The students created their own
martyrdom. By showing the courage
to die of hunger for their noble beliefs,
and by actually starting to die of self-
The
starvation on world television, the
students ignited the enthusiasm of
multitudes.
Then followed the regime's post-
Counter-
summit fury. It is in the nature of tyr-
anny to deride the will of the people
as the voice of the mob, and to de-
Revolution
nounce the cry for freedom as the
roar of anarchy.
That is why the order to clear the
central square of demonstrators, by
WASHINGTON
force is expected - if the party main-
Dan-
T
he emperor of Communism has
tains control of the army. Communist
lost the Mandate of Heaven. The
rulers know a real counterrevolution
Chinese people, led by young
when they see one. Dictators do not
idealists, have amazed themselves
abdicate voluntarily.
and thrilled the world by crying out
Apply this lesson to the same forces
for freedom in a great non-violent
at work in the Soviet Union. The fit is
chorus; now Communist tyranny will
not exact because the Chinese were
FYI-
try to demonstrate who is in charge.
supplying the bread of perestroika
As this is written, hope still exists
without the circus of glasnost, while
for compromise between the split
the Soviets have been successes at
rulers and united demonstrators in
the publicity circus and failures at
Tienanmen Square. But if they can
providing bread. But both regimes
mik.
gain the support of the army, the hu-
face the same problem: Any gain of
miliated leaders - stripped publicly
freedom creates its own momentum.
of their claim of legitimacy are
Having been used as the launching
pad of counterrevolution in Beijing,
Mr. Gorbachev returns to Moscow as
the world's most celebrated agent
Tyranny
provocateur.
stuff
He will have to have an answer for
never
three questions sure to be posed by
his Communist colleagues: (1) Does-
n't this prove that your attempt to re-
good
abdicates
place the party apparat with your
voluntarily.
own cult of personality will lead to
counterrevolution? (2) What do we do
stulf
when the Poles and Hungarians start
to pull away? (3) What happens when
that urge for independence and free-
likely to use that army's force sooner
dom erupts in the non-Russian reptib-
lics of the U.S.S.R.?
or later to retain their bastard power.
A few weeks ago, I asked a Western
His answers will be: (1) Shut up,
leader what would be necessary to
the people are with me; (2) We can
bring about genuine changes in the
afford to trade Poland and Hungary
rigid economy of the Soviet Union and
to the West in return for a new align-
in the rigid political system of China.
ment with Germany; and (3) if the
The answer, in the plain brown wrap-
Ukrainians riot in Kiev, we'll roll' in
per of anonymity, came in a single
tanks with Russian or Mongolian
word: "Counterrevolution."
crews, kill all the rioters, and that will
Communist leaders brand all seri-
be the end of counterrevolution.
ous internal opposition as "counter-
So the Communist image will suf-
revolutionary." They gain, hold and
fer; first things first, and to a Com-
concentrate their power subtly at
munist the first thing is power. It un-
first, in the name of democracy, and
derscores the central fact of totalitar-
brutally at the end, in the name of or-
ian power: Who controls the Army
der.
controls the nation.
Aware of this, student leaders in
When tectonic plates move, earth-
China asked only for "reform"- and
quakes follow; it happens every dec-
may 89
not the replacement of the totalitar-
ade in Communist China, every gen-
ian system. They played on the un-
eration or so in the Soviet Union. Out-
popularity of the sclerotic Deng and
siders do not start or stop these inter-
resentment of rampant nepotism, but
nal convulsions but what should the
their first specific demand - an inde-
U.S. say to the people in agony who
pendent student union - was the
are brave enough to oppose armed
wedge, like Solidarity in Poland, in
Communists clinging to power?
Communism's one-party system.
Sometimes quiet diplomacy asks
Shrewdly, they chose the moment
too much. Americans should never
of extreme vulnerability, a summit
fail to assert loudly that we stand on
meeting, to launch their demonstra-
the side of human liberty and con-
tion. China's Communist leaders, who
demn any violence done to the nonvio-
a few months earlier had been~em-
lent.
barrassed by having to arrest a dissi-
Our President is sending caution-
dent on the way to meet President
ary public signals; Mr. Gorbachev is
Bush in Beijing, this time chose not to
saying nothing, but must be renewing
create any martyrs.
his ties to the men he has put in place
to command the Red Army.
The Washington Times
DATE: 3/13/9)
PAGE: E1
Don Kowet's
Bush policy in ruins: "Presi-
president who loved the flag so
dent Bush's Middle East policy is in
much he tried to get a law forbid-
DESERT STORM
ruins. The Iraq dictator now
ding anyone to burn it. We're count-
owns Kuwait. We can now also
ing on Saddam Hussein to take care
HALL
expect an outburst of terrorism
of it now." - Wesley Pruden, Dec.
against European and North Amer-
14.
ican civilians." - Amold Beichman,
Commander Cub Scout: "You
of
Aug. 13.
couldn't blame Saddam Hussein for
Rampant terrorism: "What-
thinking he's up against regiments
SHAME
ever the outcome of the current
of children.
The commander in
American showdown with Iraq, the
chief of the American expedition-
end result is going to be a dramatic
ary force, or the expeditionary
upsurge of terrorism in the
force of the United Nations, or the
Today's inductee:
ears ahead." - Nell
Legion of the New World Order, or
Livingstone, Aug. 28.
whatever we may be calling our-
selves on this given day, projects an
Tens of thousands of U.S.
ambivalence not seen since Ado
Mashington
dead: "President Bush's [demand-
Annie roamed all over 'Oklahoma!'
ing] 'the immediate, unconditional
singing about the peculiar misery
and complete withdrawal of all
Che
of a girl who just can't say no." -
Iraqi forces from Kuwait' and the
Wesley Pruden, Dec. 24.
restoration of Kuwait's ruling
Sabah family
upped the ante
Who needs Arab allies?:
and thus increased the likelihood of
"Why does Mr. Bush desire Arab
a conflict that could take tens of
military assistance in the Iraqi war
thousands of American lives."
anyway? The greater the number
Editorial, Aug. 21.
of nations that shed blood in the
war effort, the greater the obsta-
Little orphan Billy: "If war
cles to a successful and enduring
breaks out, there will be many
peace settlement." - Bruce Fein,
The Washington Times
thousands of casualties
Jan. 28, 1991.
[Women] may not die in the tanks
or manning the anti-aircraft guns,
Confused: "Our own war ob-
During the Persian Gulf war,
but the remains of American
America's pundits, journalists and
jectives, after weeks of war, appear
politicians barraged the public with
women will be coming home in the
even more confused. Is our aim
hysterical opinions and predictions.
same government-issue steel cas-
just to liberate the territory of Ku-
In commemoration, each day "Des-
kets as our men. If there ever
wait? Then we will be sucked into a
was a conflict that threatened 'our
ert Storm Hall of Shame" honors
maelstrom of street-fighting every
one or more sages whose pro-
way of life,' the first battle was lost
bit as terrible as the 6th Army
nouncements proved preposterous.
when our government succumbed
faced in the ruins of Stalingrad. Or
to the will of those who would put
are we planning to destroy the Iraqi
little Bill Brown's mother in the
Today's inductee is The Washing-
army? Then we will have to fight
line of enemy fire - in this case to
ton Times. Here are some choice
the Iraqi army on its home turf,
safeguard not 'our way of life' but
comments by this paper's staff and
where it won its greatest victories
the oil reserves of the Persian
contributors during the war and
against Iran. And the killing fields
Gulf." - Editorial, Aug. 23.
will be reminiscent of the mud hell
the months leading up to it:
of World War I on the western
The powerless ones: "The
Goofy Bush: "Bereft as he is
front." - Martin Sleff, Feb. 11.
of 'the vision thing,' there's no way
United Nations is powerless to stop
the invasion of Kuwait; the Amer-
this president could dream up the
Sorry about that, chief: "I'm
ican defense posture is being re-
goofy things he does - his habit of
Sorry! I'M REALLY, REALLY
one strategy in the morning and an
SORRY!
duced as a result of the easing of
opposite strategy for the afternoon.
"In December I wrote a column
the Cold War; and even if it wanted
to employ force, the United States
"That's why some people are tak-
making fun of President Bush and
would be hard pressed to do so,
ing comfort in the notion that
his threat to kick Saddam Hussein's
maybe what appears to be the kind
tail
given Iraq's geographic location,
Unfortunately for me and
and almost certainly would be
of goofiness you expect to find at
fortunately for the world, it was
widely criticized." - Thomas
the bar at the country club is really
wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong."
DiBacco, Aug. 3, 1990.
a clever plan laid out for him by a
John Podhoretz, Feb. 26.
mad genius hidden in a White
Kuwait is history: "Kuwait is
House closet." - Wesley Pruden.
And finally - pass the envelope,
history, and the world is a different
Dec. 3.
please the prize-winning predic-
place.
Once [Saddam Hussein]
tion of The Washington Times:
The doo-doo Midas: "Every-
has the oil, he will have most of our
thing poor George touches turns to
No war: "There will be no war
allies. If he quickly grabs the rest
of the oil properties [in surround-
deep doo-doo.
to liberate Kuwait." Editorial.
ing Arab states], he will get less
"The tougher he tries to get in
Dec. 7.
grief than if he sits where he is
the Persian Gulf. the more people
It is up to [Saddam] whether he
laugh at him. Except back at the
seizes the rest of the oil properties.
ranch, where the Republicans are
We are not capable of acting fast
crying.
"We've abandoned our embassy
enough to prevent him. Indeed, we
are probably not even capable of
in Kuwait, but insist it's still 'open'
recognizing the threat." - Paul
because the flag is still flying. The
Craig Roberts, Aug. 6.
order to abandon was given by the
Terrorism alert: "If Saddam
Hussein of Iraq is forced to back
down by world economic pressure
and the threat of American mili-
tary force, he should be expected to
use terrorism against the United
States, the Soviets and all others
who dare to frustrate him." - Jeff
Kamen and Robert Kupperman,
Aug. 9.
page
42
of
40
Arlington Journal
11/17/90
After 48 Years, a B-17 Crew Returns
By B. DRUMMOND AYRES
Malvern, Ark. "At last there's relief,
Special to The New York Times
ARLINGTON, Va.,
Sadness and joy
and a lot of joy, too."
Ms. Waterman's mother, Marian,
Nov. 15- It was a
mingle at a burial
said word that her husband's plane
war mission that
had been found had come as a "ter-
lasted more than
rific jolt" because she had always as-
48 years. But it fi-
ceremony.
sumed that the plane had fallen into
nally ended today amid the soldierly
the Coral Sea. "I had put it all behind
rows of white tombstones in Arling-
me as best I could and gone on and
ton National Cemetery.
team hacked its way up Mt. Obree
remarried and even become a widow
There, with the crack of rifles for a
and brought the remains to an Army
again," she said. "It's just incredible
last salute and the melancholy notes
of "Taps" for a final farewell, the
laboratory in Hawaii for identifica-
to have Jim Sam back."
eight-man crew of a B-17 Flying For-
tion. Relying on personal effects like
tress bomber lost in the Pacific Thea-
dog tags as well as on dental records
ter in World War II was laid to rest.
and other aids, the laboratory's tech-
But all movement and talking
nicians identified the bodies of five of
halted when the Army band broke
Some of the planes flown in that
war are still missing. But "Fort" No.
the eight crew members. The re-
into "America, the Beautiful." And as
mains of the three others were placed
the chaplin presented each family a
41-2505, which disappeared on April
in a single coffin.
folded flag, a tear or two glistened,
25, 1942, in the humid predawn dark-
The survivors, wives and siblings
and some eyes seemed fixed on a dis-
ness of eastern New Guinea, is no
who are close to 70 years old or older,
tant point, one well beyond the Wash-
longer among them.
ington Monument and Capitol dome
Five years ago, an islander found
along with a few children in their 40's
the old B-17, shattered and moulder-
who never really knew their fathers,
that rose on the horizon.
ing on the jungled slopes of 3,100-foot-
agreed that there should be a single
Then it was over and back to 1990.
high Mt. Obree. That discovery led to
service in Arlington National Ceme-
As the family members headed
tery. Men who died together, they
away from the cemetery for a lunch-
today's service and to a graveside
scene both sad because of the death of
said, should be buried together.
eon at a nearby home, workers began
to prepare the site for sodding and
the young crew, however long ago,
new tombstones. The honor guard
and joyful because after half a cen-
Most burials at Arlington are ach-
marched off to make ready for an-
tury the rest of the story was known.
ingly somber, made even more SO by
other burial.
the sense of sacrifice and history that
Besides a stone for Lieutenant
the military pomp and circumstance
Grant, there also will be stones for
The patrol that No. 41-2505 made
evokes. But today, despite the pres-
Second Lieut. Robert R. Meyer Jr. of
that April morning over the Coral
ence of six Gover ment-issue coffins,
Birmingham, Ala., Second Lieut.
Sea, the scene a few days later of one
there were more smiles than tears
Ralph Howard of Los Angeles, Staff
of the decisive battles of the war, ap-
and much amiable conversation.
Sgt. Elton J. Rose of Long Beach,
parently ended not in a burst of gun-
"I was only 10 months old when the
Calif., and Sgt. Joe A. Carter of Hills-
fire but in a desperate, losing struggle
plane went down and I've spent just
boro, Ore. A single stone will carry
against engine trouble. There was no
about all of my life wondering," said
the names of First Lieut. Daniel W.
sign of combat damage.
Denise Grant Waterman, the daugh-
Fagen of Kiefer, Okla., Sgt. Edward
Not long after the wreckage was
ter of the Flying Fortress's bombar-
L. Hargrove of El Centro, Calif., and
discovered, a Defense Department
dier, Second Lieut. Jim S. Grant of
Sgt. Paul A. Reimer of Reedley, Calif.
THE WASHINGTON POST
3/14/11
PAGE:
A5
Warner Presses for New ABM Effort
House Rejects Similar Proposal to Renegotiate Treaty With Soviets
Nunn said he was willing to work
States should continue to adhere to
By Helen Dewar
later on a modified version of War-
the treaty.
Washington Post Staff Writer
ner's proposal. But he contended
The resolution modified an ear-
Capitalizing on success of the Pa-
that the real obstacle to development
lier Warner proposal to direct the
triot anti-missile weapon in the Per-
of usable missile defenses is not the
defense secretary to begin imme-
sian Gulf War, Sen. John W. Warner
ABM Treaty but rather the focus of
diate development of missile de-
(R-Va.) teamed with the Bush admin-
SDI officials on exotic, long-term
fenses in disregard of the treaty.
istration yesterday to try to put Con-
systems. Noting that the Patriot was
Sources said the White House ob-
gress on record as seeking new U.S.-
developed outside of the SDI pro-
jected to any tampering with the
Soviet negotiations to permit devel-
gram, he said, "If we'd waited for
treaty by legislative action but sup-
opment and testing of missile de-
SDI, we'd have had no [missile] de-
ported Warner's subsequent pro-
fenses.
fense in the Middle East."
posal as a reflection of administra-
But Democrats quickly countered
Warner's proposal cited the
tion policy on development of anti-
with an alternative that would sig-
death and destruction caused by
missile weapons.
nificantly increase proposed spend-
Iraq's Scud missiles during the gulf
"I believe it will send an unmistak-
ing for more Patriot missiles and
war, the Soviet Union's continuing
able signal of our determination to
accelerate development of ground-
strategic defense modernization
proceed with ballistic missile de-
based missile defenses at the ex-
program and the increasing ballistic
fenses that enhance our national se-
pense of more exotic, space-based
missile capabilities of developing
systems favored by many Repub-
nations as reasons to modify the 19-
curity," Brent Scowcroft, President
licans.
year-old ABM restrictions.
Bush's national security adviser, said
A vote on the proposals, provid-
The resolution states that it is "in
in a letter to Warner yesterday.
ing an early test of postwar defense
the national interest" to develop and
Warner's move followed a week of
strategies as well as a scramble for
test ballistic missile defense sys-
discussions with White House offi-
the high ground in postwar politics,
tems and that the ABM Treaty
cials and Vice President Quayle, who
is scheduled today.
modifications should be negotiated
said Sunday that the United States
Even before the Senate could act,
and signed within two years. If an
would discuss with the Soviets "how
a GOP proposal similar to the Senate
agreement is not reached by then,
Republican plan was rejected by a
the president should "immediately"
the ABM Treaty could be structured
vote of 281 to 145 in the House after
determine whether the United
to accommodate" space-based de-
fenses. Quayle said he believed the
a brief debate in which opponents
Soviets would find a restructuring in
argued it should be brought up after
their interest because they are more
hearings and further deliberation.
vulnerable to ballistic missiles than
The Senate proposal, offered
the United States.
with White House support by War-
STATE OF AMERICA:
ner, ranking Republican on the Sen-
ate Armed Services Committee,
CENSUS REPORT
Staff writer Ann Devroy contributed
to this report.
calls for renegotiating the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty
The Census Bureau is periodically
to remove restrictions on develop-
releasing information about
ment of missile defense systems.
individual states, including the
Warner sought to attach the non-
first figures showing how racial
composition has changed since
binding "Sense of Congress" resolu-
1980. The Washington Post will
tion to a bill authorizing a wide range
publish this information as it
of benefits for gulf war troops and
becomes available.
their families. This move prompted
complaints from Democratic leaders
trying to hold off amendments that
GEORGIA
might bog down the benefits meas-
POPULATION
ure and delay passage.
Later, Senate Armed Services
All Residents
Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-
1980
5,463,105
Ga.) introduced a substitute proposal
1990
6,478,216
to add $224 million to $100 million
Change
+18.6%
authorized for new Patriots in the
POPULATION BY RACE
Senate version of a supplemental
spending bill to cover gulf war costs.
White
Black
The new weapons would be placed
1980
3,947,135
1,465,181
on ships for rapid deployment to
1990
4,600,148
1,746,565
world trouble spots.
Change
+16.5%
+19.2%
Nunn's proposal also would shift
Asian/
$218 million within the Strategic
American
Pacific
Defense Initiative (SDI) budget to
Indian*
Islander
accelerate production of quickly
1980
7,616
24,557
deployable ground-based tactical
1990
13,348
75,781
missile defenses, with costs to be
Change
+75.3%
+208.6%
offset by a 9 percent reduction in
Other
other SDI programs. Nunn and oth-
Hispanic
race
er Democrats succeeded last year
origin
1980
in restructuring SDI along this
18,716
61,260
1990
42,374
108,922
same line.
Change
+126.4%
+77.8%
* Also includes Eskimos or Aleuts.
NOTE: Persons of Hispanic origin can be of
any race. Percent change is rounded to the
nearest tenth.
BY CLARICE BORIO-THE WASHINGTON POST
13
page
of
41
3/14/9
The Washington Times
DATE:
PAGE:
A3
Postwar politics jeopardize
veterans' benefits, 'star wars'
By Major Garrett
sissippi Democrat and chairman of
troduced by Sen. John Warner. Vir-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
the Veterans Affairs Committee, de-
ginia Republican, that seeks to abro-
fended the extra spending as an
gate the 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile
Postwar politics imperils a pack-
overdue recognition of veterans'
treaty with the Soviet Union. Mr.
age of veterans' benefits and has res-
past contributions to national de-
Warner proposed that the United
urrected the debate over whether to
fense.
States proceed with testing and de-
proceed with testing and deploying
Under last year's budget agree-
ployment of so-called "star wars"
a "star wars" system.
ment, all supplemental spending,
technology
These apparently unrelated is-
such as the veterans) benefits. must
sues came up in both the House and
be offset with spending cuts or
The administration announced its
Senate yesterday as lawmakers con-
higher taxes, or be designated
support for the resolution in a letter
sidered a raft of new benefits for
"emergency" spending by Congress
National Security Adviser Brent
Persian Gulf war personnel.
and the White House.
Scowcroft sent to Mr. Warner yester-
Congress is eager to approve the
The Office of Management and
day.
new benefits, which include higher
Budget agreed to label the Gulf
"In the coming years, the United
combat pay, increased educational
benefits "emergency" spending but
States itself will face the growing
grants, extended health insurance
has balked at the others. The House
threat of ballistic missile attack,"
coverage, more generous death
bill requires Mr. Bush to accept all
Mr. Scowcroft said. "[The res-
benefits and expanded home and
the benefits or veto the entire pack-
olution] will send an unmistakable
small business loan programs.
age - even those targeted for Gulf
signal of our determination to pro-
The House passed a package au-
veterans.
ceed with ballistic missile defenses
thorizing $1.1 billion in benefits over
OMB officials reached a deal with
that enhance our national security."
five years on a vote of 398-25, after
a bipartisan Senate team to bring a
Sen. Sam Nunn. Georgia Demo-
protracted debate over the bill's po-
tentially ruinous effect on last year's
$500 million veterans package to the
crat and chairman of the Armed Ser-
budget pact.
floor today. Senate leaders hope to
vices Committee, opposed the res-
The White House threatened to
approve the package next week.
olution on the grounds it would
damage superpower relations and
veto the bill because it includes
The Senate bill would have been
promote spending on "stars wars"
benefits for non-Gulf personnel.
debated yesterday except for a
weaponry that he considers ill-
Rep. "Sonny" Montgomery, Mis-
"sense of the Senate" resolution in-
conceived.
Administration silence frustrates Democrats
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
pear yesterday declined to answer
scores, if not hundreds, of questions
The Bush administration has
all but the most basic factual ques-
to ask," said Mr. Hamilton. "I do ex-
dragged its feet in answering Con-
tions.
pect the department to answer at an
gress' questions about prewar U.S.
"That same pattern appears to be
appropriate level."
diplomacy in the Middle East, Rep.
continuing," Mr. Hamilton said. "We
A U.S. official, speaking on condi-
Lee Hamilton complained yesterday.
cannot get policy questions an-
tion of anonymity, said the State De-
"We've had a very difficult time
swered."
partment gets dozens of requests a
asking questions of policy on the
In particular, requests to have As-
week for witnesses.
Gulf and on postwar follow-up," said
sistant Secretary of State John Kelly
"We try to work out satisfactory
Mr. Hamilton, Indiana Democrat
and the U.S. ambassador to Iraq,
arrangements. Sometimes we offer
and chairman of the House Foreign
April Glaspie, testify have been sty-
lower-level officials than they ask for,
Affairs Middle East subcommittee.
mied. Secretary of State James A.
and they're not satisfied."
That and other gripes from law-
Baker III has come to Capitol Hill,
A senior House Democratic aide
makers reflect Democratic frustra-
but his time has been limited, Mr.
said lawmakers would not relent in
tions over what they see as the ad-
Hamilton said.
seeking to force answers to some po-
ministration's success in keeping its
"Our last policy testimony from
tentially embarrassing questions
prewar failures obscured by the
the State Department with respect.
about U.S. diplomacy before the war.
postwar glow of success, which has
to the Gulf was Sept. 18," Mr. Hamil-
"The more people take Demo-
driven the president's popularity to
ton said. Then, Mr. Kelly came and
crats to task for their votes in Jan-
record heights.
received a tongue lashing for having
uary [against granting President
Mr. Hamilton's complaints fol-
said publicly just before Iraq's inva-
Bush authority to go to war], the
lowed months of futile requests that
sion of Kuwait that the United States
more Democrats are going to go
the administration send witnesses to
had no commitment to defend Ku-
after this administration for creat-
testify before his panel. Three ad-
wait
ing a situation where we had to go to
ministration witnesses who did ap-
"The problem we face is we have
war." the official said.
page
of
41
Richard Cohen
WP 6/6/89
Facing Down a Tank
Even in replay, when the outcome
whites of the old segregationist South
you imagine a report from Valley
strong in his country, too. What will
They are even deaf to the events of
was known, the tension was unbear-
the idea of civil rights and you get a
Forge interrupted by a commercial
he do if events truly get out of hand in
the last two decades in their own
able. He stood, white shirt and dark
revolution. There was bravery then,
for a toilet-bowl cleaner? This, too, is
Soviet Georgia, in the Baltic republics
backyard. It was the extraordinary
slacks, and faced down a column of
too. Men and women did what they
historic truth. The momentous and
or, maybe more explosively, in East-
efforts of ordinary Vietnamese that
tanks in Tiananmen Square. When the
never thought possible. They, too,
the banal exist side by side.
ern Europe?
wearied and ultimately defeated the
lead tank moved to the left, so did he.
risked their lives-and some were
Conservatives must be braced by
But the other lesson in all this is
United States.
When it inched forward, he held his
killed.
events in China. Here is the vaunted
that history is on the march. Those
At moments like this we can only
ground: He scampered onto the tank,
Television both exalts and trivializ-
evil of communism in living color.
who point a finger at the past and say
stand aside, mouths agape. The revo-
seemed to speak to the crew and then
es. Events from China-the murder
Here are the formerly smiling leaders
it is the future-that Russia will al-
lutions of our textbooks are happen-
came down.
of students, the killing of the wound-
of China turning, almost instantly,
ways be Russia-have scant respect
ing right on the television screen.
Who can fathom such bravery? Who
ed, the crushing of people by tanks—
into ogres. Just a few months ago,
for the power of the all-powerful ordi-
Here is Valley Forge and the Bastille.
can understand such courage when all
come to us as they happen. We watch,
they were being interviewed on tele-
nary person. The Israelis say that
Here is the taking of the Winter
around was evidence that the hero of
rapt, asking over and over, "Could I
vision, pleasantly saying such nice
about the Palestinians-look at what
Palace and a massive demonstration
one moment is the martyr of the
do that?" We watch, trying in vain to
things about the United States, about
they have done-but the Israeli gov-
next? And yet, this sort of thing has
make sense of what we see, confused
reform and, of course, human rights.
ernment cannot now see what Pales-
led peaceably by Gandhi. Here are the
become routine in China. What we are
because all we have is the image and
Like the prayers of the forcibly con-
tinians are really doing. As in China,
anti-apartheid blacks (and some
seeing on television, what we are
ordinary people are risking-and los-
whites) of South Africa or, even, the
the cool commentary, but not the feel
verted, their words hardly came from
reading in the newspapers, is not
of the place.
the heart.
ing-their lives for an idea: Palestin-
ordinary soldier on Mao's Long
news or current events but grand
And then the television pictures
ian nationalism. Nothing really can
March. Here is revolution.
And the conservatives could point
history-when ordinary people do ex-
change. China is replaced by a game
at Moscow: Listen, don't we hear the
stop it-just as nothing could stop the
So, who is that man who stopped
same words coming from there? Yes.
original Israelis from redeeming the
the tanks in Tiananmen Square? Who
traordinary things.
show. The cracking voice of a foreign
Dictators and despots know their
correspondent is supplanted by the
And doesn't Mikhail Gorbachev talk
Biblical promise of a Jewish home-
is that guy and what prompted him to
enemy: you and me. They know, too,
gleeful shriek of someone who has
about reform, about democracy and
land.
do what he did? He is that most
the truth of the cliche that nothing is
just won a refrigerator. CNN, whose
about joining the community of na-
Chinese authorities are deaf to
dangerous of individuals: a man with
as dangerous as an idea. Give the
correspondents have performed hero-
tions? Yes, he does. Like the Chinese
their own history. It was the people
an idea. Stand aside and wish him
right people the right idea and history
ically, switches from Beijing to the
leaders, Gorbachev could also turn on
who brought them to power, and it
well. In the past he has changed
turns on its axis. Give the blacks and
latest gossip from Hollywood. Could
a dime. The forces of reaction are
will be the people who topple them.
history, and he may do so again.
WP
6/6/89
To: Dan
THE WASHINGTON POST
George F. Will
Death of the Totalitarian Pretense
These are the most momentous
The last two centuries have given
talitarianism." Her deeply troubling
gusts of ideology emitted by the tute-
teaching and in the presence of over-
months in mankind's history. This is
birth to various historicisms-doct-
thesis was that ideological intoxica-
lary party.
whelming indoctrination, a yearning
60 not merely because of the scale of
rines purporting to decipher laws of
tion, combined with modern instru-
The totalitarian enterprise is the
for freedom and truth will rise out of
events shaking regimes from the
historical development. Theories
ments of social control, might make
extirpation of all autonomous institu-
man's heart and mind forever."
Danube to the China Sea but also
claim to explain the course of history
totalitarianism an unassailable tyran-
tions and hence of autonomous im-
A striking fact about Tiananmen
because of the clarity with which
in terms of vast impersonal forces.
ny, immune to all dynamics of change
pulses in society. Instead of Marx's
Square is that there was no single
great ideas are clashing and historic
These theories stipulate that history
from within.
withering away of the state, there
acknowledged leader there. Note a
controversies are being resolved.
is a series of inevitabilities indepen-
would be the withering away of soci-
Terrorism-the end of legality;
stirring similarity. A Hungarian pro-
Imagine, said Orwell, a boot in your
dent of individuals' political wills and
ety through the unlimited penetration
random violence-is but one totalitar-
fessor speaking 33 years ago: "It was
face-forever. His nightmare is the
choices.
of life by the state-by politics.
unique in history, that the Hungarian
ian instrument. Another is gray bu-
The totalitarian impulse arises
In 1956, in the streets of Budapest,
totalitarians' dream, the terrifying
Revolution had no leaders, It was not
reaucracy controlling all cultural insti-
promise of permanence. What died in
from historicism. It arises from the
Arendt's profoundly pessimistic theo-
organized, it was not centrally direct-
tutions. Totalitarianism aims at the
ry was slain by a luminous fact. For
Tiananmen Square was the totalitari-
claim that a particular party has a
ed. The will for freedom was the
conscription of the citizen's con-
12 days, Hungary flung its uncon-
an pretense, the claim to have broken
monopoly on understanding and has a
moving force in every action."
sciousness-state ownership not
quered consciousness in the face of
history, and all human spontaneity, to
right to unbridled administration of
the totalitarian state. There was no
What made Tiananmen Square ter-
insight, however brutal that might be
merely of industries but of minds. So
the maddle of a party's political will.
totalitarianism requires control of the
civil war because the nation was not
rifying to the totalitarians was pre-
To sense the stakes of today's tur-
for those who contest its monopoly of
flow of information. It requires the
divided: Ideological indoctrination had
cisely what made it insubstantial in
bulences, go back 33 years. But first
interpretation.
central scripting of all public argu-
left the public utterly unmarked.
the face of force but will make it
20 back 2,500 years. Political philoso-
Paradoxically, in the 20th century,
In Budapest, as in Tiananmen
triumphant in time: no leaders, just
phy began with Plato, who sought
when history has accelerated giddily,
ment-which means no real argu-
Square, tanks prevailed, but Arendt
unconscripted spirits,
ways to prevent cycles of civic virtue
the great political invention, totalitar-
ment in public.
rejoiced in the refutation of her hy-
A watching world marveled at the
from decaying into tyranny. His com-
ianism, has promised regimes that
Intermediary institutions standing
pothesis. In an epilogue to the 1958
bravery, politeness and good will of
prehensive prescriptions concerned
would perpetuate themselves-fore-
between the individual and the
edition of her book, she wrote:
the protesters, but wrongly spoke of
education, poetry, rhetoric.
ver. The world has been haunted by
state-schools, churches, clubs, labor
"The voices from Eastern Europe,
their moderation. The watching
Modernity has meant preoccupa-
the specter of permanence, the per-
unions, even families-must be pul-
speaking so plainly and simply of free-
world, like the protesters themselves,
tion with history as linear, not cycli-
manent boot in the face.
verized or permeated by the state.
dom and truth, sounded like an ulti-
did not understand the inherent, Irre-
History is a narrative infused with
In 1951, Hannah Arendt, a refugee
The totalitarian aim is the atomization
mate affirmation that human nature is
ducible radicalism of their categorical
the drama of the possibility of prog-
from Hitler's Europe, published a
of society into a dust of individuals.
unchangeable, that nihilism will be
challenge to the totalitarian pretense.
ress.
stunning treatise, "The Origins of To-
This dust is to be blown around by
futile, that even in the absence of all
The regime understood.
E806
H47
WH
BY THE AUTHOR
WALDHEIM: THE MISSING YEARS (Paragon House)
ROOSEVELT
THE WAR THAT HITLER WON: GOEBBELS AND THE
NAZI MEDIA CAMPAIGN (Paragon House)
WHEN NAZI DREAMS COME TRUE
&
HITLER
THE NAZIS
WESTERN CIVILIZATION
ADOLF HITLER AND THE GERMAN TRAUMA
PRELUDE TO WAR
ROBERT EDWIN
HERZSTEIN
11
PARAGON HOUSE
New York
74
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE TRIUMPH OF NEUTRALITY
75
producer Carl Laemmle's 1930 motion picture All Quiet on the Western
Milestone shows us the home front. On leave, Paul has to listen to his
Front. Telling the story of men "destroyed in the war," Laemmle
father's armchair strategist friends, comfortable in their taverns, telling
created a sensation with this movie. Nazis rioted in the streets of Berlin
him how to win the war. Paul's teacher, still preaching patriotism and
and released snakes and white mice in theaters showing the film. The
glory, shows him off to the class. Paul stammers something about what
fact that Laemmle was a German-American emigré of Jewish origin
the front is really like. The boys are all shocked. "Coward!" yells one
particularly enraged these thugs. Although the film was approved by
youth, though Paul is actually a decorated hero. A new generation is
the German board of censors, the government forced the board to
being readied for the slaughter.
rescind its approval. The failure of the German republic to resist this
In the end, the whole war effort seems meaningless. Paul reaches out
Nazi pressure was a harbinger of its own destruction. Pacifist Oswald
beyond his sandbag barrier, hoping to capture a butterfly. A French
Garrison Villard, writing for the Nation, foresaw this in early 1931.5
sharpshooter kills him. In the final powerful scene, the dead and the
Producer Laemmle and director Lewis Milestone destroyed all the
living march off into eternity, against the backdrop of a huge military
romantic, nationalist shibboleths of an earlier generation. The movie's
cemetery. Paul turns toward us, looking the living reproachfully in the
setting is the German home front, but at no point are the soldiers mere
eye. He seems to say, "Never again war!"
German caricatures. They could just as well be Frenchmen or Ameri-
Reviewers were overwhelmed. The noncommunist left wing and the
cans. The opening scene of this film shows a teacher whipping his
pacifist press loved the movie, while the mainstream New York Times
students into a patriotic frenzy in 1914. Happy boys march off behind
described it as "vivid and graphic." Liberty reviewed the film in glowing
the teacher, anxious to sign up for the army. He, of course, returns to the
terms, as did Film Daily and other trade publications. All Quiet on the
classroom, where he lectures more young men on the virtues of death for
Western Front strengthened pacifist sentiments in the United States.
the fatherland.
One could only contrast the stirring rhetoric of President Wilson with
The boys go off to boot camp, festooned with flowers. The marching
the carnage in northern France. Confused and disenchanted, Ameri-
bands fade from memory, for basic training is harsh, dirty, and boring.
cans now saw that the great Wilsonian crusade had led to the rise of
And people seem to change when they wear a uniform. Dehumaniza-
bolshevism and fascism. The Europeans and their endless wars, many
tion is the order of the day. Learn to kill; forget higher cultural aspira-
Americans claimed, were to blame for the Depression engulfing the
tions. The boys are glad to leave the training camp. Now, at last, they
nation during the production of All Quiet on the Western Front.
will be soldiers, fighting for the sacred fatherland. Milestone graphically
portrays the horrors of the trenches, where men fight rats for a few
crumbs of bread.
The nation was in near despair when FDR gained his party's presiden-
The constant roar of artillery and machine guns causes some men to
tial nomination. He was inaugurated on 4 March 1933, five weeks after
go mad. Here at the front no one speaks of "causes" or "fatherlands,"
Hitler assumed the German chancellorship. Roosevelt struck the fa-
but of survival and of home. There is indiscriminate slaughter, to no
mous pundit Walter Lippmann as well-intentioned and charming, but
purpose (hence the ironic title of the film). No one really knows or cares
lacking in intellectual depth or ideological commitment.
who started the war. Some soldiers believe that the Kaiser or greedy
During his first administration, Roosevelt devoted most of his energy
manufacturers are responsible, but the men are not sure.
to the enactment of measures aimed at overcoming the economic and
There are individual acts of humanity. Some are the gestures of Paul
moral crisis that gripped the nation. Under his "New Deal," the federal
Baumer, a sensitive young man portrayed by actor Lew Ayres, himself a
government greatly expanded its powers. Roosevelt and his "Brain
pacifist. Paul cares about his friend, the nineteen-year-old Franz, who
Trust," working with a heavily Democratic Congress, tackled a vast
lies dying in a field hospital. His love, however, is almost stupid, out of
array of problems, ranging from unemployment to unionization, from
place in this brutal conflict. Later, Paul tries to comfort Duval, a dying
agriculture to social security.
French soldier whom he has stabbed. As if to mock such sentimentality,
Foreign policy was secondary, but here, too, Roosevelt embraced an
76
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE TRIUMPH OF NEUTRALITY
77
economic nationalism quite in keeping with his expansion of federal
minded president. In the second year of FDR's term, Congress passed
authority. The president exuded some vaguely internationalist senti-
the Johnson Act, which forbade extending loans to nations defaulting on
ments from time to time, but he was careful to avoid being tagged a
previous commitments. Britain and France might never pay up, but they
"Wilson II." The press, Secretary of State Cordell Hull observed,
would never get another penny.
was of the "unanimous opinion that we must not allow ourselves to
"Internationalists," in contrast, advocated an American role in collec-
become involved in European political developments." Most Ameri-
tive security measures aimed at deterring aggression. They believed in
cans agreed. In this atmosphere, FDR was careful to maintain what he
the utility of the league and favored U.S. membership on the World
called a "more or less detached position," based on "impartiality." In
Court. While Roosevelt's roots and intellect were internationalist, his
1933, the president supported the ill-fated Disarmament Conference
political instincts told him to pay heed to isolationist concerns. Polls
and advocated close cooperation with Great Britain on arms issues.
taken during Roosevelt's first term consistently indicated that ninety-
FDR believed that disarmament, along with economic cooperation and
five percent of those questioned wanted the United States to avoid
recovery, could overcome the "tyranny of fear" gripping Europe. It
becoming entangled in a new European war. In 1934, the Hearst
took Roosevelt and Hull some time to realize that a distant, largely
newspapers organized a petition drive opposing U.S. membership in
disarmed nation, acting as a noncommittal mediator, could hardly con-
the World Court. Though the court was far less controversial than the
vert Hitler and Mussolini to its liberal values.
league, Hearst collected almost a million and a half signatures.
Hull, a former Tennessee senator, had become secretary of state in
Senator Thomas D. Schall (Republican of Minnesota) captured the
1933, at the age of sixty-one. He served for eleven years. Cordell Hull
isolationist mood when he said, "To hell with Europe and the rest of
was a passionate believer in free trade, an adherent of the old liberal
those nations!" In 1934, the Nye Committee, named after Senator
maxim that protectionism leads to war. A Wilsonian internationalist who
Gerald P. Nye (Republican of North Dakota), began its famous investi-
had drawn certain lessons from the debacle of the league debate in
gation into the origins of American intervention in 1917. Some congress-
1919, Hull was cautious and hardworking. He was loyal to the president,
men pointed their fingers at unpopular, but plausible culprits: In
though there was little warmth in the relationship. Roosevelt, outwardly
Senator Nye's words, "[M]unitions sales, bankers' loans to the Allies,
respectful of Hull, often circumvented him. FDR contributed to the
and Americans sailing upon the vessels of nations at war, such as the
formulation and execution of policy.⁶ His combination of nationalism
Lusitania, tended to bring us into a conflict which was in its inception of
and globalism contrasted with Hull's legalistic obsession with treaties
no relation to Money, rather than idealism, had motivated the
and free trade. Hull was useful to Roosevelt for many years, precisely
Wilson administration. The influential Kansas publisher William Allen
because he offered the president political cover.
White summed up the feelings of the era. "The boys who died just
Roosevelt needed this protection. Isolationists recalled his enthusias-
went out and died," he wrote. "And for what?" asked White, and
tic interventionism and his support for U.S. membership on the World
millions of others.⁹
Court. By the time FDR took office, opposition to Wilsonian interna-
Peace activists touched the lives of many Americans during this era.
tionalism had become a powerful factor in American political life.
Pacifists, who opposed the use of organized armed force in international
Those who resented American involvement in the last war and wished
affairs, had many supporters. Rabbi Stephen Wise, as well as the
to avoid international commitments compromising American sover-
Reverend Harry Emerson Fosdick, pledged to refrain from using reli-
eignty were sometimes referred to as "isolationists." These people
gion for the sanctification of war. In 1933, the year in which Hitler
believed that the United States could and should isolate itself from the
became chancellor of Germany, Brown University's student newspaper
crises looming in Europe and the Far East. They opposed American
polled students attending sixty-five colleges. It discovered that about
involvement in the League of Nations and even on the World Court.
forty percent of them claimed to be committed to absolute pacifism. In
Led by powerful, senior members of the United States Senate, the
the spring of 1935, sixty thousand American students sponsored antiwar
congressional isolationists could make life difficult for an independent-
rallies and marches. Many of them took the "Oxford Oath," commit-
78
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE TRIUMPH OF NEUTRALITY
79
ting themselves to avoiding military service, even in the event of war. 10
became the president's tutor. Nazi brutality, reflected in the bloody
The National Council for the Prevention of War, a Quaker group, helped
purge of 30 June 1934, shocked Dodd, and he conveyed his dismay to
to coordinate the work of thirty-one pacifist and peace-oriented organi-
the president. 12
zations. Socialist Norman Thomas, an ordained minister, was active in
Roosevelt, preoccupied with domestic questions and fearing political
the influential Fellowship of Reconciliation. Later, the famous A.J.
opposition to bold foreign policy initiatives, reacted cautiously in public
Muste, an absolute pacifist, joined the group. (It was Muste who liked
to cries of alarm about the Nazi danger. He continued to exchange
to say, "If I cannot love Hitler, I cannot love any man.")
formal greetings with the Reich government. At times, both countries
lodged notes of protest with one another, but there was no sense of
imminent crisis. For his part, Ambassador Dodd did not at first fully
In 1932, Roosevelt had dispatched an indirect emissary to Adolf Hitler,
grasp the extent of Hitler's ambitions, though he understood German
hoping to learn more about his intentions. Nothing important came of
resentment about the outcome of the last war. At the right moment,
these tentative feelers. Hitler soon came to power, and Roosevelt de-
Dodd predicted, Hitler would wage war in order to restore the frontiers
cided, "I want an American liberal in Germany as a standing example."
of 1918. 13 This appraisal proved to be too conservative by far. While
His choice for ambassador fell upon historian William Dodd of Virginia.
Dodd fretted about German belligerence, the United States Congress
Dodd, who became the annual president of the American Historical
decided to put severe constraints upon the president's powers in the
Association in 1934, had earned his doctorate at the University of
domain of foreign affairs. Dodd realized that American isolationism
Leipzig back in 1900.
could only foster the ambitions of this new generation of German
Ambassador Dodd had few illusions about the Nazis, though in the
leaders. So did Frank N. Belgrano, national commander of the Ameri-
beginning he did convince himself that "Germany can hardly fail to
can Legion. Perhaps looking ahead to unthinkable events such as the
realize the importance of friendly cooperation with the 120,000,000
German domination of Europe, or a Japanese attack on the United
people of the United States.
FDR hoped that the professor was
States, Belgrano uttered prophetic words. "Those," he said, "who
right, though he himself feared a coming war between the victors and
practice the theory of splendid isolation are smoking the opium of self-
the vanquished of 1918. 11
deception. They may have pleasant dreams for the moment, but some
From the earliest days of his presidency, Roosevelt had insights into
day they will awake to a nightmare of tragic reality." The American
Hitler's nature and intentions. Writing in 1933 in his copy of the book
Legion repudiated its commander's comment. 14
Mein Kampf, Roosevelt noted, "This translation is so expurgated as to
Reaction against the intervention in 1917, pacifism, and fear of un-
give a wholly false view of what Hitler really The German origi-
foreseen temptations and crises resulted in the Neutrality Act of 1935,
nal would make a different story." Roosevelt was right. The abridged
as well as subsequent neutrality legislation. Roosevelt, having been
work gave no real sense of Hitler's Jewish obsession, nor of his frighten-
burned by the World Court issue, overcame his misgivings and signed
ing foreign policy goals. There was no complete English translation of
the act into law.
the work until later in the decade. How did Roosevelt know about the
In the event of war, it read, the president "shall proclaim such fact,
difference? Perhaps from conversation, perhaps from looking at the
and it shall thereafter be unlawful to export arms, ammunition, or
German edition of Mein Kampf. Roosevelt had more pressing matters to
implements of war from any place in the United States, or possessions of
deal with in 1933, and so did most Americans. Still, it is interesting to
the United States, to any port of such belligerent states,
or for the
see that FDR had doubts from the start about the Nazis.
use of [a] belligerent country." Section 3 also prohibited American
Despite these early concerns about Hitler, Roosevelt did not speak
vessels from carrying implements of war to neutral ports, if these arms
much about events in Germany. His comments about the Nazis were
and munitions were destined for transshipment to a belligerent power.
highly unflattering, but FDR devoted little time to a study of Hitler's
The legislation established strict governmental supervision over the
policies. Ambassador Dodd had direct access to Roosevelt, and soon
armaments industry, which many Americans now blamed for U.S. inter-
80
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE TRIUMPH OF NEUTRALITY
81
vention in the Great War. And mindful of the Lusitania tragedy of 1915,
"[T]he United States of America shall and must remain
unen-
Congress authorized the president to warn American citizens sailing on
tangled and free. "18 While Marshal Pietro Badoglio prepared for his
belligerents' ships that they did so at their own risk. This legislation, if
final victory drive in Ethiopia, and a week before Hitler sent German
not rescinded or amended, doomed any effective American intervention
troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, Congress widened the neu-
on behalf of collective security against aggression. Politics was politics,
trality legislation, though it now permitted the president to determine
however, and an election was coming up. Reports indicated that the
when "there exists a state of war between, or among two or more foreign
looming war between Ethiopia and Italy might be a prelude to a
states
Once the president had made this determination, however,
broader European struggle.
the arms embargo would apply to any additional parties entering the
Speaking of this Neutrality Act, former secretary of state Henry L.
conflict. This could only discourage collective security measures, for
Stimson observed, "The President had done little or nothing to head off
the amendment in question mandated an arms embargo applicable even
this legislative folly which would discourage the victims of aggression
to nations at war against an aggressor. And according to the new law,
and
not
its
perpetrators.
Roosevelt, in signing the legislation, did
belligerents could receive no loans or credits. Roosevelt quickly applied
wisely point out that "inflexible provisions might drag us into war
the legislation to the war in eastern Africa, though this action did
instead of keeping us out."
nothing to save Ethiopia, the victim of aggression. Later, Cordell Hull
Roosevelt's supporters in Congress wondered about the future course
ruefully admitted, "If total sanctions had been applied, Mussolini
of American foreign policy. Would it take the form of adamant isolation-
might have been stopped dead in his tracks."19
ism? Many British and French leaders believed that this legislation
"Total sanctions" would have required stronger measures by the
could only encourage hotheads in Berlin and Rome. 15 It was now clear
league, and full support for them by its members, as well as by the
to all that America was willing to surrender some of its rights as a neutral
United States. The failure of the league, whatever America's respon-
nation if it could thereby avoid becoming a belligerent power. The
sibility, hurt the interventionist cause. In the Midwest, where editorial
neutrality law was soon tested.
opinion had been predominantly internationalist since 1917, isolation-
Mussolini's Italy attacked Ethiopia in early October 1935, and FDR
ism took over as the dominant voice of the region. 20
promptly embargoed the export of arms and munitions to the warring
parties. The League of Nations then voted to impose limited economic
sanctions upon Italy. Secretary of State Cordell Hull, however, promptly
Roosevelt's growing hostility to the Nazis had not yet taken him past the
informed the British that America would not feel bound by sanctions
way station labeled peaceful multilateralism. A collective antifascist
voted by the league. 16 Instead, Hull and the president called for a
alliance was out of the question, as was unilateral American action.
"moral embargo." This meant that American exporters were admon-
Roosevelt mused about a peace conference, perhaps even a summit
ished to maintain the existing level of exports to Mussolini's Italy. In
meeting with Hitler and Mussolini. FDR's program contained two basic
fact, American exporters made large profits by increasing exports of
elements: mutual reduction in armaments, and free access for all nations
strategic metals and oil to fascist Italy. In his memoirs, Hull lamely
to international markets and raw materials. The problem was that the
argues that, absent the "moral embargo," the situation would have
president did not yet realize that the acceptance of such principles was
been even worse. 17
anathema to fascist states. If they agreed, they would cease to be fascist.
In the name of freedom of the seas, neutrality, and profits, the
Thus, far from being a kind of "appeasement," as some scholars have
American economy helped to prevent an Italian collapse. Roosevelt
alleged, Roosevelt's idea was an impractical, idealistic concept predi-
remained passive, as Mussolini demonstrated that aggression worked.
cated upon the return of Germany, Italy, and Japan to liberal political
The American public was not unduly upset. A Gallup poll showed that
principles.
seventy percent of Americans opposed enforcing sanctions in coopera-
After the outbreak of General Francisco Franco's Spanish rebellion in
tion with the league. Through all of this, Roosevelt could only promise,
the summer of 1936, the president invoked a "moral embargo" on arms
82
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE TRIUMPH OF NEUTRALITY
83
sales to the insurgents and prevented the shipment of badly needed
him more amenable to interventionist suggestions. FDR's image, par-
warplanes to the legitimate government of the Spanish Republic. 21
ticularly in Europe, was becoming that of a world statesman. Roosevelt
"Lift the embargo!" implored much of the American left, while pro-
now believed that his great powers of persuasion might be brought to
Franco activists in the Catholic community demanded, "Keep the
bear upon Hitler himself. Foreign reaction to Roosevelt's victory con-
embargo!" To rescind it, Roosevelt believed, "would mean the loss of
firmed his own instinct about the American role in a world where evil
every Catholic vote in the coming fall election.
"22 After the elec-
forces, preying upon social misery, were planning new wars. As if to
tion, when Congress passed another Neutrality Act, which prevented
prove FDR correct, the Nazi press grew more hostile to him, while
the export of arms, munitions, and implements of war to Spain, Ambas-
Paris-Soir exulted, "Henceforth democracy has its chief!" French polit-
sador Dodd sourly documented the elation of the German press.
ical leader Paul Reynaud shared this view of FDR, as did Foreign
It was clear that the Versailles peace structure was collapsing. Hitler
Minister Yvon Delbos. The president would, they hoped, work to
had begun his massive arms buildup. France was politically unstable;
change public opinion, "to orient American policy in the direction of
Britain seemed to lack political will. Mussolini had taken Ethiopia,
the democratic countries and to [France] in particular. "26 That day
while the league had disintegrated as an effective body. FDR, con-
would come, but not for at least two more years.
cerned about the rise of dictatorships and the threat of war, ruminated
Democratic Europe, leaderless and demoralized, thus agreed with
about various approaches to the world crisis. Perhaps the president
the ambassador to France, William Bullitt, who later told Roosevelt,
could persuade Hitler to outline his foreign policy goals for the next ten
"You are
beginning to occupy the miracle man position." The
years. Maybe he could coax the Nazis into re-entering disarmament
president heard from another admirer that "[o]nly the President of the
negotiations. He considered convening an international conference, but
United States, triumphantly re-elected by his entire nation, enjoys a
he hesitated to share this idea with a suspicious American people. On at
prestige
which enables him to utter an appeal for peace which
least one occasion, FDR considered endorsing American participation
would have a chance of being heard. 27
in a multinational blockade of Germany, at least in a theoretical sense. 23
Yet it is hard to take these ideas too seriously, except as guides to FDR's
increasing fear of Nazi aggression and barbarity. Presiding over an
economically troubled nation separated from Europe and Asia by great
oceans, Roosevelt commanded a paltry army of fewer than 200,000
men, and an unprepared, undermanned navy.
Concerned about American isolationism, Roosevelt found himself in
a difficult position. 24 Most Americans disliked the Nazis, when they
thought about them at all. Yet they detested the thought of another
intervention in a European war even more. How could one change the
worldview of an American majority? This was a great challenge; as
the president put it in 1936, "A Government can be no better than the
public opinion which sustains it. 25 Roosevelt's caution has led to much
criticism. Some have seen his foreign policy during these years as that of
a man unwilling "to make use of America's power and influence in
international affairs." Ambassador Dodd was closer to the mark. He
wrote that Roosevelt "fears violent opposition to any progressive move
that he might make."
President Roosevelt's stunning reelection landslide in 1936 made
TOWARD SELECTIVE CONFRONTATION WITH GERMANY
85
this rhetoric during his ill-fated 1936 campaign. "Franklin D. Roose-
velt," he told the electorate, "proposes to destroy the right to elect your
own representatives."¹
CHAPTER
Others went further, charging that Roosevelt was the "real can-
didate-the unofficial candidate of the Comintern Lieutenant
EIGHT
Colonel Edwin M. Hadley voiced the thoughts of many a citizen:
"What we have in Washington today is not a Republican administration.
Neither is it a Democratic administration. It is a Socialistic-Communistic
administration
TOWARD SELECTIVE
Roosevelt-haters included William Randolph Hearst, who had access
CONFRONTATION WITH GERMANY
to millions of people from all social classes through his control of twenty-
eight newspapers and numerous radio stations, magazines, and assorted
media outlets. Hearst's newspapers had a daily circulation of six million
copies, perhaps one-seventh of the American readership. His contempt
for the democracies, and his fear of the Soviet Union turned him into a
major burden for Roosevelt. Hearst's hatred inspired various denuncia-
tions, one of them in verse:
A Red New Deal with a Soviet seal
Endorsed by a Moscow hand,
The strange result of an alien cult
D
ESPITE GROWING PUBLIC QUALMS about the goals of the dictators,
In a liberty-loving land
FDR knew that dramatic presidential action might frighten and
alienate the public. The neutrality mania was not the only prob-
Like Hearst, Chicago press lord Colonel Robert McCormick was a
lem. More than any other president in this century, FDR faced hatreds
Roosevelt-hater, as well as a major spokesman for the isolationist con-
that were enduring and implacable. Many people from FDR's social
sensus. McCormick's Chicago Tribune argued that the British Empire
class (or those who aspired to that status) viewed him as a "traitor to his
was hardly superior to Hitler's Germany, and warned that Roosevelt was
class.' To a large number of corporate executives, Roosevelt was a slave
bent upon establishing a dictatorship, with the help of communists and
to distasteful ethnic and racial groups. Sitting in posh clubs in New York
other New Deal proponents. 2 By 1935, McCormick, along with Hearst
City or Chicago or relaxing in Westchester country club locker rooms
and two other Roosevelt-bashers, controlled about one-fifth of the daily
after a golf game, these men cursed Roosevelt as a closet bolshevik.
national newspaper circulation, and over one-third of the Sunday reader-
Eleanor's belief in racial equality filled these men with loathing. Many a
ship.³
Roosevelt-hater shook his head with disgust when discussing the fa-
Of patrician background and manner, Roosevelt used his office on
mous "Nigger pictures," widely circulated photographs of Mrs. Roose-
behalf of people despised by many members of his own social class. For
velt in conversation with Negro ROTC cadets from Howard University.
this, they could not forgive him. "Old money" resented its loss of
Roosevelt may have boasted that he had saved capitalism; to his ene-
control, for the expansion of governmental power came on the heels of
mies, he had destroyed the good old order, and paved the way for
its own failure in the face of the Great Depression. A liberal with a great
"socialism," if not for dictatorship or even communism. Governor Alf
name had usurped its power.⁴ Now, at the end of 1936, well-dressed
M. Landon of Kansas, a progressive Republican, fell prey to some of
ladies sometimes visited newsreel theaters, waiting for the moment
84
86
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
TOWARD SELECTIVE CONFRONTATION WITH GERMANY
87
when they could jeer the sight of FDR. Others refused to mention the
domination and control of the British Foreign Office." Reactionaries
name of "that man in the White House." Rumors circulated describing
who hated Roosevelt saw his interest in the European crisis as the
Roosevelt as a drunk, a syphilitic, a megalomaniac. At times the jibes
prelude to a new executive power play.⁷
were humorous, as in the cartoon in which God suffers from delusions of
So Roosevelt, unclear about his course and fearful of his critics,
grandeur. "He thinks He's Franklin D. Roosevelt," read the caption.
proceeded cautiously. In a widely heralded speech, he stated, "I have
Upon occasion, an exasperated Roosevelt-hater was heard saying,
passed unnumbered hours, I shall pass unnumbered hours thinking and
"Well, let's hope somebody shoots him."
planning how war may be kept from this nation." As if to renounce
Many of the Roosevelt-haters rallied to the Liberty League, which
Wilsonian messianism, FDR added, "I wish I could keep war from all
claimed over 124,000 members in the summer of 1936. Its Washington
nations, but that is beyond my power." At times, Roosevelt seemed to
offices were larger than those of the Republican National Committee.
regret American entry into the Great War. He found some merit in the
The league supported various reactionary groups, including the South-
"merchants of death" argument. The great actor and supreme politician
ern Committee to Uphold the Constitution. This organization put out
had not yet discovered his role as world statesman.8
propaganda revealing that "President Roosevelt has
permitted
Ne-
Roosevelt's letters, conversations, and speeches reveal a man who was
groes to come to the White House Banquet Table and sleep in the
grappling with feelings of suspicion and unease. FDR would, over the
White
House
beds. The league failed in its attempt to foil FDR's
next three years, become convinced that coexistence between the
reelection. Indeed, it saddled the Republicans with an "economic
Western democratic community and Nazi Germany was unlikely. Roo-
royalist" and "fat cat" image that hurt candidate Alf M. Landon.
sevelt began to see himself as a kind of savior of the Western de-
Although its day had passed, the league left a legacy of opposition to
mocracies. He foresaw the need for the creation of an anti-Nazi
Roosevelt that now assumed new forms.⁵
diplomatic coalition. The American ambassador to Berlin noted in his
Wealthy Roosevelt-haters intended to sabotage foreign policy initia-
diary that "the real fear here
is that the President [Roosevelt] may
tives favored by the president. They much preferred fascism to commu-
organize all American peoples against Fascist Europe and even boycott
nism, and they mistrusted Roosevelt's commitment to democracy. Nor
any power that starts another war."9 Dodd's comment proved to be
were the right-wingers an isolated fringe. One poll found that Ameri-
prescient. By 1939, Hitler was telling his generals, "The attempt of
cans, when forced to choose between communism and fascism, chose
certain circles in the U.S. to lead the continent in a direction hostile to
the latter by a margin of twenty-two points.⁶
Germany is certainly without success at the moment, yet in the future it
A strange "isolationist" alliance began to emerge, reaching its high
could lead to the desired result. Here too time must be seen as working
point early in the next decade. Those supporting this foreign policy
against Germany." Hitler's sense of urgency stemmed in part from his
coalition included people who supported Roosevelt on New Deal is-
concern about the future of American policy. He needed to reorganize
sues. Among them were "Anglo-Saxon" Progressives, who recalled that
Europe in preparation for a global conflict that he both feared and
war had brought about the demise of Wilsonian liberalism. They thus
desired. 10 Hitler's fear of America, expressed in his abortive 1928 book,
recoiled at the thought of renewed intervention in Europe. The isola-
was growing stronger.
tionists also gained the support of many Italian-Americans. Proud of
If the United States eventually helped to destroy fascism, it would
Mussolini's Italy, they resented FDR's growing coolness to the dictator.
not do so in Spain. Americans influenced the ongoing civil war, but only
Aversion to America's onetime allies reinforced these isolationist ten-
because thousands of volunteers flocked to fight in the communist-
dencies. Roosevelt himself sometimes voiced fears about British at-
dominated international brigades. Despite their heroism and the suffer-
tempts to inveigle the United States into actions intended to shore up
ing of the Spanish Republicans, the government failed to crush General
the British Empire. Representative George H. Tinkham, Republican
Franco's rebels, who were aided by German aircraft and military ad-
of Massachusetts, spoke for many when he claimed, "The President of
visers, as well as by numerous Italian "legionaries." Roosevelt's sympa-
the United States and the Department of State, his agent, are under the
thies were with the Republic, but he did nothing to terminate (or
88
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
TOWARD SELECTIVE CONFRONTATION WITH GERMANY
89
circumvent) the rigid arms embargo. The horrors inflicted by the Japa-
materials to the Reich. Aircraft, petroleum, and chemical industries
nese Imperial Army upon Chinese civilians soon joined events in Spain
supplied Germany with important strategic materials, and some of this
as front-page news. Partially disarmed and committed to neutrality, the
commerce flourished even after the outbreak of war in Europe. Ameri-
United States was not about to intervene militarily in Spain or China.
cans promoting this trade subscribed to the philosophy of Alfred Sloan,
The United States could make its presence felt in other ways, how-
Jr., head of General Motors. "[A]n international business operating
ever, and to the detriment of Germany. FDR seized this opportunity.
throughout the world," wrote Sloan, "should conduct its operations in
German-American trade, which had been declining for years, deterio-
strictly business terms, without regard to the political beliefs of its
rated further. In 1929, the United States had produced 13.3 percent of
management, or the political beliefs of the country in which it is
Germany's imports, while absorbing 7.4 percent of her exports. By
operating.
1938, the figures were 3.4 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. Secre-
In December 1933, Standard Oil of New York deposited one million
tary Hull, a passionate believer in free trade, strongly objected to Nazi
dollars in Germany for making "gasoline from soft coal for war emergen-
trade policies. The secretary conveyed his anger to a sympathetic
cies." A few months later, United Aircraft negotiated the sale of nu-
president. Hull argued, "The system upon which Germany conducts
merous crankshafts, cylinder heads, and other items of military
its international commercial relations
runs diametrically contrary to
importance. These products enabled the German aircraft industry to
the principles upon which the commercial policy of the United States is
produce about "100 airplanes per month. Sperry Gyroscope delivered
based.' The anti-Nazi boycott further undermined commerce between
automatic pilots, as well as the latest gyro compasses to the Germans,
America and the Third Reich.
enough to equip "50 airplanes per month." It also sold some of its fire
Roosevelt agreed in 1936 that certain German exporters would have
prevention systems, used on antiaircraft guns, to the Askania works in
to pay countervailing duties on goods exported to the United States.
Germany. Bendix exported automatic pilot data to Siemens and Halsko.
Despite qualms about German trade policies, Secretary Hull, more
Such products were essential to the Luftwaffe, and the Germans paid in
than the president, attempted to prevent a total breakdown in bilateral
hard currency. In addition, American companies continued to sell pa-
trade. Hull opposed the imposition of additional duties on imports,
tents to the Germans, who then exported some of their aviation technol-
fearing their "deplorable repercussions on our foreign trade
with
ogy to other aggressor states, such as fascist Italy. As early as 4 April
respect to Germany." FDR, in contrast, noted, "If it is a borderline case
1934, Douglas Miller, acting commercial attaché in Berlin, warned the
I feel so keenly about Germany that I would enforce the countervailing
administration about American involvement in German rearmament. In
duties." Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau crusaded for these du-
his letter, Miller named names, showing how American firms were
ties, and he usually prevailed. Hull seemed to miss the point entirely.
assisting in the construction of the German Luftwaffe. 14
He protested that the Treasury Department was not applying the duties
This lucrative and important strategic commerce proved to be the
to other nations "engaging in currency manipulation similar to Ger-
exception to the rule. German-American trade continued on its steep
many's. Roosevelt, concerned about German rearmament and
descent. Roosevelt had the authority to prevent the export of certain
Hitler's foreign policy, was tending toward the view that there were few,
items, such as helium, and, at the urging of Interior Secretary Harold
if any, nations that could be called "similar to Germany." And that, of
Ickes, he did so. The Germans would have liked to have imported large
course, was the whole point. Germany now denounced the German-
amounts of American cotton, selected foodstuffs, and steel, but were
American trade agreement, in order to put pressure on Washington.
unable to place their orders. In some cases, American shareholders
The German-American Chamber of Commerce worked to reverse the
objected, as in the instance of steel exports. A more important factor
Roosevelt-Morgenthau decision. 12 Both ploys failed.
was the ideological incompatibility between the two economic sys-
Despite these problems, German-American trade did not cease.
tems. 15 Morgenthau and Roosevelt had no intention of improving trade
Complicated patent agreements between corporations doing business in
relations with an economy based upon autarky, export subsidies, and
both countries permitted the continued export of strategic products and
currency manipulation.
90
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91
In Berlin, Ambassador Dodd grew more impatient. He warned Roo-
to Preserve the United States From Intervention in the War of 1917-
sevelt that "pacifism will mean a great war and the subordination of all
1918. "18
Europe to Germany if the pacifist peoples do not act courageously.
Roosevelt's concern about fascism was growing, but his policy of
Dodd informed the president that "Hitler and Mussolini intend to
caution in regard to European commitments remained unimpaired. He
control all Europe.' The ambassador believed that "Hitler is simply
moved more boldly, however, when confronting German influence
waiting for his best opportunity to seize what he wants.' Roosevelt did
closer to home.
not disagree, but relations remained outwardly "correct." The Presi-
dent, Goering, and Hitler exchanged condolences after a tragic explo-
sion in New London, Texas. Roosevelt expressed formal regrets after
Roosevelt's knowledge of geography convinced him that American se-
the crash of the dirigible Hindenburg near Lakehurst, New Jersey.
curity and prosperity depended upon a stable South American conti-
The Spanish tragedy continued unabated. Hull and Roosevelt con-
nent. Roosevelt and Secretary Hull were aware of the disturbing
vinced themselves that the embargo on the export of arms to the
statistics. United States trade with Latin America had declined by
Republic was the wisest course. Congress had made this policy manda-
about 75 percent between 1929 and 1933. In 1929, the U.S. had
tory, of course, but Roosevelt did nothing to change it. 16 The Ameri-
absorbed 34 percent of Latin America's exports; by 1934, the figure had
cans claimed to be endorsing the European commitment to
dropped to 29.4 percent. In 1929, the Germans purchased 8.1 percent
nonintervention in Spain, but the fact remains that Congress and the
of Latin America's exports, and provided 10.8 percent of its imports. By
Roosevelt administration helped to seal the fate of the Republic. Had
the mid-1930s, the Germans absorbed 10.8 percent of these exports,
the Franco forces been crushed after their failure to take Madrid in late
and accounted for 16.2 percent of Latin America's imports.
1936, the Republic might well have prevailed. Roosevelt later regretted
In 1935, Germany provided Brazil with 20.7 percent of its imports, a
his own policy, but he believed in it at the time of its adoption. After all,
figure comparable to that applicable to the United States. By 1936,
as Hull recalled, "the United States was set in a concrete mold of
Brazil was importing more automobiles from Germany than from Great
isolation." Roosevelt refused to break that mold, except in cases related
Britain. In that year, it acquired 86,000 tons of coal from the Reich; a
to bilateral trade and activities in the Western Hemisphere. 17
year later, the figure shot up to 200,000 tons. The Germans were
During this first year of Roosevelt's second term, Congress modified
making inroads into Chile and Mexico as well. Their share of these
the neutrality law. The Neutrality Act passed in 1937 maintained the
nations' imports rose dramatically. By 1937, the Germans accounted for
mandatory arms embargo to belligerents. The law was more flexible in
26 percent of Chile's imports and 17.7 percent of Mexico's. The Ger-
one sense, however. It contained a "cash and carry" clause, and this
mans hoped to gain unlimited access to South American raw materials.
represented a victory for the president and for American exporters.
They had a long tradition of trade with Latin America, and most of this
Belligerents could buy American goods. including those of a strategic
commerce was nonstrategic in nature. And despite German gains, both
nature, so long as they exported the purchased goods to their homelands
Britain and the United States continued to maintain higher levels of
in ships other than those flying the flag of the United States. The
capital investment in the region. 19
purchasers would also have to pay cash in advance. This clause, sched-
Nevertheless, Hull and Roosevelt were greatly concerned, partic-
uled to expire on 1 May 1939, could only favor Britain and France,
ularly after reading a report from Secretary of Agriculture Henry A.
because their naval power far exceeded that of Germany and Italy.
Wallace. This memorandum heightened FDR's fears of German and
Furthermore, the president had obtained discretionary authority in the
Japanese trade with Latin America. As early as December 1935, Roose-
application of the "cash and carry" measure. Another regulation flatly
velt had thought about assisting Latin American countries with "sup-
forbade American citizens from sailing on ships flying the flags of
plies of one kind or another." Roosevelt, Hull, and Morgenthau had not,
belligerent powers. The New York Herald Tribune called the law "An Act
however, formulated a coherent policy for Latin America. 20 They were
92
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
TOWARD SELECTIVE CONFRONTATION WITH GERMANY
93
now beginning to do so. The administration was preparing the way for
ments, and sensitivity to differing viewpoints thus replaced gunboat
the first geopolitical conflict between the Third Reich and the United
diplomacy. There was a potentially dangerous trade-off, however,
States. Here Roosevelt could operate in the realms of politics, eco-
at least from Roosevelt's viewpoint. If America forswore armed inter-
nomics, and ideology. Even isolationists supported the Monroe Doc-
trine.
vention, might not other powers be tempted to establish bases in
Latin America? The president was coming to equate American eco-
The Germans usually paid for their Brazilian imports with blocked
nomic interests and strategic security with an anti-Nazi policy in Latin
currency accounts that could only be used for the purchase of German
America.
exports, such as coal. The Reich government was subsidizing Ger-
Alarming reports continued to reach Roosevelt. Ambassador Dodd
man exports, while preventing countries like Brazil from using German
informed him that "a Chile man reported a Nazi Party in that country of
"currency" for the purchase of British or American products. Bilateral
35,000 men, adding that the Chilean Government expects to be a
and exclusionary, the "Aski" system violated every principle of Hull's
German colony in a year or two. The Colombian Minister came to see
free trade ideology.21 Worse still, countries like Argentina, Chile, and
me two days ago and said that the activity all over Latin America was so
Brazil contained large Italian and German populations, and FDR was
becoming more concerned about their rumored affinity for fascist or
great that he wished me to report it. "24 Even Cordell Hull, who usually
Nazi ideology.
kept his emotions under tight control, expressed alarm. The Germans,
he believed, were organizing their Latin American brethren into Nazi
Hans Stöckl, a German nationalist, had years before argued that a
storm-troop units. Sumner Welles, a State Department expert on the
resurgent Germany could build bridges to Auslanddeutschtum, to the
German communities in places like Chile. Now, with the Nazis in
Caribbean and Latin America, worked to strengthen the "Good Neigh-
bor" policy. FDR came into closer contact with him, particularly after
power, some nationalists believed that awakened German communities,
Welles's appointment as under secretary of state in May 1937.
working with their host nations, could contribute to the resistance
Hull disliked Sumner Welles and feared that FDR was grooming the
against absorption by the Yankee behemoth. 22 The Nazis, moreover,
were fully capable of denouncing the Monroe Doctrine, for their own
bright and scholarly under secretary as his successor. This appears not
to have been the case. FDR needed Hull's contacts with his former
rather- transparent purposes. Roosevelt's State Department advisers
colleagues in Congress, and he appreciated his loyalty. FDR would,
knew that such siren sounds could tempt their restive Latin targets. In
however, use Welles when necessary. Roosevelt liked to keep the
1930, after all, a Mexican supreme court judge had announced that
strings in his own hands. This meant working on the crucial issues of
"[f]or Mexico the Monroe Doctrine does not exist," that it was merely
"an infantile theory, to cloak the tutelage on the part of the United
war, peace, and diplomacy with selected political appointees, among
them Anthony Biddle, William Bullitt, and Sumner Welles. This tal-
States over Latin America. "23 The president's advisers rushed to pro-
vide him with the requisite background information on his latest obses-
ented team would serve Roosevelt well in the two years that lay ahead.
These men challenged Roosevelt, helped him to formulate his ideas,
sion, German influence in Latin America. It was clear to FDR that his
and pushed him toward the achievement of goals that mattered to him.
global ideals of democracy, capitalist development, and free trade could
never be achieved if Latin America became a pawn in the hands of
hostile totalitarian powers.
The evolution of the "Good Neighbor" policy reflected FDR's wor-
ries about Axis subversion in Latin America. He wished to dominate
Latin America's foreign trade, but with the approval of the republics
there. This would be difficult, for, as Roosevelt knew, powerful nation-
alist currents affected the political cultures of countries like Argentina
and Mexico. Diplomatic pressure, promises of credits and other invest-
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
95
war." Other incoming reports indicated that the Third Reich was in the
hands of psychopaths.²
The "Quarantine Speech" received some support, both from
CHAPTER
newspaper editorialists and from concerned individuals. Clark M.
Eichelberger, the national director of the League of Nations Association
NINE
worked hard on behalf of the president's ideas. The Council on Foreign
Relations, a body representing and serving the internationalist estab-
lishment, redoubled its efforts to inform the public about America's
stake in collective security measures. The Carnegie Corporation soon
QUARANTINE OR
provided it with fifty thousand dollars. The council was run by the kind
of people who, like Roosevelt, sympathized with Wilsonian interna-
APPEASEMENT?
tionalism. Like Roosevelt, Hamilton Fish Armstrong, editor of the
council's prestigious journal, Foreign Affairs, doubted that the United
States could. remain neutral in the event of a new war. Unlike the
president, he soon said so publicly, because his constituency was sympa-
thetic to this position.³
Despite these pockets of support, the loudest voices were raised in
opposition to the president's speech.4 Secretary of State Cordell Hull,
taken aback by the furor, recalled, "The reaction against the quarantine
idea was quick and violent." Hull saw the speech as a serious setback to
the internationalists' "constant educational campaign." There were
N THE AUTUMN of 1937. President Roosevelt appeared to strike out
more substantial reasons for Hull's negative reaction. Despite his in-
in a bold new direction. He gave public voice to some of his private
sights into Hitler's aims, the secretary had no use for Roosevelt's plan to
concerns about the direction of world affairs. In a Chicago speech,
convene an international conference dedicated to settling outstanding
delivered on 5 October; Roosevelt denounced unnamed aggressors,
issues of trade, frontiers, and armaments. And Hull knew that polls
thanks to whom "civilians
are being ruthlessly murdered with
showed that sixty-nine percent of the people favored stricter neutrality
bombs from the air." For the first time, Roosevelt warned the people
legislation. Even in the supposedly internationalist East, papers like
that isolation and neutrality were no guarantees of American security.
the Boston Herald constantly warned against intervention in Europe.
He implied that aggressor nations, if not checked elsewhere, might one
"Crusade if you must," it told FDR, "but for the sake of several millions
day turn against the "Western Hemisphere," a vague phrase left unde-
of American mothers confine your expanding to the continental limits of
fined. Roosevelt spoke of "positive endeavors to preserve peace," such
America. Only twenty-six percent of those polled wished to see the
as imposing a quarantine on the aggressor.
United States enter the League of Nations.
The man who had signed the neutrality legislation, acquiesced in
Soon after delivering the Chicago speech, the president told En-
continuing American military weakness, and embargoed arms ship-
dicott Peabody, his old headmaster at Groton School, "I am fighting
ments to the Spanish Republic was reacting uneasily to the emergence
against a public psychology of long standing-a psychology which
of a new "Axis" stretching from Berlin to Rome. Japan, Germany, and
comes very close to saying 'Peace at any price.' The Boston Herald
Italy were soon linked in a so-called "Anti-Comintern" pact, directed at
invoked bitter memories: "The mantle of Woodrow Wilson lay on the
the Soviet Union. Roosevelt received more disturbing news from Secre-
shoulders of Franklin Roosevelt when he spoke in Chicago." The New
tary of State Hull, who informed FDR that Germany was "hell-bent on
York Daily News, contradicting itself at every turn, praised Roosevelt for
94
96
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
97
his initiative and advocated the provision of arms to China. In the same
years later, he justified violence by oppressed classes and peoples, while
breath, however, the News urged Britain to share some of its colonies
advocating international intervention against fascist aggressors. Socialist
with Germany, and warned against American involvement overseas!
Norman Thomas, while still favoring the use of nonviolent methods,
A nine-power conference, convened in Brussels to deal with Japanese
now rejected pacifism as a response to fascist aggression. Meanwhile,
aggression, accomplished nothing, thanks in part to American caution
the "Oxford Pledge," which required those who adopted it not to serve
and Japanese contempt. Despite this setback, Roosevelt devoted more
in their nation's armed forces or fight in its wars, was becoming less
thought to the creation of an antiaggressor coalition. FDR still wanted to
popular on college campuses. The communists, who had strongly sup-
convene an international conference committed to furthering the causes
ported the peace movements, now had second thoughts. When the
of disarmament and open markets, though he was uncertain about its
Soviet Union entered the League of Nations (1934) and called for
prospects. Ever convinced of his own powers of persuasion, Roosevelt
collective security measures, the Communist League Against War and
continued to muse about a meeting with Hitler and Mussolini.
Fascism transformed itself into the American League for Peace and
The Nye Committee, the World Court uproar, and the "Quarantine
Democracy.⁸ The communists became less hostile to Roosevelt.
Speech" imbroglio proved once again that interventionism was a politi-
Though small in number, the Communist party enjoyed the support of
cal mine field. Early in 1938, the House of Representatives barely
many trade unionists and intellectuals.
defeated the notorious Ludlow Resolution. This legislation would have
Certainly, the press would have to play its part in changing public
required a national plebiscite before the United States could go to war,
perceptions of the American role in the world. Fifty million newspaper
except in the instance of a direct attack upon American territory. Roose-
readers constituted the bulk of the potential electorate. The Hearst
velt needed to puzzle out his course. He was not acting decisively or
newspapers gave FDR much grief, as did Colonel McCormick and the
consistently in foreign affairs.⁶ Neville Chamberlain, now British prime
Chicago Tribune. FDR went directly to the people with his "fireside
minister, welcomed Roosevelt's friendship, but counted "on nothing
chats" on the radio. And Roosevelt knew how to circumvent the preju-
from the American but words."
dices and politics of powerful press moguls. He was a great manipulator
The president received uncertain and divided counsel from the State
of the print media. In the words of Washington bureau chief of the New
Department. The chief of the division of European affairs, Pierrepont
York Times, Arthur Krock, FDR was the "greatest reader and critic of
Moffat, described himself as preoccupied with preventing the "involve-
newspapers who had ever been in the president's office." Roosevelt
ment of the United States in hostilities anywhere," and worked to
tried to show reporters how to write a column, and he was not above
"discourage any formation of a common front of the democratic
conspiring to bring about the reassignment of a difficult newsperson.⁹
powers." From his ambassadors, Roosevelt sometimes received the
Despite his complaint that "eighty-five percent" of the press was
opposite advice. A political optimist, FDR did not doubt that strong
against him, the president often received fair, even favorable, treatment
executive leadership might change public attitudes. Polls, which fasci-
in the news columns. In fact, about seventy percent of the newspapers
nated him, seemed to bear this out. As early as the spring of 1936, forty-
described themselves as Democratic or independent.
four percent of the polled public thought that the United States "will be
FDR held six times as many press conferences during his first term as
drawn into the next European War." Within three years, that figure had
had President Hoover. 10 FDR understood public opinion, and he
risen to fifty-eight percent. If the public was fatalistic about war, it
learned a lot from the unprecedented flood of mail that arrived in the
might be receptive to a message garbed in the rhetoric of "defense" and
cluttered White House mail room (450,000 communications during his
"preparedness."7
first week in office!). Roosevelt put this knowledge to good use.
Some of the more articulate pacifists and peace activists were begin-
He played upon popular hopes and anxieties at his press conferences.
ning to change their views, or at least their tactics. The rise of fascism
With one hand, FDR gauged public opinion; with the other, he manip-
was splitting the peace movement. Pacifist Reinhold Niebuhr, a distin-
ulated it.
guished theologian, had described all war as "worthless" in 1929. A few
Roosevelt diligently cultivated favored syndicated columnists, such
98
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
99
as Walter Winchell of Hearst's New York Daily Mirror. An early admirer of
president acquiesced, by replacing Dodd with the more flexible Hugh
Roosevelt, Winchell hated Hitler, calling pro-Nazis "swastinkas," and
R. Wilson. Roosevelt paid little attention to Wilson on policy matters.
"Hitlerrooters." Winchell was a power-hungry egotist, but he was also a
As for Ambassador Dodd, he performed two more acts of selfless
politically courageous man. Because he worked for Hearst, who now
public service. Despite a debilitating illness, he embarked upon exten-
despised Roosevelt with a vengeance, Winchell proved particularly
sive lecture tours, warning complacent Americans of the Axis threat to
useful to FDR. His syndicated column was read throughout the nation,
democracy. Dodd then devoted much of his remaining time to prepar-
and his famous radio broadcasts became standard fare for millions of
ing his diaries for publication. A scathing indictment of Nazi coarseness
Americans. Hearst tried to censor Winchell, but failed. Winchell had
and brutality, they served to enlighten many American readers. Dodd
enough clout to write his own ticket. "He had power," recalled a former
had been one of the early prophets, warning of Hitler's ambitions.
co-worker at the Mirror.
Roosevelt now turned more and more often to Anthony J.D. Biddle and
Roosevelt captivated reporters with his humor, knowledge, self-
William Bullitt, ambassadors to Warsaw and Paris. Biddle and Bullitt
confidence, and accessibility. Hedley Donovan, a young journalist, still
stimulated and cajoled the president, providing him with extra eyes and
remembered the famous charm more than forty years later. "I was
ears in Europe. 14
greatly flattered one day
Donovan writes, "to receive a large
Roosevelt needed to change public opinion; for the moment this
wink from the President as he delivered some transparent piece of
objective was more important than the mechanics of collective security.
humbug." Roosevelt was, he quickly adds, a "personality of deep
He informed Biddle, "We cannot stop the spread of Fascism unless
subtleties and complexity. He knew how to pique interest by re-
world opinion realizes its ultimate dangers." He hinted at an Anglo-
maining silent until he was ready to show his hand. An observer de-
American alliance directed against the dictators and militarists, stating,
scribed the result in these terms: "He won them [reporters] and he has
"[T]he United States and Great Britain have one great common
still a larger proportion of them personally sympathetic than any of his
concern-the preservation of peace throughout the world." Now, in this
recent predecessors." One correspondent spoke for many when he
same year, the widely read columnist Walter Lippmann echoed FDR's
rejoiced, "[W]e're not only welcome but we have the distinct feeling-
words. "No matter what we wish now or now believe," he wrote,
for the first time-that we belong here, that he's our President." They
"though collaboration with Britain
is difficult and often irritating,
laughed at his jokes, and if warned by the president about a foreign
we shall protect the connection because in no other way can we fulfill our
menace, they would alert their readers without asking too many ques-
destiny.'
tions. Gathered around the president's desk while he smiled, chatted,
Roosevelt was pleased when Ambassador Biddle reported that Polish
evaded, and manipulated, all the while scattering cigarette smoke and
reaction to the "Quarantine Speech" was highly favorable. The presi-
ashes about him, reporters were mesmerized. Still, Roosevelt never let
dent hoped that the Poles, allies of the French, would reject any
the press forget who was president. He liked reporters when he could
German demands that might be in the offing. Privately, FDR made
use them, but he also knew when and how to avoid them. 12
some prophetic comments that give us a clue to his growth as a political
manipulator and a global strategist. Speaking to his son Elliott, Roose-
velt said, "Sooner or later there be a showdown in Europe." He then
By the time of the "Quarantine Speech," Ambassador Dodd had ful-
speculated on the unpleasant prospect of becoming embroiled in a two-
filled his role. He had taught Roosevelt what he needed to know about
ocean war. "Then," he commented, "you would have to be a bit shifty
Hitler. Old, ill, and tired, Dodd retired. His outspoken anti-Nazism
on your feet. You have to lick one of them first and then bring your
had antagonized both Berlin and Washington. Powerful friends of Roo-
military forces around and then lick the other."
sevelt, including William C. Bullitt and Sumner Welles, believed that a
Ambassador William Bullitt forced Roosevelt to ponder some hard
moderate career diplomat might accomplish more in Berlin. 13 The
choices. 17 An erratic, brilliant man, Bullitt had accompanied Wilson to
100
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
101
the 1919 peace conference. He quickly became disillusioned with
unschooled in foreign affairs, Chamberlain intended to defend British
Wilson at Versailles. Testifying against that president's foreign policy,
interests by assuming center stage himself. Chamberlain did not under-
Bullitt earned the reputation as a disloyal and flighty young man. Bullitt
stand the value of bringing the United States to a high-level interna-
took his revenge by writing a scathing study of Wilson's personality
tional conference on trade and armaments issues. If he had, he might
(Sigmund Freud contributed to the work), but political ambition caused
have assisted Roosevelt in moving American public opinion in a more
him to delay publishing the book for thirty-five years.
interventionist direction.
A staunch Democrat, Bullitt received another chance in 1933, when
Beginning no later than November 1937, when he sent Edward
FDR recognized the Soviet Union. Appointed the first U.S. ambas-
Halifax, Lord Privy Seal, to Berlin for high-level discussions, Chamber-
sador to Moscow, Bullitt changed his views. Originally sympathetic to
lain resolved to pacify Europe through bilateral discussions with Hitler.
the young Soviet state, Bullitt was now a fervent anticommunist, to the
Roosevelt's ideological mutterings, devoid of any real threat to act,
exclusion of most other considerations. After he took up his duties in
could only, Chamberlain believed, antagonize the dictators and render
Paris, he began to pay more heed to the menace across the Rhine River.
"appeasement" impossible. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden thought
For at least a year, however, the ambassador judged the Nazi threat in
differently, and feared Roosevelt's resentment. Chamberlain prevailed,
terms of the expansion of world communism. He feared that war would
and Eden was soon outside of the government. 19
lead to massive Soviet territorial gains, and would unleash revolutions
By the time the Nazis seized Austria on 11 March, FDR's conference
within the belligerent nations. 18
proposal was outmoded. Chamberlain steadfastly continued his policy
Watching Hitler changed the ambassador's point of view. He became
of appeasement. Appeasement required bilateral dealings with Hitler;
as obsessed with the Nazis as he had been with the communists. Bullitt
the French, Italians, Czechs, Soviets, Americans, and other interested
now warned the president of the Nazi commitment to the preservation
parties would be minor players, if invited at all. Above all, Chamberlain
of American isolation and neutrality. He foresaw an era of German
wanted to avoid being dragged into a war by Czech or Polish intransi-
aggression. Over and over again, Bullitt spoke on behalf of those French
gence, or by French miscalculation. The prime minister was an anom-
leaders who feared Nazi Germany. He stubbornly refused to acknowl-
aly, responsible for the British Empire; yet basically an isolationist. The
edge the need for a Franco-Russian military pact, because he still
French, however, appeared to be following Chamberlain's lead; they
hoped for a peaceful settlement of the European crisis. Germany, he
were delighted to avoid painful decision making. Bullitt was working
argued, would have to be the dominant power in the new European
hard to change this situation, but France's revival required time.
order. Still, Bullitt was moving toward an antifascist position. The
Chamberlain's policy rested upon the assumption that one could
ambassador worked to convince FDR of the crying need for dynamic
coexist with a strong (and perhaps stronger) Germany, Roosevelt was
leadership. He voiced the hunger for a democratic leader of global
reaching the opposite conclusion, but public opinion needed to be
stature, because "Hitler has the ball and can run with it in any direction
monitored, as always. Roosevelt, reported British ambassador Sir
he chooses."
Ronald Lindsay, "is strongly anti-German and is revolted at what the
FDR encouraged Bullitt and Biddle to deal with him through back
German Government are doing but
at the same time he fully
channels that led right into the Oval Office. Roosevelt listened carefully
appreciated limitations which public opinion places on his policies and
to their reports, but his thoughts still raced ahead of his political
actions. "20
program. FDR stubbornly clung to his idea of an international confer-
Between May and September, the European crisis grew more acute.
ence; he also warned Biddle and Bullitt that they could make no
Hitler prepared for an attack on democratic Czechoslovakia, whose
commitments on behalf of the American government.
"oppression" of its minority of three million Germans greatly aggrieved
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain disliked Roosevelt's idea of a
him. Many of these Germans lived in the border region known to the
multipower conference, in part because of the American refusal to make
Germans as the Sudetenland. The Nazis seemed to be conjuring up
prior commitments to collective security. Stubborn, self-righteous, and
the ghost of Woodrow Wilson: All the Germans wanted was "self-
102
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
103
determination" for their oppressed brethren across the border. A war
the public opinion polls and paid heed to the forthcoming congressional
scare erupted in May, when there was talk about a German attack on
elections.
21
Czechoslovakia.
Bullitt, meanwhile, was playing an interesting game, one which
Most Americans viewed the crisis as one more in a series of unending
Roosevelt watched with approval. The ambassador held frequent con-
European quarrels. Even Bullitt seemed to blame the intransigent
ferences with French leaders. Bullitt was urging resistance to Hitler,
Czechs for the crisis. His reports to Roosevelt, however, did contain a
without indicating how or with what means America would assist Ger-
new and crucial point. European states, said the ambassador, were
many's adversaries. The ambassador then took care to remind his inter-
convinced that if they resisted aggression, the United States would, at
locutors that they could not count upon American aid in the event of war.
some point, be drawn into the new war. And Roosevelt knew that this
Bullitt thus protected both himself and Roosevelt against politically
conviction was worth mulling over.
damaging leaks implicating the administration in meddling in the crisis
FDR badly needed some new challenge. In 1937, he had suffered a
"over there."
major political defeat. He had attempted to strike back at a hostile
Despite his disclaimers, however, Bullitt did have confidence in
Supreme Court by gaining the authority to expand it, under certain
Roosevelt's ability to maneuver around the Neutrality Act, short of
circumstances, to a maximum of fifteen members. Failing in this, the
going to war. He knew that the French were particularly frightened of
president in 1938 tried to "purge" some of the conservative Democrats
German air power, for Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., had told them
who had deserted him. His candidates in the spring and summer
about the "ten thousand warplanes" possessed by the Luftwaffe. 22 In
primaries usually met with defeat. The polls predicted major gains for
addressing the president, the ambassador sometimes quoted foreign
the Republicans in the fall elections.
leaders who believed that the United States would ultimately intervene.
Despite these domestic difficulties, FDR had preserved and ex-
He did so without comment. 23 Action belonged to the sphere of presi-
panded democracy at home. His vision now encompassed a similar
dential decision making. Bringing about a massive shift in public opin-
victory abroad. A concept, however, was one thing; bringing it to
ion was Roosevelt's job.
fruition would be quite another, requiring both guile and brilliance.
The May war scare passed, but in August the Czech problem again
became acute. Bullitt became more pressing in his messages to FDR,
arguing that "[f]ear of the United States is unquestionably a large factor
In Berlin, U.S. ambassador Hugh R. Wilson sought consolation in the
in Hitler's hesitation to start a war." He suggested that Roosevelt have a
fact "that the relatively disinterested power of Great Britain is taking an
"quiet conversation" with German ambassador Dieckhoff. Roosevelt
active part in the [Czech] matter and [is] endeavoring to act as a sort of
demurred. Such an encounter might remind Americans of President
mediator between [Czech President Edvard] Beneš and Hitler." To
Wilson's talks with the German ambassador on the eve of American
Wilson, as to Chamberlain, appeasement had come to mean disin-
entry into the last war. Instead, in a related move, Roosevelt journeyed
terested mediation between competing German and Czech claims.
to Kingston, Ontario.
Wilson, like Chamberlain, would pay almost any price for the avoidance
FDR delivered a powerful speech there, one that marked a turning
of war, for this was "the paramount consideration."
point in his thinking. The talk was unilateralist and revolutionary in
Roosevelt, in contrast, harbored growing doubts about Chamberlain's
nature, though Roosevelt made it sound like a routine restatement of
appeasement policy, though he kept them from the public. If Chamber-
American foreign policy goals. In it, the president attacked brutal,
lain succeeded in avoiding war, FDR believed, Hitler would be the
undemocratic regimes, once again not naming them. Then, in a stun-
stronger for it. In the meantime, however, a more powerful Hitler could
ning statement, Roosevelt warned, "[T]he United States will not stand
only undermine appeasement and strengthen the president's own for-
idly by if domination of Canadian soil is threatened by any other
eign policy hand. Roosevelt continued to exercise caution; he watched
Empire." The press in Ontario was kinder to FDR after the Kingston
104
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
QUARANTINE OR APPEASEMENT?
105
speech than the American newspapers had been after the Chicago
berlain's policy. Kennedy, on the other hand, had become a confidant of
speech. His Kingston speech was complex, and not a little devious.
the prime minister and a fervent disciple of appeasement. "I have four
FDR knew that Hitler could not yet threaten North America. If Cham-
boys," he once said, "and I don't want them to be killed in a foreign
berlain permitted continued Nazi expansion, however, this danger
war." Ambassador Kennedy believed that Germany needed to expand
could one day become a reality. Since only Congress could declare war,
to the east, and hoped that this development would be accepted by the
Roosevelt was committing himself to a vast expansion of his authority as
democracies. Kennedy bemoaned the influence of Jews upon the Amer-
commander in chief. His vision of American democratic capitalism, at
ican press and, by implication, upon Roosevelt.
once hegemonic and altruistic, was taking shape. 24
FDR was unhappy with Kennedy, but he retained him in London for
The growing Nazi threat led Roosevelt to move more quickly now.
political reasons. While outwardly supporting Chamberlain's peace pol-
The president ordered the Joint Army and Navy Board to consider
"various practicable courses of action
icy, Roosevelt spoke of it with contempt. The prime minister was, he
in the event of
violation of
said, working for "peace at any price if he could get away with it and
the Monroe Doctrine by one or more of the Fascist powers." Roosevelt
save his face." When war finally came, Kennedy was in a state of
defined this "violation" ever more broadly. Still, events in Europe
despair, while Roosevelt seemed to feel particularly jaunty. This oppo-
preoccupied him for the rest of this dangerous summer.
sition of moods was reflected in Kennedy's decline in importance.
Once back in the United States, the president was careful to reiterate
Meanwhile, Ambassador Bullitt in Paris emerged to play a greater role.
his allegiance to the spirit of the neutrality law. In September, with
From Warsaw to London, he was soon coordinating American policy at
Europe on the verge of war, he informed the French, "You may counton
FDR's behest. 25
us for everything except troops and loans." Roosevelt hoped to
Englishman Oliver Harvey, private secretary to the foreign secretary,
strengthen Chamberlain's resistance to Hitler's demands.
an antiappeaser, now observed, "Roosevelt is fully with us, and he
Early in September, Hitler castigated Czech president Beneš and the
authorised
Bullitt to make some strong remarks in a speech at a war
Czechs in ferocious terms. While Bullitt pushed Roosevelt toward con-
memorial last week." The State Department, having seen the text in
frontation with Hitler, the president's ambassadors in London and Ber-
advance, wanted Bullitt to tone down his remarks. The ambassador
lin urged him to support Chamberlain. Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy
appealed to the president, who did not appreciably weaken the text.
admired the prime minister precisely because of his willingness to
Bullitt then went on to make the extraordinary statement that "[i]f war
compromise with Hitler. In a proposal that reveals much about Kennedy
breaks out again in Europe, no one can say for sure if the United States
and even more about British policy, the ambassador suggested that he
would be dragged into such a war."26 Roosevelt, and Bullitt quickly
be allowed to make a public statement disavowing American support for
corrected the impression given by the comment. Nevertheless, after
Britain in the event of war. Secretary of State Hull, with the concurrence
duly noting the purely moral nature of Roosevelt's support, Harvey
of Roosevelt, refused to permit the issuance of the proposed statement.
concluded that it was still "a very great deal more than we had in
Kennedy, upset by this decision, moaned, "I can't for the life of me
1914."27 Roosevelt diverted two U.S. cruisers to Great Britain, the
understand why anybody would want to go to war to save the Czechs."
Nashville and the Honolulu. The Chicago Tribune responded by a warning
Appointing a clever and magnetic Boston Irishman to be emissary to
against repeating the mistakes of 1917.²⁸ In 1937, the Tribune had
the court of St. James had been good politics but proved to be bad
attacked FDR for what he said; now McCormick could lambaste the
policy. Kennedy, a stock speculator, whiskey importer, and campaign
president for what he was doing.
financier (for Roosevelt in 1932) had served FDR as his first head of the
Chamberlain and Daladier, however, were not satisfied by these
new Securities and Exchange Commission. Roosevelt respected the
gestures. Their countries, after all, were the ones that would have to go
charming, fifty-year-old Kennedy for both his business sense and his
to war. They put even more pressure upon the Czechs, hoping that
political connections. The problem was that FDR, dubious about ap-
Prague would yield to the major German demands. Roosevelt was
peasement from the beginning, was now moving to undermine Cham-
unhappy with this development, but proved unwilling to distance him-
106
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
self from the popular peace policy pursued by the Western powers. He
also feared that war at this time would result in a quick Axis victory. In
private conversation, however, FDR mused about a common blockade
of (rather than a war against) Germany, a course of action that would
CHAPTER
enable him to evade the letter and spirit of the Neutrality Act. He
confided to Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British ambassador, that "the
TEN
United States might again find themselves involved in a European
war," and that "an American army might be sent overseas." He could
only conceive of such a course, the president quickly added, if Ger-
many were on the verge of conquering Britain.
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI
In remarkable detail, Roosevelt had sketched out his course of action
over the next year. His global strategy was maturing, even as political
SENTIMENT IN THE
caution caused him to give grudging support to Chamberlain's pur-
suit of peace. Privately, Roosevelt believed that there would be "an
UNITED STATES
inevitable conflict within the next five years." German Ambassador
Dieckhoff, intuiting Roosevelt's ultimate intention, urgently informed
Berlin that if Germany used force, "the whole weight of the United
States [would] be thrown into the scale on the side of Britain." Such an
intervention would represent the culmination of what one keen observer
of the president called his "slowly deepening and strengthening inter-
nationalism.
F
OR SEVERAL YEARS, Edgar Prochnik, the shrewd Austrian minister
Franklin Roosevelt, a deeply political man, could only be encour-
to the United States, had closely monitored American attitudes
aged by the work of many makers of American public opinion. The
toward Hitler's Third Reich. Prochnik knew how an interventionist
image of Nazi Germany was changing, and rapidly. Time was of the
American president could arouse the public, then lead it to war. Few
essence, for FDR would be struggling against forces pledged to oppose
Americans disliked Austria-Hungary in 1914; four years later, their
nation. him if he undertook to impose an interventionist policy upon a confused
government helped to destroy that empire. Now, in the mid-1930s,
Prochnik hoped for a reversal of the process, a turnabout that might lend
American support to his government's struggle for an independent
Austria.
Prochnik's American sources were diplomats and politicians, as well
as journalists. He described them as people concerned about the Nazi
regime's irrationality. America's revulsion against Nazi persecutions,
Prochnik knew, coexisted uneasily with a desire to avoid involvement in
another European war. Americans would have to feel shocked, then
threatened, before they would support a new interventionism. This
transformation would require a massive public relations campaign, as
well as brilliant political leadership.
* * *
107
108
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI SENTIMENT IN THE U.S.
109
On 27 March 1933, less than a week after Hitler consolidated his power,
the American Jewish Congress, led by Honorary President Rabbi Ste-
sign-bearing demonstrators surrounded Macy's. Among them marched
the conscience of American pacifism and social reform, Norman
phen S. Wise, conducted a large, well-publicized anti-Nazi rally in
Madison Square Garden. Politicians, clergy, and labor leaders ad-
Thomas. Straus decided that he would, after all, close down his Ger-
dressed the gathering. As Rabbi Wise put it, "The time for caution and
man operations.³
Samuel Untermeyer realized that the boycott movement had to tran-
prudence is past. We must," he argued, "speak up like men. The rally
heard from William Green, president of the American Federation of
scend its purely Jewish image. Its expansion resulted in the founding,
in November 1934, of the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi Council (later,
Labor (AFL), who told the cheering audience, "We will not remain
passive and unconcerned when the relatives, families and brethren of
League) to Champion Human Rights. Untermeyer became its presi-
dent. Hitler's boycott of the Jews, the Nazi harassment of Christian
the Jewish members of our great economic organization are being per-
churches, the book burnings and violence, all contributed to the
secuted and oppressed. "1 Rabbi Wise and others, particularly Jews
affiliated with the American Jewish Congress, now wanted to go further.
league's growth. Supported by William Green, head of the AFL, and
They intended to hurt the Nazis by organizing a nationwide boycott of
John L. Lewis, longtime chief of the United Mine Workers, the league
German exports. (Here the congress was following the lead of the
spearheaded the move to boycott German exports. The league also
Jewish War Veterans.) Wise believed that the boycott would weaken
exposed the criminal backgrounds of many American fascists. Soon
Hitler by undermining his economy.
joined by left-wing groups such as the American League Against War
and Fascism, the boycott movement distributed leaflets, put pressure
The fervor of the Madison Square Garden meeting masked severe
on businesses advertising in pro-Nazi publications, and rendered mili-
divisions within the Jewish community. Wealthier, more established
tant anti-Nazi sentiments broadly acceptable to the public. The boycott
elements, often of German-Jewish origin, controlled B'nai B'rith and
the American Jewish Committee. They favored cautious tactics, fearing
did not greatly affect the policies of the Hitler government, but it
for the safety of relatives and friends in Germany. In some cases,
indirectly helped to change American attitudes toward the German
economic ties to the Reich influenced Jewish tactics. Judge Joseph M.
regime.
Proskauer, a power on the American Jewish Committee, and Judge
Irving Lehman, the older brother of New York governor Herbert Leh-
Watching these developments from Berlin, Professor Friedrich Schön-
man, warned that a boycott of German imports could only hurt the
German Jews themselves. "I implore you," begged Lehman,
emann grew concerned about the rising tide of American anti-Nazism.
don't let anger pass a resolution which will [bring harm to] Jews in
Drawing upon his many academic contacts, Schönemann came. to
America in the autumn of 1933. The professor lectured before a large,
Germany." The Nazi anti-Jewish boycott of 1 April undermined the
curious, and orderly audience in the chapel at Drew University in New
conservatives' position. On that day, storm troopers had picketed, de-
faced, and trashed Jewish retail shops, screaming, "Germans, defend
Jersey. Schönemann came equipped with responses to some obvious
yourselves! Don't buy from Jews!"
questions. The concentration camps? Like "college dormitories," re-
At this point, Samuel Untermeyer emerged as the most energetic
plied the professor. Schönemann even quoted a former socialist news-
leader of the boycott movement. A famous attorney and Zionist, Unter-
paper editor, who had allegedly "been happier in the concentration
meyer had powerful political connections, both inside and outside the
camp than when he had been [while] editing a newspaper." The
answer reflected a kind of cynicism that was beyond the understanding
Jewish community in New York City. Untermeyer and other boycott
of most Americans. Schönemann left Drew looking forward to his next
leaders soon ran into opposition from some of the Jewish-owned depart-
ment stores, such as R.H. Macy's. For many months, Percy S. Straus,
assignment.
Macy's president, resisted the boycott. His excuses included. respon-
News about the professor's visit quickly spread to various campuses.
sibility to shareholders and opposition to censorship. In January 1934,
Here, word had it, was a representative of Hitler's Germany, a professor
from the land of book burnings. By the time Schönemann reached
110
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI SENTIMENT IN THE U.S.
111
Chicago, the antifascist hecklers and agitators were out in full force.
Politicians did not create the atmosphere that ruined Schönemann's
The professor provoked one audience with gratuitous comments about
tour, but they were quick to exploit it. In New York, Samuel Levy,
the Jews in Germany. "Today," Schönemann declared, "there are many
borough president of Manhattan, refused to accept office furnishings
Jews in Berlin holding fine positions and [they] will continue to hold
them." The professor had a ready explanation for the incineration of
provided by the city's department of purchase. The twenty-four spank-
books by Jewish authors: They were pornographic in nature. "Ein-
ing new cuspidors, he explained, were products of German industry.
The leading New York political beneficiary of anti-Nazi activity was not
stein?" screamed a member of audience. Hitler, Schönemann implied,
Levy, however, but Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia. LaGuardia's constant
was opposed to the Jews only because left-wing leaders were "nearly
fights with the Nazis fortified anti-Nazi sentiments in the United
always tations. Jewish. Police in the auditorium prevented some nasty confron-
States. New Yorkers chuckled when the mayor ordered the protection of
the German general consulate by Jewish policemen. They laughed
By the time Schönemann reached New England, in late November,
some more when he declared, "I have Jewish blood, but not enough to
he had become infamous. Ten thousand demonstrators awaited his
boast about." (Actually, he had more than enough, being one of a rare
entry into Ford Hall, near the Boston Common. Protected by mounted
breed, an Italian Episcopalian of part-Jewish descent.)
police, Schönemann entered the building, while arrests occurred
The growth of anti-Nazi sentiment soon reached far beyond New
around him. The professor looked puzzled, though the title of his talk,
York City. Denunciations of Nazi atrocities, even by congressmen from
"Why I Believe in the Hitler Government," was rather provocative.
isolationist states with large German-American populations, became
Addressing the issue of the concentration camps (Dachau was becom-
common. 6 Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri and congressmen from
ing a famous place), Schönemann described their inmates as criminals.
Iowa, North Dakota, and Utah endorsed the massive anti-Nazi rally
Then, in a cynical phrase that reads like a ghastly prophecy, the pro-
held in New York in 1937. That same spring, many great American
fessor righteously proclaimed, "I myself think it more humane to put
universities refused to send representatives to the University of Göt-
people into these camps than to murder them." The audience was
tingen's bicentennial celebrations. When Karl T. Compton, president
becoming more restive. Schönemann droned on, ascribing Hitler's vic-
of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, accepted Göttingen's
tory to the democratic will of the German people. "Our Jews are happy
invitation, the student newspaper, The Tech, denounced him for condon-
and prosperous," Schönemann assured his American friends. A few
ing "political and racial bigotry."
moments later, with many listeners on the verge of revolt, a voice cried
A church going American Protestant informed Rolf Hoffmann, of the
out, "You're a liar!" Sarcastic laughter, sprinkled with some loud curses
Nazi media apparatus, "[N]o propaganda can be effective with most
and a thunderous burst of applause. filled the hall. Order was restored,
for a moment.
Americans while [Pastor] Martin Niemöller is in a Concentration
Camp." Charles S. Macfarland, a respected cleric, had opposed the
Then, in this tense setting, a lady raised her hand, asking the
boycott movement in 1934; he now endorsed it. Publisher and colum-
speaker, "What was the reason for Professor Lessing's murder in
nist Ernest Meyer of the Washington Post who opposed the boycott,
Nüremberg the day I was there?" Schönemann seemed to freeze. He
glumly reported that "the boycott movement seems to be successful."
fumbled for an answer, but all that came out was a hapless, and incrimi-
How could it be otherwise, when conservative newspapers told of a
nating, "I don't know." The jeering began all over again. It was time to
husky German ship steward badly beating a short rabbi? People were
end the agony. The host of the meeting was angry with the audience,
outraged when the media described how a Nazi consul whipped a
and he praised the "courage and patriotism" of Dr. Schönemann. A
nineteen-year-old girl until "there wasn't a white spot on her back."
shaken professor left Ford Hall. Things were worse over here than he
Meyer, however, remained opposed to the boycott movement. He
lenge. had imagined.4 Nazi propagandists clearly confronted a daunting chal-
feared unleashing hatreds that would "destroy not only Hitler and the
Germans but us and half of the civilized world." Meyer, like the Nazis
112
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI SENTIMENT IN THE U.S.
113
who denounced the "Jewish boycott agitation," dimly foresaw the time
100,000. Well-educated, high-income opinion makers read these maga-
when a leader with a sense of mission would use anti-Nazi sentiment for
zines. These largely upscale readers, however, were often hostile to
his own ends.⁸
President Roosevelt and his New Deal. A survey conducted early in
Distinguished refugees from Hitler's terror were having a great im-
1939 indicated that Roosevelt's foreign policy had the support of only
pact upon American opinion. Writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann and
thirty percent of college-educated adults of high economic status, pre-
physicist Albert Einstein received wide press coverage when they ex-
cisely the people who read the serious magazines. Gaining the backing
pressed their views of the Hitler regime. (Heinrich and Mann reported,
of this group for a bolder foreign policy might assure President Roose-
"My political passion began when I hated the Nazis.") Progressive and
velt's political survival.
labor-oriented newspapers and magazines described the regimentation
During the first years of the Nazi regime, the Atlantic tried to be
and exploitation of the German worker. Social Democratic refugee
"evenhanded." Articles covered topics such as Hitler's economic plans,
Wilhelm Sollmann warned American labor about the fate of its German
written as if his was just one more normal, if slightly unpredictable,
counterpart. Only massive rearmament, Sollmann concluded, could
government. Other essays did mention Nazi landmarks such as the
save the world from Nazism. In New York, German-Jewish refugees
Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps, but went out of their way
founded the influential newspaper Aufbau (Reconstruction), which
to be "fair." The net effect was unfavorable to the Nazis, but only
served as a bridge between pre-Hitler Germany and Roosevelt's Amer-
mildly so. Some writers found it possible to downplay Nazi pogroms
ica. Denounced as "Refu-Jews" by the Bund, these uprooted men and
and brutality, describing them as unpleasant growing pains, or ugly
women were, according to New York Herald Tribune columnist Dorothy
birthmarks.
Thompson, the only good thing to emerge from Germany since Hitler
After 1936, the Atlantic's writers became more outspoken, thanks to
had taken over.9 Among those assisting the refugees in getting their
growing unease over Hitler's foreign policy aims. By 1938, Joseph
publisher. message across was Mrs. Alfred A. Knopf, wife of the distinguished
Barber, Jr., had concluded, "[T]he shadow of Hitler over Europe grows
ever more ominous." While the Atlantic continued to publish pieces by
apologists for the Nazis, such as Otto Jellinek, Fritz Berber, and Charles
A. Lindbergh, Jr., their essays lacked the impact of more objective
The print media were instrumental in bringing about this change in
articles. "Dr. X.," for example, described a personal experience in a
public attitudes toward the Hitler regime. Mass circulation magazines
Nazi camp: "I received a violent blow
with a heavy stick."
became steadily less timid about venting their concerns. In the early
German ambassador Dieckhoff reported in 1937 that few Americans
1930s, their editors seemed to believe that Americans were reluctant to
held anything but negative views about Nazi Germanv. 11 Anti-Nazism
read pieces on foreign policy questions unless a conflict or a war was
was becoming mainstream and respectable. Pollster George Gallup
imminent. Serious magazines, such as Harper's Magazine and the Atlan-
found that seventy percent of the American people supported the boy-
tic Monthly, reflected an important change taking place in the public's
cott movement. Even staunchly isolationist magazines, such as the
mood, particularly after 1936. People were now hungry for information
Saturday Evening Post and Reader's Digest, published pieces exposing
about the Nazis and other aspects of the global crisis. Frederick Lewis
Nazi atrocities. This would not have happened without the deteriora-
Allen, an associate editor of Harper's, recalled, "We tried a couple of
tion of the international situation between 1935 and 1938. Could nation
years ago [in 1939], getting out an issue of Harper's with no public
after nation be erased from the earth, while the United States remained
problems at all in it.
It was a flop." The views of the magazine's
untouched?
readers could indirectly influence the actions of the politicians and the
By February 1938, diplomat Edgar Prochnik could report a dramatic
media elites, for "the publisher was inclined to give his readers what he
change in American attitudes. 12 He observed that Americans were
thought the majority wanted and agreed with. ''10
"unusually upset" about the Nazi threat to his homeland. Five years of
Harper's and the Atlantic soon enjoyed paid circulations of over
anti-Nazi propaganda, reinforced by Nazi aggression and barbarism,
114
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI SENTIMENT IN THE U.S.
115
had altered the public mood-in certain ways. It was now clear that the
two and ninety-four percent of the people believed that Germany, or
attack upon the Jews, while unique in its ferocity, foreshadowed other
Germany and Italy together, would bring about another war.
violations. In the late winter of 1938, Edgar Prochnik's homeland disap-
A German agent reported in 1939, "The hatred for Hitler and Na-
peared from the map, becoming Hitler's Ostmark. Fewer people advo-
tional Socialism in this country is being fanned not only by the press and
cated "evenhandedness" in dealing with Hitler. A large majority of
innumerable books, pamphlets, etc., and not only by the C.I.O. and
those polled believed that newspapers and magazines should be permit-
the A.F.L. and other labor unions, but also by the American Legion; it
ted to attack the Nazi regime. 13 The Nazi challenge was becoming a
is also being preached in the high schools and universities, and from the
focal point of American interest. In 1937, Americans had not included a
single European crisis (except for King Edward VIII's abdication)
pulpits. "15 Polls vindicated the judgment of newspaper editors commit-
ted to anti-Nazism. In the summer of 1938, according to Roper, eight
among the year's top ten news stories. A year later, the two "most
percent of those responding to a poll described the press as "too antago-
tions. interesting" news events were the Czech crisis and the Nazi persecu-
nistic" to Nazis and fascists. Only twenty percent believed that the
press should not be allowed to "attack the Nazis in Germany."
Surveys indicated that anti-Nazi agitation had made the boycott a
Americans now favored a substantial buildup of their armed forces.
popular issue. In October 1938, fifty-six percent of those questioned
They were more hesitant about insisting upon the repayment of old war
supported the boycott movement. In November, sixty-one percent of
loans by Britain and France. Many powerful people were still loath to
polled respondents "would join [the boycott] of German goods." Six
unlearn the "lessons of 1917," however. An important Senator, William
months later, the figure had gone up to sixty-five percent. Seventy-eight
E. Borah of Idaho, could say that the Nazi conquest of Austria was "not
percent favored levying countervailing duties on German imports. 14
of the slightest moment" to the United States. The same people who
Thanks to popular pressure, Congress now required that imported
thought the United States would be dragged into the next war opposed
products bear the name (in English) of the country of origin. This action
entering it, even if such intervention was vital to the achievement of
could only hurt German exporters.
goals they endorsed. 17
In 1935, Americans picked Germany as the country toward whom
Indignation, wishful thinking, and cost-free antifascism seemed to
they felt most unfriendly. England won the "most friendly" contest.
dominate the public mood. Seventy-two percent of those polled opposed
More revealing, however, was the fact that half the respondents still had
allowing "a larger number of Jewish exiles from Germany into the U.S."
no opinion. By the spring of 1937, after the fascist conquest of Ethiopia
In fact, fifty-two percent of respondents opposed providing government
and the onset of civil war in Spain, the "no opinion" category dropped
funds "to help Jewish and Catholic exiles from Germany settle in other
to less than ten percent. Pollster George Gallup's American Institute of
lands. "18 Anti-Semitism, isolationism, and selfishness formed a power-
Public Opinion found that two-thirds of those polled believed that
ful coalition. Aligned against this array of sentiments was a cautious
Germany was the most untrustworthy nation in the world. By the winter
liberal internationalism, antifascist but also hesitant about making sacri-
of 1938, two-thirds of Gallup's respondents thought that "we should do
fices or taking bold actions. Only new shocks, accompanied by strong
everything possible to help England and France win, except go to war
leadership, could change the mind of the American people.
ourselves." A few months later, sixty-five percent of those polled hoped
The isolationists played a major role in sowing confusion among the
that Britain and France would win the next war, while only three
American people. Their bromides permitted citizens to think that
percent favored Germany. After Hitler dismembered Czechoslovakia,
fascism in Europe and anti-Nazism at home could coexist indefinitely.
ninety-two percent of the American public believed that the Führer
When President Roosevelt pointed to the immorality and danger repre-
harbored further territorial ambitions. Eighty-three percent of Ameri-
sented by aggression, Senator Nye suggested that we try "correcting
cans opposed the return of any of Germany's former colonies to the
our own ills
saving our own democracy rather than soliciting the
Third Reich. Over the next year, polls indicated that between eighty-
trouble to come from any move to police and doctor the world." Senator
116
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-NAZI SENTIMENT IN THE U.S.
117
Hiram Johnson of California, an erstwhile "progressive," believed that
Roosevelt] wants
Nazism, but they also exposed a crippling hesitancy about taking action
to knock down two dictators in Europe, SO that
one may be firmly implanted in America. "19
to destroy Hitler. Public opinion needed to ascend to a higher level of
consciousness. As Roosevelt understood, an unprepared nation going to
war in a trancelike state was unlikely to frighten or defeat its enemies.
On Halloween Eve 1938, thousands of New Jerseyites fled their homes
Anti-Nazism and fear of Hitler were laudable emotions; they did not add
when Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the Air broadcast a
up to a policy. Unless some leader in the West created an anti-Nazi
dramatization of H. G. Wells's War of the Worlds. Those running in panic
front, Hitler might never be stopped.
believed that Martians or other hostile creatures were invading the
Few Americans wished to face the consequences of the following,
United States. Surveys of those who had fled from their homes often
painful possibility: England and France might not be able to win a war
mans yielded phrases " like "I felt the catastrophe was an attack by the Ger-
against Germany unless we went "to war ourselves." Chargé Hans
Gloating Nazis asked, "How can a people which trembles
Thomsen reported from Washington that the "greater part of the press is
before the attack of the Martians
advocating support of the democracies in Europe even more vigorously
solve world problems?'
Other fears emerged from concerns closer to home. Writings predict-
than before." He overlooked one vital fact, however. Americans did not
ing a fascist takeover in South America began to appear regularly.
look upon this "support" as a prelude to intervention (with its grim
Carleton Beals's many books and articles informed Americans that
memories of 1917). Rather, people insisted on seeing it as a substitute for
"German colonization of the Americas has become more determined.'
intervention.
Beals, writing in prestigious journals such as Harper's and Foreign Affairs,
At least two men had more prophetic insights. Edgar Prochnik be-
believed, "Efforts to plant Germans in strategic points are constantly
lieved that if the test finally came, the United States would not permit
made, often in conjunction with trade negotiations. "21
the defeat of the British Empire by Germany. And, in a remarkable
These alarms affected public opinion. In the spring of 1937, 28.7
article in the Atlantic, published in 1939, David L. Cohn painted a
percent of Americans polled by Fortune favored the use of force in the
similar scenario. 23 Asking the grim question, "What will the United
defense of any Latin American country against an attack by a non-
States do in the event of a world war?," Cohn warned that after a Nazi
American power. By the summer of 1939, 54.17 percent of respondents
victory, "friendless and alone, we shall face the most powerful and
were ready to defend Brazil. The percentage favoring the defense of
ruthless dictator the world has ever known." Yet even Cohn offered no
Mexico was 76.5 percent. It was clear that an administration willing to
solution. Like most people, Cohn detested Nazi brutality, but he also
use the rhetoric of the Monroe Doctrine could greatly influence public
wished to avoid confrontation with a European power.
opinion. Rhine. The danger, however, loomed not in Brazil, but along the
The political implications of the polls were not lost upon the presi-
dent. His own evolution on the Nazi problem was a complex affair.
In 1936, a minority (forty-four percent) of polled Americans believed
At first aloof from the boycott movement FDR came to see it as
that the United States would be drawn into a new European war. By
one weapon in democracy's struggle against totalitarianism. Yet he re-
1939, that figure had risen to seventy-six percent. German chargé
mained cautious. His concerns were mounting, but he kept his moist-
d'affaires Hans Thomsen concluded that "public opinion is being sys-
ened finger to the wind. A strategy calculated to destroy National
tematically reduced to a state of trance in which the proposition that it is
Socialism while isolating its domestic sympathizers, would take several
inevitable that war will break out and that America will become involved
years for him to develop. Whatever he did, Roosevelt would never
is being given the force of an axiom. "22 This expectation, however,
publicly equate the destruction of Hitlerism with global intervention,
differed from a determination to affect events in Europe. Nations re-
war, and the foundation of a pax americana. To do so would have been
signed to doing their duty, without enthusiasm, rarely win wars.
poor politics.
Opinion polls registered the changing attitude of Americans toward
* * *
118
ROOSEVELT & HITLER
Arrayed against Roosevelt and the growing anti-Nazism of the American
media were the formidable resources of the German Reich, as well as
numerous groups and individuals in the United States. Their number
included persons who admired, took orders from, or agreed with Hitler
on some fundamental points, including the need for permanent Ameri-
PART
can neutrality. These people worked with great energy for Roosevelt's
political demise. Other Roosevelt-haters conspired to rid American
THREE
public life of alleged Jewish influences. A few of these people were
Nazis, others were American fascists, while many were self-styled patri-
otic Americans whose success was in the interest of National Socialism.
For three years, the Roosevelt administration would fight a two-front
war against "Hitler's Americans" on the one hand, and the Third Reich
on the other.
HITLER'S
AMERICANS
Davis/Blymire
Title: Time
Date: Nov. 14, 1990
Draft: One
TIME MAGAZINE
After spending Thanksgiving dinner with our troops in Saudi
Arabia, President Bush has returned to cheers and strengthened
support. Predictably, some will still say our country remains
confused -- even sharply divided -- over our mission in the
Persian Gulf. I believe the pundits, once again, seriously
underestimate the judgment and resolve of the American people.
Perhaps the greatest confusion is in the newsroom. Some
reporters still ask me: Are we conducting Operation Desert Shield
to keep down the world price of oil? Or is it to protect distant
emirates and regimes? Or is it to help the economies of Japan
and other countries? I believe these questions are already
answered.
Several months ago, the President gave a prime-time address
to Congress and the American people on the Persian Gulf crisis -
- what we are doing, and why. It is a testament to Washington's
short memory that so few remember his eloquence or his reasoning.
The President spelled out many objectives, including the defense
of a "new world order" of free nations. But of the many reasons
he has given, all sprang from one concern -- to defend America
from a growing threat.
Let me tell you, again, why American servicemen and women
are in the Persian Gulf. They are there to protect America's
security. To stand by America's friends. To safeguard America's
freedom. And, most of all, to defend American lives and
America's future. As before, our protection of other nations is
more than an exercise in idealism. It is first and foremost an
act of self-defense.
America's security: We demand the unconditional withdrawal
of Iraqi forces from Kuwait for one reason, and for one reason
alone. It is in our national interest. How can such a distant
and middling power as Iraq be a threat? Simple. Just look at
how much the world has changed in the last two years alone. We
live in a time of breakneck change in technology and world
politics; a precarious time when empires can rise as fast as they
crumble. If Iraq is allowed to control the world oil market, if
it is allowed to conquer and dominate the Middle East it could -
- no, it will -- become a threat to world peace. And if we have
learned anything in this century, it is that such a threat will
ultimately turn against America.
2
America's friends: We demand the restoration of Kuwait's
original government because we want to live in a world where no
nation has the right of conquest. What was once a sovereign
nation and a proud people is now called Province Nineteen. It
could just as easily be called a province of hell: premature
babies ripped from their incubators to die, children shot to
death before their parents, whole families executed for the
slightest show of defiance. Most armies forbid their soldiers to
loot and rape on pain of death. Saddam's army lives off of
plunder, and encourages rape as an instrument of suppression.
I believe that to demand anything less than a full,
unconditional return of Kuwait to its government and its people
would encourage Saddam and half-a-dozen other would-be Napoleons.
Again, to give in now would create greater threats to America
later.
America's freedom: Last week, the President also spoke to
the brave people of Czechoslovakia -- and he found a warning for
America in that friendly nation. Like the other new-found
democracies of Eastern Europe, the Czechs already faced a
staggering challenge in making the transition to a free market.
But the added weight of higher oil prices is a crushing burden
they cannot afford. It is sapping their strength, and
endangering the freedoms they won just last year.
For America, this is also more than an economic problem. In
the long run, we will be asked to pay economic blackmail -- in
effect, to pay at the pump for Iraq's armies of conquest. And if
we should give in to this blackmail, how soon would it be before
Iraq began to exert economic pressure on our foreign policies,
even our very liberties? Make no mistake, our response is about
the price of freedom, not the price of oil. And that is why
America will never pay tribute to a foreign conqueror.
We are in the Persian Gulf to protect American lives and the
American future: For those who still ask if Operation Desert
Shield is about oil, I say oil is not at the root of the problem
-- Saddam's aggression is. oil simply magnifies the danger.
Saddam, by controlling a fifth of the world's proven oil
reserves, can instantly become one of the most powerful men on
earth. His minions are already furiously developing biological,
chemical and nuclear weapons, and the missiles to deliver them.
Saddam has not hesitated to use weapons of mass destruction
against his own people. Little doubt, then, that he poses a
strategic threat to Cairo, Riyadh and Ankara. And if Saddam
corners the world energy market, it is only a matter of time
before he can become a credible, strategic threat to New York,
Dallas or Los Angeles.
3
Certainly Saddam has not hesitated to put American lives on
the line in Iraq. That is why President Bush demands nothing
less than the immediate release of all Americans held hostage.
And that is also why he has sent a message to those in the Iraqi
chain-of-command: Should anything happen to our people, look to
the Nuremburg trials for an instructive precedent.
of course, these reasons will not quell all controversy over
our building force in the Middle East. I know that many of one
generation see the shadow of Vietnam cast across this build-up of
American forces half-way around the world. President Bush's
generation, which also lived through Vietnam, sees a greater
lesson from a previous war: Even if lives are lost, more lives
are saved if we stop aggression early.
An American woman, who left her Kuwaiti husband behind,
wrote to President Bush: "I know the terror of Saddam Hussein's
forces. I had to hide in a closet while ten armed soldiers
searched our home. If they had found me I would have been taken
to Baghdad. But I would have gotten off easily since all the
male members of my family would have been shot."
But she went on to plead: "It would be better to take the
chance of an immediate death than suffer a prolonged torturous
death at the hands of the Iraqis
The night before I left
Kuwait my husband, his family and other Kuwaitis begged me to
tell what the Iraqis have done to Kuwait and plead to America to
send in military forces to liberate Kuwait."
Courage like this is born of noble indignation. Whatever
happens, America will defend a new order among the nations of the
world -- a growing commonwealth of sovereign peoples living in
peace. And in so doing, we are doing more than defending the
world. We are defending ourselves.
1171 words
JFK, Dec 17, 1962
[551] Dec. 17
Public Papers of the Presidents
it said that this system would save billions
you will be almost bound to continue it, be-
of dollars in tax dollars if developed.
cause to discontinue it would dislocate the
Now, did you regard that as pressure on
economy, put thousands out of work again,
you?
and so forth?
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I think it was an
THE PRESIDENT. Well, that is a problem.
attempt to influence our decision. I see noth-
In addition, these systems are always two or
ing wrong with that. The fact of the matter
three or four times more expensive than
is that this Skybolt is very essential to the
they look like they are going to be. One of
future of the Douglas Company. There are
the problems that we have now is the ques-
thousands of jobs that are involved. There
tion of whether we should begin to put out
are a good many people in the United States
the Nike-Zeus system, which is an anti-mis-
who feel that this program would be useful,
sile missile system around this country. We
and of course the British feel very strongly
hope sometime to develop a system which
about it. So I think the ad was an attempt
will permit us to fire a missile at a missile
to bring what the Douglas Company feels
coming toward us and destroy it, and there-
are the facts to my attention, to Mr. Mc-
by prevent an atomic attack on the United
Namara's, in a different form. In fact, I saw
States. But it will cost billions. There is
that ad today. The only thing that we ought
no sense going ahead until that system is
to point out is, we are talking about $2.5
perfected. Some think now is the time, but
billion to build a weapon to hang on our
we are going to wait for a further period of
B-52's, when we already have billions in-
investigation. But there isn't any doubt
vested in Polaris, and Minuteman, we are
that if you don't build the B-70 or you don't
talking about developing now Titan III and
build the Skybolt, this involves thousands of
other missiles. There is just a limit to how
jobs, and the welfare of communities, and
much we need, as well as how much we can
this is one of our toughest problems. On
afford to have a successful deterrent. Your
the other hand, we can't have our defense
submarines in the ocean, we have Minute-
budget go out of sight. We are now spend-
men on the ground, we have B-52 planes, we
ing $52 billion a year, which is a tremendous
still have some B-47's, we have the tactical
amount of money, and we could go up to
forces in Europe. I would say when we start
60 or 65 billion if we didn't tighten as much
to talk about the megatonnage we could
as we can.
bring into a nuclear war, we are talking
Mr. Herman: Did the Nike-Zeus pro-
about annihilation. How many times do
gram get any impetus from Mr. Khru-
you have to hit a target with nuclear weap-
shchev's boast that he can hit a fly in the sky
ons? That is why when we are talking
at the moment?
about spending this $2.5 billion, we don't
THE PRESIDENT. He might hit a fly, but
think that we are going to get $2.5 billion
whether he could hit a thousand flies with
worth of national security. Now, I know
decoys-you see, every missile that comes
there are others who disagree, but that is our
might have four or five missiles in it, or
feeling.
would appear to be missiles, and the radar
Mr. Herman: As we move forward tech-
screen has to pick those out and hit them
nically, Mr. President, new weapons systems
going thousands of miles an hour, and select
and new devices which may be vital to the
which one is the real missile and which are
future of the country seem to get more and
the decoys, when there might be hundreds
more expensive, and to involve more and
of objects coming through the air. That is
more thousands of men working on them.
a terribly difficult task. You can hit one.
Are we coming to a point where perhaps we
What you are trying to do is shoot a bullet
are going to be so involved that once you
with a bullet. Now, if you have a thousand
start a new weapons system into the works,
bullets coming at you, that is a terribly dif-
896
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Dec. 17 [551]
ontinue
it,
be-
dislocate
the
ficult task which we have not mastered yet,
day comes, and there is a massive exchange,
work
and I don't think he has. The offense has
again,
then that is the end, because you are talking
the advantage.
about Western Europe, the Soviet Union,
problem.
Mr. Herman: You think he has mastered
a
the United States, of 150 million fatalities in
always
the art of hitting one bullet?
two
or
the first I8 hours. Now, you could go on,
pensive
than
THE PRESIDENT. Yes; so have we.
if everybody aimed at cities in order to have
be.
One
of
[14.] Mr. Lawrence: Mr. President, you
as many killed as possible in all these com-
is
the
spoke the other day of the dangers and dif-
ques-
munities with all the weapons you could fire,
ficulties of slow communications between
to
put
out
you could kill, and then you might be hav-
anti-mis-
here and the Soviet Union, as it exhibited
an
ing more fire. So that the nuclear age is a
country.
We
itself during the Cuban crisis. I suppose
very dangerous period, and that is why I
ystem
which
this would be an even graver problem if your
frequently read these speeches about how we
at
missile
radar screen were to pick up missiles or at
a
must do this and that. But I think they
and
there-
least what appeared to be missiles in any
ought to just look at what we are talking
substantial number?
the
United
about.
There
is
THE PRESIDENT. Yes. Well, there is-one
Mr. Lawrence: How urgent is this need
system
is
of the arguments for the continuation of the
for quicker communication between here
the
time,
but
airplane is that if you picked up missiles
and the Soviet Union?
period
of
coming toward you, you could have your
THE PRESIDENT. It is desirable. It is not-
doubt
planes take off and be in the air. Then if
any
if he fires his missiles at us, it is not going to
or
don't
it proved to be a false alarm, then you could
you
do any good for us to have a telephone at the
thousands
of
call them back. For missiles, you can't do
Kremlin-but I do think that-and ask him
unities,
and
that, and the President might have to make
whether it is really true. But I do think that
oblems.
On
a judgment in a 15-minute period, and the
it is better that we should be quicker than
our
defense
information would be incomplete. You re-
we now are. It took us some hours in the
now
spend-
call that incident where the moon came up,
Cuban matter, and I think that communica-
tremendous
and it appeared to be a whole variety of mis-
tion is important. In addition to the com-
siles coming in. Of course, it was picked
go
up
to
munications with the Kremlin, we have very
as
much
up several years ago. I think that is over-
poor communications to a good deal of Latin
simplified. The fact of the matter is that
America, and we don't know what is going
the United States could wait quite long be-
pro-
on there very frequently. So we are trying
Mr.
Khru-
cause we have missiles in hardened sites,
to improve our communications all around
in
the
sky
and those missiles, even if there was a missile
the world, because that knowledge is so vital
attack on the United States, those missiles
to an effective decision.
a
fly,
but
could still be fired and destroy the Soviet
[15.] Mr. Vanocur: Mr. President, have
flies
with
Union, and so could the Polaris submarine
you noted since you have been in office that
that
missiles. So that I don't think there is a
comes
this terrible responsibility for the fate of man-
in
it,
danger that we would fire based on incom-
or
kind has-notwithstanding the differences
the
radar
plete and inaccurate information, because
that divide you-has drawn you and Mr.
hit
them
we were only given 5 or 6 minutes to make
Khrushchev somewhat closer in this joint
and
select
a judgment. I think the Polaris alone
sense of responsibility? He seems to betray
which
permits us to wait to make sure that we are
are
it, especially in his speech to the Supreme
hundreds
going to have sufficient in hand that he
Soviet earlier.
That
is
knows that we could destroy the Soviet
THE PRESIDENT. I think in that speech this
hit
one.
Union. After all, that is the purpose of the
week he showed his awareness of the nuclear
oot
a
bullet
deterrent. Once he fires his missiles, it is
age. But of course, the Cuban effort has
a
thousand
all over anyway, because we are going to
made it more difficult for us to carry out any
terribly
dif-
have sufficient resources to fire back at him
successful negotiations, because this was an
to destroy the Soviet Union. When that
effort to materially change the balance of
897
Bill Bill ravin ravin
225-
0600.
THE
APR
WHITE HOUSE LIBRARY
AND
RESEARCH
Park
CONTER
Spring 1990
$6.95 a copy
America's New Course
William G. Hyland
THE SOVIET UNION AND THE RULE OF LAW
RICHARD THORNBURGH
Gorbachev the Economist
Marshall I. Goldman
The German Question
Christoph Bertram
A United Germany
Ronald D. Asmus
Czechoslovakia's Revolution
William H. Luers
Cambodia
Stephen J. Solarz
Technology and Competitiveness
B. R. Inman and Daniel F. Burton, Jr.
Thomas Jefferson and Foreign Policy
Robert W. Tucker and David C Hendrickson
America and the Russian Future
George F. Kennan
12 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Richard Thornburgh
Thus any review of American policy eventually returns to
the point where the Cold War started. Because the changes in
THE SOVIET UNION
the Soviet Union are so far-reaching, for perhaps the first time
AND THE RULE OF LAW
since 1917 Washington has a chance to work out a genuinely
new relationship with Moscow. Americans have given little
thought to what could be expected of a postcommunist Russia.
That is no longer a subject for idle fantasizing. The Bolshevik
M
ikhail Gorbachev and the Soviet leadership have
Revolution has finally run its course, and we may be witnessing
the breakup of the Soviet empire; that is, of the Soviet Union
recognized the need for fundamental legal reform in the
itself. But we cannot know what will replace it-a relatively
U.S.S.R., and their emphasis is well placed. Law is the
benign confederation or a belligerent, nationalistic Russia.
lifeblood of any democratically organized polity. It shapes
What can, or should, the United States do about it? Where
social and economic structures and relationships, and pro-
do America's interests lie?
vides normative rules for private and public conduct. More-
over, given the tradition of Russian absolutism and some
VI
seventy years of Soviet totalitarianism, a requisite component
It is often argued that the United States needs a new "vision"
of democratization in the U.S.S.R. must be the development
of its role in the world. Such arguments take on added weight
of some form of limitation on government power. This
if one also agrees with the conventional wisdom that the
suggests, among other things, a legal system independent of
United States will have less and less influence in world affairs
government control.
and therefore will be forced to navigate more skillfully. But as
Last fall I participated in a historic meeting between repre-
events of the past year show, there is good reason to question
sentatives of the U.S. Department of Justice and Soviet gov-
conventional wisdom. Who would have thought one year ago
ernment, party and law enforcement officials.¹ The unprece-
that any Soviet leader would propose the dismantling of the
dented candor with which Soviet officials were willing to
leading role of the Communist Party, that the Berlin Wall
discuss the ills plaguing their society was certainly refreshing.
would be torn down and Germany be united, that a dissident
It reflected the leadership's apparent readiness to put aside
playwright would become president of Czechoslovakia? It has
ideological clichés and rigid, doctrinaire solutions. I was also
not been a vintage year for punditry, and as America begins to
impressed by the obvious excitement about change displayed
reconsider its world role, it might do well to prepare for more
by these officials. My Soviet interlocutors seemed genuinely
surprises that will defy any carefully crafted vision.
interested in the American legal and democratic experience,
A final note of warning is also in order. One of the most
and our discussions, while reflective, were by no means ab-
astute observers of American foreign policy, the late Hans
Morgenthau, warned against the tendency of American policy
1 The October 1989 visit was at the invitation of Justice Minister Venyamin F. Yakovlev,
and was the first by a sitting United States attorney general. Its purpose was to discuss the
to swing between the extremes of an "indiscriminate isolation-
meaning and importance of the rule of law. During my stay in Moscow, I had the opportunity
ism and an equally indiscriminate internationalism or global-
to explore significant legal, political and even philosophical issues with several officials,
ism." Both extremes, he concluded, are "equally hostile to that
including Nikolai I. Ryzhkov, prime minister of the U.S.S.R.; Anatoly I. Lukyanov, the
chairman of the Supreme Soviet; Vladimir Kryuchkov, chairman of the KGB; Vadim V.
middle ground of subtle distinctions, complex choices and
Bakatin, minister of internal affairs; Aleksandr Y. Sukharev, chief prosecutor of the U.S.S.R.;
and Chief Justice Yevgeny A. Smolentsev. As governor of Pennsylvania in 1979, I also had an
policy." precarious manipulation which is the proper sphere of foreign
opportunity to visit the Soviet Union and participate in discussions with leading government,
legal and party officials.
Richard Thornburgh is Attorney General of the United States. For their
invaluable assistance in the preparation of this article, the author wishes to
thank David B. Rivkin, Jr., Legal Adviser to the Counsel to the President,
and Lawrence J. Block, Senior Attorney-Adviser in the Office of Policy
Development, U.S. Department of Justice.
14 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 15
take root in their own country.
stract. Clearly the Soviets were searching for ideas that might
Significantly, orthodox Marxism postulated that the law, like
In my view the Soviet leadership should reestablish the
the state itself, must ultimately "wither away," a position
legitimacy of the state by basing it upon genuine popular
eagerly embraced by a number of Bolshevik enthusiasts. At the
sovereignty-the only acceptable basis of any government in
time of the revolution, however, the new rulers of the Russian
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) must relin-
the final decade of this twentieth century. For that, however,
state had to be more practical. Thus, while the tsarist legal
forms were abolished, a revolutionary Marxist structure, de-
quish its monopoly on power, in fact as well as theory, and
signed to oversee the transition toward a stateless society, was
arena. compete alongside other political organizations in the electoral
adopted. Under the constitution of the Russian Soviet Feder-
ated Socialist Republic, proclaimed on July 10, 1918, private
Furthermore the Soviet Union must create a constitutional
property was abolished, universal (i.e., forced) labor was
structure that includes a legal system that is not subordinate to
decreed and revolutionary tribunals, free of all procedural
thus fulfilling the law's traditional role as a mediator among
the state but rather offers equal justice under law to everyone,
limitations and operated by the secret police, were erected to
deal with all "enemies of the revolution." In fact members of
these conflicting societal interests. As a predicate to accomplishing
the "exploiting classes" were formally declared to be second-
objectives, a "rule of law" must be established in the
class citizens and deprived of their right to vote. As in the past,
Soviet Union. By rule of law I mean not just normative rules
although with a newly enhanced brutality, the law was made to
but a systemic process that inculcates the principles of limited
serve the interests of Russia's rulers, now the Communist
government, due process and a "legal culture." The leader-
Party.
ship's initial goal, therefore, should be nothing less than
In 1921 Lenin changed tack and, in a desperate attempt to
turning the Soviet Union into a law-abiding state.
shore up the Soviet economy and state, which were battered by
the bloody civil war and on the verge of complete collapse,
II
adopted the New Economic Policy. Instead of continuing the
The task is formidable since there is a legacy of lawlessness
failed radical policy of War Communism, the regime now
and arbitrary rule that must be overcome. The Soviet system
pursued "transitional" capitalism. As part of this program,
today is primarily an amalgam of distinctive legal traditions
Western models for civil and criminal law were embraced, at
resisted the inroads of Western liberal thought. In the Russian
that, over the course of a thousand years, have stubbornly
least in theory. This limited Westernization of the Soviet legal
system, prompted by the needs of the rapidly growing private
tradition law has always been the instrument of ruling elites.
sector, was viewed by most Bolshevik leaders as a necessary but
For the tsar the law was a tool through which to control his
temporary evil. Lenin, for one, declared that "we must apply
empire. Legal power was exercised through what was com-
to private law relations, not the corpus juris romani, but our
the force of law.
monly known as the ukase-a proclamation or decree having
revolutionary concept of law."2 Not surprisingly the rule of law
never took hold and, for the most part, the Communist Party
Soviet rule. For the tsar's Soviet successors the law has years been
This legacy has been worsened by the supervening of
continued to exercise authority arbitrarily and secretively.
In any case, by 1929 Stalin had consolidated his power, and
device for the arbitrary exercise of total power as well as for a
what remained of the freer atmosphere of the NEP was
social engineering, essentially for turning a particular social
crushed. Collectivization was enforced and totalitarianism was
and economic theory into reality. In sum, whether tsar or
finally cemented. To the new leadership of the CPSU, "bour-
commissar, Russia's rulers have historically stood above the
geois" forms of law were no longer relevant. Codes of law that
law, changing or ignoring it at will to meet their own imme-
represented Western values, such as the right to hold private
diate political or ideological needs; law as a replacement for
property and punishment calculated according to the serious-
existed. arbitrary political power or a check on despotism has never
ness of an offense, were rejected. An effort to move away
2 I. V. Gsovski, Soviet Civil Law, 28 (1948).
16 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW
17
entirely from all legal precepts, in line with traditional Marxist
teachings, was also made. In the 1930s a debate emerged
pects. For example, "socially dangerous" acts were still pun-
ishable as crimes, although such acts remained undefined in
between the so-called legal nihilists, who advocated a swift and
law, and agencies such as the KGB continued to routinely harass
complete abandonment of all formal laws and resolution of all
and persecute dissidents with absolute disregard for legal
disputes by people's courts according to the precepts of
strictures.
proletarian justice, and legal realists, who wanted to retain laws
The apogee of the formal "legalization" process was the
and a judiciary system.
constitution of 1977 promulgated under Leonid Brezhnev.
Stalin, in a befittingly cruel irony, recognized the value of
Twice as long as Stalin's constitution, the 1977 version is far
retaining the language and forms of a Western legal system
more explicit in delineating the political and legal structure of
and sided with the legal realists. Western-style legal structures
the Soviet state. Unlike its predecessors, it details the leading
(based on the German and French models) were considered
role of the party in all aspects of governance. Like earlier
efficient methods of furthering the dominance of the state and
Soviet charters, the 1977 constitution contains a long litany of
the CPSU, as well as a means of impressing Western intellectuals
essentially fictional individual rights-leading a generation of
with ersatz liberality. Accordingly the new constitution of 1936
courageous Soviet dissidents to declare that their goal was
had a more formal structure than its two predecessors. It-like
simply to force the Soviet government to comply with its own
Western-style constitutions-combined regularized legal
constitution.
forms and a long list of (mostly fictional) political rights. Stalin
In sum, since the revolution the Soviet leaders have ex-
preferred to deal with the enemies of his regime through
pended considerable energy creating the facade of a legal
separate legislation and, whenever expedient, bypassed the
system similar to that in the West. Throughout the entire
law codes with "extralegal" procedures.
period the individual rights and limitations on government
After Stalin's death the Soviet constitution was amended, yet
power contained in these constitutional provisions were illu-
his legacy of masking totalitarianism with false constitutional-
sory. The law remained a tool of the state and, since any
ity remained. In 1957 the Soviet constitution was again
"crime" had political implications, the rule of law gave way to
changed, and in 1961 a new law code, the U.S.S.R. Fundamen-
unbridled arbitrariness. Similarly, despite its Western struc-
tals of Civil Legislation, appeared, defining and regulating
ture the entire purpose of the civil law was to harness the
legal relationships such as tortious conduct, contractual obli-
energies of the Soviet citizen in service to the policies of the
gations, insurance, credit, foreign transactions and treaties,
and based generally on Western legal principles.³ Contracts
party.
were generally permitted, legal capacity and civil rights were
III
no longer based upon class definition, corporate-type entities
Recognizing the dire state of the economy and the deep
gained legal rights and obligations similar to those of natural
malaise in the country, the Soviet leadership has-under
persons, and even testamentary freedom was guaranteed. The
Gorbachev-turned to an increasingly radical program of
document, however, continued to provide the traditional
reform. One part of that effort to restructure the Soviet Union
escape clause: "Civil rights shall be protected by law, except as
and to modernize its economic and political structures is a new
they are exercised in contradiction to their purpose in socialist
emphasis on the rule of law and encouragement of pluralism.
society in the period of communist construction."
The February 1990 Central Committee Plenum, seen by many
Soviet criminal law and procedure in form also resembled
in the Soviet political elite as a watershed, took the historic step
Western models (including the right to be represented by
of recommending the amendment of Article 6 of the 1977
counsel), although they contained abusive and arbitrary as-
constitution, which guarantees the party a monopoly of power
over virtually all aspects of Soviet life. The plenum also
3 "Fundamentals of Civil Legislation of the U.S.S.R. and the Union Republics," in
Fundamentals of Legislation of the U.S.S.R. and the Union Republics, at 150. See also Osakwe, "An
advised allowing for some form of party pluralism and adopt-
Examination 4 of the Modern Soviet Law of Torts," 54, Tul. L. Rev. 3 (1979).
Ibid.
ing a strong presidency.
These government and party changes were approved by the
18 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 19
Congress of People's Deputies this spring, and concurrence by
hands and bare bottoms."
the 28th Party Congress is likely this summer. The net result is
that Lenin's establishment of a "dictatorship of the proletariat"
The last time something akin to legal opposition existed
as the Soviet mode of governance has been undermined. It
within the Communist Party was during the period 1919-22,
should be underscored that Gorbachev's willingness to amend
when this role was played by the Mensheviks. Thereafter, any
factions within the party were outlawed and all party affairs
Article 6 and to subject the party to electoral competition
were conducted pursuant to the rule of "democratic centralism
amounts to nothing less than a repudiation of the major tenet
and monolithic unity." It is quite likely that, spurred by the
of Leninism-namely, that the party, as vanguard of the
decisions of the February 1990 Central Committee Plenum,
proletariat, has the right to hold power irrespective of the
real "intraparty democracy" may emerge, and it is conceivable
actual wishes of the populace.
that Gorbachev will permit a much greater decentralization of
It is conceivable that Gorbachev expects that the party, once
the CPSU, whereby local and regional organizations would
cleansed of corruption, might become a viable political force
enjoy greater autonomy. This approach could help the party
that can compete in electoral contests. If so, his hope is
cast itself as the champion of local interests.
unlikely to be realized. Just as he has in the past underesti-
However, when all is said and done, the likely "withering
mated the extent of ethnic animosity in the Soviet Union,
away" of the party offers a number of advantages to Gor-
of the CPSU.
Gorbachev may be failing to grasp the degree of unpopularity
bachev. It weakens the ability of the entrenched party bu-
reaucracy to obstruct Gorbachev's reforms. Even more signif-
During my visit to the Soviet Union I was struck by the
icantly, Gorbachev is trying to decouple his own future from
strident criticism of the party. Significantly, many of these
the political future of the party. If he is successful and if the
criticisms came from high-ranking party functionaries. In
party continues to fail in electoral contests and does, in fact,
urban areas the party is blamed for food shortages, and in
"wither away" and crumble, Gorbachev would remain at the
many instances the Soviet populace has literally thrown out
center of power, through his control of the presidency and
corrupt local politicians, either through direct public pressure
influence in the Soviet Union's new legislature. This strategy is
or in the recent March local elections. Outside of the Russian
not, however, without risks. Eastern Europe has seen many
Republic the party's position is even less tenable-it is viewed
communist reformers swept from power in the rush to multi-
not only as responsible for corruption and incompetent eco-
party systems. As the father of perestroika, Gorbachev might
nomic administration, but also as an occupying colonial force.
be spared the fate of the others, but the future course of the
It is possible that the reforms recommended by the February
Soviet Union's own revolution-and Gorbachev's role in it-is
plenum may indeed lead to the "withering away" of the party.
unclear.
It should be stressed, however, that electoral difficulties
The new 2,250-member Congress of People's Deputies met
faced by the party do not guarantee that a genuine multiparty
for its maiden session last spring. Its bicameral, 542-member,
system will coalesce in the Soviet Union. The Communist Party
permanent working core, termed the Supreme Soviet, began
still. has an. organizational structure and financial resources
last September to consider a number of new legislative pro-
that could tilt the playing field in any election-at least to the
posals. This in itself is a marked reform. In the past, laws were
extent of preventing the emergence of any major new political
drafted by experts from government ministries or other bod-
organization at the national level. Indeed, in the immediate
ies, such as the Soviet Academy of Sciences. These laws were
future, the most likely scenario is that the Communist Party
reworked by other government bureaucrats and were eventu-
itself may fracture. It appears that many disgruntled Soviet
ally rubber-stamped by the Supreme Soviet, which met for
communists prefer this route-a sentiment well expressed in a
about three days twice a year.
statement attributed to one party leader, Sergei B. Stankevich:
The Supreme Soviet has now been reorganized to act much
"We are not going to walk away from the party with empty
5 Quoted in Bill Keller, "Upheaval in the East: The Soviet Party is Not Over," The New York
Times, Feb. 8, 1990, p. 1.
20 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 21
liamentary committees of about forty members each, which
more like a legitimate legislature, dividing itself into 14 par-
mentary procedures, is likely to perpetuate the current state of
review various proposed bills and draft final versions for
legislative gridlock.
consideration by the entire body. There are also competing
Nevertheless the establishment of an apparently legitimate
versions of a small number of proposals and bills, which marks
legislature raises an issue never before faced in Russia-the
a remarkable departure from past practice. In fact the volume
separation of powers. At present, the executive (including
of reform legislation is so great and the attendant confusion so
both the government Council of Ministers and the party
widespread, I was informed during my discussions in Moscow,
Politburo) has no formal authority over the Supreme Soviet.
that many of these laws need to be continuously amended,
When, cajoled by Gorbachev, the Congress of People's Depu-
superseded or repealed.
ties narrowly approved the creation of a strong unitary exec-
utive, the constitutional change far exceeded the American
The Supreme Soviet is currently considering about twenty
paradigm in that the Soviet president, in addition to having
new laws that, taken together, will amount to a wholesale
nearly unfettered executive authority, also possesses consider-
revision of the country's legal codes. In fact during my fall trip
able legislative powers. The decision not to choose the first
to the Soviet Union I had the privilege of observing extensive
president through direct national elections, and instead to
debate in the Supreme Soviet on reform measures. Most
allow him to assume his new post by vote of the Congress of
leasing of land, "socialist enterprises" (public businesses), co-
notable among these are laws concerning private property,
People's Deputies alone, is also disturbing.
All of this amounts to an unprecedented augmentation of
operatives (private businesses) and taxation. Also included
Gorbachev's power-not necessarily a good precedent for
would be laws that establish the right of Soviet citizens to seek
Soviet democracy. To be sure, local, regional and republic-
redress against their government, party officials and even the
level Supreme Soviets are likely to function as real legislative
secret police. The Supreme Soviet is also considering a West-
bodies and acquire greater power. At the national level,
ern-style "criminal procedure" bill, in addition to new laws
however, it remains to be seen to what extent legislative power,
permitting liberalized freedom of speech, the press and emi-
housed in an unwieldy and fractious Supreme Soviet, would be
gration. Astonishingly, an oversight committee to monitor
able to balance the new executive. To make the system work,
such institutions as the military and the KGB has been formed,
the Supreme Soviet, in addition to passing new legislation,
although it is heavily dominated by members of the Soviet
would need to alleviate its legislative gridlock and develop
defense-industrial complex.
workable oversight and budgeting processes.
The introduction of party pluralism in the Soviet Union
During my trip to the Soviet Union, Justice Minister Ven-
could create challenges to the operation of the government if
yamin F. Yakovlev also spoke approvingly of inculcating a
the Communist Party once again performs poorly in parlia-
system of separation of powers that, in addition to an inde-
mentary elections. In theory, it would be possible for the
pendently elected executive and legislature, would include an
Supreme Soviet to pass a law over the objections of both the
independent court system. This is highly important. At pre-
government and the Communist Party. Further, the entire
sent the Soviet Supreme Court, which was established in 1922
Congress of People's Deputies has the right to veto
as a body to "assist revolutionary justice," and which at first
legislation passed by the Supreme Soviet. Of course, given any the
also played a prosecutorial role, has no real judicial review
absence of any organized national political parties in the Soviet
authority. Its current modest function was described by Chief
Union other than the Communist Party, both the congress and
Justice Yevgeny A. Smolentsev as "giving guidance to lower
the Supreme Soviet are unlikely to gain a working opposition
courts to assure uniformity." Even under the proposed
majority. The future membership is more likely to be divided
changes, the Soviet Supreme Court would not possess a power
among a great number of diverse local and regional organiza-
of judicial review. Instead a Council of Review, made up of
tions as well as various factions of the Communist Party. This,
leading lights of academia and law, would scrutinize legislation
combined with what is so far an absence of workable parlia-
for constitutionality.
Whether judicial review is conducted by a court or by a
22 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 23
Council of Review, a "Madisonian dilemma" arises, whereby a
nonelected body would be empowered to nullify democrati-
or even against arbitrary republican governmental usurpation
cally promulgated legislation. After years of, absolutism one
of the rights and privileges of resident minorities.
temptation inexorably facing the new judiciary or Council of
In another area, the most remarkable reforms being con-
Review would be to advance reforms beyond ¡those contained
sidered in the Soviet Union are in the category of property
in legislation. However, it is democracy and the rule of consent
law. Currently, in accordance with tenets of Marxist-Leninist
by the governed that legitimizes any law. Any judicial review
philosophy, Soviet law does not recognize private ownership
extending or rejecting legislation based on the vision, no
of the "means of production." The civil codes are designed
matter how well-meaning, of one individual or group of
primarily to protect the property of state enterprises against
individuals acting as Platonic guardians could weaken the rule
all infringement, and the property of cooperatives against
new Soviet regime.
of law, the democratic spirit, and even the legitimacy of the
all except the state's. While theft of private property is
punishable under the criminal code, the punishments in-
volved are significantly lighter than those for the theft of state
IV
property.
The most contentious proposal to be considered by the
The recent party plenum, however, called for the recogni-
national legislature will probably be the response to the unrest
tion and legalization of at least some private property. A new
among the non-Russian nationalities. One must remember
proposed property law will legalize various forms of private
that the Soviet constitution provides a right of secession for the
property, including "joint-venture" and "share-holding" prop-
union republics. As an inducement to forestall such a move
erty. "Joint-venture" property would be corporate property,
"law on republican and regional autonomy" has been drafted a
and "share-holding" property is a suitably socialist euphemism
whereby local republics would exercise some control over their
for private property owned by a number of people, empha-
own land and resources and would be able to veto or nullify
sizing that ownership is shared by many. Both state property
Supreme Soviet legislation that regulates their natural re-
and cooperative property would still be recognized. Signifi-
sources in ways they consider undesirable. Yet laws to that
cantly, on March 6 the Supreme Soviet approved a property
effect enacted by several republics have been declared uncon-
law that, for the first time since the NEP, gives private citizens
stitutional by the central authorities in Moscow. With the
the right to own small-scale factories and protects private
ethnic turmoil in several republics and what can only be
property against confiscation by the state.
termed incipient civil war in Azerbaijan, reform of the Soviet
Indeed, what really matters is that real and equal protection
republican federal structure has been shelved for fear of
is expected to be accorded to all types of property. A "law of
increasing tensions that might split the union asunder.
leasing" is also being considered. This would allow lease
Significantly, tensions are not limited exclusively to the
contracts to be created, and both perpetual and hereditary
outlying republics. Even in the Russian Republic itself signs of
leases are envisaged, although the long-suffering Russian
fragmentation abound, with such key regions as Siberia com-
peasants are still not likely to be able to own their land in fee
plaining that Moscow extracts too many resources from them,
simple. Since land in the Soviet Union comprises a much
out the U.S.S.R. have enacted ordinances that require locals to
providing too little in return. Meanwhile many cities through-
greater percentage of national wealth than in any Western
country, the decision not to privatize land ownership effec-
prove residency before they can purchase items in short supply.
tively removes a large percentage of Soviet resources from the
A possible solution to the nationalities dilemma might be
market. Meanwhile the decision to register all cooperatives
some sort of mechanism to defend the republics'
and other forms of free enterprise before they can operate is
prerogatives-"states' rights" if you will. There must be some
certain to ensure delays and bureaucratic gridlock.
limitations on the central government's authority to bind the
Protection, therefore, of what Locke called the "fruits of
local and regional governments. A judicially enforced feder-
one's labor," the sine qua non of liberty, is still subject to state
alism would be one safeguard against the national government
control. The basis of Gorbachev's new reformed communist
state is still the utopian dream of a propertyless, classless
24 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 25
society. Protection by law of nearly all forms of private
property, including the ability to assign, sell and alienate, is still
It is widely believed that the independence of the courts
not simply regulated (as in the West) but prohibited unless the
would be enhanced by giving judges life tenure. Indeed,
law allows exceptions. Perestroika still has not changed this.
during my visit Minister of Justice Yakovlev informed me that,
in addition to being granted life tenure, judges will be given a
V
100-percent pay raise-an action presumably designed to
Soviet reformers have proposed several significant criminal
remove at least some of the present incentives for judicial
law reforms, including expanding access to legal counsel. This
corruption and to raise the status and prestige of the judiciary.
proposal stresses broadening the rights of suspects and ac-
Other structural proposals include transforming the entire
cused persons and emphasizes the development of an adver-
Bar and raising the status of the defense Bar. This is to be
sarial process-in the pretrial, as well as trial, stage. Included
done by increasing pay and honoraria of lawyers and encour-
in this reform is the opening up of at least the trial stage to
aging students to study law. It has been proposed that a
would ameliorate mistakes and abuses by investigators in an
greater public access, under the theory that public supervision
national association of advocates, free from political control,
be formed. Also advanced as a "structural" change is the
inquisitorial system.
proposal that political management of the Bar, or "colleges,"
Another crucial reform is contained in legislative proposals
be reduced, as well as granting the colleges the right to screen
that emphasize the admission of counsel at the time of deten-
candidates without outside pressure.
tion, or at the pretrial stage. Thus, investigators will not be able
VI
to question suspects ex parte before the arrival of counsel.
Another significant legislative reform proposal would adopt
What is the significance of the widespread changes in the
the presumption of innocence as the standard for Soviet
Soviet society and state? It is apparent that the magnitude and
criminal law. This concept, however, is alien to Soviet doctrine,
the thrust of Soviet reforms are of more than academic
and some public officials have strenuously resisted this effort
interest to the American people. Clearly there is a connection
to reform Soviet criminal law. Indeed, during my visit to the
between the content of Soviet foreign and defense policy and
Soviet Union our delegation asked Internal Affairs Minister
the nature of the relationship between Soviet society and its
Vadim V. Bakatin about the need for expanded protection for
government. So long as Soviet foreign policy decision-making
the rights of suspects and prisoners in particular, and basic
remains the exclusive province of the Politburo, even with the
human rights in general. His response was that because the
heightened input of foreign policy professionals and a Su-
crime rate increased last year by at least forty percent (he was
preme Soviet Foreign Affairs Committee playing a limited
not sure about the rate since not all crimes are reported, and
"oversight role," the possibility always exists that the modera-
opined that the increase was probably closer to seventy per-
tion of today can be replaced with a new round of expansion-
cent), it was not yet the "right season" for criminal justice
ism and aggression tomorrow. By contrast, were the Soviet
enforcement was the prevalent "romantic view," persistent in
reform. He also stated that one significant problem facing law
Union to become a full-fledged participatory democracy, with
decision-makers at all levels ultimately accountable to the
Soviet history, that no crime exists in the socialist paradise.
electorate, the possibility of a reversion of Soviet foreign policy
In addition to the above measures, reform of the judicial
to its old expansionist ways becomes considerably less proba-
structure itself is on the agenda. The leadership, intent on
ble. While democracy does not obviate all foreign policy
abolishing "telephone justice," has recommended to the Su-
blunders, the historical experience accumulated during this
preme Soviet that party officials should be prohibited from
century, and especially since the end of World War II, indi-
interfering with the work of the courts on pain of expulsion.
cates that democratic governments are more inclined toward a
Furthermore, Justice Minister Yakovlev said during our meet-
cooperative and pacific foreign policy than totalitarian ones.
ings that a law would be sought setting criminal penalties for
Moreover, only the development of democratic institutions,
obstruction of justice and interference with the judiciary.
at both the national and local levels, can possibly ameliorate
political and ethnic tensions and stabilize the situation in the
26 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SOVIET LAW 27
Soviet Union. This, of course, is a prerequisite both to much-
needed Soviet economic growth and to the Soviet ability to
union of fifty separate states. Both the federal government
play a positive and legitimate role in the existing international
and the state governments may be said to be "sovereign" in
system. Likewise, a principal reason for the Soviets' interest in
their own spheres, as defined by the Constitution. The Soviet
the sanctity of contract and private property will provide the
the rule of law is that only a body of commercial law respecting
Union, on the other hand, is composed of distinct ethnic or
national units, added over a period of centuries by conquest or
predictability and stability necessary to attract foreign invest-
forced annexation. With the decline of communism, there is
ment, thus bolstering their ailing economy.
no overriding uniform culture or belief that unites these
To be sure, only the Soviet Union can reform itself, and the
"nations." Gorbachev can hold together the Soviet republics
process is in its early-and very uncertain-stage. America
only by convincing them that it is in their interest to remain a
cannot, and should not, force its ideals and system on the
part of the U.S.S.R. He must, in short, adopt a "new federal-
Soviet peoples. History and culture are important regulators
ism" that will satisfy the national aspirations of the Soviet
society. I do believe, however, that a new Soviet revolution is
of what is and is not acceptable political behavior in a given
peoples, as well as give them co-equal status with the presently
dominant Great Russians.
necessary-one similar to the British Glorious Revolution of
Furthermore, while democracy is indispensable, more than
1688 and our own revolutionary period of 1776 through
mere majoritarian rule is needed to safeguard liberty. In addition
1787-that is, peaceful (in the sense of avoiding a reign of
to the question of democratic license, the Soviets must address
terror and other accoutrements of a police state) and consti-
the fundamental matter of restrictions on majoritarian rule
tutional in the broad sense of structural change producing a
necessary to protect minority rights and safeguard personal
more perfect government and society.
liberty. This requires establishing some version of a separation of
The peoples of the Soviet Union are struggling for democ-
government powers. The purpose of divided government,
racy and economic freedom against one of the most oppressive
whether based on the American model of separation of func-
tyrannies the world has ever known, the Leninist Communist
tional powers (executive from legislative from judicial), or on the
Party of the Soviet Union. The ethnic nationalities today are
traditional British model of "mixed government," is to limit the
asserting political freedom and their cultural heritage against
despotic tendencies common to any regime.
the last vestige of colonialism in the world, the Great-
But, again, limiting government by separating government
Russian-dominated U.S.S.R. The Soviet republics are con-
functions is not enough. An accompanying system of checks
fronted with political choices similar to those faced by the
and balances is necessary to prevent one unit of government
eighteenth-century American states, which also had a multi-
from encroaching upon the duties and responsibilities of
tude of conflicting economic, commercial and political inter-
another. I discerned from my meetings in Moscow that the
ests. Because the underlying problems of the Soviet Union are
Soviets simply do not comprehend how a political structure
at least similar to those of eighteenth-century America, Justice
can exist with deliberate tensions built in among government
Minister Yakovlev was perhaps prescient last fall, several
branches and political factions, since in their tradition deci-
months before the recent party plenum, when he told me that
sions are reached either through the unanimity of dictatorial
the American system of separation of powers and federalism is
fiat or by consensus motivated by utopian vision.
parliamentary system."
a "far better system for the Soviet Union to copy than the
We should do all we can to encourage a system of checks and
balances. The primary problem before the Soviet people and
Accordingly, Americans have much to share with the Soviet
their leaders is to prevent the new Soviet Union from becom-
reformers. For instance, federalism and federation are lessons
ing a revived version of the autocratic monarchy, to foster
from the American experience that may be instructive as the
instead true political pluralism and limited government re-
Soviet Union undertakes reforms. Here, however, the com-
flected in the rule of law and respect for natural rights. It is in
parison between the American experience and the Soviet one
the interest of the United States, and indeed of the entire
must be made with particular care. The United States is a
world, for Gorbachev to succeed in these endeavors.
Charles Krauthammer
Rush to Diplomacy
How to disguise defeat.
For six weeks, since Senate Armed Services
What is disastrous about "after Kuwait,
Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) opened
everything" is that it abandons the U.N. de-
the first high-level assault on President Bush's
mand that withdrawal be not just total but
road-to-war Persian Gulf policy, the debate has
unconditional. The point is crucial not because
been war vs. sanctions. That argument is over. A
of some legalistic belief in the sanctity of U.N.
radical shift has taken place in the Gulf debate. It
resolutions, but because to allow a conditional
is now war VS. diplomacy.
withdrawal from Kuwait is to undermine the
The end of sanctions as a serious policy
whole purpose of American policy in the Gulf.
alternative was signaled by a white paper issued
The liberation of Kuwait is important, but
in late December by House Armed Services
American soldiers have not journeyed 6,000 miles
Committee Chairman Les Aspin (D-Wis.). It sub-
to the sands of Arabia just for that. If a bunch of
jects the sanctions option to close scrutiny, under
local Kuwaitis had staged a coup and proclaimed
which it simply falls apart. Sanctions are a
an equally brutal, pro-Iraqi, anti-American regime,
multi-year proposition, and before Iraq succumbs,
we would, rightly, not have lifted a finger. The
the anti-Iraq coalition-its cohesion, its morale,
reason we are in the Gulf is not Kuwait but Iraq.
even some of its leaders (by bullet or coup)-will
Kuwait happens to be the place that a heavily
long ago have succumbed
armed, utterly ruthless, endlessly ambitious, high-
Moreover, switching now to sanctions-only
ly dangerous regional thug made his first grab for
would not just be a great psychological victory for
Gulf and Arab hegemony. Kuwait is Saddam's first
Saddam, effectively canceling the U.N. Jan. 15
target. The point of our policy is to make sure that
ultimatum. It would necessitate the draw-down of
Kuwait is his last.
American forces in Saudi Arabia, panicking the
BY OLIPHANT
That is why evacuating Kuwait is not enough.
Gulf Arabs who sided with us. That would drive
Liberating Kuwait is the means. Defeating Sad-
them to Saddam and us out of the Gulf.
dam is the end. And unconditional withdrawal-
It is, finally, hard to take sanctions seriously
Conditional withdrawal means aggression rewarded
nothing to show for two wars of aggression, 10
when both the Associated Press and The Post
years of blood-might well undo him. A condi-
report from Baghdad that 1,000 Soviet nationals
in Iraq have decided to stay rather than return
and Saddam strengthened.
tional. withdrawal, on the other hand, which is
what a "diplomatic solution" is all about, means
home to conditions in the Soviet Union. A thou-
aggression rewarded and Saddam strengthened.
ing less Gallic and thus less cryptic, has spelled
Now everyone understands that rewarding
sand people with firsthand experience of the
(For Kuwait, it means dismemberment and domi-
out what "everything" means. There are three
Saddam with these goodies constitutes rank
Baghdad A&P choose life in a war zone under
nation in perpetuity by Iraq.)
kinds of goodies we can give Saddam if he is a
American capitulation. The art of this deal,
total international sanctions over life in Moscow
Conditional withdrawal is defeat by tape
Some sanctions.
nice boy and gets out of Kuwait:
therefore, is to disguise the capitulation. by
delay. But because it might sell in the West,
1) Pieces of Kuwait or, in a more sophisticat-
interposing a decent interval between Saddam's
As sanctions fade, the only alternative to the
President Bush will in the next few days be
ed version, a mechanism for continuing to press
withdrawal and his subsequent payoff. The hope
Bush policy of securing Saddam's retreat by
under tremendous pressure to accept just this
war-or, if we are both convincing and lucky, the
claims against Kuwait.
is that a gullible and distracted American public
kind of deal. The Europeans are already urg-
threat of war-is a "diplomatic solution." As Jan.
2) Nice treatment of Iraq, e.g., promises to
will not notice that Saddam won.
ing it on him. The Democrats are next.
15 approaches, there will be an explosion of
leave Saddam and his regime intact, to lift the
Of course, the Arabs will notice. Those who
It is all very tempting. The media, with a
diplomatic activity as the French, the Russians,
embargo, to seek no reparations for raping
sided with the loser, i.e. us, will rue the day
historical memory measured in weeks, will hail
the European Community, the "nonaligned" and
Kuwait, etc.
they decided to cast their lot with America.
him as a peacemaker and liberator. Bush will
some Arabs send emissaries to Baghdad looking
3) Linkage to the Arab-Israeli issue, which
The rest will quickly submit to the man who
know better. He will know that he forfeited
for a deal.
for the French and most everyone else means
stood down America and the world. And in a
security in the Gulf, America's standing in the
What kind of deal? In his Sept. 24 U.N.
selling Israel to buy Kuwait, and which for
very few years, even Americans will be forced
Arab world and any possibility for a stable,
speech, Francois Mitterrand gave Saddam the
Saddam means achieving legendary status in
to notice when Saddam, on the move again,
post-Cold War order. But all that will come later.
outline: withdraw from Kuwait, after which
the Arab world as the man who sacrificed his
reappears on American radar, this time with
First will come the praise. For Bush, resisting the
"everything would be possible." Les Aspin, be-
19th province to redeem Palestine.
intercontinental missiles and nuclear weapons.
temptation is the greatest test of his political life.
Robert V. Keeley
THE NATION'S PULSE
EAST SIDE STORY
by James P. Pinkerton
T
here are half a million people
and-white just a few blocks from the
ica affords its prison population.
Adrenalin thrills through me as we race
jammed into the eleven square
station before he points into a sidewalk
On the next corner a teenager sig-
over. "Secret Agent Man," the old
miles of the Los Angeles Police Depart-
crowd. All I see is a tableau of neon,
nals. What does he want? As Knight
Johnny Rivers song, reverberates in my
ment's East Side Division. The newest
white shirts, and shadows. "Crack
stops the car, he has no way of know-
naive head ("There's a man who leads
immigrants are from south of south of
dealers," he says, with the precision of
ing whether the kid wants to give him
a life of danger
"). Then I think to
the border, mostly El Salvador. The
an ornithologist. I squint, straining to
a tip or shoot him. The kid doesn't
ask whether the cops wear bulletproof
demographics are Third World: few old
identify a familiar visual cue. It feels
know, either. He's stoned; wants to get
vests. "Of course," comes the answer.
people, lots of children. Many are on
like first grade, puzzling over My Weekly
to Hyacinth Boulevard. Not tonight.
A chill goes down my unprotected
public assistance, but the ambition that
Reader, trying to count the giraffes hid-
LAPD'S motto is "To Protect and to
spine. The night was young, but the
brought them to El Norte inspires them
den in the picture.
Serve": nothing about "to transport."
spring was out of my step. Naked prey
to work, starting with the gritty jobs
"Why don't you bust them?"
A bulletin blusters over the radio:
that I was, I quickly adapted to crouch-
citizens spurn.
"Wouldn't stick," says Knight. "The
"Three-CRASH-One. See the man,
ing and terrain-hugging.
Spend one Saturday night with the
lawyers would say, 'No probable
Ninth and Remington. Shots fired.
Our black-and-white and an un-
CRASH (Community Resources Against
cause. How could the arresting officer
Suspect described as Hispanic male,
marked police car converge from op-
Street Hoodlums) Unit of the LAPD
have seen the alleged transaction from
black pants, white T-shirt." Amazing:
posite ends of the street. Knight and
and you'll wonder how people could
a moving car at night?' Maybe the
just like "Adam 12." We arrive to back
the other driver kill their headlights;
ever romanticize street gangs. On the
perp[etrator] plea bargains, or we
up two cops who have five suspects
police never illuminate each other in
screen they sing and dance in finger-
can get him on a pro[bation] violation.
hugging a wall. Barking at them in
unknown situations. Two teenage cou-
snapping formation, fighting chival-
So he does six months. These dudes
Spanish to keep their legs apart, their
ples lounging on the stoop proclaim
rously for love and honor. In today's
aren't afraid of jail: it's an extension
hands behind their heads, and their
their innocence before the cops say a
Los Angeles they idle amid alcohol and
of their lifestyle, not much worse
fingers locked, the cops frisk them
word.
urine on stoops and porches, pawing
than the way they live now." What they
roughly and thoroughly. It looks harsh,
More cops come and probe the dark-
at their women and toying with their
do fear is deportation: a perverse
but they've learned that a tiny derringer
ness with their flashlights, finding more
guns, waiting for the next petty rip-off
tribute to the standard of living Amer-
can kill you just as dead as an AK-47.
bangers in the alley. Soon a dozen teens
or drive-by shooting.
However, these guys aren't out to
line the sidewalk. The CRASH Unit
If the East Side Division has no rela-
The names have been changed to protect
hurt anyone. They're Hispanic Ralph
knows most of them, but they carry
tion to West Side Story, neither is it like
the innocent, the guilty, and the everyday
Kramdens, working-class stiffs who
packs of "field identification cards" to
Fort Apache, The Bronx, the 1980 Paul
heroic.
were drinking cerveza on the street
record new information, including
Newman movie that defined urban de-
when the cops responded. They say
"moniker/alias." Often fellow gang-
cay for the popular imagination. It is
they don't know who fired the shots.
bangers know each other only as "Cu-
poor but upwardly mobile, a hub of
They may be gangbangers, but that
chito," or "Droopy," or "Juke." The
light manufacturing, and home to the
loose term covers everyone from trig-
boys are ordered to remove their shirts,
service workers who clean the offices,
ger-happy adolescents to the mellow
revealing serpentine tattoos on their left
houses, and pools of the Anglophone
middle-aged. (Hispanic gangs are gen-
shoulder blades. They've all been
affluent. A good analogy is Hell's
erally territorial, organized into "sets"
"jumped in" to the gang, an initiation
Kitchen, the brawling, boozing Man-
to defend turf. By contrast, the mostly
that includes a brutal beating. If they
hattan underworld that steeled the Irish
black Bloods and Crips focus on
can survive that, these "made" home-
for their climb up the ladder.
money, sharing the city's drug traffic
boys can laugh at a post-Miranda po-
As a "ride-along" with the East Side
with Asian and white biker gangs.)
lice interrogation.
CRASH Unit on a recent Saturday night,
When the cops arrived, one of the
Sometimes the girls are more respon-
I watched twelve cops deal with about
men was cradling a shiny metal con-
sive. But not Little Suzie Asked if she's
5,000 "gangbangers." The "bangers"
traption with knobs and hooks, easily
been arrested before, she answers with
are the sharks of the East Side sea:
mistaken for a sawed-off shotgun. He
some pride that she was busted for
predatory, yet part of the urban ecology.
finally persuades the officers that it's
GTA (Grand Theft Auto). When? Age
The dragnet of the law may catch the
a carpet-puller. It's no crime to carry
12. She was shot in the back last year.
big fish-the green card counterfeiters,
a gun look-alike, but it's not too bright
Having made a full recovery, she's an
the wanted killers-but a wide legal
in an area where so many carry the real
equal opportunity gang member.
mesh lets the rest slip through.
thing. The carpet man gets his imple-
Sergeant Knight escorts another girl,
ment back, along with a lecture on
Serena, away from the group. He takes
street deportment.
a fatherly approach: Why is she hang-
T
en p.m. My guide for the evening,
ing with these losers? "I'm not in the
Sgt. Knight, has driven the black-
Loco Ponies," she says, although she
James P. Pinkerton works in Washing-
A
nother shooting: the turf of the
likes to kick back with them. Knight
Loco Ponies, a wild bunch impli-
tells Serena that a girl her age was shot
ton, DC
cated in a recent drive-by shooting.
in a drive-by the previous Tuesday.
24
THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR AUGUST 1990
Serena shrugs. Knight presses: "We
story in the naked city, which Knight
in dangerous neighborhoods. Whites
and the gumption and pluck that has
think the Loco Ponies did it."
would never think to log. Knight has
from the West Side, dressed in night-
brought people to the East Side, to the
"It wasn't us-I mean them. It
been a part of these stories for his two
crawler black, queue up to boogie
threshold of the American Dream, will
wasn't the Ponies." Serena covers her
decades on the force. Pushing fifty, he
down. The knowledge that locals are
someday soon carry them over. The
mouth, winces, and looks away. She's
is still lean and taut, but also graying
shot and killed around the corner only
newest hyphenated Americans deserve
scared now-not of Knight, but of her
and wrinkling. Knight has no desire to
adds to the fun of cruising down to the
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
peers, who must wonder what she's say-
be another black-bordered photograph
wild side of town, so long as valet park-
ness. Their progress would be eased if
ing to the cops.
on the wall at the station house; but
ing is provided.
they were physically safer, if a jaded
"How old are you?" Knight asks.
unconscious courage empowers him to
East Side is violent, but so were
avant-garde had to look elsewhere for
Serena says 18. Right. She'll be of age
walk up to strangers in pitch-black
Dodge City and Al Capone's Chicago,
violence to romanticize.
by the '96 Olympics, if she lives that
alleys with only a flashlight in his hand.
long. Serena is from Glendale, an old-
Our Code 2 is a bug-eyed man silent-
line suburb ten miles away What can
ly clutching his bloody forearm. A .22
One out of fifty adults in America is
you say to a kid who commutes to be
slug has made a clean entrance and a
part of this? Sgt. Knight shakes
slightly less clean exit. It looks painful;
controlled by a system in crisis
his head and returns her to the line-
if it were my arm, I'd share my feelings
with the world. But then I've never used
"A road map out of chaos toward reason in the American way of
up.
A cop finds a loaded .38 in the
punishment."
-Daniel Schorr, National Public Radio
fortified wine or crack as an an-
bushes. Since nobody claims owner-
aesthetic.
ship, the piece will be taken to the lab
"Who shot you?" the cops ask. Dun-
"Compelling...Policymakers, legislators, civic leaders and
for an evidence check and destroyed.
no, he says. Maybe he's in shock, or too
ordinary citizens fed up with the present state of the justice
As for the shots fired, no witness
wasted to remember. Maybe he doesn't
system would do well to consult this most lucid study."
want to fink on a buddy who plunked
-ABA journal
means no arrest. I look around and
understand why the neighbor who
him. His mellow attitude toward bal-
anonymously called 911 does not want
listic trauma argues for the proposition
"A book we should ponder, debate and put to the trial."
to come forward. Since loitering isn't
that life is cheap. Knight opines that
-Chicago Tribune
a violation anymore, all the CRASH
the crime will probably not be solved.
cops can do is disperse the bangers.
The ambulance comes, followed by
They'll reassemble tomorrow, maybe
a mobile TV news unit (they monitor
BETWEEN PRISON
even later tonight.
the police frequencies): The emergency
Cop talk here is a stilted jargon of
medical technician examines the victim,
AND PROBATION
Latinate words, acronyms, and num-
who refuses a gurney. "Okey, stallion,
bers. They don't say: "Sgt. Knight
have it your way," the EMT sighs. He
INTERMEDIATE PUNISHMENTS
talked to the girl and then let her ga"
knows better than to challenge a man
IN A RATIONAL
They say: "The officer counseled and
who barely notices a bullet wound. The
SENTENCING SYSTEM
released the detainee." Cops never ar-
mini-cam guys take off, too. Not
rest someone if they can "apprehend
enough blood.
the individual." Arrests for "CCW"
NORVAL MORRIS
(carrying a concealed weapon) and
Published by
and
"ADW" (assault with a deadly weapon)
T
hat night, the number of drive-by
Oxford University Press
MICHAEL TONRY
are common. Armed robbery is a
shootings for the year surpassed
"Two-eleven," after its citation in the
100 when three Lynwood kids were
California Penal Code Domestic dis-
killed as they sat in their Oldsmobile
putes are "Two-seven-threes." A pros-
Three children were kidnapped. An-
Still the greatest watch value in the U.S.: the original
titute is a "Bee," for Section 647-B.
other boy played Russian roulette-and
lost.
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The gangs are on to the police patois.
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town is like picking mercury off a floor.
bezel, and still only
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W
ear this watch to work, to play, to swim and dive-and to
"187" in conspicuous places. If that
rally. The Navigator" Watch by Rodell-7 is steered by a
sophisticated ultra-accurate Japanese quartz movement
person should happen to die, the gangs
and barricades, but they can't clean it
powered by a tiny mercury cell. It should last at least 18
superimpose a cross on the original
up. Last year the cops recorded 324,486
months before you need replace it. The Navigator" has
both hminous analog dial and LCD display. It gives you
graffito. I thought of the ace of spades,
crimes, a quarter of them violent, in-
dual time capability. The LCD display shows time con-
death's calling card in the Old West.
cluding 873 homicides. For the most
tinuously in 12-hr or 24-hr. mode. Push the button and
display day and date. There is a subtle yet insistent alarm
Same thing. The ancient Greeks did it,
part, the police just process misery, like
and a switchable hourly time signal. The stopwatch/
actuaries or epidemiologists.
chronograph reads to 1/100 secs. and has "interrupt" and
too. Small world.
"lap" modes. A light switch illuminates the display.
The city is starting to turn the wheels
Navigator** comes in two executions: matte black (as
shown) or matte silvertone. It is water-resistant to 150ft.
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A
nother shooting. Code 2. That
Terrorism Enforcement and Protection
successful
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The crystal is "mineral glass"- it is virtually scratch-proof.
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Act (STEP) is what LA attorneys call
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Fine stores and national mail-order houses offer virtually
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- is no excep-
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As we roll, Knight spots a derelict
Driving past a herd of stretch limos
#1018A414 for silvertone. If you prefer, mail check
or card authorization and expiration. We need day-
shambling across the asphalt. He
corraled in front of an old warehouse,
time phone * for all orders and issuing bank for
charge orders. Add shipping/insurance: $5.95 for
haverhills
brakes the car, deliberately blocking the
Knight identifies "Delirium," a trendy
one; $6.95 for three. Add sales tax for CA delivery.
You have 30-day return and one-year warranty. We
intersection to prevent another vehicle
club for Hollywood slummers. As in
do not refund shipping charges.
131 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
from mowing the man down. One more
the East, the hippest, hottest places are
THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR AUGUST 1990
25
WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK
Dan,
Calling on George Bush
FYC
S
ix hundred well-dressed Virginians let
committee chairman ever to reside in the
their watercress and Belgian endive
White House, has taken energetically to
grow limp while they listened to country-
electioneering in his first cycle of presi-
and-western singer Moe Bandy and his
dential campaigning. On Feb. 27, on the
Americana Band in the Washington sub-
eve of the President's second trip in three
urb of Vienna. At the head table in the
weeks to politically crucial but Bush-aloof
hotel's elegant Grand Ballroom, Barbara
AGuide to the 1990 Elections
California, White House press secretary
Bush, dressed in black velvet, swayed her
Marlin Fitzwater was asked how Bush
head in time to the smooth tune. Her hus-
could justify devoting an entire day to
band sang along, then was introduced by
politics. He replied: "A day is nothing,
the man being saluted, Sen. John W.
man. We're going to be spending more
Warner, R-Va., who was fittingly adula-
There's only so much even a
time on politics than you ever dreamed
tory about the man whose presence at this
possible."
popular President can do for
March 8 fund-raising dinner had enriched
Bush, wielding the allure of the Oval
Warner's reelection campaign by
Office, has raised more than $8 million for
$600,000.
his party's candidates. Raising
Republicans at political events in Wash-
President Bush was hyperbolically ad-
ington and $14 million on the road in a
large sums is one of them, and
miring in return, lauding Warner as a.
dozen appearances last year and nearly as
"symbol of Virginia at its best" who once
many so far in 1990. This spring, his
had trudged three hours through a heavy
President Bush is ready and
schedule calls for fund-raising jaunts to
snowfall in 1979 to read George Washing-
two to three cities every 10-12 days and
ton's farewell address on the Senate floor.
willing to help.
for campaigning about a day each week
More recently, Warner had helped negoti-
after Labor Day. By Election Day, White
ate a revamped Clean Air Act, backed
House political director James R. Wray
Bush's antidrug strategy and (as ranking
BY BURT SOLOMON
figures, Bush will have come to the aid of
Republican on the Armed Services Com-
Republican candidates running for
mittee) had been busy "encouraging
"most" of the 34 Senate and 36 guberna-
peace" in Eastern Europe, Bush eulo-
torial seats at stake. Bush also has been
gized. "I'm looking to him to help guide
active in recruiting candidates-telephon-
new treaties and new [defense] budgets.
ing prospective congressional aspirants
If you need a little extra campaign
and occasionally meeting with batches of
work, call the White House."
30-40 Republicans considering state legis-
Warner won't need to: He may be un-
lative races.
opposed for reelection. Bush agreed to a
Bush's tepid, frequently rambling rhet-
fund-raiser last year when Warner feared
oric rarely sets hearts aflutter. And there's
a contest from departing Democratic
only so much even a popular President
Gov. Gerald L. Baliles and went ahead
can do. Ronald Reagan learned this in
with the logistically simple appearance-
1986, when his intensive Senate cam-
a helicopter ride away from the White
paigning failed to avert the GOP's loss of
House-even after Baliles refrained. De-
eight seats. Bush's lesson came last year,
spite a search by Virginia's Democratic
when he campaigned for four congres-
leaders, no one has shown interest in the
sional and gubernatorial candidates (plus
party's nomination to contest a third term
a mayoral aspirant) and saw only one-
for Warner except a follower of extremist
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.-
Lyndon LaRouche.
elected. In, say, Iowa, where voters pride
Warner, in an interview the following
themselves on their independence, Bush's
day, waxed grateful for the financial surge
endorsement won't "frankly matter for
that had swelled his campaign treasury
much" in luring voters to support Rep.
past $1 million-thereby permitting a
Thomas J. Tauke, who is now running for
"credible campaign"-and for Bush's
the Senate against Democratic incumbent
kind words. That "wasn't a lot of puffery
Tom Harkin, Tauke press secretary Allen
last night," he said.
L. Finch acknowledged.
Bush, the first former national party
But it matters in other ways. In money,
NATIONAL JOURNAL 3/17/90 649
ties come into play," Wray said, acknowl-
edging a lack of coincidence in Bush's ap-
pearances for Reps. Schneider, Tauke and
Lynn Martin, R-Ill., all venerable Bush
supporters who aspire to the Senate.
Bush political strategists have also kept
reapportionment at the front of their
minds, prompting attention to governor-
ships in Sunbelt states expected to pick up
House seats after this year's census and to
state legislatures that will redraw the
lines. Bush raised $1.2 million for Sen.
Pete Wilson-running for California gov-
ernor-on Feb. 28 in San Francisco and
$1.25 million last January for Florida
Gov. Bob Martinez. Both candidates' po-
litical needs also have entered into Bush's
calculations as he ponders whether to per-
mit controversial sales of offshore oil and
natural gas leases off their states' coast-
lines. (See NJ, 3/10/90, p. 588.)
Candidates who don't merit Bush's
personal presence still may get lesser
Associated Press
forms of assistance-a presidential signa-
ture on a fund-raising letter, say, or a visit
by a so-called surrogate. Vice President
Dan Quayle, as part of his own master
President Bush appears with Senate hopeful Rep. Lynn Martin in Chicago.
plan to gain favor first from Republican
for one. Bush's appearance for Tauke last
activists and then from the citizenry, will
Reagan White House political aide Wil-
render aid to numerous candidates, in-
December at a dinner and rally in Des
liam B. Lacy, a political consultant who is
Moines raised $250,000 that Tauke spent
cluding some too lowly for presidential
advising Orr (and Tauke). He hopes for
attention. He plans, for instance, a March
principally on building an organization in
more. Unlike Rhode Island, the state
21 fund-raiser in Providence for freshman
the five-sixths of Iowa he hasn't repre-
where Democratic presidential nominee
sented in Congress. ("Smart early dimes
Rep. Ron Machtley; attendees will pay
Michael S. Dukakis drew his greatest sup-
$150 to attend a breakfast and $500 for a
beat late dumb dollars," as Republican
port in 1988, Nebraska is one of a handful
reception beforehand.
Governors Association executive director
of states where a majority of voters regis-
Barbara Bush raised $150,000 for
Michele M. Davis expressed the political
ter as Republicans, increasing the chance
professionals' maxim.) That boosted
Schneider at a Rhode Island reception
that Bush's soaring popularity there (as
last June, while Environmental Protec-
Tauke's fund raising ahead of Harkin's for
high as 85 per cent) might rub off on Orr.
the second half of 1989, which in turn
tion Agency chief William K. Reilly, in
"I hope his job rating stays up where it
the state to address an environmental
impressed political action committees
is," Lacy said.
that are deciding whom to support, Finch
group on March 11, met privately with
These potential benefits of presidential
Schneider and several environmentalists
said, postulating: "Organization begets
politicking are bound to bring more Re-
who presumably will feel warmer toward
organization. Fund raising begets fund
publican candidates seeking assistance
raising."
her Senate candidacy as a result. Tauke
than even an accommodating President
A presidential visit can also increase a
has received fund-raising help so far from
can satisfy. Because the White House is
Quayle, Reagan and White House chief of
candidate's credibility. Iowans able to
willing to help only incumbents or estab-
staff John H. Sununu.
identify Tauke rose by 4-5 percentage
lished challengers, Bush has been able to
points immediately following Bush's visit.
Using surrogates could conceivably
grant 60-65 per cent of the requests for
Rep. Claudine Schneider, R-R.I., also
backfire. Harkin expects "most of the
political appearances he's received so far,
challenging a Democratic Senator, found
Cabinet [to] stroll through Iowa this
Wray said. That will decline, however, as
that her reputation "solidified" as "some-
year" on his opponent's behalf, said Har-
the approaching primaries put more can-
one who can get things done" in Washing-
kin campaign aide Phil Roeder, who
didates in a position to ask. All 36 Repub-
ton after Bush traveled to Rhode Island
hopes that includes Agriculture Secretary
lican gubernatorial standard-bearers, for
last November "calling [her] his friend,"
Clayton K. Yeutter, who's "right up there
instance, are expected to request Bush's
Schneider aide Robert J. Rendine said.
with Earl Butz"-Agriculture chief for
help, and only 15 may be told yes.
That may prove more valuable to her
Presidents Nixon and Ford-in his un-
The winnowing will follow certain
campaign than the $175,000 Bush's visit
popularity among farmers.
principles. Bush will concentrate on races
raised for a campaign expected to cost $2
Besides, there's no substitute for a Pres-
for Senate and governor and-in choos-
million or more.
ident, even one whose rhetoric has been
ing among them-will pursue the Marxist
described as veal rather than red meat.
Nebraska Gov. Kay A. Orr perhaps
principle "To each according to its need."
fared better still. Bush's Feb. 8 stop in
And Bush's tone may harden as Election
His fall schedule will be left flexible so
Omaha raised $300,000 for Orr that oth-
Day draws nigh. Aides expect that voters
that appearances can be scheduled for
erwise would have entailed 8-10 smaller
this fall will hear less of the bland, upbeat
candidates deemed likeliest to benefit
events and also helped with "a problem
tone Bush has lavished recently at fund-
with only two weeks' notice rather than-
we have [ensuring that] voters are aware
raisers and more of the hard-edged,
as now-four-to-six. In addition, Bush's
of her accomplishments," said former
stump-style rhetoric he offered, to decid-
"associations and friendships and loyal-
edly mixed reviews, in 1988.
650 NATIONAL JOURNAL 3/17/90
Dan -
an
Here's an article
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
on one of the subjects
we discussed. The chart pretty
not only means a lower standard
in technology
much says it all - less investment
of care, but more impor tantly,
less tech. progress Bureau you'll of Human probably Rights
never have to
and Humanitarian Affairs
write a speech This, on but if Best you Josh
BALT.SUN;05-06-89
The Spirit
For us, the spirit of '76
Of '89
is a uniting force. For
301/173/33
the French, the spirit
Chicago.
of '89 has always been
divisive.
HIS YEAR'S celebration of the
T
bicentennial of the French
Revolution reminds us that
our own celebration of independence
colors. in order to mourn the first
is already 13 years behind us. It is
revolutionary of the modern world.
hard to believe that 13 years now
But America. imitated by the
French Revolution. also imitated the
French Revolution. America tried. as
By Garry Wills
it were. to catch up with its own
offspring. The majority of Americans
voted for Jeffersonian politicians.
separate us from the Tall Ships, that
when more conservative Americans
surprising (and somewhat irrele-
considered them too radical.
vant) hit of the American show.
Yet in the end, despite these mu-
If our celebrations of 1976 are
tual imitations. the two revolutions
any indication. French fascination
took very different courses. For us.
with a bicentennial will build to the
the spirit of '76 is a uniting force:
July anniversary date - July 4 for
For the French. the spirit of '89 has
us. July 14 for the French (Bastille
always been divisive. French fought
Day) - and then it will slacken off.
French in their revolution. We did
rapidly decreasing the rest of the
not fight loyalist sympathizers - we
year.
certainly did not guillotine them or
It is fitting that Americans lead
even seize their property in an irrev-
the way in this celebration of histo-
ocable way.
ry, since our revolution inspired
King George III. from whom we
many of the French Revolution's
separated the colonies, was far
original supporters - military men
away. and the bulk of his empire
such as Lafayette and Rochambeau:
easily survived the revolt of one
naval officers such as de Grasse and
batch of his colonies. From the first.
d'Estaing. In his brilliant new histo-
the king the French overthrew was
ry of the French Revolution. "Citi-
near at hand. in the country's very
zens," Simon Schama pays special
capital: and when he was over-
attention to the role of American
thrown, he was executed.
veterans in the early years of the
Thus, despite all the points of
French Revolution.
similarity, the two revolutions were
The French deliberately pat-
entirely different in character and in
terned their revolution on the Ameri-
outcome. America's revolution was
can precedent. The Declaration of
successful in terms of stability. Our
Independence offered a model for the
government was by the revolution-
French "Declaration of the Rights of
aries themselves. The French revo-
Man." Even after the revolution was
lution killed a king. and went on to
over. Napoleon claimed that he was
kill the very citizens formed by the
preserving the achievements of '89.
revolution itself.
When George Washington died. Na-
But the French Revolution. if less
poleon had his military forces wear
successful than ours. had far the
black crepe trimming on their own
greater impact on world history.
America could stay safely distant
from the struggle of the great powers
in the late 18th and early 19th cen-
turies. France was at the center of
the struggle. and on several sides of
it. King Louis XVI joined the Ameri-
cans in their war of independence:
then. when the French had set in
motion their own revolution. Ameri-
ca gave no more support beyond re-
payment of its own war debts. We
had a little war of colonial secession.
They remade the map of Europe.
the consequences of the falling off of Grenadian affec-
So pity those poor State Department observers. They
tion. An American photographer I know has had nearly
have to make sense of all this and decide whom the
all of his attempts to record the daily lives of Grenadians
United States should root for in the coming elections.
met with streams of colorful but unprintable verbal
Grenada, after all, is still regarded as a Caribbean bell-
abuse. To put it mildly, our presence here-particularly
wether, and the prospect of political chaos should give
in the poorer western and northwestern sections of the
the State Department a few wee-hours visions of its own.
island-no longer occasions the universal adoration
that is supposed to be our due as heroic champions of
GARY KRIST is the author of The Garden State (Harcourt
democracy.
Brace Jovanovich), a collection of short fiction.
he reason for our cool reception is not entirely
T
clear, but it seems to have less to do with our
invasion/imperialist rescue/adventure mission
Uncle Sam needs you.
itself than with the follow-up. That vast flood of
American investment in Grenada, much anticipated in
the years following the invasion, has not materialized.
Although the Agency for International Development has
helped build some dandy roads and a nice mental hospi-
tal on a hill below Fort George (presumably to replace
J
UST SAY YES
the one we accidentally bombed), U.S. companies have
overwhelmingly decided that wonderful opportunities
lie elsewhere. And now that Uncle Sam is starting to cut
By Morton M. Kondracke
back on the economic aid (to a still hefty $10 million a
year, after pumping $110 million into the country over
ithin the Washington Beltway, it's fashionable
five years), people are getting the impression that Grena-
da, having served its public relations function, will now
W
to smirk at George Bush's VOWS to make this a
kinder, gentler nation with the help of "a thou-
be cast aside like a jilted lover. And to be honest, who can
sand points of light" and little or no new mon-
blame them? What started out as a marriage made in
ey. In Washington, if a program doesn't have big bucks
heaven has begun to look more like a one-night stand.
behind it, it's "just p.r."
Although the hoteliers and government functionaries
So there may be big yawns during White House-
keep assuring us that all is well, it's clear that everything
designated "national service week" in mid-April, when
in York House is not as the Bush administration would
Bush unveils his low-budget (reportedly, $25 million
have it. New elections must be called sometime before
per year) Youth Engaged in Service (YES) program,
March 1990, and they promise to be messy at the very
designed to encourage both well-off and poor kids to
least. For one thing, there's been a highly disruptive
join volunteer local projects to help the needy. Bush will
split in the hierarchy of the ruling NNP, known to many
mount his bully pulpit and promise that this is just the
these days as the New National Problem. In January
first of many innovations to come from his new White
Keith Mitchell, a minister in Blaize's government, was
House Office of National Service, but almost certainly,
elected party leader, a position that would normally be
the YES initiative will be greeted by snorts of contempt
held by the PM himself. Meanwhile, the National Demo-
from jaded souls in Congress and the media.
cratic Congress (NDC), the official opposition party, is
And yet, philosophically, Bush is on to something
leading in what pass for opinion polls in this country. To
important that's stirring in America, and he should be
this must be added the lingering (and, to some, bewil-
ambitious about its possibilities. It could be that the
dering) popularity of Sir Eric Gairy and his Grenadian
plight of homeless families didn't mesh with Ronald
United Labor Party (that's right, GULP), the persistent
Reagan's woozy image of America as a great and noble
rumblings of the MBPM, and the recent formation of yet
land, and that this fact has dawned on more and more
another political party by former Gairy protégé Raphael
Americans. Or it could be that yuppies have discovered
Fletcher. No wonder our State Department observers—
that BMWs don't offer the inner fulfillment promised in
who can be distinguished from the other sunglassed,
magazine ads. But there exists an abundance of evi-
straw-hatted tourists by their nervous eyes and sweaty
dence that the country is in the midst of a new surge of
palms-are on edge. Just keeping the parties' acronyms
communitarianism-albeit, conservative communitari-
straight is a tough enough chore, especially for us Amer-
anism-that expresses itself not in '60s-style mass pro-
icans, who tend to reserve our acronyms for truly pow-
test, but in locally based volunteer activity.
erful entities like television networks and ad agencies.
According to a 1988 Gallup Poll commissioned by
The newspapers don't help much, either. About a
Independent Sector, a Washington group representing
half-dozen weeklies, most of them organs of the political
non-profit agencies, more than 80 million Americans
parties, are published on the island, but they are pretty
volunteer some of their time to a cause, and the av-
much innocent of facts. Even the major unaffiliated pa-
erage time spent is five hours per week for a total of
per, The Informer ("The Fearless Weekly That Tells It As
19.5 billion hours in 1987, a 34 percent increase since
It Is"), has its lapses. "KEITH MITCHELL KILLED," ran one
1985. The Campus Outreach Opportunity League
headline not too long ago. No, this was not hard news,
Compact, a nationwide consortium of 500 colleges, has
but rather a vision received "in the wee hours" by a
about 250,000 students engaged in volunteer service
prophet named Justine F. McBurnie.
activity. Half of all private high schools in the country
APRIL 24, 1989 THE NEW REPUBLIC 11
already require some community service, and the trend
major politician to understand the virtues of the volun-
is spreading to public high schools. Atlanta, Detroit, and
teer ethic. The earlier advocates have been Demo-
Springfield, Massachusetts, require service as a condi-
crats-notably, Sam Nunn and other leaders of the
tion for graduating. The governors of Pennsylvania and
Democratic Leadership Council, who have promoted a
Minnesota are pushing statewide programs to give
huge (minimum: $5.3 billion per year) and controversial
graduation credits for service work; Maryland already
national service idea that would replace existing college
requires all schools to do so. In addition, New York City,
grant programs with vouchers that young people would
Philadelphia, and the state of California have created
earn by performing two years of civilian or military
service corps on the model of the Job Corps or the
service. The program's supporters dismiss Bush's ef-
Civilian Conservation Corps, mainly enrolled in by poor
forts as an outgrowth of mere noblesse oblige. They
high school dropouts.
assert that theirs is a "society-changing proposal" like
And there is both an expansion of adult volunteer
the GI Bill, "a national mobilization, creating almost a
activity and an increase in its fashionability quotient. In
whole new culture" in which service would be a natural
New York, 21 wealthy businessmen-including invest-
part of growing up, and then of adult citizenship.
ment bankers Felix Rohatyn and Peter Flanigan-have
Nunn's measure is not going to be passed anytime
followed Eugene Lang's much-publicized example in
soon-and it shouldn't be. There are many reasons to
"adopting" a class of poor sixth-graders, guaranteeing
doubt that it will work. Clearly, its burdens will fall
to send them to college if they finish high school and
heaviest on the poor, who will have to do community
establishing $250,000 funds to hire full-time coordina-
service in order to afford a college education. It's sup-
tors to look after their adoptees' social welfare and edu-
posed to encourage young people to join the military,
cational needs. Financier Ray Chambers, chairman of
but it will also encourage them to leave after two years to
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, has persuaded
collect their vouchers (also redeemable to buy a house
1,100 corporate executives to serve as mentors for im-
or get job training). So much attention has been paid to
poverished kids and guarantee them a college educa-
designing incentives that too little attention has been
tion. The Habitat for Humanity program has inspired
paid to the costs and problems of supervising and use-
volunteers-the most famous being Jimmy Carter-in
fully employing volunteers.
300 cities to build houses for poor people, who own
One should also be suspicious of the DLC's urgent
them after paying a small fee and investing "sweat equi-
(and admitted) search for a big new idea that might
ty" in finishing the property. Atlanta has created the
revive the Democratic Party. The idea of "shared civic
Cities and Schools program, under which community
obligation" sounds good, but Nunn and company have
leaders coordinate the delivery of school, health, and
not explained how incentives based on coercion and the
social agency services to poor families and organize
promise of payment will create a national sense of com-
mentor programs for children.
munity. Previous mass mobilizations-military service
during wartime and the cold war, and the civil rights and
here are, in reality, millions of points of light
anti-war movements-grew out of a widely shared con-
T
already illuminating America-in homeless shel-
sensus about national life. The DLC plan seems to be an
ters, foster homes for AIDS babies, soup kitchens,
effort to create a new ethos artificially, when it's clear
tutoring programs, food delivery services, emer-
that a natural movement already exists but is headed in a
gency hotlines, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, church
different direction-toward genuinely voluntary service
outreach programs, and settlement houses. Will this
on the part of individuals. The state should encourage
end poverty and establish justice in the country? Of
this, not force it.
course not. But then government programs have not
done so either. Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty was a
his spirit does inform a number of other Demo-
noble cause, but it became bureaucratized and lost its
popular consensus. If there is ever to be a consensus
T
cratic proposals, including that of Senator
Edward Kennedy to establish a $100 million
again behind efforts to help the poor, it will have to
national-state fund to promote volunteer youth
come-or, at least, is most likely to come-from sus-
service and to help create more local jobs corps. Senator
tained human contact between middle-class voters (and
Barbara Mikulski has sponsored a $250 million proposal
rich people, too) and individual poor people.
to create a civilian volunteer corps, modeled on the
How much of this Bush has thought through is not
National Guard, that would pay participants $3,000 a
clear. Obviously, though, the idea of community service
year in education or home-purchase benefits in return
fits nicely with his personality and his Brahmin sense of
for service on weekends and two weeks in the summer.
public obligation. He devoted fully a third of his inaugu-
Senator Chris Dodd has a $150 million bill to fund an
ral address-the first third-to communitarian, service-
American Conservation Corps.
oriented declarations, and the theme comes up often in
Republicans have been waiting-some impatiently-
other speeches. In St. Louis on February 17, for exam-
for the Bush initiative. It's being worked out by a
ple, Bush said, "When I talk about a thousand points of
39-year-old businessman, Gregg Petersmeyer, who is
light, it is neighbor helping neighbor, it is kid helping
brand new to the fields of volunteer service and poverty-
kid, it is friends holding out their hands to other friends.
fighting. A personal friend of Bush's since his days as a
From now on in America, any definition of a successful
college intern in the Nixon White House, Petersmeyer
life must include serving others."
has put himself through a crash course on America's
Although as president he will be the nation's foremost
social problems. He is also taking advice from a "Points
advocate of voluntary action, Bush was far from the first
of Light Initiative" working group headed by Ray
12 THE NEW REPUBLIC APRIL 24, 1989
Chambers and including, among others, Flanigan and
lized countries (Sweden, for example) those charged
the originators of Habitat for Humanity and Atlanta's
with violent crimes are regularly held until trial. Yet
Cities and Schools effort.
here we are, engaged in a great war on drugs, terrified of
That group also is being advised by Richard Danzig, a
urban violence we can't control and criminals we can't
Washington lawyer and co-author of a book on national
catch-and when we do manage to identify and capture
service, who says that the key to a successful national
a suspect, we calmly set him free again, almost as if we
effort may lie in stimulating the local organization of
were throwing back a fish caught for sport.
"teams" of young people and adults, linking churches,
corporations, and schools. Petersmeyer says that his
he "drug war" provides an especially auspicious
goal is to increase the number of volunteers, hours
worked, and money donated by 15 percent per year.
T
time to reassess the proper role of bail. If we
know anything about the criminal drug culture,
Everything depends, though, on presidential leader-
it's that those in it have what sociologists call
ship. Since Bush is not going to devote a lot of money to
short time-horizons. Crack addicts who will do any-
fighting poverty-and it's clear that there's no political
thing for a "rock" are only the most obvious examples.
consensus for doing that anyway-he should devote
Even dealers who aren't addicts are hardly engaged in
time and political energy to it. That includes not just
long-range strategic planning. One week they're drop-
making speeches, but pushing family members (besides
ping out of high school, next week they're driving
his wife, who is already active in literacy work) and
BMWs, next week they may be dead.
administration appointees into high-visibility activity.
In a short-term criminal culture, the prospect of even
Bush's goal ought to be that every church, corporation,
a lengthy prison sentence starting, say, a year from now
law firm, school, and social club is involved in communi-
may not be very scary. A better deterrent would match
ty work and that Americans genuinely feel that the defi-
the time-horizon of those it is meant to deter-it would
nition of a successful life includes serving others. This
be not a more severe, but a more immediate sanction.
wouldn't replace the need for government assistance,
Reform of the bail laws to deny serious offenders rou-
butit's a powerful energy source to supplement govern-
tine pretrial release is an obvious way of accomplishing
ment in the short run and humanize it later on.
this. Kids thinking of making drug dealers their role
models would see that, when the dealers were caught,
they went to jail immediately and stayed there until trial
A new way to fight drugs and crime.
instead of reappearing on the streets within hours. A no-
bail approach certainly seems more promising than call-
ing up a few more National Guardsmen. But it's not
likely to happen until both liberals and conservatives
T NO-BAIL SOLUTION
reassess their ideas about pretrial detention.
The normal explanation for permissive American bail
practices is, of course, the Constitution. There is, we are
told, a "right" to bail and a "right" to be free pending
trial. These "rights" have worked themselves into popu-
lar mythology in the form of the phrase "presumption of
By Robert Nagel
innocence"-an idea that, like the equally simplistic
"right to bear arms," is usually invoked in order to shut
n late January, after an argument over who would sit
I
down normal processes of thought and experimenta-
next to a girl at lunch, two youths sprayed semi-
tion. In the New York Times editorial-page boilerplate,
automatic machine-gun fire into a crowd of students
the "noble presumption" means that "the only purpose
leaving Wilson High School in Northwest Washing-
of holding a person until trial is to safeguard the trial
ton. The suspects were arrested, but they posted bail
process itself, preventing flight or the intimidation of
and were released within a week. Ten days later, in the
witnesses." Even violent felons are entitled to walk out
hallway of Gar-Field High in the capital's Virginia sub-
of jail after arrest if they can show they've always ap-
urbs, sophomore Damon Yorker was shot in the groin,
peared punctually when tried for their previous crimes.
apparently after he told some outsiders to stop staring
at him. An 18-year old dropout, Shannon Monts, was
The legal foundation of this "right to bail" has always
been shaky. For starters, the Constitution does not say
arrested. He posted bail and was released in a day-
all crimes must be bailable. Instead, the Eighth Amend-
before Yorker was out of the hospital.
ment says only that "excessive bail shall not be required"
The shootings were big news in Washington. The
(emphasis added). Some right-to-bail advocates have
prompt release of the suspected shooters was not.
attempted to explain this inconvenient language as a
Monts's release made page B5 of the Washington Post,
"drafting error." But the same Congress that approved
and you had to read 13 paragraphs into a follow-up
the Bill of Rights allowed denial of bail for capital of-
story on the Wilson High incident to learn that the
fenses, which at the time included robbery, arson, and
suspects were back on the streets. "Gunman posts bail"
many other commonplace felonies.
stories lack a quality deemed essential to newsworthi-
In fact, there is a long American legal tradition per-
ness, namely novelty.
If it weren't such a frequent and typically American
mitting defendants to be detained before trial on strong
proof that they committed serious crimes. Under the
event, the prompt release of apparently dangerous
Judiciary Act of 1789, judges were told to take into
criminals would seem bizarre. In some perfectly civi-
account "the nature and circumstances of the offense,
APRIL 24, 1989 THE NEW REPUBLIC 13
S. Examples
New fuel for schools
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-19-88
By Elizabeth A. Brown
70/195p
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Boston
NGLISH class at the Roosevelt Middle
Last year, Decatur's fund had an operating
E
School in Decatur, III., had a star quality
budget of $50,000, which was to be distrib-
last year.
uted among the 56 schools in the county,
Lee Iacocca told the students to determine
(22,000 students; about $2.60 per student). Of
what they want and "be willing to work tire-
this money, 60 percent was from local busi-
lessly" to reach their goals.
nesses, 20 percent from civic groups (women's
Judge James Parsons, an alumnus, and the
clubs, Rotary), and the rest from individual
first black appointed to a federal court, sug-
donations and money-raising events.
gested that the students appreciate "things
On a larger scale, Rochester, N.Y., worked
that are noble and good."
with a $270,000 budget last year for the city's
Thanks to support from the local education
50 schools (33,000 students; about $9 per stu-
fund, teacher Doro-
dent). Eighty percent of the budget was from
EDUCATION
thy Sallee was able
corporate donors (Kodak, Xerox, Gannett), 10
to initiate a project of
percent ($27,000) from a state legislative
her own design. In an
grant, and the rest from memberships and
effort to prepare her students for high school
individual donations.
and after, Ms. Sallee helped the students write
Only four years old, the Rochester fund is
to adults - role models for the community and
one of the most active and innovative in the
the nation - to ask for advice. The students
country. Last year several elementary school
printed the replies in a booklet for their class-
mates and families.
teachers planned a curriculum around the
area's Genesee River Valley. Students
In all, the project cost only $300, with post-
age and printing. But because the school
looked at plants, rocks, and animals for
budget wouldn't cover it, Sallee turned to the
science, learned about Indians and early
community's local education fund, "Partners
settlers on a trip down the river, and
wrote about their field studies for Eng-
in Education," from which she obtained a
lish.
grant.
This local education fund - LEF - is one of
Recently the fund opened a clearing-
many grass-roots groups to start up across the
house of surplus supplies where compa-
United States in the past five years. They
nies donate unwanted items, and teachers
function as an independent third party be-
take what they can use paper, comput-
tween the school and the community with the
ers, TVs, buttons, a piano. "We've been
able to funnel about $400,000 worth of
purpose of improving education in the area's
schools. They are nonprofit, funded privately,
supplies to teachers," says Bea Paul Har-
and self-governed.
ris, executive director of the fund.
Today there are more than 300 local educa-
"Our project is successful because it
tion funds, and a central office Public Educa-
has created an atmosphere to make edu-
cation a top priority among people in the
tion Fund Network - in Pittsburgh is ready to
community," says Ms. Harris. She notes
help LEFs get started (see box).
the importance of including the "power
But providing money is not the only pur-
brokers" - corporate and civic leaders,
pose of these local funds. Involving the com-
clergy, school administrators, teacher
munity in its schools is equally important.
unions - on the governing board.
"We supplement, not supplant, tax dollars,"
Back in Decatur, Sallee isn't sure she'll
says Andrew Bundy, director of development
get funds this year for another letter-
at the San Francisco Education Fund. "Even if
writing project. "Since it cost so little, I'll
there were enough tax dollars, there would
probably pay for it myself," she says. "It
still be a need for [an LEF]," he explains,
was definitely worth it."
"because we provide a community-support
Nathan Rosser, a student who didn't
system a stimulus to do a better job."
receive a reply from his adviser, astro-
The money raised by the funds is not for
naut Sally Ride, says he enjoyed the proj-
basic expenses, like teacher salaries, but for
ect anyway. "It made getting ready for
special projects initiated by teachers. Projects
school in the morning a lot more fun
range from small classroom activities to pro-
for a couple of months, anyway."
grams with a specific reach, like the truancy
and dropout programs in San Antonio, where
citizens work directly with "at-risk students"
to develop an interest in school.
How to start a local education fund
Network. "Work as much as possible
Establish financial stability. This
with people in a community that already
may require aggressive fund raising in the
has one," says Andrew Bundy, director of
beginning, but keep expectations realis-
development at the San Francisco Educa-
tic. Remember that small amounts of
tion Fund. The Public Education Fund
money can do a lot in the classroom.
Network in Pittsburgh publishes a hand-
Tap local resources. Get citizens,
book of step-by-step instructions on
businesses, and civic groups involved.
start-up, plus a resource list of other
Keep the community informed of
funds and projects.
the fund's activities. Give credit when
Keep the basis of support broad.
due to classrooms and contributors. And
"The organization must be representative
don't forget to report on the school's
of its constituency." advises David Sugg
progress.
of San Antonio's Target 90 program,
For more information or to obtain a
which has a governing board that is 50
start-up guide, contact Ms. Gerri Kay, Ex-
percent Hispanic, reflecting the city's
ecutive Director, Public Education Fund
population.
Network, Allegheny Conference on Com-
Define specific goals. Do not allow
munity Development, 600 Grant St., Pitts-
the fund to be used as a slush fund.
burgh, PA 15219.
-EAB-
EDITORIAL
Y DAVID GERGEN
EDITOR AT LARGE
THE BARBARITIES OF HUSSEIN
S part of his propaganda war with the United
These cruelties are part of a broader pattern of mur-
A
States, Saddam Hussein has flung open the
der and repression unleashed by Saddam Hussein
doors of hospitals in Baghdad to put hungry
upon his neighbors. Kuwaiti citizens fleeing in terror
babies on display for American television cameras. But
tell of widespread looting of their hospitals: Blood, fro-
he has systematically barred Western journalists from
zen plasma, organ-transplant equipment, surgical the-
a peek into hospitals in Kuwait. He has his reasons, it
aters, X-ray machines, CAT scans, and ultrasound ma-
turns out.
chines have all been stripped away. Homes are
Secret U.S. government cables, obtained by U.S.
ransacked. Rapes and executions are common. Fam-
News, reveal shocking acts of brutality practiced by the
ilies are thrown out of the country without their pa-
Iraqis against innocent citizens at Kuwaiti hospitals.
pers, their homes taken over by Iraqis imported from
The cables are based upon eyewitness accounts from
the North. Clearly, Hussein is intent upon depopulat-
Kuwaiti doctors and others traumatized by what they
ing the nation of its own people and replacing them
have seen. Among their allegations:
with his own.
On the sixth day of their invasion, Iraqi soldiers
Of late, the United States and its many allies have
reportedly entered the Adan Hospital
entered a tense war of nerves with
in Fahaheel looking for hospital equip-
Hussein. Perhaps a diplomatic solu-
ment to steal. They unplugged the oxy-
tion can be found that will spare lives
gen to the incubators supporting 22
'The U.S. must
while also shearing Hussein of his
premature babies and made off with
press forward to
power; unfortunately, the fact that
the incubators. All 22 children died.
more Iraqi troops are pouring into
The next day, at the same hospi-
build a dossier
Kuwait suggests that bloodshed is the
tal, Iraqi troops brought in a badly in-
of war crimes for
more likely outcome. But it could be
jured captain and soldier for treat-
weeks, even months away. Innocent
ment. When told both men had died,
possible trials
Kuwaitis should not have to wait that
the troops accused hospital employes
after this conflict
long for relief.
of killing them and shot five on the
America and her friends should
spot. Two days later, the Iraqis cut off
is resolved'
mobilize through the United Nations
water to the hospital.
to demand that the International
At the intensive-care unit of the
Committee of the Red Cross be per-
Mubarak hospital, Iraqis reportedly
mitted to enter Kuwait immediately
cut off the oxygen and IV drip sup-
to investigate the plight of its citizens
porting the 75-year-old mother of a Kuwaiti cabinet
and to offer humanitarian help. The Red Cross already
minister. "They just let her die," said one witness.
has a team in Baghdad, sent there to check on prison-
At one psychiatric hospital, Iraqi troops were said
ers of war from the Iran-Iraq War, but Hussein has
to have turned 250 mental patients, drug addicts and
turned down its request to go to Kuwait.
others into the streets. They also evicted 280 to 300
The press also bears a responsibility to ensure that
patients at the physiotherapy hospital near the Sulai-
our readers and viewers get a full story. Too often, we
'bikhat roundabout to make way for a military head-
become conveyor belts for the propaganda and photo
quarters. Some 80 Kuwaitis were kicked out of a dialy-
opportunities of governments, even bloody tyrants like
sis facility at another hospital.
Hussein. We must keep digging and reminding our au-
In a bizarre incident, witnesses said Iraqi soldiers
diences of the truths behind this awful man.
settled near Kuwait's national zoo, expelled the ZOO
Finally, the U.S. must press forward to build a dos-
keepers and left the animals without food and water for
sier of war crimes for possible trials after this conflict is
over three days. They then let the animals out of their
resolved. Hussein and the men who knowingly carry
cages and "started having fun shooting and killing
out his orders must know now, not later, that to persist
them." A lion managed to escape and ran to a nearby
in these barbarities places them in personal jeopardy.
neighborhood where it bit an 11-year-old girl on the
"The worst crime of all," as Justice Robert Jackson
shoulder. She could not get proper treatment, devel-
said at Nuremberg, is to plot and wage aggression
oped a secondary infection and died a few days later.
upon innocent people.
96
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 1990
EMPOWERMENT' BECOMES PART OF
Beth
wo years before a presumed bid for
theme, if not the centerpiece, in next
reelection that suddenly no longer
year's State of the Union message. Rep.
seems a sure thing, President Bush
Steve Bartlett, R-Texas, chairman of the
faces some pressing political needs. He
37-member congressional Task Force on
centralized decaying "old paradigm" of
the more a year-that would supplant for
adigm"-a than notion he's been peddling
could use a memorable, even visionary,
Empowerment, foresees it as the Admin-
bureaucracies to administer using
domestic policy that can fit within brutal
istration's "domestic policy agenda [for]
government policy with reliance on
budgetary constraints. He needs to loosen
the 1990s."
But it's a term that means different
for individuals themselves. (and companies) decide things
ket forces and decentralization and letting mar.
his association with the wealthy that the
recent budget mess evoked. He also would
things to different people, causing Urban
welcome a way to restore Democrats to
Institute senior fellow Isabel V. Sawhill
the defensive, where they'd been from
"some difficulties figuring out what it
be surprising, for empowerment has
The profusion of definitions shouldn't
1980 until recent weeks.
means." Heritage Foundation domestic
emerged as "a unifying theme" from
Enter "empowerment."
policy director Stuart Butler, one of the
multiplicity of Administration domestic a
As a Bush buzzword, strictly speaking,
concept's intellectual authors, describes it
policy proposals, Bartlett noted, rather
it isn't new. He mentioned it in a policy
as "trusting ordinary people" rather than
than the other way around. The Presi-
paper as a presidential candidate in 1988,
a paternalistic welfare state to make eco-
dent's pragmatic style, he said, "doesn't
then while swearing in Housing and Ur-
lend itself to a unifying theme," but if
nomic decisions. (He acknowledges "a
ban Development Secretary Jack F.
there's been one, that's been it. Adminis-
1960s' ring to it" but doesn't mind, having
Kemp after entering the White House.
admired "the intent though not the out-
tration officials use the word to describe
But only in recent weeks has empower-
come" of President Johnson's Great Soci-
their policies in education (merit schools,
ment and its linguistic derivatives become
unconventionally certified teachers and
ety.) Inside the White House, a senior
mainstays of Bushspeak. Sketching alter-
aide portrayed it as a concern with "end
manifestations of educational "choice");
natives to a civil rights bill he rejected,
housing (rent-subsidy vouchers and ten-
results rather than programmatic opera-
Bush wrote in his Oct. 22 veto message,
ant ownership of public housing, both in
tions"; another cited Bush's televised ex-
"We need initiatives that will empower
the housing bill recently passed); child
hortations to Americans to rid their
individual Americans and enable them to
care (tax credits rather than grants to
neighborhoods of drugs and to read to
reclaim control of their lives." On the
states); clean air (marketable- permits to
their children.
campaign trail in recent weeks for Repub-
pollute); and the disabled (civil rights).
To White House long-term policy plan-
lican candidates, Bush has mentioned em-
That hardly exhausts foreseen applica-
ner James P. Pinkerton, empowerment's
powerment in speech after speech. "Jon
tions. Pinkerton expects to take "a long
in-house theoretician, it is a "post-conser-
look" at creating "health care IRAs" to
Grunseth
is determined to empower
vative idea" that means returning eco-
funnel federal assistance to patients rather
the people," Bush told supporters of the
nomic and social decisions to the "lowest
than to hospitals and doctors and at reviv-
Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who
competent unit"-those who are affected.
ing the Reagan White House's Low-In-
later withdrew for having allegedly
Pinkerton considers it part of a "new par-
come Opportunity Board that gave fed-
skinny-dipped with teenage girls. At a
Sept. 27 fund-raiser for Illinois Senate
candidate Lynn Martin, Bush went so far
as to describe empowerment as "the cor-
nerstone of our Administration's domes-
tic policy."
That was a case of Bush's speechwriters
getting carried away, a senior White
House adviser said. But the citizenry is
soon to hear more-maybe much more-
about the concept of empowerment. Fif-
teen or so White House aides have gath-
ered at weekly "empowerment break-
fasts" since about mid-September, listen-
ing to outside speakers and knocking
around ideas. The White House plans to
announce after the Nov. 6 elections that
Bush has created an "empowerment task
force" in the Cabinet's Domestic Policy
Council that will ponder how to bring
empowerment concepts to bear on federal
programs. (The group, which hasn't met
yet, is headed by Kemp and includes as-
sistant-secretary-level officials from at
least eight agencies and five White House
offices.) Empowerment is expected to be a
2672 NATIONAL JOURNAL 11/3/90
BURT SOLOMON
BUSHSPEAK AS '92 ELECTION NEARS
eral waivers to state governments to
velopers and other social-service suppliers
"what [its framers] mean and how it is
experiment with antipoverty programs.
don't much like it, inspiring opposition in
implemented."
Champions of empowerment make big
Washington from traditional Democrats
These ambiguities may prove useful to
claims for it. Granting parents some
who rely on them for political support.
advocates of empowerment in the forth-
choices over where their children attend
Traditional Republicans aren't drawn to-
coming debates. Most of its adherents are
school counts as "the most radical change
ward empowerment either. Indeed, all
conservatives. But people of varying po-
in public education since Horace Mann,"
politicians are apt to resist it, Bartlett said,
litical hues see in empowerment-as they
Pinkerton said, adding that it wouldn't
because it would cut the number of rib-
see in Bush-whatever they want. Con-
solve all the problems in education but
bon-cutting speeches.
servative activist Jeffrey A. Eisenach, who
"could solve a lot of them." (See this issue,
Many social policy experts like the con-
employed a similar theme as issues direc-
p. 2671.) Empowerment isn't a substitute
cept but deem it a necessary though insuf-
tor for 1988 Republican presidential can-
for federal spending but would require
ficient response to domestic problems that
didate Pierre S. (Pete) du Pont IV, consid-
less of it, advocates say. Using housing
will also entail further infusions of money.
ers empowerment a means toward "equal
vouchers and tenant management in place
Rockefeller College provost Richard P.
opportunity, not equal income." Meyer of
of paying developers to build and fix pub-
Nathan, once a domestic policy adviser to
New Directions sees it as a way to ensure
lic housing, Butler figures, could have "a
President Nixon, finds "something to"
that teenagers get jobs so they can be self-
dramatic impact" on inner cities at half or
empowerment but doubts that housing
sufficient. To Democrats, empowerment
less of what Washington spends now.
vouchers "can save the cities" and says
offers "market means to progressive
But this talk of savings raises suspicions
that educational choice has been oversold.
ends," according to Will Marshall, presi-
of a yearning for social policy on the
(He recently moved from a neutral stance
dent of the Progressive Policy Institute,
cheap. Jack Meyer, president of New Di-
on choice to opposition.) Sawhill finds
associated with moderate-to-conservative
rections for Policy, a centrist think tank in
empowerment "useful" but no panacea
Democrats.
Washington, likes the notion of letting
for social problems-she calls it largely
As evidence of the odd nature of the
"consumers vote with their feet" but wor-
but not entirely "a rhetorical exercise." To
concept's political allure, a Pinkerton
ries that empowerment may give a finan-
consider it a solution, she said, "is to mis-
speech on empowerment was read on the
cially strapped Administration "a thinly
diagnose the nature and seriousness of the
House floor by Minority Whip Newt
disguised cover" for making needy people
problem." Washington University social
Gingrich, R-Ga., an ardent conservative,
fend for themselves. Even conservative
work professor Michael W. Sherraden
then reprinted by the Ripon Society in its
enthusiasts acknowledge that it would
judges empowerment "terrific" if it means
magazine catering to liberal and moderate
cost more at the front end to change how
giving poor people the sort of subsidies to
Republicans. White House empowerment
government policies work and that only
buy homes and accumulate assets that
breakfasts have attracted aides of varying
then might savings flow.
better-off Americans have long received.
ideology, including traditional conserva-
Empowerment draws plenty of self-in-
If it doesn't, empowerment may not mean
tives, neoconservatives, moderates and
terested opposition as well. Educators, de-
much, he said; its impact will depend on
libertarians. Among Republicans and
Democrats alike, views on empowerment
vary more by generation than by ideol-
ogy, Bartlett said-appealing more to
neoconservatives and neoliberals than to
traditionalists of either stripe.
That may prove decisive as the White
House decides how hard to pursue this
guise of a long-sought policy vision. In
Administration councils, the heartiest ad-
vocates of empowerment are unconven-
tionally conservative or relatively young,
including Kemp, Pinkerton, economic
and domestic policy adviser Roger B.
Porter and members of Vice President
Dan Quayle's staff.
There's said to be no overt opposition.
But the extent of enthusiasm in certain
quarters remains to be seen. Office of
Management and Budget chief Richard
G. Darman is considered a possible
naysayer. But of more concern to advo-
cates is a man who evidently passed
through the 1960s unmarked and seems
only fitfully interested in domestic pol-
icy-the White House's oldest official,
who sits behind the Oval Office desk.
NATIONAL JOURNAL 11/3/90 2673
November 16, 1990
MEMORANDUM TO ALL SPEECHWRITERS
FROM:
MARY KATE mkg
SUBJECT:
EMPOWERMENT BREAKFAST WITH SECRETARY KEMP
I. THE STRATEGY
Vince Lombardi and Alexander the Great had one thing in common:
the philosophy that one should always attack the enemy at their
strength. Our enemy's strength, says Kemp, is low-income
Americans, no matter what color.
The way to beat the enemy (and, coincidentally, re-unite the GOP)
is: an "audicious" pro-growth agenda.
We must redefine civil rights to include:
right to a job
right to a drug-free neighborhood
right to own property
Jefferson's inalienable rights, "life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness" were based on Locke's "life, liberty and property."
Jefferson recognized that happiness, i.e. upward mobility, is
based on a right to property. The key is to change people's
attitudes and behavior through labor and capital incentives --
and we know what works: "freedom works."
He wants us to see the minutes from yesterday's first meeting of
the Cabinet's "Empowerment Task Force" (I will distribute these
as I get them.) If we can list six or eight programs in a speech
it will "knock the socks off the liberals and their zero-sum
mentality" as well as re-unify the Republican party under the
pro-growth banner. Kemp thinks that the party is now split --
not between the Bush and Reagan wings -- but between the growth
wing and the austerity wing. Such a list of steps -- from
enterprise zones to tenant ownership of public housing, choice in
child care and education, vouchers, etc. -- would form the Bush
Agenda for 1992. "THIS IS VISION!!"
examples: "If you vote for George Bush in 1992, we will give
you the opportunity to own your own unit (of public housing).
"In the Bush Administration, we want one million new
homeowners from the ranks of low-income Americans"
"We want to double the number of black, hispanic and asian
owned businesses."
II. US VS. THEM
The Secretary says that Us vs. Them is no longer capitalism
VS. communism -- it is corporate capitalism VS. small business/
entrepreneurial capitalism.
[Pinkerton adds: "Us VS. Them is an honorable tradition used
throughout history to galvanize your base.
We must encourage as many Americans as we can to get
involved in the economy. Unfortunately, the capital gains tax is
a transaction tax on all those trying to get through the gate.
We must lower the hoop -- and in the process we will most likely
expand the tax base. We must destroy the myth that capital gains
tax cut = revenue losses.
This time, we must tie capital gains not to the rich, but to
eliminating the ghettos, through:
1. capital and labor based incentives
2. pro-family incentives
3. 0% capital gains tax for low-income people
1. Capital and labor based incentives. Kemp points to the case
of Grace Capateo (?) cited in W.S. Journal, who saved her pennies
and nickels to send her daughter to college. She saved $3000,
then was taken to court for violating AFDC rules ($1000 asset
limit) and fined $15,000. However, she didn't have $15,000 so
they just took her $3000. Kemp mentioned this in a speech and a
GOP businessman in the audience offered to pay for the child's
education
...
2. Pro-family incentives. Apparently some HUD rules state that
if you are single in public housing, you pay $60 rent a month.
If you are married, then your rent jumps to $600 (perhaps someone
should check these figures). But when we tried to amend this,
the Democrats in Congress stopped the effort. Poor people aren't
stupid, he says, and if it's a better deal to stay a single
welfare mother than it is to get married, get a job, or save
money, then that's what you do. We need to stop preaching at
these people and change the rules to give them a better deal that
works in their favor. This sounds at odds with Judeo-Christian
philosophy, but if we give them economic incentives first, values
will follow. Otherwise, we simply perpetuate poverty.
3. 100% capital gains tax break for low-income people. "Nobody
ever got rich on wages," says Kemp. At the time when low-income
people need it most, poor people have no way to make money -- on
a 33% tax on investments. He suggests a graduated capital gains
tax from 0-15% depending on your income.
Finally, an enlightening joke that I thought said alot: "Bill
Bennett is one of my best friends in politics," said Kemp. "He
said to me one day, 'I'll die for my family, I'll die for my
church, I'll die for my country. But I just won't die for
capital gains.' I grabbed him and said, 'Bill, I AM WILLING TO
DIE FOR CAPITAL GAINS. # # #
NIXON
BEN
STEIN'S
DAY
OFF
There was always
But Nixon won, and
And perhaps, for a time,
close to death from phlebitis,
Nixon. In Silver
my wife was happy
deluded as well.
Wally Annenberg had
Spring, Maryland, in
to go to White House
When I came to Holly-
come to see him and said
parties in Washington,
wood to write and act (as it
to him, "Mr. President, life is
1952, when I was
in first grade and in
brought there by my
happened), Nixon came
99 rounds, and not any
love with a girl who
one and only father, who
with me. I was never just
less." The crowd roared. I,
spurned me, I read
went from a think tank
another schmuck writer, nor
who feel like one day is
about Nixon's court-
to the White House-
another small-scale hustler.
usually as many rounds as
ship of Patricia Ryan.
and was made to
I was always the only
I can take, listened and
When he met her,
feel important for the
member of the Writers Guild
felt better.
so the story ran, she
first time in his 52 years
who had worked for Nixon,
R.N. said, "Only at the
on earth by Nixon.
the "resident fascist" at
end of the day, only in
was engaged to an-
other man. Dick Nixon
The ripples of his
Norman Lear's company (as
the evening, can you truly
loved her so much that
importance even
I was repeatedly intro-
see what a glorious day
he waited on her porch for
fanned out to me,
duced at tapings).
it's been. Now, Pat and I are
her to come home-
who felt impor-
Then the phoenix of
in the evening, and we
even when she came home
tant enough
Nixon rose from the ashes,
look back, and it has been
with the other man. So
to become a real
again and again telling
a glorious day," he said,
you could be rejected and
hippie and demonstrate.
me that what counts is
underlining "glorious" in that
win the girl in the end. I
Nixon empowered me
persistence and staying
Nixon way, that rolling,
learned that from Nixon.
to stand against him, and
alive. In Hollywood, which
almost Irish inflection that
In 1960, when Nixon ran
maybe there's also
alternately tries to make
used to be accompanied, 40
against the gorgeous Jack
something there of what a
you immortal and to kill you,
years ago, by a sort of
Kennedy, Kennedy came
leader is supposed to do.
it was a secret nourishment
uppercut motion with his
In 1972 a rebel teacher at
to have the example of
left hand from the back of a
to speak at my high school
and the girls swooned.
the University of California
Nixon ever before me.
whistle-stop tour.
The underdog, Nixon—
at Santa Cruz who looked
(Certainly, it was an example
I cried, because ever
awkward Nixon-came
like a thinner, younger
available to no one else in
since Watergate, just a few
within a hair's breadth of
version of me heard a man
the W.G.A.)
words from Nixon make
winning. So might I, for
who should have known
This past summer the
me cry. My wife patted me
whom no one ever swooned
better liken Nixon to Hitler. I
resurrection became
on the back and said,
until much later, win half
left academe never to
complete. Sitting only a few
"Nixon has always been a
of the votes in America.
return full-time and went to
feet from him at the dinner
theme in our lives, I guess."
Nixon was my inspiration.
work for Nixon in the Water-
for his library, with my
Yes, he has been.
In 1968, when I was
gate bunker. I parachuted
wife by my side (again the
Because Nixon was always
at Yale Law School, I looked
in on November 11, 1973, to
wife who ran from the car
there-down in the pit
at R.N. and looked at
the doomed Dien Bien
on Elm Street in 1968 and
and also up in the heights
Phu on the Ellipse.
demonstrated against him
with the rest of us who
Hubert Humphrey, and tried
to imagine each of them
When Nixon slowly,
in Lafayette Square in 1974),
are in both places. And
staring down Brezhnev. I
agonizingly fell to earth in
I watched him, now old,
because Nixon showed me
voted for Nixon. My wife of
flames, I, too, felt the
take his fading hurrahs from
that the guy who was the
four months, the most
vertiginous occlusion. In
those who, like me, were
also-ran, who everybody
beautiful girl at Vassar
the Old Executive Office
never defeatists. Pat stood
made fun of, who often lost,
College by far, thought I
Building, looking out at the
by him, looking weary
who bled when he was
was kidding at first and then
demonstrators (who
and determined.
cut
because that man
stormed out of the car-
included my ex-wife), I
R.N. told a story about
not only could survive,
while it was moving slowly
became beleaguered,
how, when he came back to
but could tell the world how
down Elm Street-sobbing
demoralized, determined—
California in 1974 after his
glorious the day had
with rage and betrayal.
like my boss.
resignation, after coming so
been. O+
40 PENTHOUSE
Nov
1990
we Business Sec: Front page 11/17
OMB Head Asks Restraint
On 'Neo-Neo-Ism' of Ideas
dency as "Hubble-ism-recalling the
By Steven Mufson and Dan Balz
unfortunate recent failure to test
Washington Post Staff Writers
what is now the world's largest or
In a speech that ranged from bas-
biting victim of near-sightedness.
ketball stars Manute Bol and
At the end of his speech to mem-
Muggsy Bogues to New Tide deter-
bers of the Council for Excellence in
gent and the Hubble space tele-
Government, an organization of for-
scope, Office of Management and
mer senior government officials now
Budget director Richard G. Darman
in the private sector, Darman was
yesterday warned against á "neo-
neo-ism" of new policy fads.
presented with a prune, because it is
an "older and wiser plum.
Combining policy prescription,
puns and thinly veiled barbs at some
But while Darman's speech con-
of the most cherished notions now
tained humor, it also angered conser-
popular among conservative Repub-
vative Republicans and some White
licans, the Bush administration's
House aides by lampooning the ten-
budget director warned against a
dency for American presidents to
"premature rush" to new policy ideas
come up with plans beginning with
RICHARD DARMAN
implemented without testing and
the word. "new," ranging from the
speech angered some Republicans
evaluation. He dismissed this ten-
See DARMAN, C8, Col. 1
DARMAN, From C1
New Deal to the twice-used New
Federalism to the New Paradigm.
The last phrase was coined by
James P. Pinkerton, deputy assistant
to the president for policy planning,
the overwhelming political incen-
Word of Darman's speech rico-
and Bush himself talked at some
tive-is to identify problems [or~'cri-
cheted from the Capitol to the White
length about the new paradigm no-
ses"] and to meet them with 'new so-
House quickly yesterday afternoon
tion in a speech last April.
lutions,' or at least press releases
among Republicans who see the
Conservatives have rallied around
pretending to the same."
New Paradigm proponents as the
it as a way for Republicans to reclaim
"It's a bit like soap operas brought
only members the administration
the initiative on domestic issues by in-
to the viewing audience by Tide,
doing any thinking on behalf of con-
troducing the principles of market-
New Tide, and insistently New New
servatives.
orientation, decentralization, choice
Tide," the Bush administration budg-
AA conservative outside the admin-
and empowerment into policy. In child
et director said.
istration complained that Darman
care and education, for example, that
He called the New Paradigm "a bit
was the person who "bankrupted"
would mean tax credits or vouchers
too pretentious for a would-be popu-
the only real message the Republi-
as opposed to direct government aid
list movement" and said it was "per-
cans had and that he was now at-
to institutions. In public housing, it
haps, enigmatically paradigmatic."
tacking "the part of the White House
would mean private ownership and
He said its four principles could be
doing anything to get it back." He
greater tenant control.
collapsed into one and might conflict
called Darman's remarks a "declara-
There is an Empowerment Task
with the New Paradigm's fifth prin-
tion of war on the only thinking ele-
Force in the administration that has
ciple-an emphasis on what works.
ment in the administration."
begun meeting to come up with pro-
Darman said that "in the real
White House aide Pinkerton said:
posals for the budget and State of
world, others might simply dismiss it
'After the success of the budget
the Union message. They likely will
by picking up the refrain, 'Hey,
agreement, it's good to see Dick re-
include measures that would give in-
brother, can you paradigm?'
joining the intellectual dialogue."
dividuals greater choice in education
and offer tenants greater manage-
ment in public housing. Housing and
Urban Development Secretary Jack
Kemp heads the task force.
Di "idess out of the 60'0"
Darman, whom associates describe
as fincreasingly restless in his job,
"only thing they 're not 4 new
poked fun at the "new" programs and
the "inescapable political tendency-
Get beyond stogancering."
Asides
Greens Dump on Bush
'F,' so he's moving up a little bit."
It's getting harder by the day to
The president of the Wilderness Soci-
take the environmental establishment
ety: "This is his one and only signifi-
seriously. Yesterday President Bush
cant environmental achievement and
signed the expensive and expansive
he certainly is not entitled to take sole
Clean Air Bill. Here's the president of
credit for it. A Greenpeace spokes-
Friends of the Earth: If I had to
man says Mr. Bush delivered less of
grade him, I'd have to give him a low
the goods than any President Envi
D. A year ago, I'd have given him an
ronmentalists to Bush: Drop Dead
Nation
HUGH SIDEY'S AMERICA
Why We Still Like Ike
A century after his birth, Americans revere Dwight Eisenhower's
small-town humanity and commonsense leadership
t was a warm day in 1941 or 1942, and
crops that will halt the wasting of the planet.
Wes Jackson, who was 5 or 6, climbed
He is as much a philosopher as a ge-
into the family's Lafayette sedan with
neticist, and he has thought a great deal
assorted cousins. They drove from their
about his first cousin once removed,
farm near Topeka over to Abilene, Kans.,
Dwight David Eisenhower. Jackson be-
for a family reunion at his great-aunt Ida Ei-
lieves the bedrock of Ike's achievements
senhower's white frame house on Fourth
and his growing stature in history came
Street, south of the tracks. Her son Dwight
from the white frame house in Abilene
was either in Washington or Europe, even
and the harmony the town required and
then on the edge of his great fame.
imposed for a rewarding life. Many strata
Wes dutifully greeted the elders pres-
of worldly experience were laid down over
ent, wandered over the few acres and
Ike's character during his 50 years of pub-
through the barn out back, then lounged
lic service. But the final high silhouette of
under an old hackberry tree. At noon din-
his life followed the outlines shaped in the
ner he loaded up his plate with fried chicken
streets of Abilene.
and mashed potatoes and took a seat with a
The tributes for Ike's 100th birthday
cousin on the back porch. Wes cleaned his plate. His cousin did
last week focused on his career as "the most successful general of
not. Aunt Ida came inspecting. She spied the wasted food,
the greatest war ever fought," to use biographer Stephen Am-
stopped and delivered a stern dose of family doctrine: "Waste not,
brose's words. Ambrose goes further, suggesting that Ike is des-
want not." Right then another remarkable career may have been
tined to be ranked "with Wilson and the Roosevelts as one of the
started through the mixture of Eisenhower family values and the
four truly great Presidents of the 20th century." He is the most
ethic of that prairie society. Jackson, now one of the nation's most
famous American soldier of all time. He commanded 4.5 million
renowned and innovative agriculture researchers, founded the
men in combat, more than any other man in history.
Land Institute in Salina, Kans., in search of perennial prairie grain
Victory explains his military stature. Peace and prosperity
WAS THE UNSPOILED LAND AND SMALL-TOWN LIFE THAT THE EISENHOWERS VALUED A ONE-TIME
EVENT IN OUR HISTORY, NOW SWEPT AWAY BY EXCESSIVE WEALTH, GREED, WASTE, SOFTNESS AND SELF-PITY?
Photographs for TIME by Steve Liss
45
sician who lived in the affluent part of
town. In his exuberance Ike rounded up
companions for baseball, football and
camping from anyplace. His most famous
fistfight was with Wes Merrifield, and ac-
cording to Ike himself, the fight went more
than an hour, ended in a draw when both
boys were exhausted. The two got along
out of necessity after that.
In war, Ike's magic was to inspire foot
soldiers and generals alike, blending Eng-
lish lords with plain Americans, reconcil-
ing and focusing the energies of haughty,
contentious commanders such as Brit-
ain's Field Marshall Bernard Montgom-
ery and the U.S Third Army's General
George Patton. Holding the trust of the
grandiloquent politicians such as Win-
ston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt
was just as challenging. It took all Ike had
and four packs of Camels a day.
In the White House he soothed the
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATORS STAND AT ATTENTION DURING THE NATIONAL
sulking Democrats of Capitol Hill. They
ANTHEM, A TRIBUTE TO THE MOST FAMOUS AMERICAN SOLDIER OF ALL TIME
still smarted over the fact that he had in-
terrupted their party's long grip on the
define his presidential ranking. Yet those achievements fall
presidency. He won Speaker Sam Ray-
burn and Senate majority leader Lyndon Johnson to his side as
short of the sum of Dwight Eisenhower. That other part of him is
found in the nature of the man.
often as not. One evening after plying L.B.J. with Scotch, Ike
Had Ike been around for last week's celebrations, he most
pointed to his own chair in the Oval Office and said, "Senator,
someday you should be in that chair." Johnson roared back to his
probably would have gone back to Kansas and talked about
office in the Capitol wearing that tribute like a battle ribbon.
growing up in Abilene. He had been granted, he once said, "the
In this warm and happy memoir there is a shadow, not over
great and priceless privilege of being raised in a small town." Af-
ter the war he returned to Abilene 19 times, insisted that he be
Ike's time or his achievements but over the U.S. of today. Jack-
buried there. He had really never let go.
son talks about it from his corner of Kansas above the Smoky
Hill River, the same one that nurtured Ike. Was the unspoiled
land and Abilene and the Eisenhower family-and so many oth-
o
n the night before the Normandy invasion, moving among
the men of the 101st Airborne who were loading up for
ers like them in that era-a one-time event in our history, now
swept away by excessive wealth, greed, waste, softness and self-
their drop, he met a man from Dodge City. "Go get 'em,
pity? Jackson confesses he has no certain answer. But he is wor-
Kansas," he said with a thumbs-up. When the great battles were
ried by what he sees throughout the nation. When he talks about
done and Ike stood in London's Guildhall, talking about the suc-
it, he sounds like Ike might sound were he alive.
cessful struggle for freedom, he was back home again. "The valley
of the Thames draws closer to the farms of Kansas," he declared.
"The farms, the ranches and the small towns were our
"Family values," explains Jackson. The Eisenhowers trea-
sources of decency," says Jackson. "They seeded the cities in
Ike's time. Now they are vanishing. Our cultural seed stock came
sured what they had-one another and a fresh land. "Our plea-
from church, school and the community baseball team. We must
sures were simple-they included survival" is the way Ike put it.
Bible Scripture was read three times a day in the Eisenhower
now confront the Jeffersonian idea about living in harmony with
home. Those lessons were reinforced in the town where Eisen-
the land. Is it mere nostalgia, or is it a practical necessity?"
hower sought and won approval from almost everyone, including
Not long ago, Jackson went to Harvard to lecture, and he
the town toughs whom he fought when necessary. Hemmed in by
asked his audience if the university was educating people "to
family and neighborhood, he had no other choice-or experi-
go home, not necessarily
ence. Happiness was discipline.
where they came from, but
At age 10, when Ike was denied the right to go trick-or-treat-
to some place where they
ing on Halloween with his brothers, his temper overwhelmed
can dig in and support mean-
him. He ran outside and pummeled a tree until his small fists
ingful things, not just up-
were torn and bleeding. He went to bed and sobbed for an hour.
ward mobility." Jackson got
His mother came in, salved and bandaged his hands, then ex-
no firm answer, nor did he
plained the futility of uncontrolled anger: "He that conquereth
expect one. He carries the
his own soul is greater than he who taketh a city." Much later Ike
question with him wherever
claimed that was "one of the most valuable moments of my life."
he travels to make people
Five times in 1954 when he was President, there were emotional
think again about what they
appeals from his advisers to strike militarily at the troublemak-
may have lost and what they
ers in Asia. Each time he went off to think, and each time he
really treasure. He seeks a
heard the echo from that day in Abilene. He kept the peace.
new generation that can find
He had neither the inclination nor the need to worry about his
and grasp the "great and
financial or social status in Abilene. Ike revered an older man,
priceless privilege" that
Bob Davis, who taught him how to play poker and how to net fish
Dwight Eisenhower, per-
on the banks of the Smoky Hill River. Davis was illiterate. Ike's
haps the most beloved and
THE HERO AS A YOUNG
best friend was Everett ("Swede") Hazlett, son of an Abilene phy-
respected American of this
MAN; THE GENERAL'S HAT
century, found in Abilene.
46
TIME. OCTOBER 29, 1990
TV MONITOR
*24 THIS MORNING: All nets led with the memorial service of the
sailors and Marines who died on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima. CBS
interviewed Sen. William Cohen (R-ME), and NBC interviewed Rep.
Les Aspin (D-WI) and Sen. John Warner (R-VA) on the probability
of war with Iraq. NBC interviewed pol. analyst Norm Ornstein.
Ornstein: "Hard-fought, negative and bitter personality contests
-- that's a formula for lower turnout."
LAST NIGHT: All nets led with Bush's statements regarding
Saddam Hussein and the hostage situation in the Persian Gulf.
I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE: All networks carried President
Bush's response to a question on the Americans held in the
Kuwaiti embassy and in Iraq. Bush: "Do you think I'm concerned
about it? You're darn right I am. And what am I going to do
about it? Let's just wait and see, because I've had it with that
kind of treatment of Americans." CNN's Frank Sesno: "The
embassy in Kuwait is a focal point and could be a tripwire
because [Bush] does not want a repeat of the 1979 takeover in
Iran." ABC's Peter Jennings' lead was "the daily exercise of
trying to understand President Bush's intentions in the Persian
Gulf. Jennings: "Is the president trying harder to convince
Saddam Hussein that he should leave Kuwait peacefully, or is he
preparing Americans for violence?" NBC's Tom Brokaw: "Is
President Bush preparing the American people for U.S. military
action or a rescue mission in the Persian Gulf, or is he just
trying to rattle Saddam Hussein with his stepped-up tempo of
tough talk?" CBS' Dan Rather: "After weeks of playing down the
whole issue of Americans trapped in Iraq and Kuwait, President
11/1/90
Bush has now suddenly put it on the front burner, and today he
turned up the heat.' CBS' Wyatt Andrews: "The policy shift is
this: A president who, for three weeks, has asked the American
people to wait out the sanctions, is now arguing that patience
may no longer be a virtue."
GULF POLITICS: NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reported that Bush
responded to "speculation that the White House may be turning up
the heat on Iraq to take the heat off [himself] and his political
problems at home" as "cynical" and "indecent." NBC's John
Chancellor compared quotes from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait last
week ("lots of food
...
mostly tuna") to statements by Bush and
WH CoS Sununu this week that Americans in Kuwait are "starving."
Chancellor: "Has the tuna fish run out?
...
The White House has
toughened its language about American hostages.
...
Until now,
George Bush has been 'Mr. Cool' on that subject.
...
It wouldn't
be the first time we've heard the sound of rattling sabres just
before an election."
CAMPAIGN '90: CNN's Ken Bode predicted that election night
will be "a broadcaster's dream and a pollster's nightmare."
TV SOUNDBITE
"Park Service now required to charge him for pony rides."
-- David Letterman, on the effect of the new budget on Quayle,
NBC, 10/31
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1990
Reagan in Gdansk: 'Making the World Anew'
Excerpts from former President Ronald
controls and most subsidies. You replaced
land by more than 1,600 of Hope's volun-
businesses here in Poland. I understand
Reagan's address Saturday at the Gdansk
the old communist credit system with a
teer health-care specialists. And, for the
that there is quite a lot of what we call
Shipyard in Poland:
monetary system. So far there are a num:
past two years, Project Hope's health
"mattress money" tucked away. If you put
A little over 200 years ago, two Polish
ber of positive results:
economists and policy analysts have
a little credit together with a little mat-
patriots helped us in America make our
You stopped inflation in its tracks
worked closely with your Ministry of
tress money, you could open up a great
world anew. My country had just been
and have rolled it back.
Health in developing plans for reform of
many bakeries, butcher shops, small facto-
born. Its guiding idea was that men and
Your stores are filled with goods
the health-care delivery system.
ries and repair services all over Poland.
women could govern themselves, free of
today and there are no more long lines.
Just as long as help is wanted, Ameri-
The privatization bill recently enacted
foreign domination or influence. A skepti-
The black market is a memory.
cans will be there to provide it. In the
by your government will reduce the num-
cal world said the experiment would fail,
Most important for your future for-
long run, however, it is you, the people of
ber of state monopolies, and that is good,
but that did not deter these two men who
eign trade, you have created the first con-
Poland, who will solve your economic
for they will be replaced by enterprises
had already struggled against foreign dom-
vertible currency in the former Communist
problems through self-help.
that must be competitive. As inefficient
ination here in Poland.
Bloc of countries.
I have had a little experience in the
ones are scaled down or closed, however,
Thus it was that a brilliant engineer,
With the bold economic moves you
matter of economic growth, SO I hope you
the challenge is to find new jobs for
Thaddeus Kosciusko, and a daring cavalry
knew there would be some pain. We have a
won't mind if I share with you some of
workers. laid off
commander, Casimir Pulaski, joined the
saying, "no pain, no gain."
what I've learned.
Your current level of unemployment,
American War of Independence and per-
Still, pain is pain if your buying power
First, there are two schools of thought
5.2%, would not be very worrisome in the
formed heroic deeds. They were among
has declined or you are out of work. In the
about how to achieve lasting economic
West. We have "safety nets," consisting of
those who made it possible for the fragile
unemployment compensation insurance,
flower of democracy to survive and bloom
"The goal of freedom and democracy was only the
retraining programs and employment
in American soil.
placement services for workers who are
Now, thousands of patriots have been
first goal to be achieved-a prelude to something even
laid off. I understand the U.S. Department
making the world anew once again. I am
speaking of all of you here, the men and
greater: the rejuvenation of your country.
of Labor is working with your Ministry of
Labor to create a similar safety net for
women of Solidarity who, in just 10 years
Polish workers.
since the founding of your movement, have
U.S. we believe strongly in people helping
health and growth. One believes you get it
brought about the end of communism's sti-
Employee Ownership
people. This time, it is our turn to help the
only through severe austerity and belt-
fling embrace.
Meanwhile, what about the workers in
new Poland. Here are a few examples:
tightening. The other believes you achieve
Never Lost Hope
those state monopolies that are being put
Since July, 29 containers of medical
it by getting government out of the way SO
up for sale? I am reminded of a technique
You have restored Polish independence
supplies from U.S. Department of Defense
that the people themselves can create and
for employee ownership that has worked
from outside influence. You have success-
stocks in Europe have been delivered to
find opportunities. I confess that I side
well for many U.S. companies. It goes by
fully led the struggle for free, open and
Polish hospitals, orphanages and old peo-
with that second school of thought. the one
various names, but the best known is "Em-
democratic elections. You have paved the
ple's homes. The shipments were organ-
that believes in incentives for growth. We
ployee Stock Ownership Program," or
way for a market economy to replace the
ized by a U.S. citizens' group, the Emer-
used that approach when my administra-
ESOP. With such a program, the em-
failed efforts of centralized planning and
gency Committee for Aid to Poland.
tion took office and it is still working under
ployees create a trust which borrows
control. You have triggered vast changes
Early this year, at the request of
President Bush's leadership.
money from a bank to buy shares of stock
in the political map of Central and Eastern
your Ministry of Labor, the same U.S.
You have done away with price con-
in the company. The loan is paid back over
Europe. One might say this is the shipyard
committee arranged for American corpo-
trols, for they create false shortages and
several years from the employees' share of
that launched a half dozen revolutions!
rations to contribute 50 tons of specialized
inhibit growth. Wage controls thwart
the company's profits.
Today, Solidarity leads the Polish gov-
infant formula.
growth, too. Do away with wage controls
ternment and the people-and it all began
In June, 60 volunteers from the U.S.
How can they be sure the company will
and the more efficient, growth-minded
here 10 years ago. Those 10 years brought
Peace Corps arrived to teach English.
be profitable? The workers, as owners,
businesses will pay more, attract good peo-
hardship and heartache for most of you. To
Soon, mid-level managers of Polish
make sure by insisting that unprofitable or
ple and keep on growing. Inefficient enter
some it brought death. It brought obstacles
business enterprises will be able to learn
obsolete products be replaced by new
prises will either wither and die or find
and reversals. But you never lost hope.
the latest marketing and management
ones; that operating costs be kept down;
ways to become competitive.
You stand as proof of the basic human
practices at a special exchange program
and that new efficiencies of operation are
truth that when men and women thirst for
at New York University, organized by the
Ownership is another great incentive
adopted. When a person owns assets he or
freedom and democracy, their thirst will
Institute for East-West Business Dynam-
for economic growth. If you own your own
she will look after them.
not be quenched until their goal is
ics, a non-profit U.S. group.
business you will work hard to make it do
When people believe in something, they
achieved. You of Solidarity have now
In Cracow, Project Hope, the princi-
well. If your customers are satisfied with
can make it work. Just as a pair of Polish
achieved it:
pal U.S. sponsor of the American Chil-
your goods and services, they will come
patriots helped America make the seeds of
But the goal of freedom and democracy
dren's Hospital there, is nearing comple-
back. Thus, there is the closest of connec-
its democracy flower, SO you of Solidarity
was only the first goal to be achieved-a
tion of a large ambulatory care center.
tions between the effort you put into it
have planted those same seeds in Poland.
prelude to something even greater: the re-
In the course of its 16-year-old program
and the rewards you get out of it.
You have nurtured them and seen them
juvenation of your country. You began that
here in Poland, Project Hope has spon-
Western banks might find it worthwhile
grow. Now, you have it within you to make
process with a bold move on the first of
sored visits by nearly 500 Polish medical
to take a good look at including in their
them blossom far, far into the future and
January this year You eliminated price
professionals to the U.S. and visits to Po-
plans a fund for lending to sm
to renewed vigor
nation
Advice E
TALES FROM TWO CITIES (II)
MOSCOW
by James P. Pinkerton
I
f you can't afford a plane ticket to
All it takes is a vacuum cleaner.
Joseph the Bloody." The best buy,
tary. I'm all for a strong defense-our
Moscow ($1,100 round trip), rent the
If you are subject to motion sickness,
though, is a red-star lapel pin circling
troops should patrol the ramparts of
movie Batman. You'll save about $1,097
don't look down into the toilet of a
a tiny Gerberesque daguerreotype of
freedom, not walk the runways of Sev-
and still see a gray city choking on
Soviet train-the sight of the railroad
Lenin as a baby. For 10 kopecks (about
enth Avenue. But imagine a whole
pollution and corruption, where a few
tracks underneath will undo you.
a penny), it's a guaranteed conversa
country run like the Pentagon: the
heroes fight for truth, justice, and yes,
Flushing such a minimalist device in
tion-starter back home.
spontaneity of Ft. Leavenworth, the
the American Way, Moscow is a time
America violates anti-dumping laws.
The system has also squandered a
gastronomic pleasures of C-rations,
warp to the film-noir forties: before
Plumbing in buildings isn't much bet-
rich human inheritance. On Gogolevsky
and the unleashed creativity of Parris
pollution laws, consumer appliances
ter. Since the pipe infrastructure can't
Boulevard, I made a pilgrimage to the
Island.
and Technicolor. It is a city of broad
handle the volume of waste, Soviet san-
Central Chess Club, which is to chess
The Soviets are only slowly discover-
shoulders-and broad faces, and broad
itary engineers have developed a stand-
what Ebbets Field was to baseball. Like
ing that men can't think both for them-
bottoms. Bruce Springsteen could write
by plan: they put a little can next to the
everything else in Moscow, the building
selves and for women. In the West,
songs about the hard joes in hard jobs,
potty for-ahem-used toilet paper.
had seen better days: ornate high ceil-
female purchasing power sets the tone
old before their time, who go to work
This is gross enough-I won't record
ings rust-colored from water damage,
for everyday life: fashion, household
in a silent rage and come home in a
how I figured this out.
once-thick carpets ground thin by dirt.
goods, interior design, and so on.
drunken stupor to beat their wives. You
Yet the club had the glow of old genius
These "luxuries" are either pitiful or
could call it Gothamgrad. I should
and the spark of young prodigy. Any-
non-existent in the Soviet Union. The
know: I saw the movie and took the
M
y hotel had a full set of comput-
one wondering why Russians still ex-
total absence of convenience and style
trip.
ers at the front desk, but they
cel at chess when Soviet power has so
in the state economy derives from the
I had to fly 10,000 miles to realize
weren't used. Generally, Soviet ergo-
successfully stifled most forms of in-
lack of a market. Going to Moscow
what an international disaster high-rise
nomics recalls the glory days of carbon
tellectual achievement will find the
made me see that much of the bright-
public housing has created. In the
paper, pneumatic tubes, and steno
answer within. Superficially, chess is
ness of Home Sweet Home comes from
twenties, Le Corbusier proposed razing
pools. In this bizarro society the clerks
passive and contemplative, not at all
commercial advertising. Soviet shop-
Paris to build a "radiant city" of
see you coming and walk the other way,
the medium of radicals and daredevils.
keepers, who don't care if they actually
skyscrapers. His millenarian plan to
on the antinomian paradigm that the
Yet, under its nerdy surface, chess is
sell anything, settle for monochrome,
improve people by destroying their
customer is always wrong. A small ex-
dynamic-perpetual perestroika. The
with an occasional dash of sepia. A
neighborhoods was adopted by mod-
ample is the restaurant where we break-
stupid, brutal, literal bureaucrats who
typical storefront at a dairy shows a
ernist bureaucrats on a grand scale in
fasted three mornings in a row. The
repressed writers, poets, and musicians
cow; raincoats are signified by a cloud,
the Soyuz. From the air, the miles and
first morning, the waitress handed us
never recognized the iconoclasm and
televisions by bunny ears, etc. This is
miles of brutalitarian monoliths ar-
a check. The second, we were told
intellectual entrepreneurship of chess.
not a society worried about subliminal
rayed in geometric patterns look pretty,
breakfast was complimentary. The
The psychic sanctuary of the sixty-four
seduction.
like topiary. Up close they are as in-
third, they said we were not on the list
squares sheltered Russian grandmasters,
Meanwhile, Soviet men have created
timidating and demoralizing as they are
to eat there.
enabling them to dominate world chess
a stern environment, with its own sam-
decrepit. I saw enough material for two
However forewarned one is about the
even in the darkest years of Stalinism.
urai intensity. On a visit to the Tomb
hours of "60 Minutes": power outages,
long lines, shopping is a shock and a
Perhaps Gary Kasparov, that media-
of the Unknown Soldier at the Krem-
broken elevators, standing water, piles
nightmare. The luxury goods available
savvy mix of Byron and Einstein, will
lin, I was moved by the words on the
of rubble, crumbling walls.
to ordinary citizens come from
popularize this silent sport and remind
plinth: "Your name is unknown but
In my hotel room I looked around
Bulgaria. The system fails so complete-
the world of the vast potential of a free
your deeds are immortal." A Soviet
and asked myself, "What's wrong with
ly to transport fresh fruit that it's prof-
Rus.
battle standard was draped over one
this picture?" No tub! Not even a
itable for farmers to fly 2,000 miles
edge asymmetrically, as if the soldier
shower curtain or a stall-just a spigot.
from Central Asia with an armload of
had dropped the flag as he fell, and his
Won't everything get wet? Not to worry:
cherries to hawk on a Leningrad street.
E
laine Kamarck, a fully liberated
reverent comrades had bronzed it in
there's a drain in the middle of the
Everyone drinks Pepsi, which is up to
Democratic activist from New
place for eternity. Flowers cascaded
floor. The maids "clean" by squeegee-
Soviet standards-and no higher. The
York who would never be confused
over the memorial, often left by newly-
ing dirt around, like a kid shuffling his
Soviets view carbonation the way
with a Stepford wife, made the pro-
weds sharing their vows with the spirit
food to convince Mom that he's eaten
Birchers view fluoridation: as a
found observation that the USSR
of their heroic forefathers.
his Brussels sprouts. I never did see
dangerous foreign enemy. I saw items
needs a woman's touch. Soviet society
Other shrines extol the dated pro-
a true mop or sponge, and I mistook
for sale that few Americans have seen
clanks along with the grace and sensi-
letarianism at the core of the Soviet
my bathroom towels for dishcloths. A
since the rationing days of the Second
tivity of a T-34 tank, grinding the
ideology. The monument to the Soviet
Russian woman told me she was most
World War-like a gizmo for repairing
feminine aesthetic under its macho
space program is shaped like a ski jump
impressed on her trip to America by
nylons.
tread. Only a minuscule percentage of
pointing into the sun. Friezes show
the cleanness of the carpets. It's easy.
One button I bought pictured Brezh-
the population has any decision-
glorious workers, guided by the ghost
nev, with the caption "King of Stagna-
making power, and they're almost all
of Lenin, assaulting the heavens. I saw
James P. Pinkerton works in Washing-
tion." Another depicted Stalin atop a
men. In fact, the closest analogue to
a couple of women in the scene, but
ton, D.C.
mountain of skulls and read "King
Soviet society in America is the mili-
this commemoration exudes testoster-
28
THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR OCTOBER 1990
one. Men strain as they sweat and
vasion was preferable to what Paster-
persevere, their muscles bulging under
nak/Dudorov called "the inhuman
their overalls. Strange that a monument
reign of the lie."
to advanced scientific undertaking
Alexandra's family of four shares
should have the appearance of a De-
three rooms, a kitchen and a toilet with
pression-era WPA mural dedicated to
a married couple and their infant. No
coal miners. The country abounds with
shower or bath: they use a public facili-
columns, arches, and temples dedicated
ty two blocks away. Alexandra wants
to the pre-Information Age articles of
a new deal for the Russians, starting
Bolshevik faith: Agriculture, Heavy In-
with changing the name of her city
dustry, War, and Revolution.
back to Petrograd, or even St. Peters-
My final observance of the Soviet
burg.
creed took me to Lenin's tomb. The
guards kept the traffic moving, and the
wait was shorter than I had expected-
H
ow do you get the truth in the
about an hour. I walked in, turned left,
Soyuz? You can't just pick up the
down the steps, hung a right, and there
newspaper or turn on CNN. The hot-
he was: Lenin, forever in mortuary am-
test rumor I heard was that Mary Jo
ber. The forms of fidelity were omni-
Kopechne had been found, dry and
present here, but it was hard to find the
alive, in East Germany. I felt the in-
faithful. Glasnost permitted the Rus-
formation deprivation immediately,
sian people to roll away the stone in
but as time passed the sensation ebbed,
front of Lenin's tomb. They discovered
like hunger pangs in the starving. The
that the savior had not risen, that he
Iranian earthquake that killed 50,000
was still there, physically intact but very
barely registered, because I didn't see
much dead.
it on TV.
The crisis of the Soviet spirit is not
that they don't believe in anything; it's
I n 1937, Leonid Chekayev was ar-
that, suddenly inundated by the Infor-
rested by the NKVD for opposing
mation Age, they'll believe everything.
the destruction of a church in his
The twisted result of the 70-year cog-
hometown in the Urals and sent to
nitive blockade is a nation of high IQs
City oblast after the final victory of the
cultivate the press, get on the "right"
Kolyma, an island of slave labor in the
and no judgment. The occult, ESP, and
workers. Or maybe, in the back of their
side of the issues, and distance them-
Gulag Archipelago near the Arctic Cir-
UFOs are as true to them as govern-
minds, they knew their god would fail,
selves from failure. The media become
cle. As a typical zek working 12-hour
ment grain production reports.
and English would help them get jobs
visible hands. Such tactics seem cal-1
shifts in the gold mines, Leonid wore
In Leningrad, amid the heroic
as door-openers for joint-venturing
culated and familiar to Americans, but
rags in the 50-below winters and lived
statuary of the Champs de Mars, a
foreign investors.
Soviet citizens are delighted by them.
on bread. His ration left him short
guide told me that the site was dedi-
The party still controls TV news, but
This is the VOX populi, known today as
thousands of calories a week. Robert
cated to Alexander II, who had de-
that won't do it any good, because
feedback. The new interaction must
Conquest writes: "All in all, these con-
feated Napoleon. Wait a minute
Mike Deaver was right: the images
surely shape the outlook of the leaders
ditions reflected one main truth. In the
Wasn't it Alexander I? I asked meekly.
flooding in from the wider and wider
as well as the led. If you walk the walk
minds of its creators and organizers the
She smiled and said nothing. I turned
world shape opinion much more than
and talk the talk, eventually you'll
conscious purpose of Kolyma, which
to the KGB agents who were accom-
words. I didn't understand a word of
begin to think the think.
had originally been the production of
panying us in the back of the bus: Sure-
the powerful Soviet documentary I
gold, with death as an unplanned by-
ly, if you flip through War and
watched about water pollution, but
product, had become, the production,
Peace.
No answer. And there's a
millions of Russians saw. the same
n my last day, I couldn't look at
with at least equal priority, of gold and
non-Christian faith healer on daytime
spewing pipes and dead birds juxta
another green tomato or brown
death." Nobody knows how much gold
TV. Russians are pathetically ignorant
posed with bureaucratic talking heads.
cold cut. I went to McDonald's. As
was produced at Kolyma, but an esti-
of their Judeo Christian heritage: at
Other media are even freer: Moscow
waited in line amidst happy Soviets,
mated three million people died there.
the Hermitage the guide told us that
News is a lively rag-a cross between
occurred to me that the old Bolshevik
Leonid was one of the lucky five per-
Rembrandt's "Abraham's Sacrifice"
the Village Voice and Human Events
slogan-"Peace, Land, Bread!!-was
cent who came back.
depicts God telling Abraham to kill
-irreverent, and given to ad hominem
finally being realized. And the capital-
Leonid's daughter Alexandra recalls
Isaac to demonstrate his belief in Jesus
attacks and exposés of Stalinist atroc-
ists had even thrown in meat! I saw
her late father saying that World War
Christ. People don't merely refuse to
ities. Its 300,000 circulation could triple
smiles and efficiency behind the coun-
II, with all its carnage, was not nearly
believe what the Soviet establishment
if it could get the newsprint. Moscow
ter-was this the New Soviet Man that
as horrendous for the Soviet people as
tells them, they assume the opposite is
Monthly profiles Gorbachev's advisers,
Lenin dreamed of?
the Stalinist Terror. Although Con-
true: Russian Hell's Angels, sporting
with a picture and bio for each,
As I munched on my Big Mac,
quest, Solzhenitsyn, and many others
The South Will Rise Again belt buck-
Old Soviet leaders are having trouble
thought about Phil Sokolof, the Ne-
have established that the death tolls
les, are absolutely convinced that
with the new tricks. Most still orate.
braska businessman crusading against
were comparable, we cannot judge bar-
America was victorious in Vietnam.
Their long spiels are usually well organ-
fast-food fat. Something, perhaps, for
barism with mere arithmetic. Russian
Their "proof" that we won is that
ized and well argued, but they haven't
overfed Americans to worry about, but
literature provides another gauge. In
Pravda said we lost.
figured out that electronic eloquence
Russians are more afraid of hunger
Pasternak's Dr. Zhivago, Major Du-
If knowledge is power, the Russians
consists of snappy sound bites. They
than cholesterol. An old Soviet joke
dorov, a veteran of the Great Patriotic
are very weak. Locked behind the Iron
have no sense of the camera: how to
held that "Socialism is the road from
War, recalls " attack after attack,
Curtain, they have become book-smart
look, where to look, what to do with
capitalism to communism-but we
mile after mile of electrified barbed
-with what books they could get. But
their hands.
didn't say anything about feeding you
wire, mines, mortars, month after
any culture that writes-and more im-
The smarter Soviet pols play by the
on the way!" A modern variant says
month of artillery barrage. They called
portantly, reads-thousand-page
new rules. They are giving up their
that "Socialism is the tortuous road
our company the death squad
and
novels has a lot of raw intelligence. A
chauffeurs, donating money to buy syr-
from capitalism to capitalism." In
yet
all that utter hell was nothing,
lot of them have learned English. Why?
inges for AIDS-ravaged hospitals, and
Moscow, the last stop on the history-
it was bliss compared to the horrors of
Maybe so they could grow up to be
going on live TV to take phone calls
ending Hegel Express is the McDonald-
the concentration camp." Foreign in-
Gulag administrators for the Kansas
from viewers. Inevitably, apparatchiks
land Station.
THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR OCTOBER 1990
29
To: Everybody
26 THE BOSTON HERALD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1990
(e: Cuuchtime reading
BOSTON HERALD
PATRICK J. PURCELL, Publisher
KENNETHA. CHANDLER, Editor
ALAN S. EISNER,
Managing Editor
RACHELLE COHEN,
Editorial Page Editor
Is the ACLU for real?
The uncanny ability of the
especially young girls
American Civil Liberties
Every police force in town
Union to come down on the
should have his picture post-
wrong side of an Issue - and
ed. Toward that end, En
to traduce its own supposed
field officials notified the po
values - is once again on
lice departments in nearby
God
display.
towns when Riley was re-
The ACLU is accusing
leased a few weeks ago.
Longmeadow's superinten-
When the Longmeadow
dent of schools, Thomas
Police heard that Riley was
McGarry, of having violated
free, they alerted Superin-
the constitutional rights of
tendent McGarry who
one Charles Riley. We'll tell
promptly, and properly, act-
you what it was McGarry did
ed to alert the parents in his
- but first we'd like you to
school district. He mailed
know what Riley did.
letters notifying them that a
In 1977, Riley, of Enfield,
man with a history of sexual-
Conn., was convicted in a
ly menacing young girls was
Connecticut court of third-
in the area, enclosing a pho-
degree sexual assault. In
tograph of Riley.
1979, he was convicted of at
So the ACLU, naturally, is
tempted first-degree sexual
blasting McGarry for violat
assault. Though he was sen-
ing Riley's rights. According
tenced to serve 4-8 years, he
to its addled reading of the
was out on parole in six
Constitution, school officials
months. (Et tu, Connecti-
are required to keep mum
cut?) Then back in prison in
when child molesters are In
1982. Arrested in 1984 for at-
the neighborhood.
tempted sexual assault and
The ACLU has become
kidnapping of a 12-year old
such a parody of itself that it
girl. Arrested again in 1989
seems almost a waste of
and convicted of attempted
time to describe its increas
sexual assault of young
ingly bizarre antics. A re
girls.
sponsible, thoughtful civil li
The Enfield, Conn., prose-
bertles union would be a
cutor says of Riley: "I con
welcome participant in the
sider him to be very danger-
public discourse. It's a pity
ous and a threat to society mind
TSO
the ACL doesn' 19000 fit that bill
sitt
Memorandum
RUSH!
The
Heritage Foundation
214 Massachusetts Avenue N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202)546-4400
8/23/90
279
Number
HOW TO DEFEAT IRAQ
America may be getting ready to go to war in the Middle East. In the fastest military buildup in history,
the United States is moving into position near Iraq: an entire Marine Expeditionary Force of 50,000; parts
of at least two tank-laden Army mechanized divisions; four aircraft carriers; and Air Force fighters, bom-
bers, and ground-attack aircraft from the venerable B-52 bomber to the ultra modern radar-evading
F-117A stealth fighter.
This military buildup should bring to mind the lessons of history. The Vietnam War taught the U.S. that
slow-motion military escalation does not impress a determined opponent, and that putting unnecessary
political constraints on the military will lead to defeat. Vietnam also taught that using military force for
murky political objectives and without any clearcut idea of victory undermines public support and saps the
morale of U.S. fighting forces. Unlike Vietnam, military force was used swiftly and decisively in Grenada,
Libya, and Panama and was successful each time. Iraq is a tougher foe, but the principle still stands.
George Bush and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell appear to have learned well the lessons of
recent history, particularly the Vietnam War.
If there is to be war with Iraq, America's rapid military buildup provides the force to strike fast, fight
hard, and win. Bush said plainly on August 8 that U.S. objectives are to protect Saudi Arabia and to force
the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. If it comes to war, two other objectives should be added: Iraqi
dictator Saddam Hussein's fall and replacement with a more moderate leadership, and the destruction of
Iraq's ability to wage modern warfare. These objectives are necessary not only to protect American
security interests, but to fulfill the United Nations mandate " to bring the invasion and occupation of
Kuwait to an end and to restore sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity to Kuwait." If war
comes, Kuwait will never be safe unless the rule and power of Saddam Hussein is destroyed. Anything
short of this could lead to a protracted struggle with unclear objectives and uncertain public and
congressional support.
Issuing An Ultimatum. Several events could require a U.S. military response: if American hostages are
harmed; if Iraq attempts to undermine or invade Saudi Arabia or Jordan; or if Iraq fires on any U.S. for-
ces. But Saddam is calculating. He may not provide the U.S. with a clearcut reason for military action. He
may prefer instead to play the waiting game in hopes that he will be able to rally Arab support, particular-
ly among the Palestinian Arabs in Jordan, and break the solid front of international support for sanctions
against him. If Bush sees that the blockade is not working and Saddam is succeeding, and that time is start-
ing to work against the U.S., he would be justified in issuing an ultimatum to Saddam to release American
hostages and withdraw from Kuwait, or face war.
Under any of these circumstances, Bush's military action should be decisive. He should ask Congress
for a declaration of war against Iraq. This will galvanize public opinion and free Bush's hand to fight on
whatever terms he sees fit. He should use as much force as necessary to bring the crisis to a quick and suc-
cessful conclusion with minimal loss of American lives. And he should let the Iraqi government know that
any official or military officer who is involved in harming hostages or ordering the use of chemical
weapons will be brought before a war crimes tribunal as Nazi offenders were at Nuremberg after World
Note: Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of The Heritage Foundation or as an
attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before Congress.
War II. The U.S. cannot afford militarily or politically to become bogged down in a protracted land war
on the Arabian peninsula.
Fighting to win. America's major advantages in a war against Iraq are its air power and ability to strike
deep inside Iraqi territory, including Baghdad. American, Israeli, and other intelligence sources have iden-
tified most of these. If given the leeway, U.S. military commanders are likely to use air power based on
aircraft carriers and on the ground in Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries to achieve the following:
Objective #1: Destroy the Iraqi Air Force on the ground and in the air. Also targeted for destruction
should be Iraqi short-range ballistic Scud B missiles, which may be armed with chemical warheads,
ground-based anti-ship Silkworm missiles, and the tiny Iraqi navy; these strikes would give the U.S. con-
trol of the air and the sea.
Objective #2: Annihilate key strategic targets in Iraq including chemical weapon production plants,
nuclear research facilities, and ballistic missile research facilities; this would destroy Iraq's capability to
threaten its neighbors - and eventually the U.S. - with weapons of mass destruction.
Objective #3: Target the Iraqi civilian and military leadership, including Saddam himself, until a leader
comes to the fore who is willing to negotiate peace on U.S. terms.
Objective #4: Strike key psychological targets, such as electrical generation plants serving Baghdad, to
bring home to the Iraqi people the futility of Saddam's policies; avoid strikes against civilian targets, to
press home that America's quarrel is with Saddam and the Iraqi government, not the Iraqi people. The air
campaign against Iraq should not subside until Iraq has given in to U.S. demands.
This may be enough to bring the Iraqi government to its knees, but if not, the U.S. then can focus the of-
fensive on the Iraqi army. With Iraqi planes grounded, the Iraqi army is open to air attack by U.S. A-10
Thunderbolt ground-attack and other jets. Round-the-clock air attacks can cut off most fuel, food, and
water to the Iraqi army in Kuwait, immobilizing Iraqi forces. If the Iraqis go on the offensive into Saudi
Arabia, they will become even more vulnerable to air strikes as they leave defensive positions and spread
out across the open desert. Counter-attacks by highly mobile Marine and Army forces at the flanks and
rear of the Iraqi army in Kuwait, combined with actions to slow any Iraqi advances into Saudi Arabia,
should halt offensive Iraqi operations, and send the Iraqi army retreating to within its own borders.
Stopping A Menace. America inevitably will pay a heavy price for war against Iraq. Even if the Pentagon
is given free reign to fight as it sees fit, hundreds or even more than one thousand GIs still may lose their
lives. As tragic, so will a number of U.S. hostages held by Iraq. Some countries may turn against the U.S.
But these costs must be measured against the price of appeasement. Saddam is a menace. If he succeeds
in his aggression, he will have demonstrated that America cannot protect its own interests and those of the
West in the Middle East. He will emerge encouraged in his aggressive course, and stronger politically and
militarily. He will continue his programs to develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and the
next time he strikes he could have missiles capable of attacking American cities with these weapons. He
will continue his expansionist ways, controlling Kuwait, probably someday Jordan as well, and he would
exercise tremendous influence over Saudi Arabia. He will control much of the world's oil. And he surely
will have split the Arab alliance against him, creating greater hostility in the Middle East against the U.S.
and Israel, and making an Arab-Israeli War more likely. If he is not stopped, the price to America and its
friends and allies will be tremendously greater than the cost of war against Iraq today.
So far, Bush has handled the crisis flawlessly. His decisive action has given him widespread public sup-
port. If he proves as decisive in war, America can win quickly and bring its troops home in victory.
Kim R. Holmes
Director of Foreign Policy and Defense Studies
Jay P. Kosminsky
Deputy Director of Defense Policy Studies
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
Policy/Strategy
WASHINGTONIAN
AUGUST 1990
Pg.
78
WHY TRUMAN DROPPED THE BOMB
Single Atomic Bomb Shakes Japan
leaders were unfazed by massive raids on To-
With Force Mightier Than 20,000 Tons
kyo. They seemed bent on national suicide,
of TNT to Launch New Era of Power
regardless of the cost of human life.'
-banner headline, Washington Post,
Most Americans, both in and outside the
August 7, 1945
armed services, shared Bush's view of the brutal
fighting that lay ahead. The Japanese had put up
It Was the
n the day Special Bombing Mission
a suicidal, no-surrender defense of Iwo Jima and
Number 13 took off from Tinian
Okinawa. Would they do anything less in de-
O
Island, headed for the Japanese
fending their home islands?
Most Terrible
city of Hiroshima, the weather
forecast in Washington, DC,
The bomb you are going to drop is something
called for hot and humid, tempera-
new in the history of warfare. It is the most
tures in the mid-80s.
Weapon Ever
destructive weapon ever produced. We think it
It was a typical August day in the
will knock out almost everything within a three-
nation's capital. The movie houses
mile radius.
were filled from noon to midnight with Wash-
-Captain William (Deke) Parsons, Manhattan
Devised,
ingtonians trying to beat the heat in what was
Project weapons expert, briefing the members
advertised as "air-cooled comfort.' At the
of Special Bombing Mission Number 13,
Metropolitan theater, on F Street near 10th,
August 4, 1945
and No One
Bette Davis in The Corn Is Green was going into
board the USS Augusta in the At-
its second week. For those looking for mental as
lantic, President Harry S Truman
well as physical escape, the Capitol theater at F
was eating lunch in the enlisted
Knew What
and 14th had Clark Gable and Loretta Young in
men's mess when news came that
Jack London's Alaskan melodrama Call of the
Special Bombing Mission Num-
Wild. Onstage at the Capitol was John Calvert,
ber 13 had delivered its cargo.
Its Effects
billed as "the Famous Magician," who would
The message, from Secretary of
be followed later in the week by another live act,
War Stimson in Washington, read
the less-famous young comic, Jackie Gleason.
in part:
Everybody who was anybody-with the ex-
BIG BOMB DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA
FIRST
Would Be.
ception of Secretary of War Henry Stimson,
REPORTS INDICATE COMPLETE SUCCESS.
Army Chief of Staff George Marshall, and Ma-
Truman, only four months on the job as presi-
jor General Leslie Groves, director of the top-
dent, pushed his plate aside and turned to the
But the New
secret Manhattan Project-was out of town. The
officer who handed him the message. "This," he
president and secretary of state were somewhere
said, "is the greatest thing in history." Baffled,
in the Atlantic, returning from their meeting
President
with British and Soviet leaders in Potsdam, Ger-
the sailors around the table glanced at one another.
many. The wartime Washington Senators, half a
Moments later a second message arrived:
game behind the Detroit Tigers in the Ameri-
HIROSHIMA BOMBED VISUALLY
NO FIGHTER
OPPOSITION AND NO FLAK. PARSONS REPORTS 15
Didn't
can League pennant race, were on a train headed
MINUTES AFTER DROP AS FOLLOWS: "RESULTS
for Chicago, first stop on a western road trip.
CLEAR-CUT SUCCESSFUL IN ALL RESPECTS. VISIBLE
With the 79th Congress in summer recess, Capi-
EFFECTS GREATER THAN IN ANY TEST
Hesitate.
tol Hill staffers and lobbyists had headed for
The president read the message, then got up
seaside resorts like Virginia Beach, close by the
and walked across the mess to the table where
naval air station where VT-153, a Navy torpedo
Secretary of State James Byrnes was sitting. He
bomber group that included Lieutenant j.g.
showed it to Byrnes, then picked up a fork and
By Victor Gold
George Bush, was gearing up for operations
rapped it against a glass. As the room fell silent,
Olympic and Coronet, the two-stage invasion of
he held up the message for everyone to see.
Japan expected to begin in the fall.
"I've just received confirmation from Washing-
"Everything I'd experienced in my year and a
ton," said the president, "that we've completed
half of combat in the Pacific told me it was going
a successful bombing mission at Hiroshima, an
to be the bloodiest, most prolonged battie of the
important Jap army base. One bomb was
war," Bush would later write. "Japan's war
dropped, an atomic bomb, with more power
Although dialogue has in some places been reconstructed for
dramatic purpose, this historical narrative is based on actual
events. Mary M. Hegarty contributed editorial and research
assistance.
B
24
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
WAR
CONTINUED
cetera. Like the myth of the "enterprise family," the wartime slogan
"one-hundred-million hearts beating as one" was an illusive goal
rather than a description of reality, and this internal tension and
competitiveness is as important as any other legacy to the postwar
years. It helps explain both high levels of achievement and what often
appears to be indecisive and even two-faced behavior, especially in
the international arena in recent years. The curious image that Japan
has acquired in the 1980s of being a powerful but seemingly
decapitated state, especially when it comes to assuming the respon-
sibilities that should accompany economic eminence, can be partly
explained by this internal conflict.
Many observers would agree that nationalism and a paternalistic
elitism have held this brokered capitalism together ideologically since
the war. If this is so, then what can we say about postwar Japanese
democracy? We can say that this too has been brokered, in ways that
respect the form but frequently kill the spirit of democracy. The
intellectual and ideological legacy of the war is blatantly contradic-
tory in Japan. Without question, there is a radical legacy in the form.
of antimilitarist sentiments and cynicism toward authority at the
popular level. That much of the "democratization" agenda of the
early postsurrender years has survived to the present day, as exem-
plified in the liberal "peace constitution," is testimony to popular
support for democratic ideals. Had the conservative elites had their
way, the early postwar reforms would have been jettisoned more
extensively. Yet, at the same time, regimentation and susceptibility to
rather crass indoctrination are also conspicuous legacies of the war.
"Loyalty" to the firm and "sacrifice" for the country remain effective
appeals. In some instances, acquiescence to these ideals may reflect a
real sense of reciprocal obligation; in many instances, it reflects plain
weariness and existential resignation on the part of the average
citizen. Whatever the case, the ethic of self-denial has depended on
the maintenance-even the reinvention-of immense pressures rang-
ing from carefully nurtured social taboos to overtly paramilitary
rituals such as company drills and "boot-camp training." As inter-
national tensions arise in response to Japan's new economic eminence
and economic nationalism, moreover, more strident ideological leg-
acies of the war years have emerged in the form of disturbing
neonationalist appeals to the homogeneity and superiority of the
"Yamato race."
The nature of Japan's brokered postwar democracy is a subject
that still awaits its historian. In suggestive ways, however, it returns
us to an observation made at the outset of this essay, namely, the
resonance between Japan's mid-nineteenth-century transition from
feudalism to industrialization and "Westernization," and its mid-
twentieth-century transition from war to peace. In both cases,
far-reaching and even revolutionary transformations took place. And
in both cases, these were revolutions "from above." Where demo-
cratic ideals are not defined by and won by the general populace, they
are relatively weak. From the perspective of Japan's civil elites, this
too was a useful legacy of the war.
B
23
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
TRUMAN
CONTINUED
Roosevelt White House. As vice presi-
man with an unbending honor code, one
dent, he was considered a creature of
Truman knew he could trust.
Capitol Hill whose job was merely to
"Mr. President," Stimson was say-
preside over the Senate. He visited 1600
ing, "if you'll recall, about a year ago,
Pennsylvania Avenue infrequently. But
when your Senate committee was about
now, for better or worse, Harry Truman
to investigate certain military expendi-
was The Chief.
tures at Oak Ridge, Tennessee-"
When the brief meeting ended, the
"You asked me to call off my investi-
Cabinet members filed out, except for
"Little Boy," the
gator because it was a top-secret pro-
Secretary of War Stimson, who had
atomic bomb used to
gram," said Truman. "Yes, I remem-
something on his mind.
destroy Hiroshima, was
ber. And I called off the investigation,
"Mr. President," said Stimson. Tru-
ten feet long, weighed
didn't
man, startled by the title, swung around,
9,000 pounds, and had
Stimson nodded. "The program is
half expecting to find that FDR had en-
the explosive power of
coded S-1," said the war secretary,
tered the room. "I'd like a few minutes of
20,000 tons of TNT.
"otherwise known as the Manhattan
your time, Mr. President, to discuss-"
Dropped by the B-29
Project."
Stimson paused, rubbing his trim mus-
bomber Enola Gay from
"Manhattan Project?"
tache, searching for words.
an altitude of 32,000
"It's a scientific-military project,"
"Yes?" said Truman, knowing that if
feet, the device explod-
said Stimson. "Very few people know
Henry Stimson had something he wanted.
ed 660 yards above the
about it, even in the military.'
to say privately, it must be important. A
ground, leveling four
"I see," said the president, rubbing
public servant of the old school, the war
square miles of the
his thick-lensed glasses with his hand-
secretary wasn't one to waste time. He
city.
kerchief. "And what exactly is there to
had served as secretary of state in Her-
know? Is it one of those rockets like the
bert Hoover's Cabinet and was called
Germans are using on London?"
back to duty by FDR to muffle his Re-
"It's a new kind of bomb," replied
publican foreign-policy critics. A
Stimson, "with unimaginable explosive
starch-collared Tory, Stimson wasn't
power."
the sort Harry Truman would invite to a
"Well, Mr. Secretary," said the pres-
bourbon-and-poker session, but he was a
Star Tribune
JULY 16, 1990
Pg. 12A
MINNEAPOLIS
Lies and radioactivity from government
Residents of Washington and Oregon who live
thyroid glands. especially in young children, the
downwind of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation
officials running Hanford were proclaiming that
have reason to be more than angry with the federal
their operations were environmentally clean and
government: they have reason to be outraged to
safe. The officials knew differently. They lied.
the depth of their beings.
Researchers now estimate that between 1944 and
Energy Secretary James Watkins publicly ac-
1947. radiation absorbed by 13,700 people living
knowledged last week that during the 1940s and
in the Hanford vicinity exceeds by 1,200 times the
1950s government officials and contractors build-
amount now considered safe for civilians living
ing nuclear weapons at Hanford put at risk the
near nuclear facilities. Worse, an undetermined
health of thousands of nearby civilians, the
number of children absorbed 120,000 times the
"downwinders." The largest risk was to babies and
level of radiation currently judged safe.
young children of downwinder families.
Establishing links between that long-ago radiation
The risk was not accidental; nor was it the result of
and illnesses suffered by specific individuals
ignorance. In refining plutonium for nuclear weap-
would be difficult. It shouldn't be necessary. Hav-
ons. the Hanford facilities deliberately released
ing grossly victimized the downwinders once, the
large amounts of radioactive iodine into the air.
federal government should now move to compen-
Between 1944 and 1955, the release totaled more
sate those who may have been harmed - begin-
than 500,000 curies. Millions more curies were
ning with anyone from the area who has suffered
flushed into the waters of the Columbia River. By
thyroid disorders. The government should assume
comparison. the nuclear accident at Three Mile
responsibility. not require that it be proved.
Island released 14 curies. In their water, food and
air. residents of the Hanford area absorbed more
Energy Secretary Watkins is a straight shooter. He
radiation over a longer period than any known
didn't cause this mess, but is responsible for
group of people in the world, according to one
cleaning it up. He can start by advocating compen-
radiation specialist.
sation for its victims - the Hanford downwinders
- and by giving them something omitted from
And while the radioactive iodine was going from
last week's statement: an apology.
air to grass. then milk and finally to human
B
26
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
TRUMAN
CONTINUED
in 20,000 tons of TNT."
casualties."
Truman paused to let his words sink in. "What
Groves, his face flushed, rose from his chair
this means," he said, a broad smile on his face as
and ground out his cigar. "I'll tell you straight,
he looked around the room, "is that the war's
General," he said. "When I drafted that state-
going to be over a lot sooner than we expected."
ment I wasn't thinking about Jap casualties. I
Now the crew members of the Augusta were on
was thinking about the poor bastards who died
their feet, cheering. Clutching the message in one
on the Bataan death march."
hand and his secretary of state's elbow in the other,
the man who had made the final decision to drop
tell you
n May 1942, some 10,000 American and
the bomb hustled out of the mess, headed for the
Philippine prisoners of war had died from
officers' wardroom to repeat his announcement.
starvation, disease, clubbings, and bayonet
"We've been traveling long enough, Jimmy,"
straight,
executions in what came to be known as the
he said. "It's time we got on home."
Bataan death march. This occurred at the
same time that civilians in Manila were
At the Pentagon, Major General Leslie Groves
General,"
being brutalized-men beheaded, women
was working.on the stub of a cigar, regaling his
raped-by members of the Imperial Japa-
subordinates with stories about the trials and
nese Army and Navy. The official Japa-
tribulations of dealing with "scientific double-
Groves said.
nese view was that their country's war against the
domes," when an unexpected visitor walked in.
Americans and British was a racial conflict; Filipi-
nos who allied themselves with the "white intrud-
"General Marshall," said Groves, getting to
his feet and dismissing his aides. "Great news,
eh? I understand from Stimson that the presi-
"When I
ers" were traitors to their Asian heritage.
Three months earlier the Japanese military had
pursued the same ruthless pattern in conquering
dent's doing somersaults."
George Marshall, the Army chief of staff,
Malaya. After his troops had pillaged the city,
held out his hand. A man of daunting reserve, he
drafted that
General Tomoyuki Yamashita boasted, "In Singa-
was a military adviser considered indispensible
pore, when asked the terms of surrender by the
ny commander, I simply pointed to the docu-
by two presidents, Franklin Roosevelt and now
statement
ment and said, 'Sign here.' I intend to give the
Harry Truman. "Congratulations," said Mar-
same order tosthe President of the United States at
shall as the ebullient Groves pumped his arm
the White House in Washington."
vigorously. "You've done a magnificent job.'
wasn't
Bataan
Manila
The chief of staff took a seat and began pick-
Singapore
Pearl
Harbor. But even before the surprise attack on
ing at a thread on his trouser leg. Groves, famil-
iar with Marshall's style, sat down and waited.
Hawaii, American attitudes toward their enemy
**I saw the first draft of your proposed state-
ment for the president," said Marshall.
thinking about
in the Far East were being shaped by stories and
film of Japanese atrocities in China. There had
been the "rape of Nanking" by Japanese troops,
"And?"
with more than 200,000 Chinese civilians
Do we have any estimates from Tinian,"
Jap casualties.
slaughtered in 1937; Japan's indiscriminate
Marshall asked, "on the extent of Japanese
bombing and strafing of "open cities" in China:
casualties?"
the disregard for human life-not only the lives
Groves had begun his day on top of the world,
but now he was irritated. Crusty, headstrong,
I was thinking
of others but their own as well-shown by Japa-
nese troops and officers under the semi-reli-
given to biting sarcasm, the director of the Man-
gious "samurai" code. The "Japs" were a dif-
hattan Project studied his cigar stub and consid-
about the poor
ferent kind of enemy from any the American
ered his reply. "No estimates,' he finally said.
people had ever come up against.
"We didn't get any, and, the last I heard, the
These were the attitudes and images that Har-
Japs hadn't given us any.
ry Truman, the consummate Middle American,
Marshall, having dealt with Groves since the
bastards who
brought with him when he became president on
Manhattan Project got under way in 1942, ig-
April 12, 1945. Within moments of being sworn
nored the insubordination. He considered
in by Chief Justice Harlan Stone, Truman called
Groves, like George Patton, an eccentric whose
died on the
his first Cabinet meeting.
quirks were tolerable as long as the man
produced results and didn't get too far out of
"I need every one of you," the new president
line.
Bataan death
said, scanning the stunned, sorrowful faces of
"I think we have to be careful," replied Mar-
Franklin Roosevelt's Cabinet. For twelve years
shall evenly, "not to make the president sound
they had known only one president. It would
too gratified, as if he's crowing, when Japanese
casualties are in the tens, possibly the hundreds
march."
take time to get used to the idea that "The
Chief" was gone and someone else was sitting
of thousands."
in his place. "My aim, and I know it's yours,
"Jap casualties?" said Groves, his voice ris-
ing. He was more than irritated now; he was
he continued, "is to see that President
angry. "Hiroshima is a military target, General,
Roosevelt's policies are carried out ex-
headquarters for the enemy's southern army
actly as he planned."
command."
The sentiment was fine, but as every-
"I understand that," said Marshall, standing
one in the room understood, Truman
to leave. "But we know there'll also be civilian
knew little about the operation of the
B
25
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
TRUMAN
CONTINUED
ident, slipping his glasses back on. **I
mously recommended that if the A-
defenders, we lost 41,000 men-about
have a lot to learn and I'd say knowing
bomb test scheduled near Alamogordo,
35 percent of our attacking force."
more about this new bomb is lesson
New Mexico, in mid-July proved success-
"I'm familiar with those figures, Gen-
number one."
ful, the bomb should be used on a military
eral," said Truman, "but you still
target in Japan. There was no consensus
haven't answered my question."
With Nazi resistance collapsing, Tru-
on whether the Japanese should be warned
"On land and sea," said Marshall.
man's attention the first days of his pres-
ahead of time or the bomb should just be
"based on our Okinawa experience"-
idency turned to the shaping of postwar
dropped and a demand made afterward for
he paused, looked down the conference
Europe. Trouble was brewing with Rus-
unconditional surrender.
table, then at his commander-in-chief-
sia over Stalin's refusal to permit free
"we'll lose, at a minimum, half-a-mil-
elections in Poland. And plans for the
lion men."
United Nations-the international or-
Admiral Leahy didn't
Even the scientific community that de-
ganization Roosevelt saw as the key to
world peace-were being worked out at
believe in an A-bomb option.
veloped the bomb was sending mixed
a conference in San Francisco. Nearly
signals to Truman. The three physicists
"The damn fool thing isn't
two weeks went by before Stimson,
who were members of the Interim Com-
along with General Groves, met with the
going to work," he snapped.
mittee-Vannevar Bush, James Conant,
president to go into detail about the
and Karl Compton-favored dropping
the bomb on Japan if necessary to win
"new bomb.'
The meeting took place in the Oval
the war. But other prominent scientists,
Office at noon, April 25. Stimson
There was also a high-level dispute as
including Leo Szilard, opposed direct
opened by reading a memorandum
to whether the United States should use
military use, arguing in favor of a "dem-
aimed at getting Truman's attention.
the term "unconditional surrender" in
onstration" of the bomb's power on an
"Within four months," it began, "we
dealing with the Japanese government.
uninhabited island.
shall in all probability have completed
Some of Truman's advisers thought the
Szilard, a key figure on the Manhattan
the most terrible weapon ever known in
US ought to give the Japanese some
Project, had joined Albert Einstein in
human history, one bomb of which could
face-saving way to claim "peace with
bringing the potential of atomic energy
honor." But when Winston Churchill
to President Roosevelt's attention in Oc-
destroy a whole city.' The bomb's pow-
er, Stimson continued, came from
used that phrase, Truman snapped,
tober 1939. Now, six years later, he was
"splitting the atom." Scientists in other
"The Japs lost any honor they had at
convinced that using the bomb on a Japa-
countries knew the theory of atomic en-
Pearl Harbor."
nese target would be morally wrong.
ergy, but only the US had the resources
A few presidential advisers insisted
to build the bomb.
that it wasn't necessary to use the A-
"Would it be more moral to end up with
When Stimson finished, he and
bomb. The enemy could be blockaded
half-a-million American casualties and
Groves handed Truman a report cover-
and brought to its knees through conven-
millions of Japanese dead from conven-
ing the history of the Manhattan Project
tional bombing. Still others, including
tional bombing?" the president asked.
and the basic principles of nuclear ener-
Admiral William Leahy, didn't really
Harry Truman had had it "up to here,"
gy. Truman glanced at the cover of the
believe Truman had an A-bomb option.
as he told Secretary of State James Byrnes,
report and said he'd read it later.
"The damn fool thing isn't going to
with "moralists sitting in the grand-
"With due respect, Mr. President,"
work," snapped Leahy. "I say this as a
stands." Byrnes was briefing Truman on
said Groves, "you ought to read it now.
lifetime expert on explosives."
Szilard's views while the president was
Stimson nodded in agreement. The
Truman listened to all these argu-
taking his morning constitutional on the
most important issue facing America,
ments. then turned to George Marshall.
deck of the USS Augusta, en route to
said the war secretary, was whether and
"What do you think, General?" he
meeting Churchill and Stalin at Potsdam.
how it used its monopoly on atomic pow-
asked. "Can we finish them off with a
"Someone even suggested that I warn
er. Truman, his mind on a heated ex-
blockade and conventional bombing?"
the Japs ahead of time exactly where and
change he'd just had with Stalin's for-
"It didn't work in Germany," replied
when we intended to drop the bomb,"
eign minister, was in no mood to plow
Marshall. "We leveled their cities, cut
Truman continued. "I said, 'Fine, but
through a 24-page scientific document.
off their supplies, and it still took ground
what about the pilot who flies the plane?
But he respected Stimson's judgment, so
forces to finish the job.
Who'll explain to his family that he was
he began plowing.
"What do you estimate it'll take?"
shot down because his damn fool presi-
Truman asked.
dent told the enemy he was coming?'
The atomic bomb is shit.
It will make a
The initial assault on Kyushu Island,
Truman was striding across the ship's
big bang-a very big bang-but it is not a
said Marshall, quoting a study by the
deck at the same brisk pace he main-
weapon which is useful in war.
Joint Chiefs of Staff, would require over
tained when taking his morning walk
-J. Robert Oppenheimer, Manhattan
three-quarters of a million men. A later
down Pennsylvania Avenue. Byrnes was
Project director of operations, quoted by
assault on Honshu Island would take at
struggling to keep up.
Peter Wyden in Day One
least another quarter-million.
"Well," said the breathless secretary
Truman nodded, then cleared his
of state, "there's really no decision to
Germany surrendered on May 8, but the
throat. "Any estimates," he said, "on
make until we find out if we've even got
celebration around the Truman White
casualties?"
a bomb. If the test at Alamogordo
House was brief. Advice was coming in
"We estimate there are 2 million Japa-
doesn't go right-"
to the new president from all parts of the
nese troops on the home islands," Mar-
"If it doesn't, the next two weeks are
foreign-policy establishment on how to
shall replied. "Seventeen divisions on
going to be the most miserable I've ever
deal with the Russians and the quickest
Kyushu alone. About 5,000 planes on
spent," said Truman.
way to end the war in the Pacific.
stand-by for kamikaze attacks on our
On June 1 the Interim Committee, a
ships.' Marshall turned a page in the
The president stopped walking and
select group named by the president to
Joint Chiefs' report. "On Okinawa," he
turned to face Byrnes. "Jimmy," he
counsel him on atomic matters, unani-
said, "going up against 170,000 enemy
said, "I hate making this damn trip. I'm
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27
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, August 7, 1990
TRUMAN
CONTINUED
not one to whine, but I'd be better pre-
The only question left after Alamogordo
No one spoke up. Then, after another
pared to handle Stalin if the people
was where and when to use the bomb.
request for opinions, three military men
around Roosevelt had let me know what
Hiroshima, as the key port and nerve
in the cabinet objected to any talk of
was going on."
center of Japanese military operations in
surrender. When a junior officer entered
Byrnes's face reddened. He, after all,
southern Japan, was the obvious first
the cabinet room a few minutes later and
had been in on every White House for-
target. But Truman delayed a final deci-
reported that a second A-bomb had been
eign-policy decision since 1940.
sion until Tokyo had a chance to respond
dropped on the city of Nagasaki, For-
"That's why I made you secretary of
to the Potsdam Proclamation warning of
eign Minister Shigenori Togo again
state, Jimmy," Truman quickly added,
the "utter destruction of the Japanese
asked for consideration of the Potsdam
realizing he'd embarrassed his old Senate
offer. Instead, War Minister General
colleague. "You've got the foreign-policy
Korechika Anami called for total mobili-
experience we need at Potsdam. You were
zation of both military and civilian
with Roosevelt at Yalta. You know the
"Tell me, Jimmy,' Truman
forces to fight one last battle on the
tricks these birds have up their sleeves."
broke in, "why did the old
Tokyo plains.
The president looked out at the blue-
"We will inflict severe losses on the
man make a secret deal with
green waters of the Atlantic. Byrnes,
enemy when he invades Japan," said
sensing his mood, said, "Don't worry,
the bastard at Yalta?"
Anami. He paused to let his final words
Harry, you'll do fine. You Missouri
register with Suzuki and others in the
country boys-"
room who favored surrender. "In any
"Tell me, Jimmy," Truman broke in,
case," said the war minister, "our men
"why did the old man make a secret deal
homeland" unless the enemy surren-
will simply refuse to lay down their
with the bastard at Yalta?"
dered unconditionally.
arms. They know they are forbidden to
"Secret deal?"
surrender. There is really no alternative
"The Kurile Islands," said Truman. "I
Japan Officially Turns Down Allied Sur-
for us but to continue the war."
just found out about it two days ago. Stalin
render Ultimatum
Even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
gets the Kuriles as a down payment for
-New York Times headline,
the Japanese cabinet was deadlocked.
entering the war against Japan. Why?"
July 30, 1945
Only the emperor could make the final
"You've heard Marshall casualty
decision.
estimates," replied Byrnes. "If we have
On the last day of the Potsdam confer-
to invade, we'll need all the help we-can
ence, Truman took Stalin aside. The So-
I cannot bear to see my innocent people
get. Stalin can pin down a million enemy
viet leader, as he later told his foreign
suffer any longer. Ending the war is the
troops in Manchuria, then send in a mil-
minister, V.M. Molotov, expected the
only way to restore world peace and to
lion of his own to help us take Japan."
American to try to pin him down on the
relieve the nation from the terrible dis-
"And stay there permanently as an
date Russia would enter the war against
tress with which it is burdened.
occupying force," said Truman. "You
Japan. Instead, Truman informed Stalin
-Hirohito to the Japanese Supreme
know the problem we face in Europe,
that America had "a new weapon of
Council, August 9, 1945
Jimmy. The takeover in Poland and east-
unusual destructive force." Stalin mere-
ern Europe, the broken promises. If we
ly nodded and said, "Fine. I hope you
The emperor had decided, but the argu-
end up with a divided Japan-"
use it against the Japanese."
ment still wasn't over. Key leaders in the
"When we made the deal at Yalta,"
Japanese military hoped to continue the
said Byrnes, "we were thinking about
On the morning of August 4, 1945,
war. On the night of August 14, junior
American lives. We didn't know how far
American planes dropped nearly three-
officers of the Konoye Division attempt-
along Groves had come on the A-bomb.
quarters of a million leaflets on Hiroshi-
ed to kidnap the emperor in preparation
As a matter of fact-"
ma, warning residents that their city
for a suicide defense of the homeland.
"You don't have to say it," said Tru-
faced destruction unless their govern-
The coup narrowly failed.
man, holding up his hand. "We still
ment surrendered at once. A million
don't know. If the test at Alamogordo is
leaflets carrying a similar message were
On August 9, the Soviet Union, realiz-
a dud, there's no alternative. We'll need
dropped on Tokyo. The warning was
ing that the war was coming to an end.
the Russians to cut our own casualties,
ignored. At 8:15 AM, August 6, the B-29
invaded Manchuria. Under the terms
and whatever it takes, I've got to get
bomber Enola Gay, piloted by Colonel
of the secret Roosevelt-Stalin protocol.
them into the war in the Pacific."
Paul Tibbets Jr., dropped the world's
of Yalta, this guaranteed the cession of
"Exactly," said Byrnes. "Now you
first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing
the Kurile Islands to Russia. But when
understand what we were up against at
100,000 people immediately. Another
the Soviets also demanded the right to
Yalta."
100,000 were to die from radioactive
share in the military occupation of
"I understand," said Harry Truman.
aftereffects.
postwar Japan, their demands were re-
"I'd have done the same thing. The only
In the 24 hours following the Hiroshi-
jected by President Truman and Su-
difference is"-the president grinned—
ma raid, President Harry Truman, head-
preme Occupation Commander Doug-
"I'd have let my vice president know."
ed home aboard the Augusta, watched
las MacArthur.
and waited while renewed appeals were
Now I know what happened to Truman
made for Japan's surrender.
Oppenheimer told me he had blood on
yesterday. I couldn 't understand it.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Kantoro
his hands. I told him, "All you did,
When he got to the meeting after having
Suzuki, after notifying Emperor Hi-
Professor, was make the bomb. I'm the
read this report he was a changed man.
rohito of his intention, called an emer-
guy who made the decision to drop it.
He told the Russians just where they got
gency meeting of the Japanese cabinet
And if American lives were on the line
on and off and generally bossed the
on August 9. "I have concluded," he
and I had to make the same decision
whole meeting.
said, "that our only alternative is to
again, I'd make it [snaps fingers] like
-Winston Churchill, after reading the
accept the Potsdam Proclamation and
that.
Groves Report on the success of the July
terminate the war. I would like to hear
-President Harry Truman to Dean
16 A-bomb test at Alamogordo
your opinions on this.'
Acheson, 1947
B
28
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
OUTLOOK
Keep the Republicar
of Silence
By PEGGY NOONAN
for the future, it seems to me, is simple:
curs it will be right
I have been asked to speak about what
Don't give those issues up.
statesmanlike-for
the dark of night on March 5, 1980.
Republicans are, and what we must be in
The message of the '80s, the era of the
away from the barga
the future-not only in order to win, but to
Years later, he-aided by then-
great Republican resurgence, is: We are at
acknowledge what's
lead wisely and justly. I can remember
Speaker Wright and House Demo-
our best when we believe. We are at our
that an impasse has
what we were, once, back in the mists of
best when we are in tune with the country,
the Democrats: I'm
cratic whip Tony Coelho-helped
the past.
and respectful of it, when we try not to be
ple.
weaken legislation that would have
I was born in the Democratic precincts
more like the Democrats, but more like
The 1990 election
solved the crisis at an early date.
of Brooklyn, New York in 1950, and I grew
us. As we owned the '80s, we can own the
away, and there is
They had plenty of accomplices, many
up with people, the children and grandchil-
90s. And we can, before this decade is out,
and legitimate issue
of them lathered with the $11.7 million
dren of the immigrants of Europe, who
take Congress.
country, than waste
in 10 years of thrift-industry campaign
thought-as I was taught to think-that the
The economy of course is still the issue.
budget out of contro
Republican Party, forgive me, was the
contributions documented in the Com-
We've all been very happy the past 10
raising taxes-there
party of rich dullards. In our neighbor-
mon Cause study.
years to have two presidents with high
sue than this.
hood, Democrats were cops and firemen.
popularity ratings. They deserved and de-
Fraud no doubt made things worse,
There isn't a man
Republicans had profoundly uninteresting
serve them. But I operate with the the-
who doesn't know tha
but here some distinctions need to be
jobs, like
insurance company vice
ory that when there is peace and prosper-
control-every Americ
made. If Charles Keating and other
president. They always seemed like-that
ity the American people find reasons to
knows it-and the fur
S&L operators steered thrift assets for
great cliche-country club guys, fat, a lit-
like their president, reasons to see their
not tight, they're not
personal use, that's fraud and should
tle self-satisfied, kind of snoozy.
charm and low-key humor. And when we
want to know the mo
be punished. But the key point is that
The Democratic leadership in those
don't have prosperity, they find reasons to
use.
Mr. Keating and others could flourish
days had something to say. Let's get this
decide their president is an unattractive,
People are becom
country moving again, let's help people. In
because the system staked them the
charmless dolt. (They did it to Carter.)
the early '60s they lowered the top tax
tized to taxes, from Ne
taxpayer guarantee of deposit insur-
rates, cut capital gains, reminded us that a
ance. Even without committing fraud,
rising tide lifts all boats. They saw com-
Someone told me the other day, "But G
hey had the legal right to speculate
munism not only in military and political
on risky loans because they had this
terms but in moral terms-and they led an
doesn't like confrontation." Well, I saw him in
riant subsidy. In a phrase that should
America able to articulate its opposition,
he was 14 points down, and when it's time to
its superiority, its faith. Liberals had
e repeated again and again, their
isk was "socialized" on all of us.
heart; conservatives had adding machines.
mix it up with the best of them.
Liberals wanted to help people; conserva-
Neil Bush's problems, on the other
tives kept the books, and fretted about the
Not because they're cynical, but because
and, appear to be of a different sort.
red ink.
nia, they're starting
they hire presidents to run things, and they
again. And there's anot
S a director of the Silverado thrift,
Cliches of the Past
want results.
an anti-incumbent spir
e had a normal fiduciary duty to
It all started changing in the late '60s,
We Republicans still have the advan-
the country. Everywhe
hareholders. The federal civil suit
you know how and the reasons why. By the
tage on the economy, because to the men
ble, the PTA meeting,
'70s, the Democrats, still the majority
and women of America we're still seen as
hat may yet be brought against him
you can hear it: Throv
ould be for neglecting that fiduciary
party, seemed like a giant bound, unable
the grownups on this issue. But we must be
the majority of Congr
to free itself from the assumptions of the
true to what we are. We must continue
uty, not for any fraud. Neil Bush's
this is not exactly bad
recent past. A party whipped by special in-
as the party of low taxes, the party of
issue to the people, the
pparent conflict of interest is that as
terests-tied down by what had become al-
lower spending.
us. I always want to sa
director he voted to approve loans to
most an addiction to high taxes and high
We must not lose the tax issue. We must
in Washington: Trust th
business partner. There is no need
spending, in the thrall of what George
not lose it for reasons having to do with re-
they had the wit to tru
condone this, but unless one is oper-
Bush called the "idea boutique" at Har-
sponsible governance: If we go down the
Someone told me th
ting solely at the level of political op-
vard Yard-a party farther than ever from
road we went down in the '70s, our least
George Bush doesn't li
the common man's common-sense under-
effective decade-if we become "low
ortunism, Neil Bush does not appear
Well, George Bush like
standing of the world.
budget liberals" and let the budget grow-
symbolize the thrift debacle.
gress-but I saw him in
Across the nation you could see the stir-
if we go down that road it will hurt the
14 points down, and whe
Nonetheless, the mythology of
rings of discontent. In California, a tax re-
economy and we will stop being the job-
he can mix it up with the
raud" will build until George Bush
volt; in middle
producing wonder of the world. We'll stop
part of him that was an
plains to the country what really
America, the anti-
being the party of hope, the party of the
pilot revs up, and with
used the thrift crisis. If he doesn't,
abortion movement,
people. And we cannot lose this issue for
ferocity, with a kind of
political reasons: If we become like the
nator Howard Metzenbaum will
composed largely of
viction, he hits every ta
ntinue to make things worse by at-
traditional Demo-
Democrats, we will suffer their fate.
So my hope is that th
President Bush has been statesmanlike
cking those willing to buy failed
crats who could no
the tax and spending iss
longer tolerate the
in telling Congress he'll do a great deal, go
because the people are
rifts that end up in government
to great lengths, to end the budget mess.
position of the party
sometimes you only mak
nds. His extraordinary one-day in-
of their parents; in
Reagan was criticized in the media, and by
isition last week sent a message
the East, a newly so-
some thoughtful voters, for seeming some-
gotiation when you end
it any thrift buyer can someday ex-
times intransigent, confrontational, unwill-
when Ronald Reagan let
phisticated anticom-
ing to talk. Bush has avoided that
of their big flamboyant
ct to appear before his committee.
munism that was
charge.
U.S. position, walk awa
In retrospect, it's clear that the
grounded in both
passion and scholar-
It's right and legitimate that he should
talks. It was a big break
gest mistake of the Bush presi-
lines that said "Arms
cy has been failing to educate the
ship. Throughout the
tell the Democrats, "I'll consider anything
to make serious progress." It's good to be
Reagan was criticized,
land, a simmering sense of enough is
said, in his sunny way
blic about the thrift debacle's roots
enough.
reasonable, in a crisis, to declare your
they'll come back.' And
en it first proposed its bailout legis-
The Republican Party awoke from its
openness to all ideas. But if the ideas of-
A second issue on which
on. Even 18 months later, the
post-Watergate slumber. Suddenly it was
fered are, ultimately, the same old bad
us-an issue which ought
ady Treasury still has nothing to
spend, and you raise the
saying wait a minute-you can't tax the lit-
ours-is crime. You all kn
taxes to support s"-then it will be right
about deposit insurance, while
tle guy to death-you can't tax him 40%,
and reasonable for the president to push
statistics, how crime
mocrats are circling around the
50% on his overtime-you can't take his
away from the table and 'cut himself a
hurts the poor and middl
son
All
of
and
freedom from him and let government
add only that this is an issu
sident's
JOURNAL MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
Keep the Republican Faith
for the future, it seems to me, is simple:
curs it will be right and legitimate-and
ruption of our great cities, the abuses of
about
what
Don't give those issues up.
statesmanlike-for the president to push
the machines, a story SO constant and per-
must
be
in
The message of the '80s, the era of the
away from the bargaining table, stand up,
vasive that it's always in the papers in
win,
but
to
great Republican resurgence, is: We are at
acknowledge what's happening, declare
New York, but on page 12 because it's not
remember
our best when we believe. We are at our
that an impasse has been reached, and tell
news anymore-this is another great issue
the
mists
of
best when we are in tune with the country,
the Democrats: I'm taking it to the peo-
for us. We are ripe for a Teddy Roosevelt
and respectful of it, when we try not to be
ple
or two-we are ripe to seize this issue, be-
precincts
more like the Democrats, but more like
The 1990 elections are three months
cause it speaks of the crumbling of the cit-
and
I
grew
us. As we owned the '80s, we can own the
away, and there is still no more fruitful
ies, the anxiety of the suburbs and the
grandchil-
'90s. And we can, before this decade is out,
and legitimate issue for us, and for the
abuse of the poor. The machines are Dem-
Europe,
who
take Congress.
country, than wasteful spending, than a
ocratic-the corruption is Democratic-
the
The economy of course is still the issue.
budget out of control, than congressmen
and a poor woman who spends two hours
was
the
We've all been very happy the past 10
raising taxes-there is no more potent is-
waiting for a city-run ambulance when her
neighbor-
years to have two presidents with high
sue than this.
husband has a heart attack is a victim
nd
firemen.
popularity ratings. They deserved and de-
There isn't a man or woman in America
who deserves our attention. She and others
ininteresting
serve them. But I operate with the the-
who doesn't know that the budget's out of
like her will, in time, join us if we begin to
mpany
vice
ory that when there is peace and prosper-
control-every American over the age of 12
speak forcefully for their interests.
like-that
ity the American people find reasons to
knows it-and the funny thing is they're
Another issue, a delicate one, abortion.
fat,
a
lit-
like their president, reasons to see their
not tight, they're not skinflints, they just
Lee Atwater is right-we are the party of
charm and low-key humor. And when we
want to know the money's going to good
the big tent-and we old roustabouts stick
in
those
don't have prosperity, they find reasons to
use.
together as much as we can. If we are to
get
this
decide their president is an unattractive,
People are becoming newly re-sensi-
be a modern, viable party then we know
people.
In
charmless dolt. (They did it to Carter.)
tized to taxes, from New Jersey to Califor-
that debate and dissension must be a part
the
top
tax
of us. We care about ideas and can argue
us
that
a
for justice. We have room for disagree-
Someone told me the other day, "But George Bush
saw
com-
ment, we don't shun people for being politi-
and
political
doesn't like confrontation." Well, I saw him in 1988 when
cally incorrect.
they
led
an
But I will tell you that I feel strongly
opposition,
he was 14 points down, and when it's time to fight, he can
that we must continue to be the party that
iberals
had
speaks against abortion, that speaks to the
machines.
mix it up with the best of them.
conscience of the nation.
conserva-
I think that no one, pro- or anti-, is en-
about
the
Not because they're cynical, but because
nia, they're starting to get clobbered
tirely 100% comfortable with his or her
they hire presidents to run things, and they
again. And there's another part of the mix:
position on this issue. We all in our hearts
want results.
an anti-incumbent spirit that is sweeping
have our doubts, and our questions. We all
We Republicans still have the advan-
the country. Everywhere, at the dinner ta-
late
in our hearts, in our best selves, in our pri-
the
'60s,
tage on the economy, because to the men
ble, the PTA meeting, the cocktail party,
vate lives, lean against abortion.
why.
By
the
and women of America we're still seen as
you can hear it: Throw the bums out. As
majority
Both George Bush and Ronald Reagan
the grownups on this issue. But we must be
the majority of Congress are Democrats
unable
true to what we are. We must continue
this is not exactly bad news. If we take this
have said, eloquently, that abortion on de-
ptions
of
the
issue to the people, the people will support
mand coarsens us as a people. You are fa-
as the party of low taxes, the party of
special in-
us. I always want to say to my old friends
miliar with their arguments. But I have
lower spending.
become al-
We must not lose the tax issue. We must
in Washington: Trust the people. After all,
a hunch. The technology of abortion is
and
high
changing, and more and more it will come
not lose it for reasons having to do with re-
they had the wit to trust us.
what
George
Someone told me the other day, "But
down to one woman, or one couple, stand-
sponsible governance: If we go down the
at
Har-
ing alone and deciding. And if we are the
road we went down in the '70s, our least
George Bush doesn't like confrontation."
ever
from
effective decade-if we become "low
Well, George Bush likes peace and pro-
party that tells her, or them, no, rethink it.
under-
think twice and three times-they will not
budget liberals" and let the budget grow-
gress-but I saw him in 1988 when he was
resent it.
if we go down that road it will hurt the
14 points down, and when it's time to fight,
see
the
stir-
economy and we will stop being the job-
he can mix it up with the best of them. The
Fifty Years Without War
a
tax
re-
producing wonder of the world. We'll stop
part of him that was an 18-year-old fighter
I think the national defense is still a po-
being the party of hope, the party of the
pilot revs up, and with an absolute lack of
tent issue, because the American people
people. And we cannot lose this issue for
ferocity, with a kind of gentlemanly con-
have common sense. They know perfect
political reasons: If we become like the
viction, he hits every target.
peace and lasting tranquility have never
Democrats, we will suffer their fate.
So my hope is that this party will take
happened in the history of man and likely
President Bush has been statesmanlike
the tax and spending issue to the people-
never will. A strong America defense is
in telling Congress he'll do a great deal, go
because the people are on our side. And
still the greatest peace-preserving force in
to great lengths, to end the budget mess.
sometimes you only make progress in a ne-
the history of man. Fifty years without a
Reagan was criticized in the media, and by
gotiation when you end it. You remember
world war-it was American strength, and
some thoughtful voters, for seeming some-
when Ronald Reagan let the Soviets, in one
the taxes sacrificed by the American peo-
times intransigent, confrontational, unwill-
of their big flamboyant rejections of the
ple to maintain it-that did that. And when
ing to talk. Bush has avoided that
U.S. position, walk away from the arms
something works, don't be in such a hurry
charge.
talks. It was a big break, big news, head-
to make radical change.
It's right and legitimate that he should
lines that said "Arms Talks Collapse."
Another issue looms on the horizon,
tell the Democrats, "I'll consider anything
Reagan was criticized, as usual. But he
coming ever closer. We must make a con-
to make serious progress." It's good to be
said, in his sunny way, "Don't worry,
nection with America's new immigrants.
enough is
reasonable, in a crisis, to declare your
they'll come back." And they did.
So many of them hold the enduring values
openness to all ideas. But if the ideas of-
A second issue on which the people trust
for which we stand, and yet those values
from
its
fered are, ultimately, the same old bad
us-an issue which ought by rights to be
do not necessarily translate into Republi-
idenly
it
was
ideas-"We'll spend, and you raise the
ours-is crime. You all know the facts, the
can allegiance by any means. I do not
tax
the
lit-
taxes to support us"-then it will be right
statistics, how crime most grieviously
know what is the modern equivalent of the
40%
for
the
president
to
push
burts the poor and middle class T would
political club my people became
legis-
The Republican Party awoke from its
stand,
fered are, ultimately, the same old bad
yet
us-an issue which ought by rights to be
post-Watergate slumber. Suddenly it was
do not necessarily translate into Republi-
later,
the
ideas-"We'll spend, and you raise the
ours-is crime. You all know the facts, the
nothing
to
saying wait a minute-you can't tax the lit-
can allegiance by any means. I do not
taxes to support us"-then it will be right
statistics, how crime most grieviously
tle guy to death-you can't tax him 40%,
know what is the modern equivalent of the
while
and reasonable for the president to push
hurts the poor and middle class. I would
50% on his overtime-you can't take his
local political club-my people became
around
the
away from the table and "cut himself a
add only that this is an issue that resonates
freedom from him and let government call
Democrats originally because the local
Mr.
walking stick." That was Tolstoy's phrase
powerfully with my generation, the baby
all the tunes-you can't let the economy
Democratic boss made sure you had a tur-
when, at the age of more than 80, he
for
this
in-
boomers. We grew up during the great ex-
stop pumping out the jobs the people need.
key at Christmas-I don't know what is the
walked out on an unhappy marriage after
plosion of crime in America-grew up
We backed low taxes, low spending, endur-
modern equivalent of that presence, but it
almost 50 years. He was endlessly pa-
hearing our parents say, wistfully, "We
ing values, a strong defense.
would be in our interests to figure it out
tient-just like a Republican.
didn't even have to lock our doors at
And along came Reagan. And because
If, in the next few weeks or month the
night." We're nostalgic for what we never
And a word, in closing, on what I think
of the ideas he represented we owned the
president sees that no serious structural
knew.
is, right now, a great challenge to us as a
'80s. Suddenly, almost without noticing it,
reform is possible-that no serious attempt
Books like "In Cold Blood," movies like
party. It's subtle, in a way. It's that, after
the Republican party became the party of
will be made to control waste, to gain con-
"The Boston Strangler" infused our art
10 years in power, the people will come to
the people. Protector of the people, protec-
trol of domestic spending; if he comes to
and imaginations when we were young-
see us as the Washington Party, when it is
for
final
tor of their interests. And one day we
a
suspect that even if he raises taxes the
and we have children now, and are afraid.
we who have opposed the mischief and
looked around and realized: My God, we're
Democrats won't control spending, and
We Republicans must be the leading anti-
machinations and self-interest of that
not only on the side of the guy at the coun-
once again the Republican Party will have
crime party. There are those who worry
town.
skeptical of
try club anymore-we're on the side of the
the job of "tax collector for the welfare
about the departure of communism as a
We are not the party that splits the dif-
amend-
waiters!
state" (and every time we go down this
cutting issue. But, for those who want to
ference with the Democrats in big rooms
spending
The differences between the two parties
wrong road the Democrats win, because
help the oppressed and the helpless, in do-
on the Hill, we're not the "insider party,'
Members
were not always, in a cultural sense at
they always seem to be spending money to
mestic terms, crime is the communism of
we are not the party of the bureaucracy, of
off-budget
least, clean-cut or unambiguous. But the
help the poor while we'll seem to be taxing
the '90s.
the federal government, of centralized
Budget
Act,
point is, we had the issues-we were on the
middle-America to bail out bankers and
Another issue: I will tell you frankly
power of Washington. We are the opposi-
spending,
right side of the issues-and the key now,
pay lawyers); if no serious progress OC-
that I believe corruption-the political cor-
tion in power. We forget this at our
ngress
398
peril.
We've felt
The Techies' Challenge to the Bean Counters
And so what we are talking about this
that
fall, in 1990, in every congressional race
an
and state Senate contest, is the continu-
to
higher
World technological competition in both
cuss technical issues such as product fea-
The ability to translate relevant tech-
ance of our right and ability to govern this
ending.
manufacturing and services is increasing
tures, quality or manufacturing issues in
nology into company-relevant business ob-
nation-this great and moving nation, this
that
tomor-
rapidly, requiring a high level of technical
financial terms.
jectives;
most generous country on earth, this most
one.
Here
sophistication on the part of companies' se-
The beanies had enormous political
The ability to network widely into
yearning place-a party, still, worthy of
the
ex-
nior management. However, we in the U.S.
power at Ford, and so it was the better
non-technical company sectors (i.e. sales,
the people, protector of their interests-a
sentative
is
have a competitive disadvantage in having
part of valor to join them rather than con-
manufacturing, finance);
party that keeps the faith, that remembers
the
size
of
fewer technologically oriented chief execu-
stantly fight. Of course it didn't hurt that
A strong track record of putting new
we are at our best when we believe.
tives than our principle trading compet-
my team put some useful customer fea-
technology successfully into practice.
If we only remember what we believe
itors, Japan and Germany.
tures in our products-disc brakes and ra-
The latter point is crucial. A track rec-
both
the
we will own the '90s-and we will be right,
The U.S. selection process for CEOs is
dial ply tires among them. We also cleaned
ord of success in the marketplace with a
and we will win.
amend-
different from those in either Japan or
up some serious product quality problems:
new technological innovation is a must.
to
im-
Germany. As a result, American compa-
leaking windows, power steering pumps
Too many non-technical CEOs turn to their
of
the
nies end up with more financially oriented
and transmissions. But these advances
heads of R&D for technical advice. If the
Miss Noonan, who wrote speeches for
can
take.
types. This country's universities turn out
might have been less appreciated had I not
head of R&D has not had the experience of
President Reagan and for George Bush, is
the author of "What I Saw at the Revolu-
dments
is
a
proportionately fewer engineers-and
learned to express their importance in lan-
working in the marketplace, his or her ad-
tax-tax-
many more MBAs than either competi-
guage the beanies could understand.
vice will not be peppered with the patience
tion: A Political Life in the Reagan Era,"
tor.
I was also interested in getting the sup-
and appreciation of complexities one de-
(Random House, 1990 ). This is adapted
if
a
Mem-
port of sales and manufacturing types to
velops through real marketing experience.
from a speech she gave Friday to the Re-
What to do?
amend-
On occasion drastic action is required.
New technology in use involves many more
publican National Commmittee in Chi-
g-Stenholm
As a board member of a heavy machinery
issues than R&D!
cago.
to
snow
company, I watched a non-technical CEO,
Manager's Journal
Identification of technical advisers is it-
are
telling
with no competent technical advisers, al-
self an art. CEOs looking for such advisers
government
most put the company under with over-cost
By Donald N. Frey
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
must take the time to pinpoint those in the
oppose
the
and under-featured products made with ob-
company who actually drive new technol-
the
spend-
solete manufacturing processes. It took
ogy into practice and who can explain the
Warren H. Phillips
Peter R. Kann
Chairman
get my ideas sold (sometimes against re-
Publisher & President
forever (or so it seemed) for the board to
the
need
for
innovation to non-technical types. If the
handle the issue because many of the
sistance to change), but this meant learn-
CEO spots such people among the com-
Norman Pearlstine
board members were buddies of the chief
ing to translate my technical message into
Robert L. Bartley
pany's younger engineers, he should help
Managing Editor
Editor
is
too
cum-
executive. Others were non-technical types
yet another language. I well remember be-
to get them started up the ranks.
Daniel Henninger
lthough
we
who had difficulty understanding the prob-
ing asked in the seemingly endless efforts
many
to get approval for the original "Mustang"
Having dealt with a never-ending series
Paul E. Steiger
Deputy Editor,
of
lem. But after some false starts, we mirac-
Deputy Managing Editor
Editorial Page
it.
ulously found within the company a techni-
(for which I was project manager, and Lee
of financial types in my own life, I eventu-
But
at
Kenneth L. Burenga
fundamen-
cally competent engineer, who was fast be-
Iacocca the sponsor) what the net, "non
ally concluded that they do have the com-
General Manager
coming an excellent businessman, and
substitutional" increase in vehicle sales
pany's best interests at heart and are well
Bernard T. Flanagan
Dorothea Coccoli Palsho
is
not
meaning. Their problem is that financial
Vice President
Vice President
THE WASHI
THE WAS
Book World
testers moving down the street from closed
fur stores can change their picket signs from
"If you love animals, don't wear them" to "If
you love animals, don't eat them."
Of Meat
Adams is doubly threatening to the meat'
industry because her appeal is to the large
feminist constituency, not merely the smaller
vegetarian one. "Images of butchering suffuse
By Cht
And
patriarchal culture," she writes. "A steakhouse
Washingtor
in New Jersey was called 'Adam's Rib.' Who do
they think they were eating? The Hustler, prior
The Washingtonia
to its incarnation as a pornographic magazine,
25-year tradition by
dorsement. In an ur
Machismo
was a Cleveland restaurant whose menu pre-
sented a women's buttocks on the cover and
the August edition, the
proclaimed, 'We serve the best meat in town!'
John Ray to become
Who? A woman is shown being ground up in a
coming to the decisio
THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT
meat grinder as Hustler magazine proclaims:
tive Editor John Sam
Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory
'Last All Meat Issue.'
When asked about
board of editors met i
By Carol J. Adams
their sexual fantasies, many men describe 'por-
the potential candidate
Continuum. 256 pp. $22.95
nographic scenes of disembodied, faceless, im-
Barry, who declined
personal body parts: breasts, legs, vaginas,
city in such turmoil," S:
By Colman McCarthy
buttocks.' Meat for the average consumer has
Washingtonian decide
George Bush's renunciation of broccoli-
been reduced to exactly that: faceless body
"this is the most import
thé, boldest deed of his presidency to date-
parts, breasts, legs, udders, buttocks. Frank
In endorsing the low
was good for a passing chortle. He won a
Perdue plays with images of sexual butchering
the Washingtonian e
follow-up laugh with his pledge to keep on
in a poster encouraging chicken consumption:
twelve years of a higl
chomping pork rinds. Meat is man-food, by
'Are you a breast man or a leg man?'
mayor, the District of 1
George. Behind the yuks was the un-gleeful
This is aggressive writing, expressed as
who in a low-key manne
playing out of what Carol J. Adams, a feminist
conviction, not theory. Both vegetarianism and
beset with budgetary de
and ethical vegetarian, calls "the patriarchal
feminism are ideas that go beyond mere choos-
culture, and increasing
nature of our meat-eating culture."
ing of ideological sides. Adherents act on their
beliefs, in ways that people who align them-
ing of rhetoric and a les
Until now, no major examination has been
selves on other issues-for or against German
tion are needed."
attempted on how vegetarianism relates to
masculinity or femininity. Plutarch's "Essay on
unification, the clean air bill-don't. Adams lets
Flesh Eating," or some of Isaac Bashevis
the reader know that she is not a dabbler in
Out and About
Singer's stories on butchers and kosher
theories. Instead of a dedication page, she has a
Nixon had the movie
slaughterers, look glancingly at the issue but
memorial page for animals slain for food: "In
"Rambo" and Bush seen
only on the way to making other points.
memory of six billion each year, 16 million each
new Chuck Norris film,
Adams, who has a master's degree in divinity
day, 700,000 each hour, 11,500 each minute."
ris, a pal of the presio
from Yale and an angel's touch with language,
The dietary nonviolent choices that follow a
movie to the White Ho
belongs to a rare species: a clearheaded schol-
conversion to the vegetarian way are similar to
loved the macho story 0
ar who joins the ideas of two movements—
the political choices made by feminists. Adams,
ment Administration g
vegetarianism and feminism-and turns them
whose text is exhaustively footnoted, writes:
into a single coherent and moral theory. Her
"the numerous individual feminists who be-
Latin American drug lord
film to several member
argument-rational and persuasive-is that
came vegetarians-from the Grimke sisters to
oppression of women and domination of ani-
Frances Willard, Clara Barton, Annie Besant,
tonight will be in town for
mals overlap, both caused and perpetuated by
Matilda Joslyn Gage, May Wright Sewall, and
members of the Senate
male-inspired violence.
Mary Walker-evidence a pattern of challeng-
theater. The showing will
Adams's "The Sexual Politics of Meat" is not
ing patriarchal culture not only because it
Robert Dole and Pete W
to be devoured quickly. It should be savored.
rendered women absent but because it ren-
doubtedly come out of the
In at least a dozen contexts, she explores the
dered animals absent. As women defined their
kick a little
linkage between vegetarians and feminists.
own subjectivity, their autonomy, animals
Some people are counti
"Questions of definition often predominate,"
were released from the object category in
to Christmas, but in Sen.
she writes. While "feminists were parlaying
which patriarchal culture had placed them."
office there's a countdown
questions that trivialized feminism such as
Little research is available on the number of
'Are you one of those bra burners?,' vegetari-
women who see vegetarianism as a way of
ans must define themselves against the trivial-
rejecting male domination. But it is hard to
izations of 'Are you one of those health nuts?'
imagine that it is only coincidence that a
or 'Are you one of those animal lovers?' While
society that has a high rate of spouse abuse is
By G.B. Trudeau
feminists encountered the response that 'Men
also one that sanctions violence against ani-
need liberation, too,' vegetarians are greeted
mals. For one example, the predatory vicious-
THAT
by the postulate that 'Plants have life too.'
ness that motivates male hunters to take to
MOM
The attempt to create defensiveness through
the woods on weekends to kill deer isn't much
B.D.!
trivialization is the first conversational gambit
different from the meanness that prompts
DRIV.
which greets threatening reforms."
males to be spouse-abusers or wife-beaters.
NUT:
Defensiveness is in the air. Among those
Picking on the weak is the lust in both sports.
applauding Health and Human Services Secre-
New ground-whole acres of it-is broken
tary Louis Sullivan's recent exercise in bom-
by Adams. Large numbers of feminists and
bast that animal rights activists are "terrorists"
vegetarians have yet to see their connected-
on "the wrong side of morality" were the
ness with each other. They can now, Larger
leaders of the animal corpse industry: the
numbers of flesh-eaters have yet to reflect
American Meat Institute, the National Pork
fully on the consequences of their habit. If they
Producers Council, the National Turkey Fed-
are open-minded. Adams can guide them.
eration and others in the audience for that
June 7 speech, The thinking of Adams threat-
The reviewer is a syndicated columnist and
ens economic ruin to the meat industry. Pro-
staff writer for The Washington Post.
qmqns
Bromley,
UI
an
e
house
AM
pumple
mill
joil
8,11
'tit
BAll
Cold Wen:
fun 22: mentioned.
agreemats: represent
fune 8- "besuning of the and of the
Branstal
Cold war."
Bush won if answer whether
C.W. is over
< Dec. 4 too.
June 3: Press lonf: We 've mored
"G longlorg way fever the
depther of the C. w:-
funel: "the world Gar waited long more
The CW must and,"
May A195 Coll was 's cort K
(cold war conferntation)
Feb 7- C.W. is in retreat.
Nov 22: "Let us move by. ctment t Duce &
for all end Cold War.
July 12: beyond ct, byond the lw"
from 2
"
/ beyond conflict + CW."
may 31:
"cw began W the div of Eur.
It can only end when E is whole."
Dan Mcfrodity
Alan's my brother
LEGAL TIMES
WEEK OF APRIL 30, 1990
wn law X 23
OPINION AND COMMENTARY
W
ith the help of the Congress of
People's Deputies-the new So-
ALAN CHARLES RAUL
imposition of duties on Soviet citizens.
viet supra-legislature whose ac-
These duties invariably accompany and
tions this spring marked a new phase in
vitiate the portions of the constitution that
perestroika-Mikhail Gorbachev trans-
formed himself in March from a Commu-
Law and the Soviets:
offer guarantees of such basic rights as
freedom of speech, assembly, and reli-
nist Party general secretary into a super-
gion, and the "inviolability of the home.
charged, Western-style president. The
This differs markedly, of course, from our
status of the Communist Party was also
Promise and Peril
own system, in which basic rights are
changed dramatically when, in the same
deemed inalienable. (Perhaps the differ-
law that annointed Mr. Gorbachev, the
ence reflects a basic desire of the Soviet
deputies voted to eliminate the party's
people to be "taken care of' by their
"leading role," formerly enshrined in
government, while Americans generally
Article 6 of the Soviet Constitution.
just want to be left alone.)
From the lawyer's vantage, these and
other changes hold considerable promise
Just the Golden Rule?
that the Soviet Union will become a nation
The Soviet approach first assures that
and government subject to law rather than
"citizens of the U.S.S.R. shall possess in
to the whims of party leaders. However,
their entirety the [guaranteed] socio-
true democracy cannot be achieved with a
economic, political, and personal rights
few big-picture reforms. Instead, the seeds
and freedoms. Then, another constitu-
of due process have to be sowed in the
tional passage subtracts from those liber-
very details of Soviet law at every level.
ties as follows: "[T]he use by citizens of
Significantly, and very positively, Mr.
rights and freedoms should not harm the
Gorbachev-who is himself a lawyer-
interests of society and the State nor the
has taken on the challenge of bringing the
rights of other citizens.'
rule of law to his country. At the same
This may seem no more constraining
time, however, he has crafted a presidency
than the golden rule. But how much reli-
rather free of checks and balances. For
ance would you place on a conditional
example, under the new law, Mr. Gor-
First Amendment that protected your
bachev has considerable authority to im-
speech only so long as you were judged
pose martial law and declare civil emer-
not to "harm the interests of society and
gencies. These extraordinary powers
the State''? Little comfort, one would
cannot help but wiggle the due process
imagine, to a dissenter.
antennae of any lawyer.
Such comfort can only come from the
Indeed, the tribulations of Lithuania
reform and revision of a great bulk of de-
demonstrate the difficulty in reconciling
tail in the Soviet legal structure. Appar-
power with legal process. Mr. Gorba-
ently recognizing this, Mr. Gorbachev
chev's horror over the Lithuanian Re-
signed a resolution in February in which
public's desire to secede would seem to
he called on a Supreme Soviet committee
clash with the "right of free secession"
to finish the drafting of new laws on
already preserved for each republic in Ar-
Soviet freedoms, and directed that the
ticle 72 of the current constitution.
committee's findings be presented in
Clearly, the transition from a state gov-
April. (Perhaps the Soviet system is truly
erned by nothing but power politics to one
converging with our own: Displaying a
controlled by legal principles can be rather
familiar pattern, the Soviet legislature
rocky.
seems to be treating the president's dead-
Ambitious Agenda
lines as non-binding.)
Still, movement to build a government
a
Real legal change and the end of gov-
ernment by fiat may have been foreshad-
of laws has been steady. The Supreme
owed when Mr. Gorbachev instructed the
Soviet-the standing legislature that is
committee to draft a new statute "on the
subordinate to the Congress of People's
Press and Other Mass Media
Deputies-is working overtime on Mr.
tak[ing]
the results of the nationwide discussion
Gorbachev's ambitious agenda to change
into consideration.' He echoed this point
the country's constitutional structure as
in his March 15 presidential acceptance
well as nearly everything about the prop-
speech when he said, "The president must
erty, tax, land, and criminal codes. None-
take into account, in a most objective
theless, in the spirit of constructive glas-
and impartial way, the whole range of
nost, let me probe a few strains that con-
society's views and legitimate interests,
tinue substantially to undermine the basis
putting the good of the country and the
of law in the Soviet Union.
The most fundamental issue is this: If
people above all else. Not a bad first step
toward a rule of law and not of men.
Mr. Gorbachev means to advance the rule
TOM TEAGUE
Alas, not all steps move in this direc-
of law judicial officers must be freed
tion. April decree made it a crime to
from political intervention. Not until the
"discredit" Soviet officials, and a new
judiciary's independence is assured can
aspirations to due process be sustained.
subordinate only to the law." The reality
differs. One deputy did not mince words
under which judges take their judicial
constitutional provision adopted by the
Congress of People's Deputies directs the
But the Soviet Union cannot lay claim
directives from party members. Happily,
recently when he said of Soviet judges (as
Supreme Soviet to regulat[e]
the
to a fair and independent judiciary. To be
as Attorney General Richard Thornburgh
sure, the current constitution and a new
quoted in The New York Times of Feb.
procedure for the exercise of citizens'
28): The judiciary is riddled with Party
reports in the current issue of Foreign Af-
constitutional rights, freedoms, and
law on "the Status of Judges" provide
are independent and are
appointees.
fairs, Soviet Justice Minister Venyamin
No Supreme Court judge
duties." Endowing the legislature with
that "judges
Yakovlev has told him that legislation is
in this country would dream of judging
this most open-ended of powers is about as
being considered to make judicial inter-
against [President Gorbachev] in his worst
ference a crime.
remote from inalienable rights as you can
nightmare.
get.
In another welcome development, the
CORRECTIONS POLICY
Judges are elected for 10-year terms by
concept of constitutional review seems to
Mr. Gorbachev has commissioned legal
We are eager to make corrections
the various Supreme Soviets of the re-
reforms of enormous breadth and conse-
be taking hold. The new statute provides
quickly and candidly. We always pub-
publics and, in the case of the Supreme
for impeachment the president "in the
quence. But continuing down this path
lish corrections at least as prominently
Court, by the country's Supreme Soviet,
event of his violating the U.S.S.R. Consti-
will require much more than establishing a
as the article that contained the mis-
or they are appointed by the president.
tution or U.S.S R. laws. It also em-
powerful presidency, jettisoning Article 6,
take. A mistake on Page 1 merits a
The constitution explicitly makes judges
and listing hollow freedoms in reams of
accountable to the deputies who have
powers a new Constitutional Oversight
correction on Page 1.
draft statutes. The Soviets must end the
Committee. upon the request of the Con-
Although we welcome letters to the
elected them and who may recall them.
practice of enacting "secret," or admin-
gress or the Supreme Soviet, to review the
editor critical of our work, an aggrieved
This party-dominated process, together
constitutionality of presidential decrees
istrative, law not available to the public,
party need not have a letter published
with the relatively short judicial tenures,
and other laws. This is not Marbury V.
expand the right to counsel, and permit
for us to correct an error. As soon as
effectively relegates judges to a dependent
citizens to enforce their rights in court.
status. Moreover, the Supreme Court
Madison by any means-the president
we become aware that an error has
Soviet legislators will only reach their
may simply ignore the committee's ad-
been made, we will publish a correc-
lacks the power of judicial review over
president's stated goal when they draft a
tion. Our corrections policy should not
legislative and executive acts.
vice-but it is a potential check on gov-
ernment lawlessness.
constitution that reconciles the rights
be mistaken, however, for a policy of
corded Soviet citizens with the duties
Even if Soviet judges become paragons
accommodating readers who are sim-
Telephone Law'
of independence, the rule of law remains
demanded of them. So long as citizens
ply unhappy about an article.
at risk as long as the legal texts at their
duties trump their rights, will not fully
Any corrections or complaints
Further complicating matters is that
limit the Soviet state.
disposal fail to protect individual rights.
should be directed to Eric Effron, editor
judges, like other Soviet citizens, are
One of the most important principles built
of Legal Times, or Steven Brill, editor in
beholden to the political apparatus for
Alan Charles Raul, general counsel of
into the Soviet Constitution is that the state
chief of American Lawyer Media, L.P.
housing, wages, and office space, as well
the Department of Agriculture, visited the
has rights of equal stature with those
as for most privileges and perquisites.
Soviet Union last fall as vice chairman of
guaranteed to individuals. This notion is
This has given rise to "telephone law,
the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-U.S.S.R.
embodied in the constitution's repeated
Joint Legal Seminar.
THE
NEW
IVAN
E: 3/7/9
PAGE: FC
Associated Press
Powell Denies Interest in the Vice Presidency
Gen. Colin L. Powell meeting yesterday at the Capitol with Bob Dole,
tion that exists in the minds of people who have to write columns." He
ight, the Senate minority leader, and Senator John Warner. General
added that he intends to "remain as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
'owell said that discussion of his replacing Dan Quayle was "specula-
Staff as long as the President wishes me to serve."
G.O.P. on Reaganomics:
It Didn't Hurt the Poor
Figures presented by two Republican
Poorest fifth of the
Senators, Phil Gramm and Pete V.
population
Domenici, intended to show that the
pooresi Americans fared no worse than
Second poorest fifth
others for most of the Reagan years
Middle fifth
But
The Senators blame the Carter
Administration for the earlier losses.
Second richest fifth
Year-by-year figures were not made
#B2.
available.
Richest fifth of the
population
Percentage change in real family income.
4-YEAR PERIOD
4-YEAR PERIOD
6-YEAR PERIOD
FORD-CARTER
CARTER-REAGAN
REAGAN
15%
10
5
smaller
1979 to 1983
0
1975 to 1979
1983 to 1989
higher.- lift -5,
14%
Service: 14% Senators Gramm and Domenici,
R+D
20%
THE
15%
14%
13/90
15%
from data supplied by the
Congrassional Budget Office
88
89
90
constant
$
43B
4ZB
39B
36
40(40)
page 13 of
+45 28
$11.3
B-2
3/12/91
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
DATE:
PAGE:
A18
The Crime Agenda
In his Gulf victory speech to Con-
Those civil libertarians who suffer
gress, President Bush laid down one
from proceduralitis will no doubt al-
domestic marker: Pass a crime bill in
ways object to any move to dilute the
100 days. And yesterday he offered up
exclusionary rule. But Mr. Bush is
a modest proposal: In gun-control vio-
right that the Supreme Court has of-
lations, let the juries see all the evi-
ten said that nothing in the Constitu-
dence. Errant policemen could be dis-
tion requires the extreme step of sup-
ciplined without excluding valid evi-
pressing improperly seized evidence.
dence of a criminal's guilt. Legal
Indeed, the court has strongly urged
strategists will recognize this as a
the political branches of government
Tomahawk missile aimed at the ex-
to come up with what justices have
clusionary rule.
called "more efficacious sanction."
So it is not quite true that the Pres-
So the Bush proposal sets up sanc-
ident has no domestic agenda. We do
tions to punish federal agents who
think he needs an economic policy. As
commit unlawful searches and sei-
Stephen Moore demonstrates along-
zures and also creates a way to com-
side, while Budget Director Richard
pensate the innocent victims. The bill
Darman was out negotiating tax in-
would set up a Justice Department
creases, federal spending has been
Review Board to oversee this alterna-
running out of control. The much-be-
tive to the exclusionary rule. This
moaned $300 billion deficit is almost
group would impose disciplinary ac-
exactly equal to the $300 billion spend-
tion directly on the federal agents who
ing increase under Bush-Darman
broke the rules. It would also adminis-
budget scrutiny.
ter a new program to pay damages to
Still, the crime agenda is not noth-
the people who suffered unlawful
ing. The Republic certainly does need
searches or seizures.
the "domestic tranquility" envisioned
For the first time, then, we would
by the Founding Fathers. Making the
criminal-justice system work and re-
end the situation where when two peo-
ple commit offenses-the criminal
ducing the crime problem would cer-
and the law-enforcement officer-both
tainly serve the public interest. It
would also be a big political issue, as
get to go free. The criminal can be
Willie Horton demonstrated. And the
convicted because the jury can see the
evidence. Then the officer would be
way to start is by ending the notion of
excluding evidence instead of disci-
subjected to internal punishment.
plining policemen. This is a peculiar-
As remarkable as this proposal is,
ity of the American criminal-justice
it could go further. We don't know
system, applied by the Supreme Court
why guns should be the only evidence
to the states only in 1961, and since
subject to this alternative. Why not
elaborated into Miranda warning
also include evidence of drugs, knives,
rules and other ludicrous extremes.
lead pipes? For that matter, SO long
"I'm not a lawyer, but I put great
as confessions are voluntary why ban
stock in common sense," President
them just because the Miranda warn-
Bush told a gathering of state attor-
ing is garbled? Indeed, why not allow
neys general. "And it never did make
all relevant evidence of a crime to go
sense that because a policeman has
to juries regardless of errors by law
made a mistake, a dangerous crimi-
enforcement.
nal can get off scot-free. The Supreme
The other problem, of course, is
Court has invited legislative experi-
that some 95% of crimes are tried in
mentation with a direct action to pre-
state courts, not in federal court. The
vent illegal searches and seizures.
bill includes language aimed at state
And so today, I'm announcing that we
and federal judges reminding them
are accepting that invitation.'
that the exclusionary rule is not a con-
Yesterday's Bush proposal, which
stitutional requirement SO long as
Attorney General Dick Thornburgh
there is a better way in place to pun-
and his top aides devised over the
ish errant policemen. This is a not-so-
past few weeks, says that when fed-
subtle hint that the states can abolish
eral agents commit a Fourth Amend-
their own exclusionary rules by adopt-
ment violation in seizing a firearm,
ing similar methods of disciplining of-
the evidence can still be given to the
ficers and compensating victims.
jury in two situations. One is where
All this could come in time if the
the gun was used during a violent
initial Bush proposal is passed and
crime or serious drug offense. Also,
works in practice, and it is of course
regardless of the offense, when the de-
politically clever to link the issue with
fendant is already disqualified by fed-
the liberal pet cause of gun control.
eral law from possessing a firearm-a
But the important point is Judge Car-
category that includes everyone who
dozo's classic remark that it makes
has already been convicted of a fel-
no sense to say "the criminal is to go
ony, which means all repeat crimi-
free because the constable has blun-
nals. Call this real gun control.
dered."
page
3)
3/12/91
ORK
POST
PAGE:
Sure, Bush is a shoo-in for '92, but won't
F
OUR years ago there
was already politico
gridlock in Iowa and
New Hampshire. But the
anybody take a flier?
only leading Democrat even
to hint he might run for
iar to the public and plausible
ally honing himself to perfec-
president. in 1992 is Ye Olde
as a commander in chief.
tion, Cuomo parading end-
George McGovern.
If his strategy is the posi-
less tiresome doubts of his
The widespread feeling is
tive one of hoping to inspire
own worthiness.
that President Bush's win-
people rather than the nega-
These gentlemen have just
ning gamble on war has put
tive one of waiting. for na-
about persuaded me, at least,
him beyond all competition
tional catastrophe, that also
that their hesitation is justi-
for 1992. One Democrat sug-
takes time.
fied. To counter the new
gests canceling the cam-
For the party's good, too,
giant-sized Bush will require
paign and giving the money
the sooner there is someone
some genuine enthusiasm.
to the homeless.
who can be identified as
It is mere irony that Bush's
The widespread complaint
"leader" of the Democrats
new-found foreign policy "vi-
that 1992 political campaigns
MICHAEL
other than George Mitchell
sion" - a world order based
haven't started yet might
justly elicit the response that
KINSLEY
and Ron Brown, the better.
on international law and the
American politics is en-
United Nations - is straight
there's no pleasing some peo-
cumbered with a convention,
out of the 1988 Dukakis cam-
ple.
Nevertheless, it's a good
not shared by other demo-
paign.
After the 1988 election, the
question. If the difficulty is
cratic systems, that reluc-
For Democrats who op-
pundits were all moaning
that George Bush now looks
tance to run is somehow
posed the war, I suggest the
about the "permanent cam-
like a fearless, macho, lead-
becoming in a political candi-
dignified mantra: "We are
paign": Electioneering starts
erlike kinda guy, while the
date.
delighted to have been
too early, lasts too long and
Democrats look weak and
The more one reveals an
proven wrong." And give up
so on Now everyone looks at
craven, the reluctance of all
actual desire for elected of-
that business about how we'll
his watch and says, "Where
the big-name Democrats to
fice, the less one is consid-
never know if the sanctions
are the candidates?"
take the man on tends to con-
ered worthy of it.
would have worked.
Bill Bradley and Mario
It's profoundly true. Give it
firm that sad impression.
Cuomo have made careers
up anyway.
The best proof that some
by now of their preening
Democrat has world-class
hesitation about running for
Michael Kinsley is a senior
guts would be a willingness
president - Bradley perenni-
editor of The New Republic.
to challenge the former
wimp while he stands at over
90 percent in the polls.
To be sure, next year's
Democratic nominee will
probably lose. But think of all
the things that might change
the prospects.
To be grim, there is always
the possibility that some-
thing could happen to Bush's
health.
Or the economy could de-
cline catastrophically.
Or there could be a horren-
dous Watergate-style politi-
cal scandal.
Hoping for bad news is
unattractive and unhealthy,
so consider as well another
possibility, however unlikely:
A charismatic Democrat
might persuade voters to
think about the future, not
the past, and inspire them
with & vision of a govern-
ment they find preferable to
the Republican one of the
previous 12 years. Stranger
things have happened.
The chance of any one of
these developments occur-
ring is small. Even adding
these remote chances to-
gether may not get you a
likelihood of 51 percent.
But adding them together
surely gets you up to 20 per-
cent or 30 percent. Is there
really no Democrat who is
willing to gamble on a 1-in-5
chance of being president of
the United States?
To maximize that chance,
this Democrat has got to
speak up soon. Now that
Bush is such a towering fig-
ure, his Democratic chal-
lenger needs as much time
as possible to become famil-
page
32
of
45
3/12/91
CRK
POST
PAGE:
NOW, BACK TO THE
ARELY has it been
R
easier to describe, and
harder to find, what the
Democrats need for a presi-
dential candidate. The over-
simplified litmus labels are
DEMOCRATS
these: "non-liberal" and "pro-
force."
Potential candidates who
can't clearly claim those
Wilder and Dick Gephardt
do better."
words in 1992 will be swim-
all flunk at least one litmus
Could the Democrats do
ming upstream against pow-
test, and typically two.
anything else wrong? Don't
erful currents of American
It gets worse. Democrats
ask. They could push legisla-
opinion. They would, deserv-
are shaping the 1992 electoral
tion that the most popular
edly. be forced to spend a
battlefield like a dumbkopf,
president in polling history
general election campaign
not Schwarzkopf. Having de-
calls "a quota bill." And that's
explaining what they really
stroyed their credibility on
what they're doing. (Why
meant.
BEN
foreign affairs, they seem
isn't there a political suicide
Until Jan 12. four promi-
prevention hotline?)
WATTENBERG
eager to achieve a total self-
nent and tough-minded
inflicted rout.
Has there ever before been
Democratic senators would
This is a national party
a political party whose only
have fit the bill. On that day
It is now said that, "Then
that hasn't smiled in 25
valid proposition is that the
Congress voted Yea or Nay
there were Nunn." Not SO. A
years. Overarching their un-
election is 20 months away
on the president's position re-
fourth prominent non-liber-
popular politics, and shaping
and anything can happen?
garding use of force in the
al/pro-force horse remains
those politics, has been a pall
And so, if one should be in-
Gulf. One of the four, Sen.
unsullied: Sen. Charles Robb
of pessimism. Now, tone-
terested in the future of the
Sam Nunn, led the Nay fight.
voted Yea
deaf, they say, hey, here's a
Democratic Party (why?).
Two others, Sens. Lloyd
For years, Robb had an all-
fresh idea, let's move the de-
one most look to less well-
Bentsen and David Boren,
purpose deflector when
bate back to America's terri-
known Democrats.
followed suit.
asked to run for president.
ble domestic problems, let's
Who is pro-force and non-
peddle a little more doom
liberal? There are several.
"Let's support Sam," he said.
and decline.
Consider Rep. David
But Nunn says he won't run
On the other hand, John
McCurdy of Oklahoma He is
this time.
Kennedy in 1960 had perfect
an 11-year veteran of the
There are those who be-
political pitch for an opposi-
House, chairman of the Intel-
lieve that Robb now has not
tion candidate in a successful
ligence Committee, and, at
only an opportunity but a
country.
41, the youngest committee
duty to make the race and
"Let's get America moving
chairman ever.
make a fight. For salvation,
again," he said, and "We can
He is a moderate - that is,
the Democratic Party needs
he is on the right-wing side of
a public intramural struggle.
the left-wing party. He be-
Robb says he's ready to
lieves the Democratic Party
fight, but will not run Abso-
has to stop being the party of
lutely not. He says he would
government and become the
disown and disavow a draft.
party of opportunity. He's got
Who else passes the litmus
the tone right.
tests? Sen. Al Gore wisely
He is an Air Force reservist
voted Yea on the Gulf, but he
who in December spent nine
has a liberal voting record on
days in Saudi Arabia learn-
all but foreign- policy issues.
ing about the air strategy be-
Rep. Steve Solarz is in the
fore lobbying for it. He
same boat.
studied international eco-
As governor, Bill Clinton of
nomics at the University of
Arkansas didn't have to vote,
Edinburgh. His wife is a
wavered and came out Yea
child psychiatrist. His father
after the vote, but before the
was a maintenance electri-
war.
cian. His mother worked in a
As for the rest, forget it.
factory.
Mario Cuomo, Jesse Jackson,
He says: "The Democratic
George McGovern, Bob Ker-
Party needs a fight."
rey, Bill Bradley, Doug
Of course, an unknown
Democrat in his early 40s
would be a longshot. It hasn't
worked since John Kennedy
did it.
Democrats
Ben Wattenberg is a senior
fellow at the American En-
terprise Institute.
IT'S
MASS
AND
EVEN 1992
YET!!
GOP
GOD.
GOP.
The Hiami Herald
page
of
45
LOS ANGELES TIMES
DATE:
3/10/9)
PAGE:
CIVIL RIGHTS
President Blows His Chance to Lead
If employees cannot sue, employers are
would have restored the employer's bur-
By Julius L. Chambers
not deterred from discriminating; rather,
den of proof.
NEW YORK
we embolden unscrupulous employers
The Administration, however, proposes
W
hen President George Bush vetoed the Civil
who might take advantage of a recession
to restore to the employer only a minimal
Rights Act of 1990 last October, he claimed
or other happenstance to deprive hungry
burden. Its legislation would redefine
that the Administration would introduce
employees of civil-rights protection. We
"business necessity" to mean that some
legislation to correct recent Supreme Court rulings
should not force a worker to sell his or her
legitimate employment goal is signifi-
that have watered down protections against employ-
birthright for a bowl of porridge; employ-
cantly served by the practice being
ment discrimination. In part because of that pledge,
ees deserve both their civil rights and
challenged. So employers could argue
the President's veto sur-
gle vote in the
their jobs.
that ostensibly neutral practices-includ-
Senate.
The Civil Rights Act of 1990 also would
ing subjective selection procedures as
Earlier this month. the Administration unveiled
have given women and religious minori-
well as tests-are justified by something
the promised proposal-on a Friday evening, a time
ties the right to obtain damages from
so flimsy as customer preference.
designed to attract the least public attention. The
juries for harassment and other employ-
For example, it might well be legiti-
reason for the timing is plain when the proposed
ment discrimination, a right that racial or
mate under the Administration's bill for a
legislation is analyzed: It is shameful anti-civil-rights
ethnic minorities had until the 1989
bank to refuse to hire African-American
legislation.
Supreme Court decisions. Last year, the
tellers because their white customers
The Bush Administration has squandered an
Administration opposed that reform.
might not like them. That reduces the ban
reportunity to play a decisive leadership role in civil
This year, it has changed its position to
on discrimination by so-called neutral,
Mights. The Gulf War, a war in which one-third of the
permit women to seek damages for ha-
unjustified practices to an empty promise.
round troops are African-American, is now behind
rassment but not for any other discrimi-
There are many other defects in the
Many of those serving in the Gulf-minorities and
natory behavior. such as failure to hire
Administration bill. It is so one-sided. so
men-would have been beneficiaries of the vetoed
women, denial of promotions or wrongful
biased in favor of employers, so directly
190 legislation. As a historical matter, many civil-
termination. While other protected
contrary to Congress' demonstrated con-
whis gains have come in postwar eras, when the
groups have these rights under another
cern for civil rights, that it should be
muntry has attempted to live up to its proclaimed
statute, women will not be able to obtain
summarily rejected. Congress should en-
reals of freedom and equality that its military have
compensatory or punitive damages no
act-one hopes with support from the
defended in battle. How much better it would be for
matter how outrageous the discriminato-
Administration-a Civil Rights Act that
the President to aid, not retard, that process.
ry conduct may be.
will ensure equal and fair employment
The Civil Rights Act of 1990 had a 65% level of
Moreover, a woman-but not members
opportunities for all people.
support in both houses of Congress. The legislation
of other groups-would be denied a jury
enjoys wide backing outside Congress as well,
trial and be limited to $150,000 in damag-
ranging from the American Bar Assn. to the
es, no matter how egregious the employ-
Administration's own Civil Rights Commission to
er's illegal acts may have been. The
conservative columnists such as James Kilpatrick.
woman would be required to submit her
The need for new legislation is clear. In its 1989
claim to an employer's internal procedure
term, the Supreme Court issued a series of rulings
for resolving complaints within 90 days. If
that cut back the rights of minorities and women by
she failed to do so, she couldn't sue,
depriving employees of protection against on-the-job
although no other employee has to meet
harassment, no matter how offensive or blatant; by
such a requirement under the civil-rights
limiting the ability of employees to obtain relief from
laws. There is no way to effectively police
broad, systemic discrimination, and by permitting
the legitimacy of such procedures.
long-resolved discrimination cases to be reopened
The Administration proposes to help
and challenged. The Civil Rights Act of 1990
employers in yet another way that opens
straightforwardly dealt with these and other prob-
the door to renewed discrimination.
lems.
The Supreme Court decided 20 years
Not having a legitimate difference of substance
ago that the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohib-
with the act, the Administration invented the issue of
ited not only intentional discrimination
quotas. It argued that the legislation would result in
but neutral practices, such as certain
hiring or promotion by the numbers without relation
written examinations, that had discrimi-
to qualifications. although the act expressly prohib-
natory effects. In proving these cases,
ited any quotas.
employees had to show the adverse
The Administration leveled its charge notwith-
impact of these practices, while employ-
standing the protests of several leading anti-quota
ers had the burden of showing that such
organizations- the Anti-Defamation League of B'Nai
practices were necessary in their conduct
B'rith, the American Jewish Committee and Ameri-
of business.
can Jewish Congress-that the legislation
In 1989, the Supreme Court let the
clearly did not require or encourage
employer off the hook. It said employees
quotas.
had the burden of proving that there was
Now, in its own proposal, the Adminis-
no "business necessity" behind the dis-
tration has come up very short. Although
crimination. Last year's Civil Rights Act
the legislation is supposed to restore legal
protections stripped from employees, one
of its key features instead robs them of
yet another. It permits employers to force
employees. as a condition of employment,
to waive their right to sue in case of job
discrimination.
The protections that our civil-rights
laws give racial and religious minorities
and women are crucial. For this reason,
Congress has not restricted employees to
one remedy or another; since 1974, the
law has been that employers cannot
require employees to submit to arbitra-
tion of discrimination claims and give up
their right to sue. Now the Administra-
tion wants to force employees to give up
that right to pursue justice in a court of
law.
Julius L. Chambers is director-counsel of the NAACP
Legal Defense Fund & Educational Fund.
page
34
45
The Evening Sun
A8
Baltimore, Friday, March 8, 1991
Will bullishness on Bush persist?
P
RESIDENT BUSH'S job approval
scandal. He also had opponents who
their constituents. Most antiwar
rating is to Washington what the
never supported him, no matter
Democrats will be able to explain
Dow Jones industrial average is to
what he did, even when the economy
their vote as a matter of conscience,
Wall Street. It's a good indicator of
was booming. Very few people ei-
particularly 20 months after it hap-
the current mood of the place. But it's
ther love or hate Bush. That's why he
pened. The damage is likely to be
not always a good predictor of the fu-
can go much higher than Reagan in
greatest for Democrats facing new
ture. Right now, Washington is bullish
the polls. And, if things go wrong
electorates, either as a result of re-
on Bush. The president's approval rat-
much lower.
districting or because they are run-
ing stood at 91
Bush is popular because he is suc-
ning for a different office.
percent in the
William
an sustain the peace
The Democrats' biggest problem
latest USA To-
and add prosperity to it, he will very
is at the presidential level. They
Schneider
day poll, which
likely be unbeatable in 1992.
have to find a candidate who crosses
is a record for
Republicans have even higher ex.
the threshold of credibility on na-
any president
pectations, however. "I think it could
tional security. Most leading Demo-
since polling be-
be bigger than 1984," when Reagan
crats in Congress voted against the
gan in the 1930s. The minute Bush
won re-election in a landslide, said
war. Most leading Democrats out-
declared victory in the Persian Gulf
Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, the
side Congress lack foreign policy ex-
on Feb. 27, he was widely believed to
chairman of the National Republi-
perience.
have won re-election for 1992.
can Senatorial Committee. "I think it
Those who can pass the com-
Whether that actually happens de-
could be 1980 (when the GOP took
mander-in-chief test usually have
pends on two things: the status quo's
control of the Senate) all over
trouble getting nominated. And it
holding up, and even improving, by
again."
looks as though they will have even
November 1992, and the Democrats'
That's asking a lot. Generally,
more trouble next year. California
failing to nominate a credible chal-
when Republican presidents are re-
Democrats are considering a propos-
lenger. Either will be enough to en-
elected because people are happy
al to select up to 40 percent of their
sure Bush's re-election.
with the status quo (1956, 1972,
convention delegates at party cau-
Commentators are talking about
1984), they re-elect congressional
cuses at the very beginning of the
a new George Bush, a man of strong,
Democrats, too. After all, they're
1992 primary season. Only those who
unequivocal beliefs who is able to
part of the status quo. Why should
have performed services for the
rally the nation. But the new George
1992 be any different?
party could become delegates.
Bush is still the old George Bush -
Supporters of the plan - which
status quo president. What's new is
Because Bush, the argument
does not require legislative approval
that the status quo, at least in for-
goes, can unleash his Republican
- contend that it would enable Cali-
eign policy, is extremely good.
Guard against Democrats in Con-
gress who opposed the war. Gramm
fornia to "play the role in national
What Bush did in the Persian Gulf
argues that the Jan. 12 vote to au-
presidential politics that its size, het-
was restore the status quo. He prom-
ised that Iraq's act of brutal aggres-
thorize the war "fits a pattern that is
erogeneity and representativeness
demand." But California Democrats
sion against Kuwait would not stand,
20 years old.
It says to the nation
and it didn't. But the United States
once again that Democrats cannot
are among the most liberal in the
stopped short of toppling Iraqi Presi-
be trusted to define the destiny of
nation, and caucuses limited to party
activists would almost certainly bias
dent Saddam Hussein, and America
America."
the results strongly to the left. Once
shows little inclination to try to
The problem with that is that
again, by trying to make a bad situa-
shape a new status quo in the Middle
most members of Congress have a
tion better, the Democrats are likely
East. Unlike President Reagan,
strong personal relationship with
to make it worse.
Bush doesn't talk about exporting
democracy or free enterprise. In
fact, his New World Order is really a
policy of defending the international
status quo against aggressors who
would disrupt it.
Bush is unlike Reagan in another
respect. He is not motivated by ideo-
logical conviction. He is motivated
by moral principle, which is quite
different. Moral principles are unify-
ing. By defining the Persian Gulf
commitment as moral rather than
ideological, Bush held the nation to-
gether and undermined liberal oppo-
sition to the war.
Ideological convictions are divi-
sive. Reagan had a large constituen-
cy of people who believed in him and
supported him no matter what he
did, even through the Iran-contra
35 45
The Evening Sun
A8
Baltimore, Friday, March 8, 1991
Basking in the gulf war's warm afterglow
Washington
servicemen homeward even as he
afford to take the high road, while
I
F THE DEMOCRATS had any
spoke, there will be no rush to put
these hatchet men slither along the
doubts that President Bush, for-
the gulf war success behind the
low road for partisan ends.
merly derogated as a wimp, has be-
country. In calling in the speech for
While the president did specifi-
come an 800-pound political gorilla
"every community in this country to
cally proclaim that with the war
and intends to make the most of it,
make this coming Fourth of July a
over, "we must bring the same sense
those doubts surely were dispelled
day of special celebration for our re-
of self-discipline, that same sense of
by his Persian Gulf victory speech to
turning troops," Bush is making sure
urgency, to the way we meet chal-
Congress.
at the same time that the afterglow
lenges home," he said it
From the
lasts at least until then - nearly
should be applied to an already
uproarious re-
four months from now. That nation-
stated domestic agenda that is hard-
Jack W.
ception he re-
wide display of flags and yellow rib-
ly a comparable challenge to the na-
Germond &
ceived entering
bons itself is likely to have an after-
tional will.
and leaving the
glow of its own for weeks thereafter.
That agenda was dismissed as old
House from
In the meantime, Bush reportedly
hat and a collection of rehashed half
Jules
flag-bearing
is considering going to Kuwait per-
measures by the Democratic leader-
Witcover
fellow Republi-
sonally for Easter, and towns across
ship when he presented it in Janu-
cans to the
the country with local men and
ary, and despite his challenge to
gracious non-
women returning certainly are not
Congress to pass his crime and
partisan wel-
going to wait for the Fourth of July
transportation proposals in 100 days,
come from House Speaker Tom Fo-
to turn out the marching bands for
the Democrats can be expected to
ley. the president's appearance was
heroes' welcomes. This is particu-
move on their own fronts.
a clear sign of things to come in the
larly so because Americans have
Just as Bush understandably
months and weeks ahead as Ameri-
had a long time waiting for substan-
would like to keep the nation's atten-
can troops return home from the
tial grounds to proclaim the old
tion on his foreign-policy success
war zone.
American pride and patriotism in
with a strung-out afterglow, the
While Bush reported that he had
military success.
Democrats want desperately to
ordered Secretary of Defense Dick
Ever since the ignominious flight
switch that focus to domestic needs
Cheney to start the first American
by helicopter from the U.S. embassy
they argue Bush continues to neg-
in Saigon in 1975, the Vietnam expe-
rience had hung like a bad dream
lect. As they look forlornly toward
over American self-confidence in the
next year's presidential contest
U.S. military. By comparison to the
against this new 800-pound gorilla
scope and effectiveness of U.S.
without an openly declared candi-
might in the gulf war, the earlier
date (George McGovern is still con-
Bush invasion of Panama and the
sidering), their best hope is to seize
Ronald Reagan invasion of Grenada
the domestic battleground. But the
Republicans can be counted on to
On Politics Today
press once again the argument that
Democrats believe the only way to
solve problems at home is to throw
were mere fireworks displays, al-
taxpayers' money at them, an argu-
though not, to be sure, to those who
ment that has stood them in good
fought in them and in some cases
stead in recent years.
gave their lives. Whether Iraq was
The outlook, therefore, between
or wasn't, as advertised before the
now and that promised Fourth of Ju-
war started, "the world's fourth
ly super-celebration of flags, yellow
largest fighting force," it was no
ribbons and peans to the leadership
Grenada either, especially with its
brilliance of George Bush is for
own Great Satan Saddam to raise
more of the same legislative wran-
American temperatures and anger.
Bush in his speech did not, as
gling of Bush's first two years. Dem-
have fellow Republicans Sen. Phil
ocrats, no matter how intimidated
Gramm and House Minority Newt
by his military success, can hardly
Gingrich, seek overtly to cast the
afford to swallow a Bush domestic
prosecution of the war - and failure
agenda that they believe is their one
to vote for use of force in the first
remaining legitimate political target
place - in partisan terms. He can
if they are to have any hope at all of
making a presidential race of it in
1992.
of
45
Great Russians if it led
between both the
the remainder of the
with antemerging trans
ealth. The disruptive ef
politically and eco-
hus be mitigated and
The Ghost in the Pentagon
growing framework of
considerations make
Rethinking America's Defense
that a viable trans-
bilized by a secure con-
Fred Charles Iklé
be made open not only
also to at least the
Soviet Union, as well as
extension. To be sure, it
ROM BERLIN to Baku, popular
This year, Congress will vote on the first
prejudge this matter in
F
revolutions are dissolving the
defense budget since democratic revolution
ographical and political
world's last empire-the erst-
swept through Eastern Europe. The Bush
to note that the only
while evil one. Upheavals continue. The an-
administration sees this budget as beginning
and Eastern European
nus mirabilis of 1989 liberated political energy
"the transition," in the President's words, "to
munist phase is a larger
that is now beginning to affect every corner of
a restructured military-a new strategy that
ntrived framework of
the globe: hastening the demise of Beijing's
is more flexible, more geared to contingencies
outdated dynasty, eroding Fidel Castro's and
outside of Europe.
" But as the defense
for Europeans and
Kim Il Sung's dictatorships, creating a new
budget winds its way through Congress, one
inking about the impli-
German nation, transforming the European
must fear it will be treated like a big sugar loaf
challenge. The Eur-
Community, and perhaps draining the mar-
from which to shave off sweet slices: cut more
this century has known
row out of NATO.
army divisions here, lop off another aircraft
The response to this
Routinely, Pentagon planners stake out
carrier there, cancel the new strategic
requires a concen-
their work each year with a description of
bomber, cut strategic defense by half, and so
ptualizing and shaping
The Threat. Now we see in astonishment
on-chop, chip, chop.
and commitment. It
that in every arena of confrontation The
One can no more construct a new strat-
laptation of some exist-
Threat is being turned upside down. Indeed,
egy from canceled defense programs than
and the creation of
our arch-adversary's arch-alliance, the War-
one can build a house from woodshavings.
and Eastern Euro-
saw Pact, remains strung together only by
Alas, any sense of urgency in Washington
Western European and
the thin filament of a vacuous treaty text,
that has now welled up about defense is
a common council. It
having lost its ideological glue and Stalinist
aimed at budget cuts, not grand strategy.
for a full-time trans-
discipline.
Stubborn fiscal pressures provide today's
iropean dialogue at the
What, now, are the threats against which
motive for changing our military programs
with a sense of both
the Pentagon should prepare? How should
and forces. As for America's overall strat-
Given the accelerating
America's strategy and military forces, in-
egy, influential voices in the administration
indeed time to begin
deed its overall foreign policy, be changed to
and in Congress maintain that because of
the next phase in its
take account of the transformed environ-
vast uncertainty in the world we should
ment?
change warily. The United States would be
rash, it is argued, if it sought to shape the
Fred Charles Iklé was undersecretary of defense
ongoing transformation of the global strate-
for policy in the Reagan administration and is
gic structure, a transformation that not
currently a Distinguished Scholar at the Cen-
only unpredictable but, in any event,
ter for Strategic and International Studies,
largely beyond our influence. A renovation
Washington, D.C.
of our security strategy, according to the
The National Interest-Spring 1990.
13
conventional wisdom in Washington, will
must be done "if the war is not to be lost."
have to wait till the dust settles.
strategy, ever
The principal requirement, it argued, is
divisions and
This complacency is mistaken. For we
to prepare for "an offensive strategic air
should care immensely just. how "the dust
the budget-cu
effort against vital Russian industrial com-
settles."
discovered inc
plexes and against Russian population
A-To say that the United States can wait to
tagon bureauc
centers."¹
some of our for
address the fundamentals of our Western
All these concepts have survived to this
active status to
security strategy is both too complacent and
day. The whole mindset is there: the Soviet
While the shif
too unambitious. It is too complacent about
military threat to the center of Europe, U.S.
the potential losses, the utter disaster that the
the bureaucrad
dependence on warning time, and-to com-
fragility of today's global transformation
ous. It totally
pensate for Western weakness-U.S. strate-
revolution tha
could bring. And it is too unambitious and
gic bombing of Russia. Like a sturdy genetic
too passive, given the potential gains, the
Europe to con
code, the mindset propagated itself through
our active for
promise for enduring and profound improve-
generations of technological revolutions in
ment in our security that these pregnant
gence experts
armaments; through the Korean and Viet-
times hold. Both the complacency and the
seven days of
nam Wars; through the Sino-Soviet split
in the event of
listless passivity stem from a poverty of imag-
and the build-up of British, French, and
War II. Since
ination about the potential for change-
Chinese nuclear arsenals; through the eco-
to be measured
indeed, about the impact of the changes that
nomic empowerment of Japan and the grow-
have already occurred. What constricts our
in thirty-seven
ing unity and economic expansion of West-
it would take
imagination are old habits of the mind, an
ern Europe.
almost unwitting reliance on the strategic
rope.
Let us defer to another day the question
Even while
concepts that have shaped the ends and
whether this concept of the dominant threat
means of our defense policy for decades.
ern Europe, th
remained valid beyond the mid-1950s; that
time measured
is to say, beyond the death of Stalin, the
was mistaken.
The Enduring Mindset
rebuilding of Western Europe's economies
is almost alwa
and military forces, the consolidation of
HE MOST influential of these con-
enemy will use
T
NATO, and the massive expansion of U.S.
cepts have to do with Europe,
deepen ambigu
nuclear might. But surely, during the last
the United St
precisely the area that has now experienced
year a few more things have changed in
the greatest change. For more. than four dec-
could ever agre
the center of Europe-and indeed, in Mos-
and before the
ades, year after year, the threat of a massive
cow.
Soviet invasion of Western Europe has deter-
planned deploy
Nonetheless, Washington's national se-
divisions to Eu
mined the design and purpose of over half of
curity establishment continues to see the
America's resources for defense.
By postula
world in terms of the 1947 mindset. By
the Warsaw Pa
As pervasive as it is obsolete, this mind-
regarding the basic strategy as an unchang-
with an extra
set took hold forty-three years ago. In 1947,
ing core, it recognizes improvement only at
just two years after the Second World War,
ing," the Wash
the edges. It admits-grudgingly-that the
cuts in the defe
planners of the Joint Chiefs of Staff set
Warsaw Pact's massive attack on Western
down some views of a possible war with the
edges of our f
Europe would be somewhat weaker now
Soviet Union. "The Soviet land armies and
sions here, elim
and preceded by additional warning time.
accommodate
air forces are capable of overrunning most,
Having figured out that the attack would be
Most of these c
if not all, of Western Europe in a short
weaker, the Pentagon bureaucracy con-
members of Co
time," warned their memorandum. "The
cluded it could still adhere to the same old
hurt vociferous
ability of the Allies to meet and retard the
Soviet efforts would depend to a very large
of this approa
Containment: Documents on American Policy and
recent, and still
degree upon the length of the period of
Strategy, 1945-1950, ed. Thomas Etzold and
warning they receive and the use they made
the Soviet emp
John Gaddis (New York: Columbia Univer-
of it." Gloomily, the assessment listed what
secure the hit
sity Press, 1978), pp. 302-6.
peace and dem
14
The National Interest-Spring 1990
war is not to be lost.
irement, it argued, is
strategy, even if it sacrificed two army
Stability Worship
divisions and a few tactical fighter wings on
offensive strategic air
Russian industrial com-
the budget-cutting altar. Second, having
discovered increased warning time, the Pen-
N
OT TO WORRY, say some U.S.
officials, these gains will be se-
Russian population
tagon bureaucracy now accepts converting
cured through arms control agreements, par-
some of our forces intended for Europe from
ticularly through the ongoing talks in Vienna
have survived to this
active status to the less costly reserve status.
on conventional force reductions in Europe.
dset is there: the Soviet
While the shift to reserves has merit, how
While a successful conclusion of these talks
center of Europe, U.S.
the bureaucracy rationalizes it is preposter-
will undoubtedly bring security benefits,
time, and-to com-
ous. It totally misses the import of the
their most lasting impact might yet be to
veakness-U.S. strate-
revolution that has swept through Eastern
undermine some of the recent gains for East-
Like a sturdy genetic
Europe to conclude merely that we can trim
ern European independence. The talks in
opagated itself through
our active forces a bit because our intelli-
Vienna are aimed at a treaty that will en-
ological revolutions in
the Korean and Viet-
gence experts now promise, say, thirty-
shrine the concept of parity between NATO
seven days of warning (instead of fourteen)
and the Warsaw Pact and impose the same
the Sino-Soviet split
in the event of the Second Coming of World
limits on American forces in Western Europe
British, French, and
War II. Since 1989, NATO's warning time is
as on Soviet forces in Eastern Europe. To be
through the eco-
to be measured neither in fourteen days nor
sure, President Bush's recent proposal to
of Japan and the grow-
in thirty-seven days, but in years-the years
lower these limits and to move away from
expansion of West-
it would take to re-Stalinize Eastern Eu-
equality between American and Soviet forces
rope.
would improve the outcome. Yet, most of the
day the question
Even while Moscow still controlled East-
new governments in Eastern Europe are now
the dominant threat
ern Europe, the concept of a fixed warning
seeking agreements with Moscow for the
the mid-1950s; that
time measured by a given number of days
withdrawal of all Soviet forces from their
death of Stalin, the
was mistaken. Advance warning of an attack
countries. When these governments later sign
Europe's economies
is almost always ambiguous, and a clever
the grand arms treaty in Vienna, they will in
the consolidation of
enemy will use every means of deception to
effect legitimize a Soviet occupation force in
expansion of U.S.
deepen ambiguity. It is hard to believe that
their countries that their new bilateral agree-
during the last
the United States and its European allies
ments with Moscow will have happily elimi-
have changed in
could ever agree, in response to such warning
nated.
and indeed, in Mos-
and before the first shot was fired, to the
Why should the United States and its
planned deployment of six additional U.S.
NATO allies labor in Vienna to give birth to a
ington's national se-
divisions to Europe.²
treaty that will help maintain the Warsaw
ontinues to see the
By postulating that the hoary scenario of
Pact as a coequal to NATO? Why should the
1947 mindset. By
the Warsaw Pact onslaught comes packaged
as an unchang-
with an extra twenty-three days of "warn-
²Well before the revolutions in Eastern Europe,
improvement only at
ing," the Washington establishment justifies
senior U.S. defense officials recognized that it
rudgingly-that
the
cuts in the defense budget. By trimming the
would be impossible to rely on a specific
attack on Western
edges of our force posture-cut some divi-
warning time. During his seven years as
ewhat weaker now
sions here, eliminate some bases there-it can
secretary of defense, Caspar Weinberger re-
warning time.
accommodate some further budget cuts.
peatedly urged the Pentagon and NATO plan-
the attack would be
Most of these cuts will be welcomed by most
ners to prepare for tambiguous and variable
bureaucracy con-
members of Congress-unless and until they
warning periods. David Abshire, after serv-
to the same old
hurt vociferous constituents. But the totality
ing as U.S. ambassador to NATO, explained
of this approach is too passive toward the
compellingly that warning and response time
American Policy and
recent, and still continuing, transformation of
vary greatly, depending on the contingency.
Thomas Etzold and
the Soviet empire. It fails to cultivate and to
See David M. Abshire, Preventing World War
Columbia Univer-
secure the hitherto unimagined gains for.
III (New York: Harper & Row, 1988), pp.
02-6.
peace and democracy.
105-8.
The Ghost in the Pentagon
15
Pentagon bureaucracy still allocate over half
and nationality crises, continues the mass
frontation wit
its resources to a conventional war in the
production of a wide array of powerful arma-
numbers of tr
center of Europe against a Warsaw Pact inva-
ments, including the most modern nuclear
ment. But by
sion with only thirty-four days (or whatever)
missiles. Our planners would be remiss if
NATO debates
of warning? The answer to both these ques-
they failed to project these formidable mili-
head start. Mc
tions is the same: our arms control policy and
tary capabilities into a less benign political
reconquest of
our arms policy are dominated by the same
context than we enjoy today. We might wake
conventional
obsolete mindset.
up some morning to find a new aggressive
washed away
The forty-year-old image of the Threat
dictatorship in Moscow, a ruthless tyrant
and our forty-year-old strategy constrict our
who could order Russian forces to reconquer
capacity to grasp the immensity of the global
Eastern Europe and menace NATO more dan-
Changing Pri
change now unfolding before us. We have
gerously than Stalin ever did.
promoted a "stable balance" between NATO
But what a fatal error to believe that, in
AGAIN
and Warsaw Pact forces for so long that quite
the event of such a catastrophe, NATO could
poses mistaken
a few Westerners have come to think Soviet
simply pick up where it left off in 1988! It is
America's (and
forces in the center of Europe are needed for
grossly unrealistic to assume that our Atlantic
the West's arn
the sake of stability. One even hears whisper-
Alliance would proudly reassemble at the old
top priorities
ings in some mossy NATO circles that the
ramparts, regenerate its military exercises in
ought to be th
Warsaw Pact ought to be preserved to main-
West Germany, deploy new short-range nu-
of the recent
tain this treasured stability.
clear arms in Europe (as had been planned in
rope, and the
In London and Paris, moreover, some
1988), and induce its member nations to
Russian "hard
officials still pine for a permanent partitioning
increase their defense budgets again.
to use military
of Germany; not only to preserve the "stable"
If the will of all the peoples in Eastern
the empire-a
East-West balance, but also because they
Europe had been crushed under Soviet tanks,
Germany, to t
begrudge Germany its growing strength.
if the democratic forces from Sofia to Warsaw
and beyond.
They try to disguise this envy as legitimate,
had been drowned in rivers of blood, if the
This mear
psychic trauma from both world wars. One
profound German aspirations for a unified
dismantling 0
wonders, though, if Paris must fear a new
nation were cruelly affronted by new mine
withdrawal of
invasion by Hitler or the Kaiser, should Bonn
fields and walls, if the expectations for a
where they are
fear a new Napoleonic war? Were it not for
peaceful, open continent now animating all
of more drasti
the democratic vigor of the people in the
the nations of Europe were totally shat-
ing U.S. tro
Eastern and Western part of Germany, these
tered-how could NATO then return to "bus-
Republic of (
British and French stability worshippers
iness as usual"? Instead, the Atlantic Alliance
President's ne
might yet succeed in rebuilding the Berlin
would be rent by harsh recriminations. Its
right direction
Wall. As Dr. Johnson might say today, "Sta-
governments and its people would have lost
reasonably exp
bility is the last refuge of a reactionary."
confidence in the old strategy; they would
American ford
Again, those who want to "stabilize" the
recoil from the prospect of another forty
the foreseeable
military confrontation between NATO and the
years of military confrontation in the center
German gover
Warsaw Pact are, in one sense, too unambi-
of Europe. With so dark a future, the now
German peop
tious. Beholden to the old strategic mindset,
ebullient spirit of the European community
should insist tl
they eschew improvements in our security
would falter. The fear of nuclear war would
its entirety, 1
that an up-to-date strategy could achieve. In
again weigh heavily on the public psyche, a
NATO. But a r
another sense, more dangerously, they are
fear the enemy could easily exploit to stir up
presence in G
too complacent in believing that NATO could
disunity within the alliance.
give reality to
protect itself against a "second Stalin" simply
The conventional arms agreement that is
United States
by manning its old fortresses again.
now being painstakingly negotiated in Vi-
ing the enduri
Prudently, our defense planners are wor-
enna would offer scant protection in such a
of the Atlantic
ried by intelligence information showing that
calamity. To be sure, thanks to the agreed
atlantic securit
the Soviet Union, despite its acute economic
reductions Russia would enter the new con-
long-term ben
16.
The National Interest-Spring 1990
continues the mass
frontation without its former advantage in
We can best preserve the global benefits
rray of powerful arma-
numbers of troops, tanks, and other equip-
of the Atlantic Alliance by taking the initia-
most modern nuclear
ment. But by violating the agreement while
tive now, in concert with our allies, to shape
"S would be remiss if
NATO debates what to do, Russia could get a
a new security system for Europe. Instead of
these formidable mili-
head start. Moreover, once Russia began its
husbanding our military assets to "stabilize"
a less benign political
reconquest of Eastern Europe, the Vienna
the NATO-Warsaw Pact confrontation in the
today. We might wake
conventional arms agreement would be
center of Europe, we should shift more re-
find a new aggressive
washed away like a sandcastle by the tide.
sources and effort to help stabilize democracy
w, a ruthless tyrant
in Eastern Europe. It is a mistake to wait for
an forces to reconquer
the Vienna arms reduction talks to establish
enace NATO more dan-
Changing Priorities
such a system. These talks will wind up
er did.
Tor to believe that, in
AGAIN IT becomes apparent here
preserving the Warsaw Pact like a toad in a
our old strategic mindset im-
bottle of formaldehyde.
astrophe, NATO could
poses mistaken priorities on the renovation of
Fortunately, with every passing month,
t left off in 1988! It is
America's (and NATO's) defense effort and on
democracy in Eastern Europe is becoming
sume that our Atlantic
the West's arms control policy. Among the
stronger. Nonetheless, it is conceivable that
reassemble at the old
top priorities of our defense policy today
some new crisis might suddenly tempt Mos-
military exercises in
ought to be the protection and consolidation
cow to consider military intervention in
new short-range nu-
of the recent political gains in Eastern Eu-
Poland, East Germany, or Czechoslovakia,
had been planned in
rope, and the removal of temptations among
much as Brezhnev stumbled into the deci-
member nations to
Russian "hard-liners" and would-be Stalins
sion to invade Afghanistan. To deter such a
udgets again.
to use military force for a new expansion of
decision, under any and all circumstances, is a
e peoples in Eastern
the empire-all the way into the center of
mission of our national security policy that de-
d under Soviet tanks,
Germany, to the Adriatic, into Afghanistan,
serves much higher priority today than the forty-
from Sofia to Warsaw
and beyond.
year-old Pentagon mission of deterring the now
ivers of blood, if the
This means we must help to hasten the
exceedingly improbable Russian invasion of West-
rations for a unified
dismantling of the Warsaw Pact and the
ern Europe.
ronted by new mine
withdrawal of Soviet forces from countries
To this end, we must make clear to the
expectations for a
where they are not welcome, even at the price
leaders in Moscow, whoever they may be,
it now animating all
of more drastically and more rapidly reduc-
that the West would never accept a new
were totally shat-
ing U.S. troops deployed in the Federal
subjugation of Eastern European nations.
then return to "bus-
Republic of Germany. On this point, the
This means breaking with some shameful
the Atlantic Alliance
President's newest proposal moves in the
past precedents of American indifference.
recriminations. Its
right direction. Of course, we can hope and
For example, only a few weeks after Soviet
ple would have lost
reasonably expect that a certain presence of
tanks crushed the democratic uprising in
trategy; they would
American forces east of the Rhine will, for
Hungary in 1956, President Eisenhower
ct of another forty
the foreseeable future, be welcomed by the
stealthily signaled to Moscow that the United
ntation in the center
German government and by a majority of the
States wanted to return to business as usual,
K a future, the now
German people. This does not mean we
despite our vehement public denunciations of
uropean community
should insist that a united Germany must, in
the Soviet actions in Budapest. Similarly,
nuclear war would
its entirety, be a full-fledged member of
after Brezhnev's invasion of Czechoslovakia
he public psyche, a
NATO. But a residual, continuing U.S. troop
in 1968, President Johnson's first priority in
ily exploit to stir up
presence in Germany would symbolize and
East-West relations was to resume the strate-
ice.
give reality to a security link between the
gic arms talks. Prevented from doing. by
ns agreement that is
United States and Europe, thus complement-
the incoming Nixon administration, he felt
negotiated in Vi-
ing the enduring spiritual and cultural bonds
great disappointment; by contrast, he had
rotection in such a
of the Atlantic Alliance. To preserve a trans-
been much less troubled by Brezhnev's de-
anks to the agreed
atlantic security link is an imperative for the
struction of Czechoslovakia's democratic
enter the new con-
long-term benefit of the world.
forces. We now know that this intervention
The Ghost in the Pentagon
17
set back democratization in Eastern Europe
priorities between saving assets for World
Four point
by twenty years.
War III and helping to strengthen the forces
concerning the
Brezhnev's invasion of Afghanistan in
for freedom now? Many members of Con-
military contin
1979 provoked a more coherent and, above
gress and private foreign policy experts are
First, for the R
all, a more persistent American response.
advocating larger and swifter funding for a
World hostilit
The Carter administration started and the
whole panoply of reconstruction assistance to
in which the U
Reagan administration greatly expanded mil-
Eastern Europe-support for new private ag-
since World We
itary support for the Afghan resistance. Nine
riculture, management training for business
forces or indo
vears later, the tenacity of this resistance-
and government. Clearly, if democracy can
aid-occurred
and, thanks largely to our help, its effective-
be firmly anchored in these countries the
(Korea in 1950
ness-compelled the withdrawal of the So-
security of our European allies will be im-
try.) Since the
viet forces. Moscow learned a lesson that
mensely improved. Efforts by the U.S. gov-
defense expert
must have weighed heavily on its decision to
ernment to this end, hence, could reasonably
studies of the
abandon its imperial expansionism. If Mos-
be regarded as complementing or substituting
Third World
cow is not to forget this lesson, the West must
for other U.S. efforts on behalf of NATO.
A second
continue to remember it as well.
The Pentagon, however, tends to resist
concept of "T
A lesson within this lesson is particularly
such a trade-off; and so might, when push
covers many
relevant for the Pentagon's current adjust-
comes to shove, various congressional com-
vastly differer
ment to the transformation of the Soviet
mittees. Despite the prudently chosen cuts
strategic geog
empire. The Pentagon bureaucracy opposed
that Defense Secretary Cheney proposed to
weaponry use
the Reagan administration's efforts to provide
Congress for the 1991 budget, about half our
disparate cont
more effective weapons to the Afghan resis-
defense effort is essentially still devoted to
needs to be al
tance. It held no grudges against the Afghan
fighting a massive conventional war in Eu-
different arma
freedom fighters, of course; it merely wanted
rope. Before cutting our NATO-related forces
ning, hence, n
to save its weaponry (even some of the oldest
further, the Bush administration wants a
possible threa
models) to meet The Threat it knew since
signed agreement to bring Soviet strength in
Some types o
1947, with its anticipated huge tank and air
Eastern Europe down to ours in Western
services are \
battles in Germany.
Europe-clearly a vast improvement in terms
essential for
Specifically, the U.S. army bureaucracy
of military force ratios. But if democracy
devices to cle
fiercely opposed giving the Afghan resistance
should not survive in Eastern Europe, no
warfare, ships
Stinger missiles, the hand-held surface-to-air
piece of paper signed in Vienna would offer
drones for int
missiles with which the Afghans/could shoot
us worthwhile protection.
types of unma
down Soviet aircraft. Only a minimal frac-
A third si
tion of the U.S. army stocks of the oldest
role of militar
version of this missile was needed, and once
Third World Contingencies
States have a
made available, turned the fortunes of the
war in Afghanistan decisively against the
O
VER TIME, of course, the Penta-
World conflic
gon will try to redesign its con-
rely on assist
Soviet invader. While opposing this small
ventional forces for contingencies other than
gage its own
contribution, the Pentagon was unstinting in
a war against a massive Warsaw Pact attack.
renders all th
shoring up the ramparts against a Soviet
The newly fashionable arena for our army,
overhaul of tl
invasion of the Persian Gulf. That there
navy, and air force planners is the Third
governing m
might be a connection between Soviet success
World. All types of armaments have sud-
Congress is r
or failure in subjugating Afghanistan and
denly become "vital" for dealing with Third
A fourth
Moscow's appetite for invading Iran, Kuwait,
World conflicts. Undoubtedly, each type has
although it
and Saudi Arabia was not apparent to those
considerable military merit-whether it is the
Pentagon. O
who jealously guarded the hoard of thou-
new C-17 transport plane that the air force
budget-less
sands of old Stinger missiles.
wants, the new V-22 tilt-rotor plane desired
in the fores
Would it be unfair to see in this story a
by the marines, or the aircraft carriers trea-
prepare for
parable for today's need to set the right
sured by the navy.
Third World
18.
The National Interest-Spring 1990
saving assets for World
Four points need to be kept in mind
of the Third World countries are heavily
to strengthen the forces
concerning this now fashionable focus on
armed, their arsenals are still small com-
Many members of Con-
foreign and swifter policy experts are
military contingencies in the Third World.
pared to the Soviet threat to Western Eu-
First, for the Pentagon, the problem of Third
rope against which we have been preparing
funding
for
econstruction
a
World hostilities is not new at all. Every war
all these years.
assistance
upport for new private ag- to
in which the United States has been involved
Yet, much as the "Second World"-the
since World War II-either directly with its
Soviet empire-has changed to a degree and
training for business
forces or indirectly by providing military
with a rapidity that almost no one had fore-
Clearly, if democracy can
aid-occurred in the so-called Third World.
seen, we must expect to see surprising
in these countries the
(Korea in 1950 was still a Third World coun-
changes and major geostrategic transforma-
ropean allies will be im-
Efforts by the U.S. gov-
try.) Since the war in Vietnam, American
tions in the rest of the world. This potential
defense experts have conducted innumerable
for revolutionary change confronts Pentagon
hence, could reasonably
studies of the weaponry and tactics for use in
planners with a tough challenge. The ratio of
olementing or substituting
Third World conflicts.³
the speed of political and diplomatic transfor-
on
behalf
of
NATO.
A second point of importance is that the
mations-revolutions, alliance shifts, impe-
however, tends to resist
concept of "Third World military conflicts"
rial expansion, and disintegration-to the
SO might, when push
covers many different contingencies with
speed of weapons development and procure-
congressional com-
vastly different circumstances in terms of
ment is about ten to one or even thirty to one.
prudently chosen cuts
strategic geography, types of forces, and
To complete the research and development of
Cheney proposed to
weaponry used. To be prepared for such
a modern weapons system takes ten years or
budget, about half our
disparate contingencies, the United States
more, to build and deploy it another ten
sentially still devoted to
needs to be able to rely on a wide array of
years, and once deployed the system may
conventional war in Eu-
different armaments. The Pentagon's plan-
remain in our forces for another thirty years.
our NATO-related forces
ning, hence, needs to address many different
Who can foresee our strategic requirements
administration wants a
possible threats in Third World situations.
for half a century?
bring Soviet strength in
Some types of equipment that our military
to ours in Western
services are wont to neglect may well be
improvement in terms
essential for some of them; for example,
Nuclear Strategy
But if democracy
devices to clear land mines in insurgency
in Eastern Europe, no
warfare, ships equipped to clear sea mines,
T
HIS EPOCHAL time span has par-
ticularly frightening implications
in Vienna would offer
drones for intelligence collection, and other
for nuclear weaponry. Our nuclear strategy is
types of unmanned air vehicles.
still under the curse of Joseph Stalin. Few
A third significant factor is the dominant
realize the extent to which the design and
ingencies
role of military assistance. Should the United
purpose of our nuclear armaments. doctrine,
States have a major stake in a future Third
and war plans date from the same old mindset
of course, the Penta-
World conflict, chances are it would seek to
that since 1947 shaped and governed the bulk
try to redesign its con-
rely on assisting its friends, rather than en-
of our conventional forces.
ontingencies other than
gage its own combat forces. This prospect
In that Stalinist era we sought to deter
Warsaw Pact attack.
renders all the more urgent the long overdue
the Red Army from marching to the English
arena for our army,
overhaul of the awkward patchwork of laws
planners is the Third
governing military assistance, a task that
³One of the more recent and comprehensive stud-
armaments have sud-
Congress is reluctant to take up.
ies was sponsored by the bipartisan Commis-
for dealing with Third
A fourth point needs to be stressed,
sion on Integrated Long-Term Strategy, sum-
oubtedly, each type has
although it may not be welcome in the
marized in the commission's overall, report,
merit-whether it is the
Pentagon. Only a fraction of the Pentagon
Discriminate Deterrence (U.S. Government
that the air force
budget-less than a third-can be justified
Printing Office, 1988) and presented in
tilt-rotor plane desired
in the foreseeable future by the need to
greater detail in the follow-on report, Support-
aircraft carriers trea-
prepare for possible U.S. involvements in
ing U.S. S rategy for Third World Conflict (De-
Third World hostilities. Even though some
partment of Defense, 1988).
The Ghost in the Pentagon
19
Channel by threatening to drop atomic
Given the contradictions and shortcom-
bombs on Moscow and on Stalin's war indus-
tries. Once we had acquired a great many
ings of these strategic concepts, perhaps the
time has come to pay some attention to Soviet
more nuclear weapons, and once the Soviet
criticism of our nuclear deterrence doctrine.
Union deployed nuclear bombers and mis-
Gorbachev called mutual deterrence a source
siles, the top priority for the U.S. Strategic
Air Command became the destruction-the
of tension. As Soviet foreign minister She-
vardnadze put it, "nuclear deterrence inevita-
instant the Red Army crossed the West Ger-
bly perpetuates the totality of confrontational
Gorba
man border-of as many Soviet bombers and
relations among states."
missiles on the ground as possible. Since
then, the concept of such a prompt, all-out
Defense Secretary Cheney has wisely
The Em
strike has become a dogma that warps the
requested increased funding from Congress
design of our strategic forces to this day, even
for certain research and development
Charles
though it had become impossible to disarm
projects-in, particular, strategic defense-
the Soviet nuclear forces with such a strike
that will purchase us flexibility in terms of
doctrine and enemies. What we now develop
many years ago.
The obsolete dogma that our nuclear
and build will have to serve our military
HE A
retaliation must be prompt is responsible for
strategy in the twenty-first century. For the
foreseeable future, one must hope, America's
T
East
the Pentagon's insistence that we must
nuclear strategy will continue to be an alli-
regi
maintain a large force of land-based mis-
tonished everyone
siles, with all the difficulty and expense this
ance strategy embracing and protecting a
equally unexpected
non-nuclear unified Germany as well as a
entails. More dangerously, it perpetuates a
continuity of the S
vulnerable and hence a hair-triggered deter-
non-nuclear Japan-but a strategy that can
many Third World
rent of thousands of missiles, both Ameri-
put behind us the "confrontational" bipolar
ghanistan, Cambo
relationship with the Soviet Union to which
can and Soviet, sitting there like a thousand
Shevardnadze referred.
Cuba, Nicaragua, 1
Chernobyls-till something, someday, goes
With the striki
dreadfully wrong. The confrontation of
Yet before we wax lyrical about the dawn
doran guerrillas, it
these U.S. and Soviet missile forces has
of a new era, free of the danger of instant
has changed in each
nuclear holocaust, we have to remember that
evoked a morbid fascination among many
these clients are en
defense technicians. By a banal and unreal-
Stalin's legacy is not so easily overcome. The
more acceptable to
laws of physics, to be sure, do not ordain that
istically abstract calculation-the so-called
Cambodia, and An
"missile exchange"-these technicians pre-
there must be two nuclear superpowers, di-
pia, the foreign tro
tend to measure the "stability" of deter-
viding the world into "two sides" threatening
communist regimes
each other indefinitely with mutual annihila-
rence.
withdrawn. In Ang
tion. It is habits of mind and bureaucratic
The Stalinist threat to Western Europe
ragua, regional or i
inertia, in both Washington and in Moscow,
created other evil legacies for our nuclear
taken place that ma
that cling to the apocalyptic "two sides"
strategy and forces. To prolong the life, or
ending civil wars.
confrontation Stalin inflicted on the world at
reach, of our nuclear deterrent against the
domestic factors hay
the end of World War II.
feared Warsaw Pact invasion, we deployed a
these developments
Such inertia casts a dark shadow far into
great many shorter-range nuclear arms in
the next century. The Pentagon bureaucracy
quence policy is clearly li
Europe, especially in Germany. All these
nuclear artillery pieces, missiles, and nuclear-
continues to disparage strategic defense, con-
But the overall
trary to the policy of the President and
armed aircraft eventually, like a Sorcerer's
these regional conf
Apprentice, acquired a life of their own.
Secretary Cheney; it keeps designing our
nuclear forces to deter a Warsaw Pact on-
They became "vital," had to be modernized,
Charles H. Fairbanks,
slaught-and thus favors nuclear weapons
and gave birth to a totally incoherent doc-
the Paul H. Nitz
installed in the middle of Germany and hair-
national Studies.
trine-Flexible Response-which flatly con-
triggered missile forces. Stalin has been bur
tradicts the "stability" doctrine of the "missile
tion he served (
exchange."
ied twice in Moscow, but his ghost lives on in
Policy Planning S
the Pentagon.
ant secretary
20
The National Interest-Spring 1990
Cranston Linked to Another S&L, p. 8; Studds Attacked, p. 10
ROLL
CALL
THE
NEWSPAPER
OF
CONGRESS
VOL. 35, NO. 96
MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1990
$1.75
I Was a Teenage Paparazza
Apply Civil Rights Bill
To House, GOP Urges
By Timothy J. Burger
Members to move more conservatively
When the House Judiciary Committee
in passing legislation, like civil rights
marks up the Civil Rights Act of 1990
reform, that puts demands on American
later this month or in early July, Repub-
businesses.
licans will vigorously pursue an amend-
Republicans will face an uphill battle
ment that would provide House employ-
in their attempt to amend the new civil
rights bill, but one top Democratic aide
said that the GOP Members stand a good
Redistricting Prospects
chance of securing coverage for the
In Southern States, p. 14
House.
The bill, H.R. 4000, would overtum
several recent Supreme Court cases
ees with protections under the measure.
which proponents say dealt a setback to
Republicans, with some Democratic
recent civil rights progress. It would
support, are increasingly forcing the is-
allow workers to sue their employers for
Photo by Stephen M. Rosenberg
sue of Congressional coverage under
discrimination if the workers are mem-
Said Sensenbrenner:
laws affecting the workplace.
bers of a minority group that is under-
"There will be an
One aim of the effort is to force
Continued on page 20
amendment."
The First Time the Sun Fell on Her Face'
Heard On
Photo by Laura allerson
Touring the Capitol with her school group, Elizabeth
The Hill
Skipper, 14, of Aiken, S.C., hometown of Sen. Strom
Thurmond, took OUR picture. We smiled.
See page 26
N.H. Candidates Agree
To Limits on Spending
By Kim Mattingly
cludes more than twice as many Republi-
As Senate negotiators last week contin-
cans as Democrats. And the campaign
ued to grapple with the deadlock over
limits are strict. Ceilings are only half as
campaign reform, at least five Senate can-
high as those proposed by Senate Demo-
Photo by Laura Patterson
didates and 11 House candidates this year
crats in federal legislation.
Del. Walter Fauntroy and his wife Dorothy brought their three-month-old
have agreed to abide by state-imposed
The phenomenon is occurring in New
"boarder" baby Melissa home from the hospital a week ago. The child suffers
spending limits in their campaigns.
Hampshire, where candidates for state and
symptoms of her natural mother's crack abuse. Said Fauntroy, "It was the
Ironically, given the GOP's usual oppo-
federal office are in the midst of an official
first time in her life that the sun fell on her face." Details, page 10.
sition to limits, this list of candidates in-
Continued on page 25
Why Just 435? After 80 Years, This May Be the Time
To Increase the Number of Members in the House
By James K. Glassman
resentative. The Framers simply wanted
Here's a question that we guarantee at
the House to grow with the population.
The Size of the House: Up, Up, Then Flat
least half your friends will answer wrong:
With just one exception, after every
What is the number of Members of the
decennial Census from 1790 to 1910, the
House of Representatives, as mandated by
size of the House was increased as the size
500
the Constitution?
of the US population rose, going, from 142
Most smart people will answer "435,"
in 1800, to 237 in 1850, to 391 in 1900, to
400
which, of course, is the current number of
435 in 1910 where it stopped.
House Members. But, not only is that an-
John Kromkowski, president of the Na-
300
swer incorrect, it also shows a serious mis-
tional Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs at
200
understanding of one of the prime inten-
Catholic University, and Charles
tions of the Framers.
Kromkowski, Thomas Jefferson Fellow at
100
The Constitution, in fact, does not dictate
the University of Virginia, have completed
the number of House Members, except to
an exhaustive study of the apportionment
that the figure should be at least 65, and
process and argue that it's time to increase
1790
1810
1830
1850
1870
1890
1910
1930
1950
1970
1990
that each state should have at least one Rep-
Continued on page 22
Photocopy-Preservation
Monday, June 11, 1990 ROLL CALL Page 3
Minimum Wage Act, Which Goes Into Effect
In Four Months, Will Change Life in House
Task Force to Release Recommendations Soon on Coping With Job Titles, Overtime
By Timothy J. Burger
A task force is in the final stages of
preparing recommendations on how to
implement the employee protections that
the House required of itself when it passed
the Minimum Wage Act last year.
The group is expected to present soon its
work to members of the House Administra-
tion Committee.
Rep. Frank Annunzio (D-III), the
committee's chairman, formed a two-
tiered, Member-staff task force on March
14, at Speaker Tom Foley's (D-Wash)
behest, to grapple with changes that would
be required by the law.
Annunzio has been a critic of the law,
calling for repeal of provisions that make it
apply to the House. The chairman has said
that the law would be costly and time-
consuming to put into effect the Hill.
Meanwhile, Rep. Austin Murphy (D-Pa)
Photo by Andrea Mohin
Photo by Laura Patterson
Photo by Andrea Mohin
is stepping up efforts to secure support for
Rep. Mary Rose Oakar (left, above) chairs the Members' panel of a two-tiered task force appointed at the request of the
amcasure that would allow the provision of
Speaker to figure out how to implement the changes in accounting procedures and employment policies that are required
"comp-time," or extra vacation time, in-
by the Minimum Wage Act, which takes effect in the House and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol on Oct. 1. Also on
stead of the overtime pay that the Minimum
the task force: Reps. Tom Manton (center) and John Hiler (right).
Wage Law requires for House employees
FLSA also requires "equal pay for equal
wreak havoc on offices' accounting and
personal aides) or committee or officers'
who work more than 40 hours in a week.
work," which means similarly qualified
compensation systems, not to mention their
budgets - pay budgets will be strained
In a May 17 "Dear Colleague" letter,
employees performing the same tasks must
budgets.
under the salary structure now in place
Murphy urged Members to support his bill,
receive comparable salaries. Some female
Annunzio's task force is chaired by Rep.
when overtime is added.
H. Res. 363, to reduce the budgetary strain
staffers claim that under the current system
Mary Rose Oakar (D-Ohio). The other two
The House leadership intends to seck
that could come with having to pay staffers
- which allows Members to set pay en-
Members are Tom Manton (D-NY) and
more money for Members' Clerk Hire
for overtime. So far, Murphy's bill has five
tirely at their own discretion - they are
John Hiler (R-Ind).
budgets next year, to facilitate personal
co-sponsors, including Rep. Vic Fazio (D-
paid markedly less than equally experi-
The staff group - which includes aides
staff salary increases (Roll Call, March 19).
Calif), chairman of the Appropriations
enced males in the same jobs.
to House Administration, the leadership,
But it's unlikely this will amount to more
legislative branch subcommittee a key
and the Clerk of the House staffers has
than a 2 percent increase after inflation.
Effective Oct. 1. the Minimum Wage law
Many on the Hill fear
meeting regularly, month
While no decisions have been made and
ready integrates overtime pay into salaries
brings employees of the House and the
that Minimum Wage
the Member group will be the final arbiter,
for receptionists and computer operators
Architect of the Capitol under the protec-
here are several key determinations that
positions that will almost certainly be due
tions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
provisions could wreak
will need to be made soon, according to
overtime under FLSA.
1938. Enforcement of the law for House
aides familiar with the situation:
But an aide familiar with the work of the
workers is the responsibility of the Office
havoc on offices'
Who is covered under overtime pro-
House Administration task force said this
of Fair Employment Practices. (There no
accounting and
visions?
formal enforcement body for the
FLSA exempts "executive," "profes-
Architect's staff, but his office has an inter-
compensation systems.
sional," and "administrative" employees.
Some cases are fairly
nal mechanism, according to an aide.)
But which employees fit these descrip-
clear: A staff attorney
Under FLSA, November's law not only
tions?
requires payment of at least the minimum
Equal-pay requirements mean intra-of-
Some cases are fairly clear: A staff attor-
is a 'professional;' an
wage (which, in itself, isn't a problem,
fice consistency could be required. So if a
ney is a "professional"; an AA who hires
AA is an 'executive.'
since nearly all Hill workers already re-
Member pays an LA $25,000 to handle
and manages staffers is an "executive."
ceive that much) but also mandates the
Education and Labor Committee issues and
But what about LAs and LCs?
But what about
writing of job descriptions, the mainte-
that LA leaves for another job, the Member
Said one aide, "There's not a cookie-
nance of accurate time sheets (which have
would have to pay a new, similarly quali-
culter description of what an LA does or
LAs and LCs?
never before been required and could mean
fied Education and Labor LA at least
an AA, or anybody else. That's the nature
nightmarish new accounting concerns for
$25,000.
of the beast."
office managers), and overtime pay for
Many on the Hill fear that implementa-
A possible resolution is that House
kind of set-up probably wouldn't be al-
certain employees.
tion of Minimum Wage provisions could
Administration will sct several job-de-
lowed under FLSA. In addition, the aide
scriptions as templates for offices to follow
said, the overtime must be "paid in a timely
in deciding which employees are due over-
manner. That is, in the next pay cycle."
time pay.
This would mean a busy October's extra
What is an "employing authority"?
hours couldn't be compensated in August
Equal pay and job description provisions
through a higher overall salary.
of FLSA are applicable within individual
Another possible answer lies in
"employing authorities." But is the House
Murphy's bill to allow comp-time instead
itself one big employing authority - re-
of overtime pay. But the bill has excited
quiring a midwestern Republican to give an
little interest.
LA the same duties and pay as a northeast-
In the event of a serious complaint, an
em Democrat?
Office of Fair Employment Practices ruling
More likely, the definition will break an
would be the final arbiter of whether the
employing authority down to a more work-
office had conformed to FLSA.
able the Member, committee, and
OFEP's role raises another sct of highly
officer level.
sensitive questions surrounding enforce-
Even then, what about district offices?
ment of FLSA. Will OFEP do spot checks
Under FLSA, a caseworker in the district
on Members' offices to ensure compliance,
may have to be paid the same as another,
or will it await complaints before taking
similarly qualified caseworker with the
any action? And what remedies will be
same duties in Washington - despite any
available to staffers whom OFEP decides
cost-of-living differences.
have been wronged?
Rep. Austin Murphy has introduced a
Photo by Maureen Keating
Where will overtime funds come
The Minimum Wage Act calls for the
bill that would allow comp-time
Chairman Frank Annunzio of the
from?
House to handle its own enforcement of
instead of overtime pay. The bill
House Administration Committee has
Unless radical changes are made to the
FLSA rules, so the Labor Department
Initially excited little interest but
been a critic of applying the Minimum
current pay system - under which staffers.
won't be slapping fines on Members. But
recently attracted one key co-sponsor.
Wage Act to Congress.
are paid from the Clerk Hire (in the case of
will OFEP?
Photocopy-Preservation
Simple Lessons
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1989
From the S&L
Disaster
By L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN
New Year's resolutions? Unfortunately,
I have several hundred of them. Congress
gave my agency, the Federal Deposit In-
surance Corporation, the job of coming up
with resolutions for 600 or more dead or
dying savings and loan associations that
hold about $350 billion in assets:
Chestnuts aren't the only things roast-
A10
ing on an open fire nowadays. It's the tax-
payer who is getting toasted in this S&L
mess, which will cost every man, woman
REVIEW: & OUTLOOK
and child in the U.S. at least $1,000.
That's why I'm adding at: least one
more resolution to my list: I'd like to help
ensure that President Bush's promise of
The Defense Problem
"never again" will be kept.
The country and the FDIC have learned
One of our friends tells a story
sources on defense-related work, at a
some very expensive lessons from this S&L
about working in the Pentagon during
cost of more than $100 million a year.
flasco. Unlike the. Jimmy Stewart movie
the Carter years and grimacing at
GAO conducts from 400 to 450 Defense
about the savings and loan business of the
some crazy congressional require
audits a year. The House Armed Serv-
distant past, our job: today is not such a
ment." He thought, gee, haven't
ices Committee conducts more than 30
wonderful life.*
The FDIC and the new Resolution Trust
seen this before, and then it hit him
investigations in an average year,
Corporation we manage will handle hun-
He'd written the requirement himself
each one requiring about 1,700 hours
dreds of billions of dollars in assets ac-
while a congressional aide.
of time from Defense officials.
quired from failed S&Ls. Our decisions
The Bush administration will soon in
There' a legitimate place for con-
about whether to hold or sell these proper-
release a white paper on the Pentagons
gressional oversight in a democracy,
ties, and when to sell them, will have great
and Congress that shows every
but this is ridiculous.
political and economic ramifications.
Member of Congress needs to undergo"
The meddling is most damaging to
With those billions of dollars of assets
our friend's epiphany. The draft we ve
will come tens of thousands of lawsuits. To
national security when it gets to the
handle the caseload, we. anticipate dou-
seen proves that it's impossible to un
annual Defense budget. Each year
bling our legal staff next year to about
derstand America's defense follies
Congress demands ever more budget
1,000. We also plan to increase the number
without first understanding the may
review materials-which are then
of private law firms we use-already we
hemicaused by the would-be Metter
used as ammunition to coerce Penta-
employ more than 500.
nichs on Capitol Hill. "The current
gon spending decisions down to the
It is also clear that we will be running
congressional defense process is char
smallest screw and bolt. In 1977, the
one of the most scrutinized operations in
acterized by a multiplicity of actors,
budget "justification" required by
the history of the U.S. government. Con-
gress, the White House, two inspectors
frequent decisions, lack of finality
Congress ran to a mere 12,350 pages;
disintegration and lack of accountabil
general and an oversight board for the
in 1988 it ran to 30,114.
RTC will be among those looking over our
ity says the draft white paper, in
Those who claim Congress hasn't
shoulders.
wild understatement.
enhanced Its power in recent years
Whether you run a government agency
The first problem is that all of Con
have to explain the explosion in line-
or a travel agency, a savings and loan or a
gress wants to soak in the Defense hot
Item changes Congress makes in the
five and dime, there are broad and valua-
tub! While only six committees are re
Pentagon budget. The number of
ble lessons from the S&L crisis.
sponsible for the Defense budget, 14
changes doubled in the 1970s and mul-
First, get the facts. In the case of the
committees and 43 subcommittees or
S&L industry, phony accounting and dis-
tiplied by several hundred percent
panels held hearings related to De:
torted capital regulations made the real
from: 1982 to 1987. Congress now
facts difficult to discern. No one knew the
fense in 1988. Some 30 committees and
changes more than 60% of the line
magnitude of the thrift crisis until It had
subcommittees claim some degree
items in the Pentagon's annual budget
reached epic proportions, and then no one
of-oversight. Then there's staff: The
request. No weapons system or policy
wanted to talk about it.' Only with sound
white paper notes that there are now
goes unmolested. The study calculates
facts can there be sound solutions.
more than 1,500 congressional staffers
that such intervention-wha to buy,
Second, face the facts. In the case of
who devote nearly all of their time to
how to build, when to test-delayed
the S&Ls, the government failed to face
defense issues.
the fact that increasing deposit insurance
one weapons system by six years. It
coverage and reducing capital require-
All of these people have to justify
also helps explain why the Pentagon
ments was the equivalent of giving thrifts
their existence, which they do by
has an acquisitions work force of 582,-
a government-guaranteed credit card with
making work for the Pentagon. In
131-a number so absurd it's hard to
no limits. The government also-failed to
1988, says the study, Congress sent 18,
believe.
face the fact that S&Ls had an inherent
000 letters to Defense. Many of these
A typical congressional ruse is the
flaw-an interest rate:mismatch problem
are based on the legendary Dingell-
tag team mugging of the strategic de-
Because they recognize the funda
gram" model, named after House En-
fense budget this year. by Sens. Ben-
mental problems of low capital and high
interest rate risk, the federal actions that
ergy and Commerce Chairman John
nett Johnston and Jeff Bingaman. The
N
followed merely added to the misery!
Dingell, which lists question after
pair first tried to cut the overall SDI
Third, act on the facts, In the case
open-ended question. The Pentagon,
budget by 20%, while demanding no
the S&LS, the ultimate cost would have
that is the taxpayers, spent 245,000
cuts at all in directed energy weapons
been far less than the tab we now if
hours in 1988 answering this mail.
(which are based in Mr. Bingaman's
the government,had taken some painful
In 1984, the last year such records
New Mexico). After a veto threat, the
but necessary steps-like imposing tougher
are available, Congress also made
Senators merely demanded "bal-
supervision: requiring problem Institutions
599,000 phone calls to the Pentagon.
anced spending among SDI pro-
to shrink, not grow; and closing down in-
They weren't courtesy calls. And
grams, even though SDI officials think
solvent thrifts-several years ago. Instead,
the federal government flew a flag that
don't forget "reports" demanded by
directed-energy weapons are the least
proclaimed: "Not on my, watch.
Congress. Those jumped by 2,000%
important
Fourth, review the results of your ac-
from 1970 (36 reports) to 1988 (719):
The draft report recommends sev-
tions. In the case of the S&Ls, It became
The average report takes about 1,000
eral reforms that would help, includ-
clear early on that the government's an-
hours to prepare and costs about $50,
ing a form of line-item veto known as
swer to problem thrifts-that they "grow"
000. Topics include such urgent issues
'enhanced rescission. But the prob-
out of their insolvency-was perhaps rea-
as black-marketing in Korea and a
lem won't golaway until Congress
sonable at first but was, in the end, coun-
new hospital at the Army medical
goes on the wagon, or a President and
terproductive. The financial swingers and
swindlers who were encouraged by the re-
center near barreling Rep. Pat
Defense Secretary begin to campaign
Schroeder's Colorado district.
duced regulation and lax supervision under
against this lunacy We recommend a
that "high-growth" policy ended up losing
Did someone say oversight The
teleyised presidential speech, using
billions funded by your tax dollars.
General Accounting Office, Congress
the mountain of required congres-
The facts were there, A mistake In pol-
FBI, spends nearly 30% of its re sional reports as a prop.
icy had been made. A change of direction
was required. But some people In and out
of government liked the old route too much
to change directions. We just kept driving
straight, when the road had turned. But
unlike auto insurance, there Is no "no
fault" insurance for what happened with
the S&Ls. The government did the wrong
things, at the wrong times, for the wrong
reasons. There is plenty of blame to go
Photocopy-Preservation
around.
An old saying goes: "Judgment comes
from experience, but experience comes
from bad judgment.' I might add that bad
judgment can come from a bad memory.
Let's not forget the lessons of the S&L
crisis.
=
KENNEBUNKPORT CONSERVATION TRUST
NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 1990
VOL. 1, NO. 1
A sailboat tugs at her mooring under the watchful eye of the Goat Island Light.
PHOTO COURTESY JOURNAL TRIBUNE
History provides the perfect moment
By Tom Bradbury
plan, and save all we could while the
nounced that the name of "Green
ly told a Journal Tribune reporter, "We
Trust President
opportunity still existed. We could alert
Island" would be changed to "President
encouraged people to walk the paths.
others to the need of protecting those
Bush Island" in order to honor and
Near the time of his death, when he was
special areas that might otherwise be
perpetuate the name of Maine's first
Small Town Goes
ill, he said, 'I can't bear the thought of
"A
lost in the revolutionary development
President of the United States. The
Prime-Time" an-
people cutting down those trees,' and I
process. Or, we could do nothing, and
island, located not far from Bush's
nounced a headline in
said that need never happen.' Now,
hope that things would work out for the
Walker's Point estate, was then turned
"Time" magazine
because of Carolyn Craig's gift, her
best. We were at the crossroads, and
over to the Trust in memory of
just one year ago. With the election of
husband's legacy will live on forever,
the direction we chose to take was ours.
Elizabeth's uncle, George C. Perkins.
President George Bush, the eyes of the
providing joy for all those who find
The Kennebunkport Conservation
This generous donation greatly adds to
nation became focused on the tiny
beauty in the forest. The K.C.T. is
Trust decided to make 1989 one of the
the protected beauty of Cape Porpose
community of Kennebunkport. Many
delighted with this most thoughtful
people at that time worried that such
most active periods in its long history.
Harbor, a place that Mr. Perkins deeply
donation.
It was a year when many significant
loved. For this gift, the K.C.T. is
widespread attention would lead to
extremely grateful.
Negotiations for easements were con-
unalterable changes in the essential
projects were undertaken, a year when
Another wonderful contribution to the
ducted for open space or wildlife buf-
character of the town. The Ken-
many accomplishments were made.
Trust is currently being made by Mrs.
fers on the Tarkington estate, near
nebunkport Conservation Trust,
Talks were conducted with the United
Carolyn Craig, who is donating a six-
Lake-of-the-Woods, and off North
however, chose to think of the positive.
States Coast Guard, and, if all goes
Street.
acre parcel of woodland located at the
At no other time in our town's history,
well, the Trust should assume control of
foot of Crow Hill in Cape Porpoise.
Protective efforts were conducted at
we realized, had each citizen been SO
Goat Island Lighthouse in the near
Following the fire of 1947, the Craigs
Goose Rocks Beach to prevent unwise
aware of their community's potential
future. Our desire is to protect this town
spent years preparing the land for
development of the beach.
for change. Each individual had been
landmark so that it will remain a source
replanting and then planted 4,500 seedl-
And, most exciting of all, the Trust
forced to examine how they would like
of pride for the community that it has
ings on the property. "My husband
began actively working to create a
their town to grow. The decision was in
guarded since 1835.
spent hours among those trees, making
Maine Audubon Society wildlife
our hands. We could work hard, and
Jon and Elizabeth Milligan an-
benches and paths," Mrs. Craig recent-
See President/Page 4
To PRESERVE FOREVER
2 CONSERVATION TRUST
Trust making conservation
a reality at the local level
f the Kennebunkport Con-
Emmons on Gravelly Brook Road and
servation Trust did not exist,
a 12-acre easement on North Street
Carolyn Craig might have
property owned by Maurice Gendreau
found a way to preserve a
behind the former home of Pulitzer
little piece of land her late husband
Prize winning author Booth Tarkington.
loved behind their house in the middle
Thomas Bradbury, president of the
of Cape Porpoise.
Kennebunkport Conservation Trust,
Might have, but it would have been a
says that organizations like his not only
lot more difficult. Carolyn Craig's dona-
raise money to buy land outright or
tion of the six acres of woods off Route
acquire conservation easements, they
9 is a textbook example of how land
educate the public and potential donors
conservation and preservation can work
to the value of land preservation and
at the local level if a few people take
foster a general awareness of the need
enough interest to organize the effort.
for land and resource conservation.
The Craigs bought the land after the fire
Bradbury says conservation trusts
of 1947. Frank Craig replanted it with
provide an outlet for people who feel
4,500 trees, which he nurtured over the
helpless in the face of change brought
years. He made paths, built benches,
on by development. Land trusts en-
Frank and Carolyn encouraged people
courage voluntary land preservation -
to walk the paths. When Frank was sick
donation or sale of the land or a
a few years back, he said he couldn't
conservation easement to the trust, in
bear the thought of anybody cutting
some cases with tax benefits - rather
down the trees. With the Conservation
than forcing conservation through zon-
Trust's help, Carolyn is making sure
ing. If you wonder whether conserva-
that will never happen. People will be
tion works only in so-called rich com-
able to walk Frank Craig's paths
munities like Kennebunkport, Bradbury
forever.
points out that there are now 55 land
The Kennebunkport Conservation
trusts operating in Maine, recording
Trust was founded in 1973. Its first two
successes all over the state: "The spirit
conservation projects were Vaughn's
of donating and protecting land is the
Island, near the Shawmut Inn in Cape
same everywhere."
Kennebunkport's Dock Square. During
way to follow their best instincts and
the past 15 years, the trust has helped
make good on the general wish to
landowners to put several hundred
preserve open space and Maine's quali-
acres of land into protected public use.
ty of life. Every community in the state
In addition to the six acres being
should have one.
doanted by Carolyn Craig, the organiza-
tion is also working on the acquisition
Reprinted by permission of the Journal
of 110 acres owned by Steve and Natalie
Tribune, Biddeford, Jan. 26, 1990.
Steve Emmons surveys his Kennebunkport property.
Bringing our dreams within reach
onservation of our en-
for quiet contemplation and passive
help bring this dream to fruition.
c
vironment calls for action
recreation.
Here is where the Kennebunkport
at many different levels.
That is why we at Maine Audubon are
Conservation Trust comes in. Through
Some organizations work
delighted to be working closely with the
their local leadership, their purchase of
to solve statewide problems; while
Kennebunkport Conservation trust as
significant tracts of land within the
others have more local focus for their
we make plans for a sanctuary for
town, for the town, the Kennebunkport
efforts. Both are vital if we expect to
Kennebunkport. The possibility of such
Conservation Trust has established an
protect the high quality of Maine's
a center is the result of a dream shared
impressive track record, and has won
environment. And they will be most
with Maine Audubon by Steven and
the confidènce of all the people of
successful when they work in cooper-
Natalie Emmons. Steve and Natalie
Kennebunkport interested in conserva-
ation.
wanted to ensure that their beautiful
tion: I am confident that with their help,
land - nearly 100 hundred acres of
we will be able to guarantee the
One of the ways in which Maine
mixed forest, fields and wetlands
protection of Steve Emmons' land, and
Audubon seeks to address its state-wide
harboring a wealth of wildlife - is
provide the community with a top
mission is through a network of
protected in the future. But their vision
quality sanctuary. Maine Audubon will
sanctuaries. Sanctuaries offer the
is more than that: they want to share
provide programs and educational
public unique opportunities for en-
it with the people of Kennebunkport.
materials. We hope that members of
counters with nature; they can also
the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust
Thomas Urquhart of Maine Audubon.
form the focus for local conservation
Together, we have a vision of an
will help us maintain and enhance the
efforts. Sanctuaries inspire strong
education center with opportunities for
property.
urge you to join with Maine Audubon in
volunteer support, and they need a core
guided walks, environmental education
I have enjoyed my association with
supporting the Kennebunkport Con-
of active volunteers if they are to reach
displays, as well as just plain areas for
the Trust, and look forward to working
servation Trust.
their full potential, whether in provid-
public access and enjoyment. Steven is
with Tom Bradbury even more closely
Thomas Urquhart is Executive Director
ing education programs or simply trails
already at work cutting trails that will
as our dream comes within reach. I
of the Maine Audubon Society.
To PRESERVE FOREVER
CONSERVATION TRUST 3
A tribute to
a man who
loved nature
A
Cape Porpoise woman has
fulfilled a promise to her
dying husband by donating
a parcel of wooded land to
the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
The six-acre parcel is at the foot of
Crow Hill on the north side of Route 9,
according to Trust President Thomas
Bradbury.
"It's a delightful piece of land, right
in the village of Cape Porpoise," donor
Carolyn Craig said, adding that the land
was purchased and salvaged after the
fire of 1947.
"It took my husband, Frank about
five years to prepare the land for
replanting," she said. With guidance
from the forestry department of the
University of Maine, the Craigs bought
seedlings for a penny apiece and planted
4,500 trees on the property behind their
house over three years.
"At the time, I made the statement
I hoped I'd live long enough to walk
beneath the trees," said Craig, now 80
years old.
On the shore of Cape Island, one of the early trust properties.
"My husband spent hours among
those trees, making benches and
paths," she says. "We encouraged
How the Trust protects property
" Near the time of his death, when he
was ill, he said, 'I can't bear the thought
here are three major ways
T
es part of the title to the property and
way to achieve desired land use.
in which the Trust adds
of people cutting down those trees,' and
future owners accept the property sub-
3. Direct Purchase: When
I said that need never happen," Craig
holdings to its list of those
ject to the limitations of the easement.
necessary, the Kennebunkport Con-
lands which are forever
says.
As owner of the property, the land-
servation Trust has committed itself to
Frank Craig died three years ago.
protected.
owner retains all rights which are
raising the funds needed to acquire
1. Direct Donation of Land: In many
"I realize if this is to be done, now
consistent with the easement, including
areas of special meaning in our com-
cases, landowners who wished to see
is the time."
the rights to control access and to
munity. You can help us attain this goal.
certain lands held forever in their
Craig will have a right-of-way de-
natural state have made direct dona-
convey the property.
Though much has been accomplished,
much more needs to be done. As in the
signated to the woodsy lot. She is
tions of these parcels to the Trust.
For the landowner, a conservation
past, we remain a privately funded
dividing a total of nine acres to donate
Because the Trust is a private organiza-
easement protects the special at-
organization. Our activities are depen-
the land. On the remaining three acres
tion, it is able to be very flexible, and
tributes of land while keeping it in
dent entirely on the individual support
stand her home, and three housekeeping
donors can avoid the often time con-
private hands. Also, conservation ease-
of those who share our desire of seeing
cottages she rents.
suming and frustrating process of deal-
ments meeting the standards of the
the most beautiful parts of our com-
Trust president Bradbury said the
ing with state and federal agencies.
Internal Revenue Code are deductable
munity forever protected.
trust paid several thousand dollars to
Because the Trust is a non-profit or-
as charitable contributions and other
We urge you to join us in that effort.
survey the land. Although the parcel has
ganization, these gifts become tax de-
financial benefits may also be avail-
Kennebunkport is a good place to live.
not been appraised, he said, "It's a
ductible. Collectively, the woodlands,
able.
Please help keep it that way by becom-
significant contribution in terms of land
marsh lands, and open spaces acquired
ing a supporter of the Kennebunkport
prices in Kennebunkport."
by donations form the permanent open
Donated easements offer a low cost
Conservation Trust.
"It's six acres of raw land
it
spaces needed to help promote orderly
provides an area of open and protected
growth in our community.
space very close to the center of Cape
2. Conservation Easements: Con-
Porpoise," he said. "Only time will tell
servation Easements are a unique,
Yes, I'm interested
how Cape Porpoise will develop its
effective way of protecting land for a
downtown section."
variety of special purposes, including
I would like to donate $
"Hopefully, we can tie it in to other
scenic enjoyment, agriculture, wildlife
land to increase its benefit many-fold,"
habitat, watershed protection, public
I am willing to help the Trust.
he said. "That's part of the problem
recreation, historic preservation, and
with piecing land like a puzzle - we're
even low-density residential use. A
I
would like more information. Please contact me.
hopeful the pieces will fall together."
conservation easement places limita-
Craig said her donation can be used
tions on the use of property which are
Name:
as an example for other people who
voluntarily adopted by the landowner.
Address:
want to preserve land for conservation
The limitations are set forth in a legal
rather than development.
document granted to a conservation
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust P.O. Box 28 Cape Porpoise, Me. 04104
Reprinted by permission of the Journal
agency and recorded in the county
Tribune, Biddeford, Jan. 25, 1990.
registry of deeds. The easement becom-
To PRESERVE FOREVER
4
CONSERVATION TRUST
President/From Page 1
sanctuary and environmental education
center here in Kennebunkport. This
wonderful opportunity is made possible
because of the generosity of Steve and
Natalie Emmons, who have pledged
their 110 acres to the preserve. In the
months to come, you will be receiving
much more information concerning this
unique project. We hope that we will be
able to count on your support to make
this dream come true.
Through the support of those who
wish to see parts of our community
forever protected, and with their finan-
cial backing, the Trust has been able to
preserve some of our town's most
beautiful and enjoyed properties, in-
cluding: Vaughn's Island, Cape Island,
the River Green, Lake-of-the-Woods,
Goose Rocks Beach lots, and much
more. Our goal for the future is to add
to this list. Though much has been
accomplished, much more remains to
be done.
In the February, 1990, issue of
"Habitat" magazine, Paul Karr wrote,
"The Kennebunkport Conservation
Former Secretary of State Edmund Muskie, flanked by his wife Jane and Kennebunkport Conservation Trust President Tom
Trust has been widely hailed as the
Bradbury, at last year's wine-tasting party at Seascapes in Cape Porpoise.
most innovative and effective local land
conservation organization in the state."
contributions from those who share our
at a minimum. Thus, contributors can
all of those who have supported, and
We have been able to earn such praise
desire of protecting Kennebunkport's
feel safe in the knowledge that their
who continue to support, our efforts. We
only because of your continued backing.
unique beauty and character. No officer
donation is being used exclusively for
are most appreciative. And we reach
As in the past, we remain a privately
of the Trust receives a salary or any
our stated goal.
out to others in the community to join
funded organization. Our activities are
other type of financial consideration.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
us in our protection efforts. Together,
dependent entirely on the individual
We attempt to keep operating expenses
I wish to express my sincere thanks to
we can make a difference.
Kennebunkport Conservation Trust
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
P.O. Box 28
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Cape Porpoise, Maine 04014
KENNEBUNKPORT, ME. 04046
PERMIT NO. 19
FORWARD AND ADDRESS CORRECTION
USA 25
SPEECH WRITING DEPT.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
WHITE HOUSE
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON D.C.
20501