A SICK JOKE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000800060039-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 17, 1999
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: February 5, 1964
• Content Type: NSPR

FOIAb3b
WASHINGTON $ ri ed -,Approved For Release : CIA-R
NEWS F8 5 1964
A S 1, c I~ Jo! k
THERE has always been a question in the
minds of thoughtful persons as to whether
Sucker Comearly, specimen American, had the
mother wit to make self-government work.
A growing accumulation of evidence indicates
that history will write a resounding "no" in re-
spouse to the question.
Congress, which 'has degenerated into a com-
plex and, arcane system of government by cam-
contribution, is a sick joke. In the forth-
has had unfortunate experience with alrpl:+no chaps, from Joa
McCarthy, the late tail-gunner and Indian Charlie tactician, to
His Worship Barry Goldwater, whose qu? lifications as a jet
pilot are undisputed.
Now, of course, this caveat Is not intended to cast even tha
briefest shadow of doubt on either man's integrity, or his un-
svrerving dedication to the common weal. But what discerning,
adult can doubt that both are being shamelessly manipulated by
self-seeking men writhing in the terminal throes of cynicism?
Does Col. Glenn's skill at astronautics equip him to weigh the
terrible questions that assail mankind? Will Mr. Wilkinson's
run derstanding of the esoteric variations of the split T enable hint
to help protect our Democracy against the growing threat of
;Pentagon-CIA hegemony? Does either have sufficient grasp of
economics, the social sciences, history or government?
The answer is cruelly obvious.
Col. Glenn and Mr. Wilkinson, unfortunately, are no. the prod-
ucts. of any new phenomenon. Americans traditionally have
elected moronic frontier bullies,. lucky generals, popular hcroe4
and the under-qualified sons of rich men; they are unlikely to
change.
There was, one is distressed to record, even a boomlet (as persistent as it was foolish) advocating the election of the Rev.
Billy Graham as President. Mr.'.Graham's credentials to conduct
lectures In celestial navigation are not being called Into question.
but we should have enough insight to understand that this does
not qualify him to lead the nation. Prayer and rectitude have
their utility in goverimient, as Henry IV once sagely observed.
but unsupported by some of the more mundane skills they could
lead to disaster.
The evangelist, fortunately, took himself out of the race, but
this is no credit to the dolts who sponsored his boom.
It isn't enough to point out that the Republic has survived in-
competents, swindlers and wholesome innocents in high office
before. The question is whether it can conllnue to survive Ehem
in an era of unparalleled peril.
t M` coming . election its assembly of ? mediocrities,
corn-pone cynics and plain crooks is likely to be
further debased by the addition of a retired astronaut and an
u?rsiwhile coach of p large,, greedily commercial football team.
Nettlier has demonstrated any special capacity for the jobs they
now seek.
The sane mortal has to despair for the future of the nation
when he witnesses the tumultuous hero worship that is accorded
such sharply limited individuals. An astronaut is a skillful and
courageous test pilot, but the Russians have demonstrated that a
rclahvvely untrained woman could undertake the job, and, indeed,
we have siho*n that an 'American-trained chimp could survive a
ride in a rocket capsule. ;There may be a constitutional question
involved in the election of a chlmpanree to Congress, of course,
;;Altho I believe a thoro job of research might turn up some prece-
dents.
The truth of the matter Is that Bud Wilkinson, the aspiring
iiuv; iver who trained for the, task by exhorting sweaty collegians
in push a football across a field, might turn out to be the greatest
Oklahoma statesman since Alfalfa Bill Murray. But the weight
of evidence is to the contrary, and the prudent observer must
conclude that his principal qualification for office is the backlog
of mob adulation he has laid by.
John Glenn, the intrepid birdman, might also turnout to?be the
most noble Ohio Throttlebottom since Warren Harding. But again,.
the record offers no support for any such rosy hope. The Senate,
CPYRGHT
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP75-00149R000800060039-9