Basic HTML Version
Are we missing the real/y
big question in this
election year?
by
Ri chard
C.
Peterson
tion from patriotic Americans. Now,
"patriotism" has nothing to do with
it.
And how about the hydra-headed
dilemmas of simmering racial strifc,
escalating labor-management squab–
bles, rampaging crime, pollution, and
spiraling immorality coupled with
breakdown of the traditional family
structure? Government is charged with
dealing with these burning issues. But
right solutions still elude man.
lf
the World Were on
Your Shoulders
Let's take a look at what could
happen. The place: Washington, D.
C.
The time: the late 1970s. This scenario
might just as well occur in the capitals
of London or París, but we will focus
in on the White House.
Late on a June evening, the
stately white mansion on Pennsyl–
vania Avenue was dotted with
lights. Outside, a string of
black limousines were
nudged against the curb
of the arching dri veway.
Inside them, ciga–
rettes winked dully
as restless drivers
studied wristwatches
and idly passed the
time.
In the White
House's West Wing,
an air of tension
permeated the Cabi-
PLAIN TRUTH May 1972
net Room. Distinguished-looking men
talked around the large oaken table,
their glances darting expectantly at a
dosely guarded door.
Throats cleared nervously as the
door suddenly swung open. In strode
the President of the Uni ted States,
flanked by his two top advisors on
foreign affairs. The three men ap–
peared drawn, apprehensive.
The White House had been in–
formed only minutes ear–
lier that a oew "oil
squeeze" was
imminentin
the Mid–
dle
East. The Soviet Union was again
flexing its musdes, and hot-lioe con–
tact with the Kremlin had elicited
no concessions. The Soviets, they had
learned, just don't back clown when
they know they have the upper hand.
European leaders, fearful of the con–
sequence, were demanding action.
The harried young President, hav–
ing realized not more than fifteen