CIA Reading Room cia-rdp75-00149r000800060039-9: A SICK JOKE

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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 w