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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Jan. 19, 1962
Ego-Bursting Can Be Dangerous
By Merriman Smith
UPI White House Reporter
WASHINGTON — (UPI) — Back-stairs at the White House:
Balloon-busting or ego deflation has long been a Washington hobby of the raffish and irreverent, largely because there are so many balloons to pop and egos from which to let the air.
The high "T" level of government frequently is populated by socially and professionally ambitious figures of some ability, but from their viewpoint, not enough status. Whenever possible they use the first person pronoun in connection with those of undisputed status such as President Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean
Common Market is Forum Top
A panel of four KU professors will discuss "The Common Market and the United States" at the Presidential Forum next Wednesday. The public is invited to the discussion, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the Forum Room of the Kansas Union.
The floor will be open for questions from the audience after the discussion. Panel members are Oswald P. Backus, professor of history; Vaclav Mudroch, assistant professor of history; A.W.Kuchler, professor of geography; and Charles E. Staley, assistant professor of economics.
Our thought is the key which unlocks the doors of the world.—Samuel Crothers
Rusk or Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.
THE PRESIDENT IS A gregarious sort and a man of consuming curiosity. Consequently, he is in surprisingly frequent contact with persons who appear neither in the top listings of the congressional directory nor the social register.
Thus, there is occasion for a perfectly murderous parlor game which can send an overly ambitious assistant secretary mumbling into the night, his wife trailing along, crying, "What's wrong, Ashmeade?"
The game is best played by a complete stranger, or at least a party guest unknown to the assistant secretary in question. The official is found standing in an admiring circle of those who rank slightly below him. Properly encouraged, his little anecdotes from inside the administration begin to soar.
IF CONDITIONS FOR this confection of devilment are right, the fawned-over fellow, to prove that he's not just an ordinary assistant secretary, may find himself saying, "I happen to know — and you mustn't ask me how I know — har, har — but the President got off a perfect gem the other day. It seems that Caroline ..."
When he finishes his little goodie and appreciative laughter has tinkled away, this is the moment for the comparative stranger. He says in a loud, clear voice, "frankly, he didn't tell it to ME that way."
Since the President in truth does
see and talk with so many friends and acquaintances not well known to the public or the rest of the government, for that matter, the impaled President-dropper does not dare challenge his tormentor.
Having done his damage, the rude one should change scenery, too, before the trilling ladies want to know what the President really did say. The beauty of this game is that the role of deflater may be played by one who never has set eyes on any member of the Kennedy family. And in Washington today, even that is a most unusual qualification.
THE VICTIMS ONLY course is speedy change of scenery. As he bolts for the door or the sanctity of the men's room, his rude accoster may then drive the final blow by saying, "in fact, the President never even mentioned it to me."
More often than not, it is the news-papermen who serve as the watchdogs of democratic institutions, rather than the traditional government committees who offer too little too late. -Melvin J. Lasky
Screenplay by PETER USTINOV, Based on his stage hit - Produced and Directed by PETER USTINOV
A Pavla Production - A Universal-International Release
CONTINUOUS SUNDAY FROM 2:30 ON
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — (UPI)—A total of 80 college football games were played indoors at the local Convention Hall between 1930 and 1939.
Indoor Football
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MAT. AT 2 P.M. EVE. 7:00 & 9:00 CONTINUOUS SUNDAY FROM 2:30
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