Monday, October 18, 2010

delight

[a passage from Grace And Power, by Sally Bedell Smith. Copyright 2004, Random House, New York.]
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Jackie...competed as a "surprise participant" in the Loudoun Hunt Horse Show. She took third place in one of three classes, riding Minbreno, a horse she owned jointly with Eve Fout. Jack had debated the political wisdom of letting her participate in such a fancy public event...even asking Mac Bundy for advice. His national security adviser replied with some doggerel:

It is a sign of pride -- a horse,
But not a thing to hide -- a horse,
Assuming you provide -- of course,
A brave and lovely lady who can ride.
For voters dare to admire the fair,
And voters crave to honor the brave;
Only the rich are likely to bitch,
But which rich itch for us anyway?
So smothering doubts the President shouts,
"I who decide say, 'Let her ride!'"
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[end quote]
(Doggerel?! I thought it was a darn good poem -- so much for my "good taste"-!)
-30-

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