Pentagon purge transcripts reveal planned firings and jokes at expense of staff
Secret Pentagon meeting transcripts describe a culling of civilian staff at Defense Department radio and TV outlets, driven by budget figures and censorship aims. Officials mocked morale, joked about firing critics, and worried about leaks while noting “too many civilian personnel.” Corvair note follows, linking carbon monoxide fears to emissions testing and GM excuses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Radio-Tv
Broger
Transportation
John Volpe
Highway Safety Bureau
General Motors
T.J. Jarvis
Media Poll Shows Mixed Reactions to Agnew Criticism
Newsweek commissioned Gallup to gauge public response to Spiro Agnew by examining media criticism. About 42 percent agreed with his censure, 53 percent felt reporting missed some viewpoints, and 51 percent recalled unfair coverage. The poll highlighted perceived bias toward liberals, with viewers and readers noting unequal treatment. It also flagged sympathy toward students, peace demonstrators, Negroes, and criminals, while police, Vietnam war supporters, and the middle class were seen as treated too harshly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spiro Agnew
Agnew
Newsweek
Gallup
America
Vietnam
Lonnie and the Fire Engine in the Christmas Window
A boy named Lonnie shelters emotions while an imagined real fire engine comforts him at Christmas. Aunt Jenny’s harsh scrutiny and a tense family dynamic fill the scene as Lonnie clings to a plastic hook and ladder toy, fearing harsh judgments and seeking belonging. The memory ends with Lonnie’s quiet grief as an old man recalls the scene.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jenny
Lonnie
Telly on Yuletide kick by Cynthia Lowry
New York AP review notes TV holiday fare over the weekend. Ed Sullivan on CBS featured Art Carney and Jim Henson’s Muppets in The Great Santa Claus Switch, a charming festive tale foiled by Cosmo and his gang. Glen Campbell’s Goodtime Hour followed with family moments. Andy Williams Christmas Show underwhelmed. The Corry Evening Journal details, ads, and editorials conclude with a critique of ethnic jokes and changing attitudes in humor media.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Ed Sullivan
CBS
Art Carney
Jim Henson
Santa Claus
Cosmo
King of Evil
St. Nick
Santa
Carney
Glen Campbell
Glen
WASP as Establishment Target in an Upset Nation
A reflective column argues the WASP once seen as paragon now depicted as villain amid widespread distrust of the Establishment. The piece laments uptight times and calls for humor that crosses ethnic lines, urging Christmas goodwill despite current tensions among generations and groups.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington
Pentagon
Pentagon Communications
John Broger
Defense Department
Hugh Morgan
Saigon
Morgan
New Post
George Mibich
By Jock Anderson
Henry Valentino
Naval Intelligence
ARMN
Spiro
Jim Bishop
Grandaunt
Adele
John
Dean
Telly
Cynthia Lowry
Campbell
Andy Williams
NBC
Hollywood
Williams
Claudine Longet
Williams Brothers
Corry
Stepin Fetchit
By Bill Eaton
White House
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