The "Entertainer"

Arguably,President Reagan won the "Cold War" with his wonderful jokes. Dutch had a joke or captivating story for any eventuality. After the break down of the historic conference with Gorbechev in Iceland, Dutch was very concerned.

The story goes that he called the Premiere after a reasonable period of time and opened the conversation with,"I am very upset. Do you mind telling me which of my jokes you didn't like?"

Gorbechev has told friends that Dutch was the most likeable and interesting man he ever met. Reportedly, Gorbechev and his wife literally had never known a humorist. Dutch could make a point quickly and poignantly with his humor; and the Gorbechevs warmed to that gentleness.

When they were rolling his guerney into the operating room after he was shot, Dutch grinned at Nancy and said, "I hope all these guys are Republicans."

That's the problem. These neoModerns, whether Cons or Libs, have no understanding of the Human Comedy. They have no clue. "Entertainer" in Dutch's generation meant "smarts." Not to make a comparison, I recall that President Kennedy was able to talk to both Cons and Libs through his sense of humor and joke reportoire.

Both JFK and Dutch had staffs that tended to consider their bosses too "easy going." But both presidents always seemed to be at the finish line well in advance of their brainy advisors.

With Dutch you never knew that you had been paddled until the middle of the night when you awoke with a choking sensation. All of a sudden the joke had meaning. And the gentle Dutch was sleeping the peace of the "Old Joker."

Enjoyable topic. Thanks.