Part 77 (1/2)

At 65, much of the private sector would have forced him into retirement, but elected Govern as his constituents allowed Claude Pepper held the record and Merrill Rickfield's ego wanted to establish new definitions of tenure

His involve was recent, in political teran military buildup, nearly 3 trillion dollars worth, defense contractors expanded with the econoress was convinced that 300 Billion per year was about right to defend against a Cold War enemy that couldn't feed its own people The overestimates of the CIA, with selective and often speculative inforatherer, the NSA, helped define a decade of political and tech- nological achievements: Star Wars, Stealth, MX, B1, B2 and other assorted toys that had no practical use save all out war

With that kind of spending occurring freely, and the Senate Over- sight Committee in a perpetual state of the doldruton's good ol' boy network General Young was one such an opportunistic eneral in 1978, after two lackluster but politically well connected tours in Vietnam, it was dee into the inner rings of the Pentagon with the corresponding perks such a position brought But Young had bigger and better ideas

He saw countless ways to spend taxpayersthem from the Co support fro to realize that he had been token promoted to keep his mouth shut about certain prominent people's roles in the Vietnam era Events that were better left to a few trusteddecided to go out on his own and find support froislative branch; find an influential proponent for a few specific defense programs by which he could profit Over the course of a few years, he and Senator Rickfield becalobal views and fears, if not paranoias When Allied Dynaressional support for an advanced jet helicopter project, Young went to Rickfield for help After all, Allied was headquartered in Rickfield's horeat boon to the econo to an end and that meant jobs

Rickfield was unaware, initially, that Allied had an arrange to donate certain moneys to certain charities, in certain Swiss bank accounts if certain spending programs were approved Only when Rickfield offered so feel the need to share the wealth

After 25 years in Congress, and very little et

Rickfield's recruit, on Allied's behalf, had yielded the Senator h to retire comfortably on the island paradise of his choice Yet, Rickfield found an uncontrolled desire for rown used to wielding power and influence in the nation's capital Rickfield was hooked, and Credite Suisse was the cer- tain Swiss bank in question Ken Boyers was involved as well, almost from the start They both had a lot to lose

”No, I must assume that you are not a fool, and I know for a fact I aree” Political pausing often allowed your opponent to hang himself with addi- tional oration Rickfield found the technique useful, especial- ly on novices ”Please continue”

”Thank you” Sir George said with a hint of patronization ”To be brief, Senator, I want you to keep your money, I think that dedicated civil servants like yourself are grossly underpaid and underappreciated No sir, I do not wish to deny you the chance to uished career”

”Then what is it What do you want fro nervously while Ken paced the roo said at the other end of the phone

”I' next ating the weaknesses and potential threats to government computer systems

As I remember it is called the Senate Select Sub-Coht?”

”Yes, the dates aren't firs or assign it to another co down the hearings Nothing e stated his intention as a matter of fact rather than a request

Rickfield's face contorted in confusion ”Drag down? Exactly what does that mean, to you, that is?”

”We want you to downplay the iovern- ment coovernations in balance with the neorld order, if you will The threats are overn tere had practiced his soliloquy before calling Senator Rick- field

”What the hell for?” Rickfield raised his voice ”Security?

Big deal! What's it to you?”

”I am not at liberty to discuss our reasons Suffice it to say, that ould be s have minimal substance and that no direct action items are deliv- ered I believe that term you Americans so eloquently use is stonewall, or perhaps filibuster?”

”They're not the sas”

”Fine, but you do understand nonetheless We want these hearings to epitomize the rest of American politics with procrastination, obfuscation and procedural gerrye had learned quite a bit about the political system since he had moved to the States

”And to what ais