A kid from Michigan State: “Mr. Secretary, what happens if we continue the policy you’ve outlined…this continued gradual escalation until the other side capitulates…up to and including nuclear war, and the other side doesn’t capitulate?” Rusk leaned back, hissed forth a stream of tobacco smoke, and solemnly replied, “Well, somebody’s going to get hurt.” Here, before their eyes, was the maniacal air force general Buck Turgid-son from Dr. Strangelove. The room drew silent, their thoughts as one: My God, the secretary of state is crazy.
