Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hayward Thomas said, "During the campaign stop in Louisville, the president of the United States had an opportunity...a choice...of spending 20 minutes with Carey Lucas or 20 minutes with the mayor of Louisville. And he picked the mayor!" Thomas added, "The president spoke of Congressman Carey Lucas as being only a phone call away. I, myself, believe he wants to keep him there."
(Chapter 14)
THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY:
THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THERE...(L.P. Hartley)
...ROYCE DIDN'T KEEP UP WITH STAN WINTHROP. It was years after their working together before they met, again. Myra and Stan continued to remain close. She kept Royce informed on Stan Winthrop's life...that he had, indeed, joined the Marines and become a successful pilot. A couple of years later, Royce saw Stan Winthrop sitting on a barstool at Two Keys. His hair was real short. He was home on leave from the Marines. The two exhanged pleasantries, but had little to say to each other--unless they spoke of Congressman Carey Lucas (Stan still enamored). After their meeting, Myra continued to keep him abreast about Stan Winthrop; what a good pilot he had actually become (Chapter 12)
Lying under barren skies...the light escaping from my eyes...below the moon..Walking down the avenue...I'm followed by the afterglow...the velvet rose of evening grows...Weary to be home again..among the faces of my friends...The day is done...Candles burning by the sea...are waiting for me patiently...I wish the same for you...
Carpenters
(Eventide: from Horizon)
...FIVE DAYS LATER AT KET, Royce heard the AP wire near his desk, ringing loudly, announcing the breaking story. Royce stopped over by the machine. It was then that he realized exactly why Myra Lucas had called him, as he read the news release.
MISLEADING THE PUBLIC WITH PRESS RELEASES was an art Congressman Carey Lucas had perfected. Well before entering into the Kentucky governor's race in the summer of 1990, a press release put out by Lucas' congressional office featured the headline: Congressman Carey Lucas of Kentucky Delcares Light Helicopter Deleted from the Defense Budget.
The article began: The House Armed Services Committee has concurred with Representative Carey D. Lucas' amendment to end the Army's $42-billion LHX program. This, in itself, said Representative Lucas, was a triumph for American taxpayers...
In actuality, the committee did not stop the Army's manifestation of a new era of combat helicopters--but slowed it down. The final issue...included in the Army plans are testing of an additional two years; this, before going into the last pre-production stage.
The Army asked for over $400-million for the fiscal year to come. However, $300-million was agreed to by the committee.
The Light Helicopter Experiment (LHX) Program is very much in existence or operation. It is anticipated that the Army will see the first aircraft (now called Comanche) roll off the line of production the latter part of the 1990's. Cost: close to $9-million apiece.
Congressman Carey Lucas has gone against the Pentagon other times--notably, he being among the bipartisan coalition whose effort was to halt production of the B-52 Stealth bomber(entailing great expense). However, the LHX symbolized Lucas' premier high-profile attempt to halt a major weapon.
US Representative Lucas felt it would make a lot more sense, money wise, to uprade models that existed currently-in lieu of putting billions into a new helicopter. Over time, Congressman Lucas had spoken of his worry about the pork-barrel characterisitics of decisions concerning weapons. However, during the early years in Washington, he repeated the Republican party's cry for defense build-up.
There are those who said he was simply of politician: One day he said one thing; the next day, another. The congressman, himself, said that it was the international situation and the federal deficit that have changed--not himself.
Some of those opposing his stance on the helicopter just really didn't know from where Lucas was coming...
(Chapter 12)
