Thank You, Richard Nixon

"Shameless" was the word that came to many minds as Richard Nixon, driven from office 19 months ago under threat of impeachment, cavorted in Peking making foreign policy pronouncements (see story page 22). To what extent his Peking foray politically hurt the President who pardoned him is debatable; what is obvious is that Nixon couldn't have cared less.

Yet Nixon was doing the U.S. a favor. Americans are forgiving and forgetful. Watergate has not faded, but it is hard to maintain a high pitch of anger. A few weeks ago there was a mini-movement to "rehabilitate" Nixon, on the ground that other Presidents had engaged in sleazy activities too--though Watergate with all its ramifications remains unique.

Now, watching Nixon in Peking, seeing once again the rictus on the familiar face, reading the self-justifying statements, brought him back to mind with full force. There was all his deviousness and unrepentant arrogance: a useful reminder and, one might hope, a safeguard against any further attempts by him to re-enter public life.

Thus two cheers--or perhaps a modest wall poster?--for Chairman Mao.

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