The days passed slowly with the world waiting for the inevitable to begin. The President went to work one morning. After some time his phone buzzed and he picked it up. "What?" he asked.
His secretary's voice responded. "The press secretary is here, sir! He'd like to have a word with you."
"Send him in!" The President agreed. A few moments later the press secretary entered. "What do you want, Howard?" The President asked.
"We really need to give a press conference, Mr. President. There's a lot of crazy stories going around out there, some of which are true, and some of which aren't. We really need to clarify things, Mr. President."
"Three o'clock?" The president asked.
The press secretary nodded but did not leave. "What else?" The President asked.
"Sir, the Chinese Ambassador asked me to speak to you again. His leadership does not like your ultimatum that their forces are NOT to mass on their border with Korea, and that their aircraft are to stay fifty miles away from that border."
"You can tell the Chinese Ambassador," The President answered, "that when his leaders recognize Tiawan and leave Tibet, and acknowledge the massacre on Tienanmin Square I might be in a mood to talk to them. But until they do I do not associate with tyrants and butchers."
The secretary shrugged. "I understand, Mr. President," he remarked, "but just a little recognition of their feelings?"
"Have they denounced the attack on The White House?" The President asked, "Have they offered us the use of any of their ports?"
The press secretary shook his head.
"Then I don't see where I should show them any courtesy," The President snapped. "I will continue the practices of my predecessor."
The press secretary begrudgingly left. The President continued to study his maps. About quarter of three he left his office and went down to the briefing room. It could not hold as many as the conference room at The White House, so lots had been drawn, and a universal camera feed set up.
The moment The President entered a barrage of questions started. The press secretary demanded that everyone quiet down. Then, The President pointed to a female reporter. "Mr. President, Mary West, United Press. We've been hearing an awful lot of stories that you've put undo pressure on our allies to support this effort, that you literally blackmailed some people to get them to support your efforts. Is there any truth to any of these allegations?"
The President smiled. "Some other nations," he remarked, "were a little hesistant at first, to join our effort. But I pointed out our historical union, and with a little persuasion they came around. Since then we've got even more help. Greece, Turkey, have offered us infantry batallians. Israel has offered us airborne troops. Even Indonesia has offered us a division, and Australia has offered us aircraft and technical support. The force we are gathering is awesome, and I think some more may be coming. Several South American nations are talking of a joint battallion made up of troops from several of their countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Hondoras, Chile; they are attempting to get the force together and get it to us in South Korea.
I am in hopes that these vast forces will not have to be used. That the people of North Korea will come to their senses, surrender their tyrant, and make it unnecessary for us to use force."
Another reporter raised his hand. "Mr. President, these stories going around that you are virtually planning the whole operation yourself, taking no advice from General Higgins, that there is a great deal of bitterness between the two of you as there was between Truman and McArthur.....would you comment on these allegations, sir?"
The President burst out laughing and everyone looked around. "That's a GOOD ONE!" he managed after he calmed down. "Yes," he said, "it's time. I am taking a considerable interest in the operation, and making primary suggestions as how the operation should be carried out. But if General Higgins says 'Mr. President, that's a stupid damned thing to do!' I'm not going to do it that way. This is what I'D do.' Well, you can be assured that's what he's gonna do. If I'm building a house and I hire carpenters and plumbers and electricians I give them a general idea of what I want done, then I let them go to it! That's the same way I work with my Generals, and so far we seem to be getting on pretty damned good! No matter what some people say about me, I'm not stupid. Anybody that thinks I am hasn't been around me very long."
Everyone laughed. "Mr. President, David West, Universal. There's rumors, sir, that this young Korean girl that's serving as your interpreter has become your mistress. Would you comment on that sir?"
The President looked to his press secretary. "Ladies and gentlemen," the presss secretary snapped, "I thought

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