Seeing the parade of people going into the Cameron state dinner, Mrs. Rozeff asked me why they have state dinners and observed that they were “All glitter.” Before Jackie Kennedy, state dinners were not publicized and thus pretty much non-events. Jackie introduced round tables, glitzed them up, and relocated them from local hotels to the White House.
America has no real society to speak of except what its rich and famous attempt to manufacture. Add the powerful. The Kennedy presidency created a social-political pinnacle and a way to reward donors and others by the favored presence of the American political royalty. When a clod like LBJ continued this fashion, it was surely an institution that would remain, and it has, despite the fact that it’s empty glitz with phony remarks and phony humor that come as naturally to politicians as milk to a cow. If we could read the minds of those present, we’d be amazed at their petty thoughts on the clothing and appearance of others as well as the seating arrangements, menu, and decor. Tonight American red wine will be served with each course, but my wife observes that the food being served really isn’t too much. “Skimpy,” she says.
5:56 pm on March 14, 2012
