This is old news by now, but pleasantly amusing and so quintessential Ginsberg that it was crying out to be our launch story. At Eugene McCarthy‘s suggestion, Allen has called Kissinger in order to arrange a conversation between among others, civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy, then CIA head Richard Helms, pacifist David Dellinger, and even (Richard) Nixon, in order to brainstorm for ways out of the Vietnam war. Interview was April 23, 1971)
2017 update – the original link is no longer working but you can read the article/transcript (from the March 2009 issue of Harper’s magazine under the punning title of “Om Land Security”) – here below:
AG: My idea is to arrange a conversation between yourself, Helms, McCarthy, and maybe even Nixon with Rennie Davis, Dellinger, and Abernathy. It can be done at any time. They were willing to show their peaceableness, and perhaps you don’t know how to get out of the war, and by a private meeting…
HK: I have been meeting with many members of peace groups, but what I find is that they always then rush right out and and give the contents of that meeting to the press. But I like to do this — not just for the enlightenment of the people I talk to but to give me a feel of what concerned people think. I would be prepared to meet, in principle, on a private basis.
AG: That’s true, but it is a question of personal delicacy. In dealing with human consciousness it is hard to set limits.
HK: You can’t set limits to human consciousness but —
AG: We can try to come to some kind of understanding.
HK: You can set limits to what you say publicly.
AG: It would be even more useful if we could do it naked on television.
HK: (Laughs)
AG:: What should I tell them that would be encouraging?
HK: That I would think about it very seriously.
AG: Good deal
HK: When did you intend to do this?
AG: During the May Day meetings in Washington. They will be lobbying, and they could meet with you May 2 or 3.
HK: May 2 or 3. Damn it! I would like to do it in principle, but —
AG: It is a good principle.
HK: Now, wait a minute. I don’t know about those dates, I may not be in town, but we can do it at some other reasonable date.
AG: I gather you don’t know how to get out of the war.
HK: I thought we did, but I’m always interested in hearing other views.
AG: If you see Helms, ask him if he has begun meditating yet. He promised to meditate one hour a day. I still have to teach him how to hold his back straight.
HK: How do I reach you?
AG: City Lights, San Francisco.
HK: Where are you calling from?
AG: Sacramento, California. I just gave a talk on gay liberation to the students here, and I am going to San Francisco to join the march there. I will be at the following number —
HK: I won’t be able to call you, I am leaving town. I will call McCarthy.
AG: Talk to him. I will try to arrange a private meeting. It would be good to talk to the Army too. You know, the war people and the anti-war people.
HK: It is barely conceivable that there are people who like war.
AG: They might have some ideas. They have been to Hanoi.
HK: I will call McCarthy. If we can set it up on the basis of…
AG: You may have to subject yourself to prayer.
HK: That is a private matter. That is permissible.