In Passing

Former Congressman Otis Pike (D-NY) died last week at the age of 92.  Pike served his New York district from 1960 to 1978.  He was a pugnacious and witty politician, a Marine Corps pilot during WWII, and a gleeful mocker of the Pentagon's foolish spending.  Here's a story from his obituary:

"While speaking out against what he considered outlandish defense spending during the Vietnam War, Mr. Pike cited the example of small metal rods with a retail cost of 50 cents. The Pentagon, which bought them for $25.55 apiece, described them as 'precision shafting.' 'For once,' Mr. Pike declared on the House floor, 'the American taxpayer got precisely what he paid for.'" (emphasis added)

When he left Congress, he said it was no longer fun serving there.  Too bad we can't have more Otis Pikes today.