(XI.) HISTORY - Into the Twentieth Century

On the other hand, Reagan's last national Security advisor General Colin Powell, had as part of his job to keep "the little green men" references out of Reagan's speeches. Reagan, as his speeches clearly show, was fond of the 1950 space-invader movie analogy that the world would unit if faced with an extraterrestrial invasion force. Powell feared that if Reagan kept raising the issue people, would actually start to believe aliens were invading.

Reagan actually managed to get a few of the references into speeches and Q&As about his fascination of aliens coming to earth and uniting all nations before we destroyed ourselves. Every time he raised this scenario (which Reagan called my " fantasy") in planning sessions, Powell reportedly rolled his eyes and would say to his staff, "Here comes the little green men again."

Other Reagan staffers had the jobs of protecting the White House from disclosures the President might make while answering questions from the public, particularly from children. The staffers had learned that Reagan, the consummate story teller, tended to let strange things slip out. As one staffer said, "The god-damnest things would come out of his mouth."

Reagan was known to be very open with children that he would meet after speeches given at various schools, or to groups of students touring the White House. Fearing he would disclose his interest in the paranormal, efforts were made to protect Reagan from young students who tended to ask questions about these subjects. Mike Deaver was known to veto Q & As with high school "on the theory that Reagan would be 'too loose' and speak too freely."

There was even a special role for the handlers to keep the students away from the president. Former White House presidential aide Judi Buckelew described this role:



"The staff was always trying to keep him away from these high school groups that would come in to

have their pictures taken, because he would stand around and answer all their questions, saying all

 kinds of things. The staff would literally tug him away from these kids."