No. 357 — Mr. Aspin Will See You Now

IF YOU WANT TO MEET SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LES ASPIN, take a number. According to a recent procedural memo (circulated before Aspin fell ill from a heart ailment), Pentagon officials have to cut through a lot of red tape to get a face-to-face with Aspin. The process: 1) fill out an “initial schedule bid.” If Aspin approves, 2) complete an “amended schedule proposal format.” And finally 3a) meet with Aspin — unless he doesn’t like your final proposal, in which case 3b) you return to Step 1.