Howard Hughes loan?” And it was Haldeman who consciously sabotaged the research on the Hiss chapter in Six Crises. On one occasion | was meeting with a group of blind veterans in the Oval Office. | wanted to display my empathy with them, so | began describing the Presidential Seal, which was woven into the carpet we happened to be standing on. A blind veteran got down on his knees and started feeling that design with his hands. | closed my eyes and proceeded to do the same. It was perhaps the most spontaneous gesture of my life, although | must admit | was grateful to hear the sound of cameras whirring. | was pleased that this scene of my true humanity was being recorded for posterity. But Haldeman ordered an embargo on that photograph, ostensibly to protect the dignity of my image, because the president should never be seen in a kneeling position. Even a year after he resigned, there he was, old faithful Bob Haldeman, backstage with me at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He chided Johnny Cash for that time he refused to sing “Welfare Cadillac” at the White House, and Cash now replied, “Should | do it tonight and dedicate the song to you now that you’ reon welfare?” Haldeman did not appreciate the humor in that. He was too preoccupied with the betrayal of me that he had in mind. He handed me a HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015126