human
Who is this Amenokal you mentioned?
gpt
These are the real Tuareg, the comparatively untouched. They've got three tribes, the Kel Rela, the Tégéhé Mellet and the Taitoq, each headed by a warrior clan which gives its name to the tribe as a whole. The chief of the Kel Rela clan is also chief of the Kel Rela tribe and automatically paramount chief, or Amenokal, of the whole confederation. His name is Melchizedek.
human
Do you think you can win him over?
gpt
He's a smart old boy. I had some dealings with him over a year ago. Gave him a TV set in the way of a present, hoping he'd tune in on some of our Reunited Nations propaganda. He's probably the most conservative of the Tuareg leaders.
human
And you expect to bring him around to the most liberal scheme to hit North Africa since Hannibal?
gpt
Remember Roosevelt, the American president?
human
Hardly.
gpt
Well, you've read about him. He came into office at a time when the country was going to economic pot by the minute. Some of the measures he and his so-called brain trust took were immediately hailed by his enemies as socialistic. In answer, Roosevelt told them that in times of social stress the true conservative is a liberal, since to preserve, you have to reform. If Roosevelt hadn't done the things he did, back in the 1930s, you probably would have seen some _real_ changes in the American socio-economic system. Roosevelt didn't undermine the social system of the time, he preserved it.
human
Then, according to you, Roosevelt was a conservative,
gpt
I'll go even further, he said.
human
When social changes are pending and for whatever reason are not brought about, then reaction is the inevitable alternative. At such a time then--when sweeping socio-economic change is called for--any reform measures proposed are concealed measures of reaction, since they tend to maintain the _status quo_.
gpt
Holy Mackerel, Cliff protested.
human
Accept that and Roosevelt was not only not a liberal, but a reactionary. Stop tearing down my childhood heroes.
gpt
Let's get back to this Amenokal guy. You think he's smart enough to see his only chance is in going along with ...
human
We'll soon find out. This is a favorite encampment of his. With luck, he'll be there. If we can win him over, we've come a long way.
gpt
And if we can't?
human
Then it's unfortunate that there are only three of us,