"He had political pedigree and little else. He was a child of privilege and entitlement. His name, not his merit, brought him to Yale and Harvard where the affirmative action of legacy provided him slots denied to the more accomplished lacking his royal family’s wealth and heritage.
For him, life was like an elite box of chocolates where he always knew what he would get. Just ask daddy and it’s done. Do what you like, fail and never face the consequences.
He cut in line to get into the Air National Guard and avoid the perils of a war he said he supported but others -- those with no influence or money- should bleed and die for. He skipped officer candidate school, got a direct commission and become a pilot, just like daddy.
Duty quickly bored him. Neglect and dereliction marked his service. He has yet to explain his whereabouts for the entire year of 1972. He mothballed his flight suit and spent hard hours working on the Houston nightlife, snorting cocaine in the company of his dearest friend, Jack Daniels."
REad the rest of Bill Gallagher's great farewell synopsis of Smirky's life at:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/19833