Madame Nhu, the first lady of Vietnam* reacts to the “monk barbecue show”. This was also the phrase used by her in a letter to the NYT: “Letters to the Times: Mrs. Nhu Defends Stand”, The New York Times, 14 August 1963. The line became infamous and was considered a reflection of how out of touch our installed leadership in Vietnam was. 

*She was the wife of Ngo Dinh Nhu, brother and chief adviser to President Ngo Dinh Diem. 

• footnote - by Steve Thornton