Joseph Verner Reed Jr., Protocol Chief Who Presided Over Colorful Gaffe, Dies at 78 While under President George Bush, Mr. Reed was part of ‘the talking hat’ affair, a slip-up that entered the annals of diplomatic history. Share: Facebook Twitter Google+ Stumble Digg Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook Related Posts:Former Russian Spy Poisoned by Nerve Agent, British Police SayFormer Russian Spy Poisoned by Nerve Agent, British Police SayAfter 131 Years, Message in a Bottle Found on Australian BeachTech We’re Using: How Canada’s Tech Scene Is Thriving (Including the Instant Pot)China’s Huawei Is at Center of Fight Over 5G’s FuturePope Paves Way for Sainthood for Paul VI and Archbishop Óscar Romero