Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JANUARY 4, 1982
PAGE 5
week. The class very much enjoys the lessons I teach from many of
your books.
I appreciate the free books that you have been sending me. God is
opening up many doors for me since I began to understand and ap
preciate His Word through your books and The PLAIN TRUTH
magazines.
R.H. (Valdosta, GA)
Likes Correspondence Course
I would like to commend you on your Bible study course. In this
busy world it is hard to learn and review the elements of the
Bible we should know. Your course is very clear and concise. I
find it very relevant to today's news and the understanding of
the Bible. Keep up the good work! I recommend your course very
highly and am sure God will bless your work.
ON THE WORLD SCENE
E.K. (Cleveland, OH)
--Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center
AMERICA'S EMPTY GESTURE With PLAIN TRUTH responsibilities and the semester
final examinations ritual compressed into a New Year's Day-shortened work
week, I haven't had time to compose my usual column. We have so much good
material about Poland and Europe/U.S. relations that I want to take some
more time to analyze it before writing.
Suffice it to say here that President Reagan's unilateral imposition of
sanctions against the Soviet Union and Poland's military government for the
crackdown in Poland will do nothing to reverse the existing situation. The
measures have been met with a cold shoulder by America's European allies
(excepting Britain), who of course have a much greater stake in East/West
trade.
(Isn't it interesting that the Soviets waited until the massive
natural gas pipeline deal was signed and sealed before the Polish military
stepped in?)
The sanctions represent hardly a slap on the wrist to Moscow. The Japanese
will be all too eager to sell the construction vehicles needed for the pipe
line which no longer will be available from the Caterpillar Corporation in
Illinois.
Mr. Reagan's actions, long on ideology and emotion, are short on reality.
The reality is Poland's strategic importance to the Soviet position in
Europe. The United States, by announcing these actions, only stands to be
further isolated from its allies while gaining nothing at all from Moscow.
Editorialized the LOS ANGELES TIMES: "In international relations, useless
gestures are worse than useless; they can leave a nation looking impotent,
and therefore less able to deal with the next crisis."
Hopefully more material next time.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau