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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 29, 1983
PAGE 15
arguments will receive as much attention, as much emphasis, as
the President's [example: Party Chairman Yuri Andropov's letter
to a lo-year-old schoolgirl in Maine]. Their expert propagan
dists can...manipulate our press with the always newsworthy
"Soviet press reaction"•...
Thus the cost of liberty cannot be measured in dollars alone.
One heavy cost is in permitting our potential enemies to use
modern propaganda techniques within our borders, � giving them
the� access to our people that the Administration�-··· We
are at a disadvantage because we cannot counter this Soviet
manipulation. We cannot reach the Soviet people as the Soviet
leaders reach the American people.
Finally we come to this interesting observation, in the form of a letter
from a former Vietnam protester, to the editor of the U.S. NEWS & WORLD
REPORT (April 11 edition):
As a former protester against the Vietnam War, I find it inter
esting to note the concern that El Salvador may become a new
Vietnam ("Heading for Another Vietnam?" March 21 issue). I re
call� of� hawks' main arguments for fighting in Vietnam
was
that�� didn't� there, we would be fighting again closer to
home. Could � be that they � right?
Yes, they were right. The fighting now is in our own "front yard" says the
President. It still might be possible that the considerable persuasive
power of President Reagan may yet draw grudging but temporary congressional
support to his views. He is not going to "lose" El Salvador or more of
Central America during his term(s) of office if he can possibly help it. He
himself seems up to th'esupreme Soviet challenge of
his
presidency. The
question mark is Congress, where acres of soft-headedness prevail. But
after the Reagan era (if not during it), especially if the Democrats take
power, look for the dominoes to fall rapidly.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau