G:asa (07/18/82)
OPEN LETTER TO RICK MCGEER
(1) I happen to see strong parallels between Hinckley's behavior
and Reagan's. I believe Hinckley is insane in the conventional sense;
I believe Reagan is insane in an acceptable sense. I'll be happy to
debate these views with you by Mail or "across North America."
(2) I'll also be happy to debate the propriety of my remarks with
you. Down here, few of us regard our Chief Executive as the Son of
Heaven. Our presidents have long had to contend with potshots,
literal and otherwise. Some survive.
(3) And if you're just trying to provoke a verbal slug-fest, I
can oblige you there, too.
-- JTR ucbvax!G:asa
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>From the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Mon., July 12, 1982, page 10:
Washington
President Reagan stunned allies at the NATO meeting last
month by telling them that as far as he is concenred the
Soviet Union is at war with the United States, European
officials disclosed last week.
The statement, which came as the president was summing up
his views on the two-day meeting in Bonn, so surprised the
other heads of state that they remained silent and NATO
Secretary-General Joseph Luns immediately adjourned the
session, according to those who were present at the meeting
[a] month ago.
........................................................
European officials said that their governments have tried to
keep the Reagan remark from becoming public because of fear
of adverse public reactions, especially in West Germany. A
major reason for the rise of the European peace movement has
been fear that Reagan is bent on a confrontation with
Russia.
NEWSDAY