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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JUNE 28, 1985
PAGE 13
to "the impossibility" of the situation and the "frustration"
that Reagan shared with the watching millions••••
Not only is his own reputation as an effective, optimistic Presi
dent at stake, so are many of his cherished policy goals•••• Rea
gan has asserted that his expensive defense buildup has made the
United States more secure and more respected. Few voters can
gauge the stockpiles of Soviet and American missiles, but they
can draw clear inferences when terrorist tactics in small coun
tries checkmate the clear national interest in individuals' free
dom to move safely around the world. This may be an inadequate
yardstick, but it is an understandable one, and no amount of
rhetoric will disguise the message of weakness that is conveyed
by successful acts of terrorism against Americans abroad.
Where's "Rambo" When We Need Him?
It is rather curious that the latest terrorist outrage, and the so-far hes
itant governmental approach to it should occur at the very time that Ameri
cans, especially the younger crowd, have been flocking to the theaters to
see "Rambo: First Blood, Part II." "Rambo" is a Vietnam vet who embarks on
a dangerous mission to free soldiers held prisoner in Vietnam. It's rated
"R" for excessive violence and blood. I've heard that audiences cheer
loudly everytime Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) encounters and dispenses with
another "Commie." Said one commentator, "They're there to cheer on an
American winner, something liberal film critics and politicians don't un
derstand." But there are no "Rambos" in real life.
It's also worth noting that the hijacking has occurred at virtually the
same time as the revelation of the Walker family spy case. The June 28 NA
TIONAL REVIEW pointed out, in an article titled "An Absolute Moral Void,"
that the nation suffers from a drastic decline in true patriotism (love of
country and fellow citizens), so much so that the phenomenon of "treason
for money" could take root. According to the article,
The Soviet Union has lost any moral glamor it once had. Today it
has to pay cash; its American helpers aren't deluded enough to
think they are working to create a better world•••• The Walkers
appear to have operated in a normless state of mind, cut off from
all feelings of civic virtue, motivated only by money. This and
other new spy cases also suggest that the notion of what Jeane
Kirkpatrick calls "moral equivalence" between the "two super
powers" has had its corrosive effect. A great many Americans no
longer recoil with horror at the idea of betraying their country:
The tepid reaction to the Walker case proves that. � have begun
to feel it would be presumptuous to expect simple loyalty.
The Walker case should also demonstrate to one and all the shabby
state of American counterintelligence. [The Walker family] would
still be in business if it hadn't been for a tip from Walker's ex
wife--a loop hole Frank Church forgot to close. We are left to
wonder how many other termites there are in the structure. Even
liberals have quit trying to deny that the main business of
Soviet "diplomacy" is spying, and it is only too likely that the
Soviets have had plenty of cooperation from� generation that has
been taught there is no such thing!.! treason••••