Editing 78-12-A4 (section)

= Brainwashing I =

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=== Transcript ===
The Soviet Union must really be uptight about the neutron weapon.

Seldom have we seen such a campaign to kill off a weapon before it even goes
into production. In our own country, well-intentioned people have joined in the
campaign but without (and let me emphasize that "without") any realization that
their own concern might possibly be the result of subtle, Soviet "brainwashing".

Recent polling has revealed a strange dichotomy in people's views of this
weapon which could be the greatest defense against the Russian tanks massed
opposite our NATO forces in Europe. A year ago the American people favored going
ahead with production of the weapon 44 percent to 38. Now the poll reads 47-to-35
against.

Strangely, those same Americans while opposing production and development
of the weapon believe 46-to-25 that it is the most effective defense we could
have against the threat of an attack on the NATO line. By a lesser margin
(36-to-34) they still see it as an effective deterrent that would reduce the
chances of war. But, (and here is where the possibility of brainwashing comes in)
a large majority (74-to-12) fears that use of the neutron weapon might lead to
the use of other nuclear weapons, meaning the exchange of the ultimate in
destructive weapons, the arsenals of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The President has indicated from the first his opposition to the weapon,
but under pressure from our NATO allies and our own military leaders he has held
off a final "no". His position is that he might cancel production of the warhead
if the Soviets agree to a new SALT treaty.

Now, while the Soviets normally oppose the idea of any weapon for us (as they
proceed with the buildup of the greatest offensive military machine the world
has ever seen) they have been unusually excited about the neutron weapon.

Our NATO allies and we have faced the Soviet tank forces massed on the
German border with some pretty potent anti-tank weapons. There are small but
effective guided missiles that can be carried and fired by one or two men, and
heavy caliber infantry missiles such as the American T.O.W. All have the ability
to penetrate Russian armor and knock out or disable tanks.

Now we learn the Soviets have developed and field tested a new tank, the
T-80, and according to all available information it is immune to our anti-tank
missile. They have invented a new type of composite armour. It is a kind
of honeycomb of steel, ceramics and aluminum with three times the protective
quality of conventional steel plate, yet it weighs virtually the same.

We know how good it is because, by coincidence, the British have come up with
virtually the same thing for our tanks. It is impervious to present anti-tank
weapons. But (and that explains Russia's anxiety about the neutron warhead) the
new armor is no better against the neutron weapon than the present steel plate.

With an order to go ahead on our weapon we could nullify their new T-80
tank.

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>08/07/[[Radio1978|1978]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[[Radio_Commentary_Books#Reagan.27s_Path_to_Victory|RPtV-351]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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