LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "Nuclear Freeze Debate"
National Public Radio reporter Cokie Roberts reports to show host Paul Duke that the nuclear freeze debate has been tabled, with Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill calling off debate until after Easter recess. Duke introduces his discussion on the nuclear freeze with U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). Sen. Nunn’s plan: for each new weapon introduced, retire two old, outdated weapons. Nunn says modernization is more important than amassing huge stockpiles. He dismisses the nuclear freeze as a plan that would lock the U.S. into systems vulnerable to a first strike, leading toward a dangerous hair trigger policy of retaliation. Nunn says it's to mutual advantage that the super powers work together to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons or weapons of any kind falling into the hands of terrorist organizations.
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "Nuclear Freeze Debate"
National Public Radio reporter Cokie Roberts says many Americans are afraid of the growing efficiency of new nuclear arms and want to see defense spending cut. U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA) says new weapons are safer because of safety features, repeats his assertion that new weapons are needed to prevent skittish hair-trigger retaliatory actions. Sen. Nunn states that U.S. President Ronald Reagan does have too many strategic programs, but some expenditures are necessary for security. He says that both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. should work to ensure first-strike survive-ability of their nuclear arms so that neither country is tempted to try a first strike. Show host Paul Duke thanks the Senator.