Posted on 06/12/2004 7:06:53 AM PDT by Military family member
In one of his most famous Cold War speeches, President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. Two years later, deliriously happy East and West Germans did break down the infamous barrier between East and West Berlin.
Reagan's challenge came during a visit to West Berlin. With the Berlin Wall as a backdrop, Reagan declared, "There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace." He then called upon his Soviet counterpart: "Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace--if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe--if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Addressing the West Berlin crowd, Reagan observed, "Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar." Reagan then went on to ask Gorbachev to undertake serious arms reduction talks with the United States.
Most listeners at the time viewed Reagan's speech as a dramatic appeal to Gorbachev to renew negotiations on nuclear arms reductions. It was also a reminder that despite the Soviet leader's public statements about a new relationship with the West, the United States wanted to see action taken to improve the Cold War tensions. Just eight months before, a summit between Reagan and Gorbachev had ended unsatisfactorily, with both sides charging the other with bad faith in talks aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals. Reagan, who had formed a personal closeness to Gorbachev during their previous meetings, obviously wanted to move those negotiations forward. In December 1987, the two met once again and signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles from Europe.
Everyone knew it was coming down anyway.....{sarcasm off}
I was unaware that we were on the anniversary of that speech. I heard the speechwriter talk with Laura Ingrahm, I heard the Reagan memorial service yesterday, but I did not hear about this.
What do you suppose Senator Kerry said about Reagan's speech? Bet it was something incredibly negative.
Tony Snow had an excellent one hour special on Fox about the lead up to Reagan's "Tear Down this Wall" speech.
It aired at midnight last night.
If you get the chance to see it, it's worth the watch.
BTTT
What did he say at the time or now, because I bet the two statements are polar opposites.
I recently read a Reader's Digest article about how this phrase almost didn't make it in the speech. The Pentagon and State Department wanted it out, but Reagan himself left it in "because it was the right thing to do".
Peter went out among the people to get a sense of their sentiment and learned they had strong feelings about the wall. I heard he asked at a dinner party and was met with silence. Then, when the people heard he was sincere, they opened up the floodgates of their feelings about that monstrosity.
Peter penned the famous phrase and everyone down the line tried desperately to have it removed from the speech. The State Department was apoplectic! Reagan asked Peter to explain why he wrote it that way, understood the meaning, agreed with it completely, and overrode everyone. He kept in the phrase and delivered the address. Important concepts communicated simply and clearly.
I'm sure there is a better explanation than mine in Robinson's book, "How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life"
BTTT
Could there be a Polish flag in this pic?
Fascinating. http://www.historynet.com/ahi/blreaganandberlinwall/
Here is the key lesson found in the link Paul_B provided [emphasis added]:
The day the president arrived in Berlin, State and the NSC submitted yet another alternate draft. "They were still at it on the very morning of the speech," said Tony Dolan. "I'll never forget it." Yet in the limousine on the way to the Berlin Wall, the president told Duberstein he was determined to deliver the controversial line. Reagan smiled. "The boys at State are going to kill me," he said, "but it's the right thing to do."I would expect the Brandenburg gate to be filled with flowers and other symbols of respect. Not because of the anniversary, but rather for the passing of the man responsible for opening it. Someone, please, tell me that is what happened.There is a school of thought that Ronald Reagan only managed to look good because he had clever writers putting words in his mouth. But Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Bob Dole and Bill Clinton all had clever writers. Why was there only one Great Communicator? Because Ronald Reagan's writers were never attempting to fabricate an image, just to produce work that measured up to the standard Reagan himself had already established. His policies were plain. He had been articulating them for decades -- until he became president he wrote most of his material himself. When I heard Frau Elz say that Gorbachev should get rid of the wall, I knew instantly that the president would have responded to her remark.
PS. Peter Robinson's role is also deserving of recognition. I hope the People of Germany have honored him appropriately, too.
I also hope Reagan's passing with fill much of Europe with sympathy for the liberation of Iraq.
.
RONNIE gave all = We have it all
http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=52519
.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
How long before we tune in to hear Rather informing the public that "Only after repeated prodding by the media did Reagans administration initiate dialog with the Soviets through which the WH realized what the media had been telling them all along which that the Soviets were just beginning a major restructuring of their system including spinning off satellite nations and encouraging German re-unification. Reagans handlers then scrambled to jump on the bandwagon and the "Tear Down This Wall" speech was part of the White Houses attempts to jump on the bandwagon."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.