Happy Reykjavik Day

History ^ | October 12, 1986 | Self

[Physicist]

Twenty years ago this very day, President Ronald Reagan destroyed the Soviet Union.

On the morning of October 12, 1986, it seemed as if the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were on the brink of sweeping reductions in their nuclear arsenal. President Reagan's refusal to abandon SDI caused the talks to collapse.

This locked the Soviets into continuing an arms race that they could not afford, could not win, and could not abandon, dooming their empire to eventual collapse.

The results of the SDI program President Reagan refused to abandon could well save our lives from North Korean aggression.

[Physicist]

This isn't really an excerpt, but a vanity: the link leads to a contemporary WaPo article about the summit.

Happy Reykjavik Day to everyone.

[Physicist]

I realized the significance of this date yesterday. At a book fair, I happened to buy a Soviet pamphlet containing General Secretary Gorbachev's thoughts on the failure of the summit. I realized upon reading it that the opening date of the summit was exactly 20 years before. Quite a trophy.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Great point about Ronaldus Magnus.

As to the technicalities of the posting, what would have been wrong about posting a brief abstract from the WaPo, simply noting the anniversary - then making your editorial comment as the first reply? You could have put your own title in brackets. Whatever. Peace.

[Ready4Freddy]

Excellent idea, posting that contemporaneous article.

[rhombus]

Does anyone else think this article rambles on and on and repeats the same thing over and over? How many times did we have to read how sad and disappointed everyone was? Ick.

[Physicist]

The link was an afterthought as I was hitting the Post button.

[Physicist]

Ping

[Lee'sGhost]

If it's Iceland there should be a plethora of Icelandic babes posted on this thread.

So . . . . where are they?

[RadioAstronomer]

Thanks for the ping. :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

Most folks have no clue how important this was for the cold war. This was the real turning point.

[lepton]

The contingent agreement reached by the two sides would have reduced all strategic strike forces by 50 percent in the first five years. In the following five years all ballistic missiles on both sides would have been eliminated.

Ummm? ALL ballistic missiles? Gee, that's nuts...and unverifiable.

[weegee]

Gen Reagan PING

[AnalogReigns]

Icelandic girls are supposed to be the best looking in the world, so another reason for: HAPPY REYKJAVIK DAY!!!

[Incorrigible]

 

[dfwgator]

It's the only Icelandic chick that I know of.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[EQAndyBuzz]

Bjork is a fruitcake. But she is pretty.

[Physicist]

And she can sing (and shriek) wonderfully.

[PfromHoGro]

That's what I thought the thread was about.

[AppyPappy]

The leftist media claimed it was the darkest day and biggest failure for Reagan. Later we found out the Soviets were paying off the media to say that.