“But the Soviet leadership, with its eye on Reagan’s supposed recklessness, chose not to believe them.” This is where our Leftist media enters the equation. They painted Reagan as “reckless” and could have caused a nuclear conflagration, as a result. The msm’s hatred of Republican presidents and their unflagging attempts to ruin their time in office does have consequences in this dangerous world. Exactly.
In those days - CBS, NBC, and ABC almost completely dominated the televised media.
There was no "new media", no large talk radio audiences or programs, and no Internet.
If you watched the network broadcasts - it was even worse than today.
The MSM had absolutely no brakes on their reckless words; and no checks or balances to their complete bias and hatred of President Reagan.
I’ve seen more intelligent expressions on wrestlers.