How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
I understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict this continent—and I pledge to you my country's efforts to help overcome these burdens. To be sure, we in the West must resist Soviet expansion. So we must maintain defenses of unassailable strength. Yet we seek peace; so we must strive to reduce arms on both sides. (64-67)
In other words, says Reagan, we'll work with you on this whole arms reduction thing, but don't think for one sweet second that we're going to allow you to continue spreading your communist ooze all over the globe.
Quote #2
As I speak, NATO ministers are meeting in Iceland to review the progress of our proposals for eliminating these weapons. At the talks in Geneva, we have also proposed deep cuts in strategic offensive weapons. And the Western allies have likewise made far-reaching proposals to reduce the danger of conventional war and to place a total ban on chemical weapons. (75-77)
See? We're committed to making war safer for everyone.
Quote #3
While we pursue these arms reductions, I pledge to you that we will maintain the capacity to deter Soviet aggression at any level at which it might occur. (78)
This little zinger of a sentence is buried between some jargon-heavy weapons discussions, but don't be deceived: this is the crucial sentiment behind everything Reagan is saying here. Basically, we'll play along, Soviet Union, because nuclear war is bad for everyone, but let there be no mistaking this: no matter how many weapons we take off the table, we'll still be able to stop you if you step out of line.
Quote #4
And in cooperation with many of our allies, the United States is pursuing the Strategic Defense Initiative—research to base deterrence not on the threat of offensive retaliation, but on defenses that truly defend; on systems, in short, that will not target populations, but shield them. By these means we seek to increase the safety of Europe and all the world. (79-80)
The whole purpose of SDI was to set up an anti-ballistic missile system that would keep missiles launched by our enemies from reaching us and killing our peeps. The theory was that if a country knew their missiles wouldn't reach the intended target, they wouldn't fire them in the first place.
Quote #5
East and West do not mistrust each other because we are armed; we are armed because we mistrust each other. And our differences are not about weapons but about liberty. (81-82)
Okay, but weapons are still kind of a big deal. Last we checked, dropping bombs made of liberty was still far less effective than dropping bombs made of, you know, bomb stuff.