Rationale

My written task is informed by an event happening on 26 September 1983. On this day the
Soviet Union was close to launching one of their intercontinental ballistic missiles towards the
United States. Due to a malfunctioning radar that reported an attack of the United States, the
Soviet Union was prepared for war. However, Stanislav Petrov, an officer of the Soviet Air
Defence Forces, decided not to fire their missiles which turned out to be a life-saving call. In
this written task, however, this call has not been made, together with all its consequences. I
have studied the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union as well as several
real speeches of Ronald Reagan.

For this written task, I have written a speech, that is intended to be given by Ronald Reagan if
the Soviet Union would have launched its ballistic missiles towards the United States. I
mimicked Reagan’s writing style by being straightforward, resulting in a speech that seems simple and
controversial, trying to let his audience (all Americans in 1983) visualize and understand its message
on a human level. Besides, I used one of Reagan’s most successful tools by making examples of
‘heroes’ in stories he told, like the brave 85-year-old grandfather I used. Trying to convert this abstract
example into an unforgettable picture. Reagan demonstrated his admiration of real people which made
it easier for the people to admire him as well. Besides, I tried to imitate Reagan by giving Biblical
quotations which he often did because of his faith in Christianity. As well as ending my speech with:
‘Thank you, and God bless you’, which Reagan always did when talking to Americans.

Words: 279
September 27, 1983

My fellow Americans:

Today, I will speak to you as both citizen and president of the United States, about the New
York nuclear massacre, the attack by the Soviet Union on 1,6 million innocent men, women,
and unarmed children. The bible once told us there will be time for peace, but we have never
been more distant from that on this Tuesday morning. This crime against humanity must and
will not be forgotten throughout the world.

On this Tuesday morning, our prayers are with the victims and their families in times of
terrible grief. Bill Carney, Thomas Downey, Gregory Carman, Norm Lent, Ray McGrath,
John LeBoutillier, Geraldine Ferraro, Shirley Chisholm, and Fred Richmond. The deaths of
these congressmen and women truly moved us all. They will be sorely missed by all of us
here in government.

This morning, I came across a brave 85-year-old grandfather whose words wired me: ‘My
daughter, two grandsons and granddaughter were killed this night. Their deaths are the result
of the Soviet Union repeatedly violating human rights.’ His emotions of anger, grief and
shock are shared by every well-mannered human being in the world.

Is violating human rights a common practise in other countries? The answer is no. The record
of American history is clear: We have no territorial ambitions. We never occupied a country
nor did we ever build walls to lock our people in. Our American souls consist of freedom and
peace. That commitment has never been lost. When we fight, we fight for democracy, not
totalitarian regimes; for peace, not occupation; for freedom, not Tyranny.

In times of this new nuclear era, both the United States and the Soviet Union should take
responsibility to resolve conflict which is why we all have been deeply concerned by Soviet
policies. Since the Second World War, tyranny has increased, leading to East European
domination by the Soviet Union, symbolized by the Berlin Wall which is nothing more than a
grim grey monument of repression.

Since the end of the Second World War, our country has been the leader in disarmament. In
1946 we proposed control on nuclear weapons by an international authority which was
rejected by the Soviet Union. In 1955 we proposed exchanging blueprints of military
establishments which was rejected by the Soviet Union. Finally, in 1970, the treaty of Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was signed, ensuring the Soviet Union would not attack our
homes.

This year, the Soviet Union increased its defense spending once again by 40 percent while we
decreased in that same term. We stayed committed to our vision which we believed in.
Especially since finally having a treaty with the Soviet Union. However as Eleanor Roosevelt
once said about tyrants: ‘their promises are in deep contrast to their performances’

Tonight our country was taught a bitter lesson: The curse of tyranny cannot be stopped with
words alone. Around 1 am Eastern Standard Time, the Soviet Union decided to launch one of
their intercontinental ballistic missiles towards New York City. Which was covered in rubble
within seconds.
Despite the evidence and savagery of their crime, the Soviets still refuse to tell us what
happened. They repeatedly refuse to admit that they launched their missile on purpose. I even
doubt whether their people know about the launched missile. They try to spin a confusing tale
of having malfunctioning radars that indicated we fired our missiles first and when our
missiles disappeared, they launched theirs as a counter-attack.

Let me recap for a moment and inform you about the undeniable evidence that we have. The
Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile was launched by the Soviet Air Defense Forces
around 1 am and landed at 1:17 am. The Missile was launched from the Serpukhov-15 bunker
near Moscow and landed right on Times Square. The MR-UR-100 Sotka missile is equipped
with the most modern computerized facilities but must respond to input provided by human
hands, ensuring that this was done on purpose.

And make no mistake about its motive, this attack was not only against ourselves. This was
the Soviet Union against the world and its view on human rights. It was an act of cruelty,
committed by a society that disregards individual rights, constantly dominating other
countries.

Today, I am asking Congress to pass a resolution of disapproval of this Soviet crime.

We will call upon NATO member states to join us in denouncing the Soviet action and
expressing our horror. We expect to hear from these countries this evening as the debate
continues.

Since the Soviets claim this disaster to be an accident, our secretary Schultz is going to Paris
where he will meet Foreign Minister Gromyko of the Soviet Union. Schultz is going to
present to him our demands for disclosure of the facts, concrete assurance that something like
this will never happen again, and that big restitution will be made.

While we are working, together with other countries, for justice, the real challenge is to
remain strong and united. In the last few hours, I have seen these acts of kindness more than
ever.

We all know that it will be hard to let a nation that doesn’t refrain from acts of cruelty stop
using force against the rest of the world. But we must try. Let us have faith in the following
words of Luke 6:27-36: ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’ If we succeed in doing this, we will move on
with courage and history will record some good in this evil event.

Thank you, and God bless you.

Words: 934
Written by Ruben Rosaria
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