When Living Isn't Living

WE AGREE WITH the universal desirability of bilateral nuclear disarmament; indeed, it is an indisputable principle. The approach taken by the majority, however, contradicts many of The Crimson's courageous editorial defenses of freedom.

Put simply, the majority implies--especially in its concluding sentence--that given a choice between living under totalitarianism and enduring a nuclear exchange, it would choose the former. There must be a rethinking of American foreign policy to reduce the likelihood of nuclear confrontation. Arms reductions talks should be vigorously pursued, offensive weapons such as the MX missle scrapped, and statements about "winnable" nuclear wars and the like ceased. But the majority editorial serves as encouragement to the Soviet Union and other repressive regimes to act aggressively. It does not consider the conventional advantage the Soviets would have in the event of nuclear disarmament, nor does it seem frightened by the specter of other countries with nuclear capabilities, such as Libya, using blackmail to further their interests.

In fact, the viability of enforcing bilateral nuclear disarmament is not addressed. The thread of the argument and its conclusion suggest that even unilateral nuclear disarmament would be a preferable alternative to, say, Libyan primacy in the Middle East or Soviet primacy in Western Europe.

The choice is a difficult one. But to claim that we should sacrifice an insecure freedom for a secure bondage is a misguided assessment. Certain ends are at least as important as the ideal of nuclear disarmament; but following the majority view to its logical conclusion, nuclear disarmament can become a means to another, more insidious end.

We reject this line of argument, and declare that it is hypocritical to support oppressed peoples on the one hand and then invite oppression on the other.

The Crimson is pleased to announce the election of the following editors to the News Board: Steven M. Arkow '84 of Far Rockaway, N.Y. and Winthrop House; Beth L. Golden '83 of Minneapolis, Minn., and Lowell House; Jeffrey E. Seifert '81-4 of Brewster, N.Y. and Adams House; Julian A. Treger '84 of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Adams House; and Richard S. Zemel '84 of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mather House;

To the Editorial Board: Peter A. Kolodziej '83 of Champaign, III., and Lowell House; and Michael Lynton '82 of Wassenaar, the Netherlands, and Kirkland House.