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To this end it is necessary that leaders of both thought and action be properly briefed bn our present
situation—necessary but not sufficient. It is necessary to tell the people the truth, but thiq is also insufficient. What is required is the mutual involvement of the people at the “grass-roots” Evel and their
leaders in a sustained program.
In approaching such a difficult task, we have vast resources for success in our natiqnal traditions.
Our pioneer background and inheritance predispose us to count hardships a challenge and fortify us
against complacency.
Weare a resourceful people, inventive no less socially and politically than tech-
nologically. We have turned every form of association to cultural account. Even our b siness associations are more creative than acquisitive. We have easy access to one another. In this ighty freedom
of association lies an important aspect of the genius of Americanlife.
Wesuggest that advantage be taken of these strengths in the development of a nation de program of
continuing discussions in small groups, designed to achieve maximum citizen participati and involvement in the crucial issues raised by the development of nuclear weapons. The leaders qf many of our
nationwide voluntary associations might be initially called together—possibly under t
aegis of the
American Assembly—with a view to “fanning-out” the discussions within the structures offcivil organizations, labor unions, professional associations, commercial!and industrial groups, and the ma y other voluntary associations that characterize our nationallife. The ultimate objective would be the widest possible
participation in repeated meetings at the “grass-roots” level, and such intermediate grpup discussions
would be encouraged as might be necessary to achieve this.
The basic subject matter of discussion would have to be as broad as national security it elf. As people
become involved in discussions of how to survive under nuclear attack, they will inevitab y become concerned with the problem of prevention. It is important that the subject matter not be
narrow as to
or appropriation.
Webelieve that the prospects of success of such a venture would be greatly improved if you, Mr.
President, as voice of all the people, were to take the leadership in this, as you already have in regard to
education. Such evidenceof interest and solicitude at the top could be heightened by the barticipation of
your entire Cabinet at the initiation. What is required is such leadership to re-dedicat t our people to
responsible involvement, such as our forefathers were able to find, in less complex tim s, through the
familiar town meeting. The value of the town meeting of yesteryear may be recaptured today through
discussion groups in the service clubs, the veterans posts, the farmers organizations, and ¢ he other voluntary associations that are found in ourcities, towns and villages.
Forleaders of both thought and action to join in such discussion would dramatize as na thing else could
the need and the technique of national involvement. It goes without saying that such an undertaking
would recognize that the Government does not have all the answers, and that constructivé help would be
expected from our citizens. We believe that such a concerted effort at universal involver nent would pay
dividends in more sustained support of foreign policy.
Whatwe are proposing would be a monumentaleffort in the field of public enlightenment, formal
and informal, using mass and individual media; and all educational leaders and publicists hould be called
upon for their best contributions to the program. To further this suggested program, we
importance of the following features should be emphasized:
believe that the
(1) The development, by employment of the multiplier principle, of able discussior leaders.
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lend plausibility to any criticism that the undertakingis designed to generate supportfor anyjsingle program
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(2) A systematic reporting to a central point of the conclusions and experience of each discussion
group in order that the on-going program maybenefit from successes and mistak s.
(3) Provision for analysis, through operations research on a sampling basis, of the pfogram itself, in
order to determine its strengths and weaknesses as a constructive social instituti nm and to assess
its effectiveness in encouraging participation of thecitizenry in someofthe crucial problems of our
age.
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