Note 247 — Chapter XI · CONCLUSIONS

Ibid., p. A2709, col. 2,t. Senator Fulbright also said: “As things now stand, however, the Soviets profit not only from their own energy, but also from our apathy.” (Congressional Record, Sept. 9, 1961, p. 17249. Col.3, m.) “Many among us expressed the fear that our inertia would be overcome—but momentarily, and that, like one who is awakened from a deep sleep by some minor disturbance, we would again subside into dreamland.” “Mr. President, I have no idea what must be done to awaken Americans to the unpleasant facts of life. As unwilling as I am to face it, perhaps the answer is that we simply do not wish to be disturbed.” (Congressional Record, January 23, 1959, p. 1007, col. 1,b.) “I believe that such a study would conclude that America’s trouble is basically one of aimlessness at home and frustration abroad.” (Speech before the American Bar Association, Sept. 1, 1960. Congressional Record, Sept 2, 1961, p. A6708, col. 2,b.) “... if only we would stop snoring with our eyes open.” (Congressional Record, May 11, 1959, p. A3890. col. 1,m.) “We might even look forward to the day when the Soviets become as snug and complacent as we have become.” (ibid., col. 2,b.) “Indeed, we are not even united on the nature and magnitude of that threat.” (ibid., p. A3891, col. 2,m.) Edgar Ansel Mowrer has written a book entitled, An End to Make-Believe. New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1961.

Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, on October 17, 1957, said: “It’s not communism I am afraid of. What frightens me is the complacency of the American people and their lack of knowledge about communism and its objectives.” (New York Herald Tribune, October 18, 1957, p. 4) In the author’s judgment, many of the common people today are ahead of some of the “uncommon” people in their understanding of the nature of the threat.