PUBLIC RELATIONS: THE ALL-PURPOSE SPEECH, 'THE CROSSROADS AHEAD'

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP75-00149R000300470007-4
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RIFPUB
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K
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
November 17, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 21, 2000
Sequence Number: 
7
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Content Type: 
SPEECH
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PDF icon CIA-RDP75-00149R000300470007-4.pdf148.87 KB
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Approved For Release 2000/08/27 : CIA-RDP75-00149R000300470007-4 PUBLIC RELATIONS: ITE ALL-PURPOSE SPEECH, "THE CROSSROADS AF?;.AD. " [This is offered for the assistance of those who will be called Ripon to ghost-wwPwrite speeches for our civilian and military betters. As an old hand at this type of enterprise I have frequently been given the directive: "Write me a speech, but don't get me in troublcl " The following speech is guaranteed to accomplish this mission.] Distinguished guests, Reverend Clergy, ladies and gentlemen,. my colleagues and comrades - it is an honor and a privilege to address you on this occasion today. First, I would like to congratulate each one of you assembled here on the attainment of the objectives ft>r wlhLch you have worked so hard. A very strange thing happened to me thhniuuht on r::.y way to this function, which reminds me t this point of a stcry about this great nation of ours. The disturbing feature of all tnis is, despite all the bitter lessons, we, of course, know better. As that great statesman once said, I need hardly remind t ..s audience without fear of successful contradiction that we hand (town to posterity as a matter of pol:i.cy a few words about your splcen,:id hospital.i ty and this groat nation of ours. We view with alarm i.nder our present wise leadership and - some may be surprised for abo-le and beyond we begin. to see the sun break through. We are count ng on your help because, as you so well know, money must be forthcoming to our way of life. As we travel the long road ahead down to the grass roots or America there are those extremists whose voices cry out in the '1i-;ht. In this worthy cause we must not forsake but rather, with wisdo-.n, recall that there are those who say that tomorrow may be too late. Make no mistake - in our overall approach no one will dispute this fact - and it is a sobering thought. It is perhaps more than coincidence, and honesty demands whether we desire it or not that we face up to the issue. As we must always endeavor to point out, this observation has led me to one conclusion. We demand adequate funds. I shall not attempt in these brief remarks to point out the fact that we have come a long way. Th, world looks to us for leadership, and we point with pride in con- sidering the credit side of the ledger. Keeping always abreast of the times the record shows that we are a young nation. It is gratifying to hear, like all good Americans - and these are simple, hard facts. We have no illusions. This is no dream,. but a challenge. History teaches us that the period of great- est crisis lies before us, and especially disillusioning has be,.--n our experience in this worthy cause. Yet, we must not falterl Where, then, shall we turn? In our judgment we do not wi.s?:-1 to confuse the issue. The primary aim has always been to undorstend the problem better. I do not pretend to know the answers. Thure are unmistakable signs I submit to you, and in such view we are perbiaps more to be applauded than condemned - as the world may one day see. Another and wiser man has said it better, for therein lies the common denominator of the people who will never give up. We should, then, pause and reflect. It was gratifying to hear, in our overall approach, and as a matter of fact it is this very spirit of unse.lf:t slh- ne s s which is beyond peradventure of a doubt. Whoever would c1 :~ 17 c, car ;e, these words of our revered founding Lathers. I say to you, let's look at the record as set forth by theml Approved For Release 2000/08/27 : CIA-RDP75-00149R000300470007-4 %* err %W %0 yr %0 W W err W %W "0 14 0jA / F g,Rgjpa@#s (Y08/j7s: RA- OR rl 05 have 9 ?z~g ,0040 000 s4_ and these splendid men and women in this room whose very presen~:e tonight testifies. With heartfelt thanks, and with unyielding r1eter- urination as in the immortal words first uttered by my illustrio-is colleagues, we hear the hallowed voices - Blue and Gray - who made it the great common heritage of the melting pot, sealed with blood in the spirit of the dauntless pioneers and in this tradition we must Sand we will - under God. It has been a distinct honor and privilege, and in conclus:,on let rye say what words cannot express. On that note may I leave you with. tr is parting thought which I know will be taken in the spirit in which it is offered, for the die is cast before the bar of justice and world opinion. Approved For Release 2000/08/27 : CIA-RDP75-00149R000300470007-4 r rr rr v,r` ~r `rr `r w vrr v~ 'err ~.r+ ~ rr+