With all of the diaries and media attention about Obama's comments about Reagan, I thought that I would break out this little book that I've kept for 25 years. It's called "The Book of Stopping World War III", and it was facilitated by my wonderful teacher Joe Brulenski and the Berkeley Teacher's Center, in 1982, in Berkeley. Our class of first and second grade students wrote letters to Reagan and Premier Andropov. I'm going to include a few of the letters below. I hope the students (and Joe) won't mind.
Dear President Reagan,
If there is a nuclear war, I will miss my school that I go to. I will be mad to see my cousins dead, Reagan. I don't like to have bombs tested on the Berkeley hills. 6 years old. I'm in first grade. P.C.
Dear President Reagan,
If you have a nuclear war a whole lot of people will die and the people who don't die will live 2 or 3 years in misery including you. I am 6 and in first grade. S.M.
Dear President Reagan,
If there is a nuclear war, I will miss my house and I will miss my friends and maybe you will miss somebody too. I will miss growing up so that I can do the things I like to do. E.W., age 7
My letter:
Dear President Reagan,
I don't think it is good to start a nuclear war because, for example, it could kill people, plants, places, and the world. Please don't. From: W.S. Write back. 6 years old, first grade.
I drew three hearts that I shaded in on the bottom of my letter. I also remember that I did get a letter from the White House. I even think I got a photograph of the President.
UPDATE: edited for hideous grammar.