Link to 1987 NYT article re economics leading to progress on disarmament +

[Ellen Thomas]

On Dec 11, 2025, at 11:05 AM, Terry Lodge <tjlo...@yahoo.com> wrote:

   Here's the NYT article Timmon cites below, my little gift to those renewing the antinuclear weapons movement to root 'em out once and for all!

https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/20/magazine/the-company-as-target.html?unlocked_article_code=1.708.Sd3M.tTcjTWnuUyEx&smid=url-share

----

On Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 04:52:31 PM EST, Timmon Wallis, Nuclear Ban US <tim...@nuclearban.us> wrote:

Happy to provide some citations for the view that it was economic pressures that ultimately made the difference in the 1980s, although online sources from the pre-internet 1980s are harder to come by. One article from the New York Times that is still accessible is this one (but you may need a subscription): https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/20/magazine/the-company-as-target.html

I did my PhD research on the 1980s peace movement, and you can download a copy of the whole thesis here, if you really want to: https://bradscholars.brad.ac.uk/entities/publication/49fef2c0-3a78-48c0-a0b7-011c6edb9181

Otherwise, a shorter version, with references, is attached here.

However, it should come as no surprise to anyone that the people and corporations who run this country are unlikely to bend to anything short of real pressure, and especially if that pressure is aimed at their bank accounts. I'm sure you are all familiar with the quote from Nixon:

"Let them march all they want, so long as they continue to pay their taxes."

My version: "Let them pass all the resolutions they want, so long as they continue to buy and invest - and keep electing our proxies to Congress..."

----

On Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM Barry Klein <barryb...@gmail.com> wrote:

Joe,

Back from the Brink has been around for several years, at least five, and it is having zero impact. Nobody has heard of it except the peace community. Here is why: lengthy resolutions adopted by elected bodies and institutions attract little media attention. Media attention is critical for our cause. What the Freeze taught us is that politicians pay attention when voters speak, qua voters, as they did in the 80s, in non-binding, advisory elections.

I think I know the Freeze story pretty well, and I think Timmon Wallis is wrong when he states that 

"I don’t think pushing for a repeat of the nuclear freeze movement is going to help. ...What turned the corner in the 1980s , and I believe can turn the corner again now, is pressure - economic, financial, social and other pressures on the ... (arms) companies, on their financiers and investors, on their staff and boards and suppliers and customers."

We need to get an accurate picture of what occured in the 80s, the only success story we can claim; I urge Timmon to send us citations that support his narrative.

Barry

----

On Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM 'Joseph Wasserman' via VFP No Nukes <vfp-n...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi Friends

There are gaps in the back from the brink campaign to promote a resolution working towards elimination of nuclear weapons . There is a need to call out the endless war policies of our ruling elite and cut through the demonization of Russia and China.  I participate in the back from the brink campaign because it is reaching people and elected officials in the United States as to the dangers of nuclear war. Very few people are thinking about nuclear weapons and  it is urgent that   the people of the United States be alerted to the danger. Back from the brink is making progress on this, where there has been silence for so long.

Joe Wssserman

Virus-free.www.avg.com