DIALECTICAL JOURNAL: RICHARD M. NIXON’S RESIGNATION ADRESS TO THE NATION. 1974

PASSAGES

1. "We have ended America's longest war. But in the work of securing a lasting peace in the world, the goals ahead are even more far-reaching and more difficult. We must complete a structure of peace, so that it will be said of this generation -- our generation of Americans -- by the people of all nations, not only that we ended one war but that we prevented future wars."
   
2. "In the Middle East, 100 million people in the Arab countries, many of whom have considered us their enemy for nearly 20 years, now look on us as their friends. We must continue to build on that friendship so that peace can settle at last over the Middle East and so that the cradle of civilization will not become its grave."
   
3. "Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere -- to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me."
   
4. "Around the world -- in Asia, in Africa, in Latin America, in the Middle East -- there are millions of people who live in terrible poverty, even starvation. We must keep as our goal turning away from production for war and expanding production for peace so that people everywhere on this earth can at last look forward, in their children's time, if not in our own time, to having the necessities for a decent life."
   

COMMENTS

1. It is sometimes difficult to remember how war-stricken the U.S. was in this time period. They had just gotten out of Vietnam, a terrible failure in which they not only lost a lot of money and resources, but many lives as well. The Cold War was still going on, and although the United States' relationship with the Soviet Union had improved a little, they were still bitter rivals. Nuclear war was very much a real threat back then, and it's hard to imagine the state of mind of Americans back then. Although the Cold War ended, the U.S. has been continually involved in wars even until today. In reality, it has been constantly involved in warfare.
   
2. As I read this part of the speech, I couldn't help but think of the terrible irony. Peace in the Middle East has eluded us. Worse still, the 9/11 attacks have fueled hatred between Americans and Muslims, to the point that a priest in Florida recently wanted to burn 200 copies of the Koran. We have not maintained that friendship with the Arab countries. In fact, I can say with confidence that the relationship has possibly reached its lowest point ever.
   
3. This quote shows how difficult it was for Nixon to resign. We can see clearly in this line, and throughout the speech as well, that this is something that he didn't want. He is resigning to avoid being impeached, kind of like when a school asks a student to drop out to avoid being expelled. A resignation looks much better than an impeachment. The Watergate scandal was unfortunate, but I cannot help but feel sympathy for Nixon as he says his final words to the nation.
   
4. As good as this quote sounds on paper, I have realized that it is an impossible hope. We are past the time that he calls "their children's time," and poverty and hunger around the world don't really seem to be improving. In Colombia, roughly 45% of the population lives in poverty. 17% lives in even worse conditions. These statistics are even worse in other countries around the world. As much as it hurts me to admit it, I don't really see how to improve this terrible problem around the world.