If Pigs Had Wings

Every argument must have a certain logical sequence. For example, the argument as to whether pigs fly better than cliff swallows must begin by the establishing whether pigs have wings. If they have none, no further argument is necessary. The argument about SALT must begin—or, rather, ought to have begun seven years ago—by establishing whether the “SALT Agreements” are verifiable. If they are unverifiable, and hence are what Henry Kissinger calls “unilateral decisions,” then no further argument about them as agreements is necessary.

The understanding that an alleged agreement with totalitarian rulers is an agreement only insofar as it is verifiable has not yet been dislodged from all congressional minds. As Senator John Glenn wrote to me on July 19, 1979:

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Lev Navrozov

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Every argument must have a certain logical sequence. For example, the argument as to whether pigs fly better than cliff swallows must begin by the establishing whether pigs have wings. If they have none, no further argument is necessary. The argument about SALT must begin—or, rather, ought to have begun seven years ago—by establishing whether the “SALT Agreements” are verifiable. If they are unverifiable, and hence are what Henry Kissinger calls “unilateral decisions,” then no further argument about them as agreements is necessary.

The understanding that an alleged agreement with totalitarian rulers is an agreement only insofar as it is verifiable has not yet been dislodged from all congressional minds. As Senator John Glenn wrote to me on July 19, 1979: