Chamblee54

Tom Clancy gave an interview to Don Swaim in 1986. Mr. Clancy sold insurance before his writing career took off. “I never do life insurance. It is too morbid. I do fire and casualty”
1986 was a curious time in history. America was in the middle of an arms buildup. Research was producing space age weapons. These weapons would not be used in combat for several years.
It is said that killing becomes more impersonal as weaponry advances. Certainly fighting with swords is more personal than with rifles. (This does not imply that this killing is less horrible.) With “smart bombs” and drones, killing people has become almost antiseptic to the American forces. “Young men of military age” in Pakistan might have a different opinion.
At the time, the perceived threat was from Communism, and the Soviet Union. The question was raised, why would the Soviets start a war with the west? Mr. Clancy talked about the Japanese decision to attack Pearl Harbor, and the German invasion of the Soviet Union. “The decision to go to war … is probably never a completely rational decision.”
About two thirds through the interview, the speed of the tape slows down. It sounds like the talkers are intoxicated. It is during this segment that a vodka shortage in the Soviet Union is discussed.
After the interview, PG looked at facebook. A friend posted a graphic with a reputed quote from Albert Einstein. “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots”
PG did a bit of research, and left a comment. “I suspect that Dr. Einstein did not say that. Wikiquotes does not have this quote. Whenever you see a quote without a source, you should suspect it. Also, what is the context? If a comment is true, it does not need a famous name at the end.” Two minutes later, Carrie Williams said “Thanks Debbie Downer”.
Pictures are from “The Special Collections and Archives,Georgia State University Library”.