⚓ Welcome to Tidal Echoes

Series: “Youth Speaks Its Mind” (A republication of our hometown newspaper, The Suffolk County News, from 65 years ago)

Our history isn't just a timeline; it's a series of waves that shape who we are today. In this series, we revisit the bold voices of Sayville’s past. Today, we listen to Andrew MacCornack as he passionately argues against the construction of fallout shelters in 1962.

Originally published in The Suffolk County News on February 15th, 1962. Transcribed for the Sayville Alumni Association.

Fallout Shelters: A False Security?

By Andrew MacCornack, Sayville High School

Citizens of New York State, awake! An absurd law was passed last November in the state legislature appropriating \$100,000,000 to help schools and colleges build fallout shelters. This law must be repealed.

Action was taken last month to erase the law from the books, but it was defeated by certain legislators who wanted the measure to be more comprehensive by providing protection for the public at large rather than just for school groups. Both of these plans are ridiculous because, in my opinion, fallout shelters are not the best solution to the uncertainties of the Cold War.

If you examine the world situation today, you notice that the Soviet Union is careful not to push us too far when we stand firmly for our rights (e. g. the Berlin Airlift). For that reason, the prospect of a nuclear war is slim. Even Red China, I am quite sure, will satisfy her exploding population by using conventional weapons to expand her territory, though she may rattle her nuclear arms to gain attention. Communism has more to gain by limited warfare than by a devastating third world war.

Those who advocate a comprehensive shelter program are encouraging another form of an old American custom — isolationism — only this time it is individual isolationism. In our position today, America can ill afford to stand aside and cower in fallout shelters when she is supposed to be a world leader. Our best defense against the communist menace is to take the offensive and not back down when we are threatened with bluffs. If we are to build fallout shelters for everyone, we are admitting that communism has the upper hand and we are on the defensive. Worst than that, when people have shelters, they develop a false sense of security and are not as anxious in their quest for peace. In other words, people begin to think that a war is inevitable. This sort of thinking may be just what is needed to fulfill the communist plan of world conquest. Khrushchev has said, “We will bury you.” Aren't we burying ourselves when we retreat into fallout shelters?

I sincerely hope that you, the citizens of New York State, will not stand aside and let your state legislature pass any fallout shelter bills but that you will encourage your representatives to use the money instead for increased state aid or other worthwhile and positive measures.

⚓ Cast Your Thoughts

How do these words from 1962 land today? Reflecting on Andrew MacCornack's insights:

• andrew frames fallout shelters as a form of "individual isolationism"—do you remember the drills or the physical shelters being built in sayville schools during the early 60s?
• he mentions khrushchev’s infamous "we will bury you" quote. how much did that rhetoric weigh on your daily life as a student?
• looking back, do you agree with his sentiment that shelters provided a "false sense of security," or did they provide real peace of mind to your family?