Minimum Arsenals

James J. Kilpatrick’s column (Editorial Pages, Oct. 15), “Let’s Make a Deal on Minimum Arsenals,” is an excellent example of what is essential to our survival but what is almost unknown in our nation today--a flood of bipartisan proposals for a break in the buildup of nuclear arms.

Too few citizens have as yet done what Kilpatrick did--reflect on the implications of an “absurd, grotesque, obscene, insane situation.” Nor have they concluded, as he did, that a very small portion of current arsenals would suffice for deterrence.

Whether or not his particular solution is adopted is not important. However, what is important is that each of us assess the facts about the consequences of a nuclear war and the continued buildup of nuclear arms; that we not become discouraged but instead derive hope from the historical evidence of our ability to change old modes of thinking (e.g., slavery); and that we remind ourselves of the power given to individuals in our free society to initiate change personally and in cooperation with others.

“Nuclear war is too serious to be left to the experts anyhow.”

DONALD E. MUELLER

Long Beach