Diary Entry - 10/26/1983

N.S.C. meeting with Cap who is off to Canada for the N.A.T.O. ministers meeting. He’s presenting a plan for our further reduction of nuclear tactical weapons in Europe. We’ve already taken out about 1000 without it ever being noticed. The winners of the N.Y. marathon came in & with them a young lad who completed the 26 miles on one leg without using an artificial leg—on crutches. He was born with only one leg—thalidomide. A meeting with Sens. Laxalt & Strom Thurmond on our crime legislation. The bleeding hearts & the Dem. House are trying to torpedo it. Went over to the Exec. office bldg. to speak to the Jewish Coalition of Repubs. Was well recv’d. I think I reassured them that we still stand by Israel. Taping session for the events I’ve cancelled because of Grenada. Speaking of that it looks like the mission is almost accomplished—a few hotspots left but we’ve taken 100’s of Cubans prisoner. The Marines, the A.F. & the Army & Navy planned beautifully and executed even better. We have 6 killed, 8 missing, & 33 wounded at last count. George B. is back from Lebanon—stopped by to report on that tragic scene. Morale of the Marines is high. I’m re writing a speech for Nat. T.V. tomorrow night.