Vidal, with Wit and Class

To the Editors:

Gore Vidal might be a "Laughing Cassandra" [March 1], but my God he does it with such wit--and plenty of class.

Latona Merchant Chicago

Vidal's views on this country are unfortunately symptomatic of the times and snap with the sting of a rejected man.

James K. Pedley Cleveland

Vidal has proved through his writings that he cares about his country. Would that he were my friend.

Isabel Norby Whidbey Island, Wash.

America's Oscar Wilde.

Belle Marie Fatheree Portland, Ore.

I insist the case is not hopeless. Slight drafts of humility, heroically downed at an unguarded moment, can save Vidal still.

John Lanigan Griffith, Ind.

Most pathetic figure of our day.

Lee George El Dorado, Kans.

He is the speck of sand that agitates long enough to produce a fine pearl.

George J. Perchak New London, Conn.

Nixon Non-Affliction

Richard Nixon's trip to China [March 1] harks of another era when it was common for displaced monarchs to seek aid in enemy countries to regain a stronghold in their old domain. Senator Goldwater's suggestion that Nixon might do well to remain in China is equally anachronistic, since it recalls an age of international struggles with no holds barred. The concepts of limits even with one's worst enemy (e.g., germ and gas warfare) must surely be expanded to include the non-affliction of Nixon on China.

John D. Daniels State College, Pa.

Can't we leave the poor man in peace?

Ken Cuthbertson Sterling, Kans.

Brainwashed Society

How can we doubt that Patty Hearst [March 1] was brainwashed? Have we forgotten how our whole society was brainwashed? When radical chic ruled Park Avenue? When Bloomingdale's sold bandoliers for fashionable ladies to sport across their chests? When a Governor told his state's rioters he didn't blame them for taking what they thought should be theirs? When universities turned down fifth-generation, all-A students for the lowest SATs? When middle-class kids became so confused they didn't feel right (or even safe) clad in decent clothes?

Patty Hearst, like those kids--and the rest of us--was brainwashed even before the S.L. A. dragged her off.

Helen Newlin New York City

Womanstruation?

I find it quite surprising that women's liberationists have not attempted a revision of the terms relating to our "curse": menstruation and menopause [Feb. 23].

Kyle Queen Atlanta

TM Controversy

When will the skeptics understand that Transcendental Meditation [March 1] should be no more controversial than push-ups or situps? If you want to become stronger, you exercise; if you want to become more relaxed, you meditate. Let's not blow this thing out of proportion with talk of "Hinduism," "worship" and "pantheistic deity."

Jim Ware Williamstown, Mass.

I know no meditator who regards his practice as a religion. But I do know many people who worship money. May be we should ban the teaching of economics in our schools.

Michael Fling Iowa City, Iowa

Before I was initiated into the Transcendental Meditation program at my school, I was a devout Roman Catholic. Now, a year later, I am a devout Roman Catholic who meditates.

Frederick S. Roback Hartford, Conn.

Flower Song

I beg your pardon,

About your piece "The Deadly

Garden "[March I], The horticulturists will surely

flail ya; You have miscaptioned an

azalea.

(To be hummed softly to the tune of I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)

Lucy K. Weinberg West Lafayette, Ind.

That's an azalea, or I'm not from Decatur. Why, there's nothing "lily" about it. Yes, sir, I'd know an azalea if it was dressed in a clown suit, and an azalea is just what you've got under that CALLA LILY caption.

Marianne Palmer Ithaca, N. Y.

Immortal Copier

So often I find myself standing over the immortal copier [March 1] and wondering why I am copying some immaterial material that no one will look at, and that will just give me something more to file. But I would hate to see the day when someone pulls the plug and we're left to carbons and those fun mimeographs that I grew up on in grade school.

Robin Reinhardt Atlanta

I too have been trying to limit the use of the copier in my office. I decided that if I posted your article over the copier, perhaps it would have a positive effect. The only trouble was, in order not to cut up my copy of TIME, I had to make a copy of the Essay.

Stanley M. Miastkowski Hadley, Mass.

I plan to distribute copies of the Essay to my entire staff.

Den Adler Janesville, Wise.

Schorr Assault

Who the heck does Daniel Schorr [March 1] think he is? Why do I bother to vote in every election, when our elected officials are "overruled" by this self-anointed leaker of our country's secrets?

Mickey Jones Reno

The furor is obviously a case of Pike's pique.

Terrance A. Ward Houston

Reality, Soviet Style

Your article "Hard Times for Ivan" [March 1] is unworthy of the magazine's readers.

Some of the U.S. news media, including TIME magazine, have long cultivated distorted ideas about the Soviet Union. No wonder that many Americans have lots of "surprises" when the American press cannot conceal the most eloquent Soviet achievements (as was the case, for instance, when the first Soviet Sputnik was launched), or when they personally acquaint themselves with Soviet reality: the patriotism of the Soviet people, their devotion to the socialist way of life, real equality for all, an inflation-free economy, not a trace of unemployment, free education and medical care, not to mention significant cultural, scientific and technical advances in a short historical period.

I am sorry that TIME still publishes stories filled with distortions and hostile emotions. They will not hurt the Soviet Union. But they do a disservice to the American people.

Valentin Kamanev

Press Counselor of the U.S.S.R. Embassy Washington, D.C.

Before my own trip to the U.S.S.R., I would have suspected you of writing to please a pro-Western audience. As it is, I find your article very accurate in all areas with which I am familiar. It was a disillusioning experience to discover a country and its people with abilities and resources similar to our own obviously incapable of using those assets efficiently. The trip did much to increase my own appreciation for our Western way of life, for all its faults.

Susan D. Prince Alta, Calif.

Guys, Girls and Dolls

While the toy industry may be making new inroads in realism in children's toys with Cher's navel, I note that the Sonny doll is taller than the Cher doll [March 1]. When will toy manufacturers stop bombarding little girls and boys with the sexism of their generation and let them grow up sans the outdated maxim of masculine superiority?

Joann Langham Detroit

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.