Reagan v. Ford: Elephants at War

To the Editors:

What crossover vote [May 17]? Did anyone ever think that people voted for Ronald Reagan to protest Gerald Ford and the pardon he gave to former President Nixon? Reagan had the issues: foreign policy, national security, the post offices and the Panama Canal giveaway.

So I believe that Ford does have a contender. Though Ford says Reagan doesn't know what he's talking about, apparently some folks believe he does, and they showed their views in the primary elections.

Betty Pair Seagraves, Texas

I am a Democrat but I voted for Gerald Ford in my state's primary. I would have preferred to vote for Udall--to strengthen responsible liberalism in the Democratic Party--but I could not stand by while Reagan drove the Republican Party further into simplistic conservatism. The threat of Reagan outweighed the promise of Udall.

It is perhaps a commentary on our electoral process that I found myself voting for the very incumbent I wish to see out of office after the election.

Alan Creutz Ann Arbor, Mich.

The emergence of Ronald Reagan as a serious contender for the Republican nomination is exhilarating. It just might suggest that America is recovering its pride and vigor. Reagan will stand tall against the internal and external enemies who have so harmed America's morale in recent years.

Alan Shelly Toronto, Ont.

How can anyone back a candidate (Reagan) who supports the idea of having the United States become a warfare state? What we certainly don't need is another senseless military conflict (over the Panama Canal).

Let's concentrate on satisfying the basic human needs that are crying out in our country.

Barry J. Rickert Valley View, Pa.

If Reagan exaggerates and oversimplifies so consistently as a candidate, what would he do as a President? One point he made I do agree with--he'd need God's help in doing the job --though it's plain he underestimated the amount!

Linda E. Brink College Park, Md.

I am disgusted by Reagan's comments regarding his lack of support by the poor and blacks. He claims to know a little bit about prejudice by virtue of having an Irish Catholic father. So he got to hear all the Pope stories!

He also declares his admiration for James Schlesinger. I expected his next sentence to be: "Some of my best friends are sons of Jewish immigrants."

Audrie Novak Muncie, Ind.

If destiny gives us the wonderful choice between Jimmy Carter and Ronnie Reagan, history may well mark this election as peanuts v. popcorn.

Jonathan D. Aks East Brunswick, N.J.

When, Not If

Reporter Bernard Diederich's article regarding la dolce vita in the Panama Canal Zone [May 17] adds nothing new to an already overworked stereotype. Most rational people living here, including the military and civilian employees, realize that the canal issue is a question of when, not if. To drag out the same cliches about the Zonians' insular existence simply adds fuel to an overly explosive situation.

Joseph Louis Fort Clayton, C.Z.

I was born and raised in the Canal Zone and resent Diederich's interpretation of the Zonian life. A child couldn't ask for better surroundings while grow ing up. The neighborhoods are so safe that one doesn't have to bother locking doors or worry about walking at night alone. The educational system is superb.

As for the termites, my landlord here in Florida just paid several hundred dollars to have this house fumigated. Whoever had "a jungle growing up to the kitchen door" ought to mow his lawn more often. After I finish school I plan on going back to my glorious homeland.

Jennifer M. Sargent Titusville, Fla.

Uncle Sam, Uncle Tom

The Caucus of Black Democrats [May 17] has endorsed the following demands: passage of the "full-employment" bill, a national health care program, a guaranteed national income, etc.

Following the Civil War many "freed" slaves returned to their former masters because they had neither the education nor skills to succeed as free men in society. Are today's blacks being led "home" to a benevolent Uncle Sam?

(Mrs.) Judith S. Larimer Camarilla, Calif.

Farmer's Advice

Your Essay "Is There Any Future in Futurism?" [May 17] suggests that we take the advice of the Vermont farmer to a tourist seeking directions. Frustrat ed as to how to give some helpful information, he finally scratched his head and said, "Waal, sonny, I tell you what. If I were ,goin' there, I wouldn't start from here."

Harold S. Van Schaack Northfield, Ohio

Bye-Bye, Bunyan

Even though extraordinarily careful measures are taken when explaining lumber industry v. environmental issues [May 17], one still has the feeling Paul Bunyan is alive and well, and on some lumberman's payroll. In this day of advanced forest technology, can it not be seen what a senseless war is being waged? Our objective: healthy forests for all to enjoy. It is time to lay down our arms and take up our backpacks.

Mrs. Robert A. Boyd, Vice President

WRP Lumber Corp.

Sedro Woolley, Wash.

The proper management of timber, wildlife, water and other forest resources is too complex to be governed by legislative prescription. The Randolph-Brown bill is an amateurish attempt to do so. It is better for Congress to lay down the kinds of broad policy set forth in the Humphrey bill, be less parsimonious about its investments in the nation's large forestry enterprise, and let the foresters get on with the job. The main problem with clearcutting is that it looks bad; it disrupts the environment far less than growing corn.

David M. Smith, Professor of

Silviculture, Yale University

New Haven, Conn.

Such Good Friends

So Italy might go Communist [May 17]. By adopting an openly negative, almost paranoiac attitude toward nations that are becoming Communist, the U.S. may be forcing them to become also anti-American. Will someone tell the Administration that Italy and other nations can still be good friends if they are not treated with so much suspicion?

Jafar H. Siddiqui Seattle

Slamming Snitching

Your article on the Big Snitch [May 17] implies that the Peoples Bicentennial Commission is wrong in offering rewards to secretaries to turn in their bosses for white-collar crimes. Your piety would go over better if you said something about the billions spent in "law" enforcement for snitching. Drug enforcement has degenerated into catching young kids, usually just smoking pot, scaring them into informing on several of their friends who then have to inform on several of their friends. A psychotic sleaze can get off but a loyal kid who refuses to snitch gets slammed. Al Horn Atlanta

Prairie Pal

Thanks for "The Bodacious New World of CB" [May 10]. From personal experience, I can testify that the CB radio has as much utility value as it has entertainment value. I've found myself with a loaded station wagon stuck in the middle of a Kansas prairie with the rear wheels buried up to the axles. Believe me, when you can pick up that microphone and get an immediate response to a call for help, that's when you really appreciate having a CB radio.

W. Robert Stone Waseca, Minn.

A Vote for Victims

As part of my work as a probation officer, I often have to interview victims of crime who have been brutalized mentally, physically, or both. In reading "Refined Confinement" [May 17], the article on the comfortable new prison in Butner, N.C., I am pleased for the criminal. But isn't it about time concern and money be spent on the victim?

Mary Ellen Trent Holmdel, N.J.

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