The Big Apple Convention

To the Editors:

After seeing the delegate on the cover [July 19], I know the meaning of "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!"

Ira Scott Johnson Jr. Woodbine, N.J.

The expression on the conventioneer's face is obviously that of stunned excitement due to 1) the thrill of being in the Big City, 2) the strolling hostess on his far left, 3) the pickpocket to his immediate right, or 4) all of the above.

Michelle Williams Woodside, N. Y.

Joe and Jane Conventioneer may not understand life in New York, but I hope that each of them had a taste of the magic that comes from "the Big Apple." One can see the change, charm, cheer and challenge of the city on the faces of the millions who move through New York. After all, it is the greatest city in the world.

Joanne D. Walsh Decatur, Ga.

Until the Democratic Convention I was very skeptical about the men who would lead our country. But Jimmy Carter's acceptance speech proves he can give the disheartened and discontented young people of this country a United States to be proud of for the next generation.

Dave Westhausen Cincinnati

TIME'S interview with Carter hardens suspicions of his demagogy. He advocated a sunshine law in Washington so that people think they are part of the Government.

Jacob B. Hurwitz Woodmere, N. Y.

Jimmy Carter makes me proud to be a Southerner, an American and a Democrat.

But then, I'm a long-haired redneck from Albany, Ga.

Frederick Petty Memphis

Mr. Carter's ideas on jobs, prices, taxes, energy, the budget, money supply and the miscellany, if implemented, could lead to Big Brother by 1984. I hope that Jimmy Carter is just a coincidence and not what George Orwell predicted.

Gerardo L. Galvan San Francisco

Jimmy Carter is the "birthday present" that was needed for America's nationwide Bicentennial celebration.

Neera Barve Silver Spring, Md.

The Democrats addressed themselves to every problem except one: who will pay the bill? Until the Democrats answer that question, I shall stick with stodgy but sensible Gerald Ford.

Steve Savage Randolph, Vt.

Who Rips Off Whom?

Hunter Thompson's highly personal and impressionistic writings are not meant to provide answers to the type of political questions that "Newswatch" seems to want answered [July 19]. The buyer of Rolling Stone realizes this and does not feel "ripped off." It is the nation's TV viewers who are "ripped off' by the technically sophisticated yet intellectually barren TV coverage of the Democratic National Convention.

Warren Smith Iowa City, Iowa

Hunter Thompson's piece on Jimmy Carter is a typical Rolling Stone article, whose excesses cry out for the red pencil. Most R.S. ramblings would not pass Journalism I.

Linda S. Pickens Cranbury, N.J.

Killanin's Capitulation

Lord Killanin's handling of the Taiwan controversy [July 19] clearly revealed that gentleman's ability to forge a mediocre twist to a Caesarean dictum; He came, he saw, he capitulated.

David L. Barry San Francisco

Athletes should be the ones to decide whether or not politics based on national interest will be a part of the Olympics. Let us look forward to the day when there are no national flags and everyone competes under one international banner.

Ethen Perkins Susan Krepp Vancouver, B.C.

Trudeau of Canada? Oh, no! True-dog of China!

Shing-Wen Mao Elmhurst, N. Y.

America Recaptured

The visit of Queen Elizabeth [July 19] marked the first time in our history that the British could have recaptured America without firing a shot.

Russell J. Thomas Vicksburg, Miss.

You said, "Elizabeth's forebears lost a continent two centuries ago." It no doubt came as a surprise to Canadians that their country had been "liberated" by your War of Independence.

M. Joan Fiala Westport, Conn.

The Public Broadcasting Service's coverage of the state dinner for Queen Elizabeth was a miserable folly.

Maryfrances Prorok Cheektowaga, N.Y.

A lot of us common folk accepted the PBS invitation and enjoyed every moment and morsel.

J. Harry Stewart Saratoga, Calif.

Swedes Out of Gas

I have been expecting the Swedish "utopia" [July 19] to run out of gas for some time now. For any society to succeed, it must provide an incentive for productivity. What incentive can be found in a country that penalizes productivity with a nearly confiscatory tax structure?

Art Flatt Downers Grove, Ill.

TIME'S story contains most of the conventional cliches about Sweden and misses some of the genius of this most civilized of modern nations. Ordinary workers in Sweden have reached the highest level in the world of material well-being--and with plenty of political freedom. Their democratic socialist system refutes the myth that people must choose between slavish communism and selfish capitalism.

Franklin Wallick, Editor UAW Washington Report Washington, D.C.

Skyscrapers Among Ruins

TIME'S salute to the survival of cities [July 5] is mostly about skyscrapers. Downtown skylines are a kind of bargraph indicator of vitality, but need to be read in the context of the ruins from which they rise.

By that measure, Renaissance City has got to be Detroit's open-heart surgery.

Harry Weese Chicago

Mercenary Justice

Why should any American shed a tear for the mercenaries who came to grief in Angola [July 12]? They were hired to deal out the same kind of justice they themselves received.

Erik A. Johnson II Laramie, Wyo.

Nothing Special

Your article "A Leader's Dissonant Swan Song" [July 12] referred to a special $300,000 contribution from General Motors Corp. that enabled the N.A.A.C.P. to post a $262,000 bond to appeal a Mississippi state court ruling.

The money was not a special contribution from General Motors. A check for $300,000, from more than 200 sponsors and patrons, was presented by General Motors Chairman T.A. Murphy at a dinner on behalf of the Roy Wilkins Tribute Committee.

This was a strong national endorsement of the organization's merits and accomplishments.

Abraham S. Venable, Director Urban Affairs, General Motors Corp. Detroit

Guilty Ghost

Deplorably, Sheilah Graham's memory [July 19] is playing her tricks. Obviously, I would not claim anything as bizarre as having ghosted for Sheilah Graham without being guilty of having done so.

I stand guilty. I wrote; Graham took the byline. Necessity made strange bedfellows, as my check stubs and correspondence files prove.

Sylvia Wallace Los Angeles

Morganatic Panache

Jay Cocks' review of Mel Brooks' Silent Movie [July 12] mentions a scene in a small, overcrowded sports car with a pregnant passenger, then proceeds to describe the car as an MG.

Please, do not describe a Morgan as an MG! There is a difference. The body design of the Morgan is softer and more well rounded than the MG. Besides, Morgans have so much more panache than MGs.

Barbara J. Petraitis West Palm Beach, Fla.

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