Carter's Good Ole Boys

To the Editors:

From your article on Hamilton Jordan and Jody Powell [June 6]. President Carter's staff appears to be populated by mere "good ole boys." But Carter did not get to be President by hiring political ignoramuses. Jordan and Powell obviously have plenty of savvy--they may break the rules by failing to be stuffed shirts, but they did not break the cardinal rule by letting their man lose.

Richard H. Timberlake III Arlington, Va.

To the President's "Boys" in the lovely White House I'd like to say, as I would to my own in our humble farmhouse, "Take your feet off the furniture!"

A.M. Dilley Strattanville, Pa.

As a high school student I find myself with a new and sincere interest in politics. For this I thank Jody Powell and Hamilton Jordan, two intelligent, charming and handsome men, who have humanized the Washington scene and sparked many of us into feeling a little bit closer.

Juliette Montemurro Riverdale, N. Y.

Gosh! Shucks! Gee whiz! Jody and Ham a-settin' thar in the White House bitin' them nails and burpin' Tab while talkin' about folks who is "less eclectic philosophically" stirs the juices of us dung stampers in Wisconsin. Them is our kind of people!

John W. Comfort Hager City, Wis.

Hamilton Jordan says, "I don't think much about political philosophy any more." Further, he's not an "issue man."

Jody Powell tops that with, "I reject the idea that there is some undeniably true system of political or social ideals." This sort of nihilism from two of Carter's intimates is truly frightening. Do they, between tennis games, merely take a stab at "conceptualizing the process by which goals are met"? If this brand of inchoate populism is the result of employing new faces, then I wish godspeed for the return of the insiders.

Michael J. Sharon Bethesda, Md.

Running Forever

I am happy to see that the American people are finally awakening to the benefits and joys of running [June 6]. I am a long-distance runner, and I intend to run forever.

E.J. Pritchard Schenectady, N. Y.

It's high time that America and the world got a real look at the thousands of arm-pumping buffers and puffers who spend many lonely miles dodging cars, potholes and dogs with but one consolation: I made it!

John Sengle Jr. Mountainhome, Pa.

Joggers make me sick. There are plenty of them around here. They run past me with supercilious smirks on their red faces. What are they trying to prove? I hope they all drown in their own sweat.

I'm 100 Ibs. overweight and love it. I eat and drink what I please. To hell with the physical-fitness fanatics.

A. Wilson Encinitas, Calif.

In a society largely affected by fashions, fast foods and television, how can healthy dieting and good exercising be called a fad? Is pursuing physical health really comparable to buying CB radios and talking to plants? I think not.

Darin Smith Los Angeles

I see that jogging is now a full-blown fad. Good! If we are to judge from other fads, that means it will blow over in a few months, or at most a year or so. Like, for instance, Hula Hoops.

As an old Army man, I can tell you what jogging really is. Jogging is double time. And I say, the hell with it!

John S. Carroll EmIenton, Pa.

The blue-collar hostility to aerobic exercises probably relates to the exerciser's perverse dissipation of energy. Conservation has always been the ethic of the lower middle class, and it is silly to watch the fitness-conscious executive

take the elevator to the ground floor so

that he can run through Central Park.

Why not run up and down to the office?

Betty Sneeringer

Dunedin, Fla.

This letter is not intended to threaten you, but rather to inform you gently that if I read one more word about Farrah Fawcett-Majors in your magazine, I will cancel my subscription.

Laura Fife Salt Lake City

Ambassador Rosalynn

Is this a new kind of consort diplomacy? Mrs. Carter [June 6] was unelected, unanointed, unappointed, but she makes a trip that could affect American interests profoundly.

William Clay, M.D. Encino, Calif.

The childish idea of sending Rosalynn Carter as a major diplomatic spokesman of the U.S. not only shows what Latin America really means to the Carter Administration, but also constitutes an insult to its governments. There would not be any difference if they decided to send Amy instead.

Eduardo de la Vega Atlanta

Rhodesian Interests

The statement in the article "Rhodesia: Smith Takes a Dangerous New Gamble" [June 13] that I as South Africa's ambassador represent Rhodesia's interests is devoid of all truth, and I cannot understand how you can suggest that the South African ambassador in this country, or in any other country, "represents Rhodesian interests."

Doland B. Sole

Ambassador of South Africa

Washington, D.C.

South Africa has no official responsibility for representing Rhodesia's interests in Washington, but it has served as an intermediary for diplomatic and political communications between the two governments.

One Agonized Man

When Bobby Lowe testified in court about Mafia killings [June 6] he was one decent, agonized man following the truth route despite obvious jeopardy forever after.

A salute to you and your valiant family, Mr. Lowe! Walk proudly and carry a rear-view mirror!

Phyllis Appleby Pittsburgh

Hold it! If this country had any morality left it would give Judge Frank Wilson a new identity and send him into hiding. His shame is equal only to Lowe's sense of right. Wake up, people!

"The good life" lasts only as long as

we're willing to fight for it.

Carol Wallace Effingham, III.

The state of Illinois should have to provide Lowe and family with a bodyguard for the rest of their lives. "Judge" Frank Wilson should be given the job.

Carl Swanson Raton, N. Mex.

Spend Less

In response to your article "Gunfight at Capitol Hill" [June 6], I suggest that Senator Gary Hart had better check his hearing. The American people are not saying, "Give us what we want." They are saying, "Spend less and we'll take care of ourselves."

Mark Tiefel Euclid, Ohio

The Cost of Volunteers

I want to commend you for your in-depth cover story analyzing the state of the nation's defense [May 23].

One small part of the article is of deep concern to me, however. It perpetuates the myth about the cost of the volunteer force. In fact, the active-duty military personnel share of the Defense Department budget has gone down from 31% to 27% since the end of the draft. Retirement, civilian personnel costs and other nonvolunteer force-related costs have gone up, but these increases are not tied to the end of the draft.

William A. Steiger, Representative

Sixth District, Wis.

Washington, D.C.

Financing Lockheed

We must take exception to your statement: "Like Lockheed, the British auto giant [British Leyland Motor Corp.] had to seek government assistance to keep it going; in 1975 the British government spent millions to buy 95% of the company's stock and rescue it from bankruptcy" [May 30].

The U.S. Government has not spent one cent to "rescue" Lockheed. Instead, by guaranteeing our bank loans to the extent of $245 million ($165 million of which has now been paid back to the private banks granting the loans), the U.S. Government (and we, the taxpayers) has to date netted more than $25 million in loan fees, without spending a cent to help Lockheed.

Unfortunately, your story has helped perpetuate the myth that Government funds were used to "bail out" Lockheed, which simply isn't the case.

Willis M. Hawkins, President

Lockheed-California Co.

Burbank, Calif.

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