Secretary Vance

To the Editors:

It was comforting to read the story on our Secretary of State Cyrus Vance [April 24]. It is good to know that someone in Washington doesn't consider the ship of state a rowboat.

Merle Herrin Pfafftown, N.C.

I was shocked to read in your interview with the Secretary of State that Mr. Carter and Mr. Brezhnev should get along well because "they have similar dreams and aspirations about the most fundamental issues"!

I suppose Mr. Carter's dreams and aspirations are those he discussed during his successful campaign. Mr. Brezhnev, however, has not told us much about his dreams and aspirations, so we may have to consult sources like Solzhenitsyn and Sakharov to get a clue.

Silviu Land man, M.D. Vestal, N. Y.

In the Vance interview the Secretary of State is quoted as stating: "Negotiating with the Soviet Union is sometimes a frustrating experience, but at the end of the road, when you reach an agreement, they stick to their bargains."

Experience proves that the Soviets make and keep agreements only when and so long as it suits their interests. One of too many examples is the Helsinki human rights agreement. How does Secretary Vance reconcile that record with his statement?

Stuart F. Brown Anaheim, Calif.

Smokers and Nonsmokers

Thank you for data on increasing pressure against smokers in the U.S. [April 24]. I will prepare myself before my next trip to the U.S. Tell me, though, is it good form to throw drinks at drivers of gas guzzlers--those polluters of my air or does one slash tires? Also, are those antismoker sprays aerosol? If so, there goes the ozone layer, and I get skin cancer. Is shin-kicking of aerosol wielders 'in," or do you cut off ties with scissors?

Gee, it sounds like it should be fun.

Grant Heatzig London

Unlike picking the nose or chewing gum or other disgusting quirks that one can merely ignore, smokers literally force others present to participate, whether they like it or not. The visible detritus of smokers, the world's rudest people, is also noxious, since they consider the world their ashtray.

John Joss Los Altos, Calif.

The smoking-nonsmoking controversy boils down to two words: Smokers stink! Leland M. LaBar Bethlehem, Pa.

If any smart-ass assaults me or my cigarette with scissors, spray, gubernatorial lemonade or whatever, that person is going to get a right hook to the jaw.

O.K., so maybe I'll land in jail, but that frustrated Carry Nation is going to land on the floor.

Grace E. Oswalt Jackson, Miss.

I was forced to sit in the smoking section of an airplane. As my seat mate began to light up, I leaned over and said, "No, I don't mind if you smoke, thank you. I throw up when I smell cigarette smoke." I had no further problem.

Lauren C. Steele Auburn, Ala.

One gets the impression that many of the people who oppose smoking go through life searching for ways to prove their rights are being denied, and that they are abused.

Jack Lawson San Bernardino, Calif.

The FBI's Role

The recent move to castigate the FBI for alleged civil rights violations [April 24] is senseless. America is now so obsessed with protecting civil rights that it is hardly capable of securing itself against the disruptive and subversive elements within our society.

What is the FBI'S role other than to ensure our country's freedom and be ever watchful of those who threaten it?

Craig Sherman Roanoke, Va.

The Carter Administration wishes to punish those FBI men who tried to protect the American people from terrorists Those of us who served our country honorably in Viet Nam may be next, should

Mr. Carter decide the war was illegal. Undoubtedly, his beloved deserters and draft dodgers would be our prosecutors.

James McCaffery New Orleans

In all honesty, which do you think this country prefers, an "overzealous" FBI or the "overzealous" Weathermen?

Neal Rappert Port Orange, Fla.

True Beauty

Re "In Praise of Older Women" [April 24]: Grace, wit, style and charm. At last we are beginning to realize what true beauty is.

Christopher Miller Strasbourg, France

Why must Mr. Morrow put down young women in order to praise older women? Also, Mr. Morrow neglected to mention plastic surgery as a reason for the maintenance of a youthful appearance.

Karen Boyer Fairfield, Conn.

I had been unconcernedly observing the approach of my 30th birthday, when a callow medical student on rounds described his patient as "this 32-year-old middle-aged female." Thank you, Lance Morrow, for restoring my original perspective.

Kathy Grant Madison, Wis.

In one week I will be 24 years old, and for every woman over 30 whom I admire, I find many more who are bored and boring, uneducated and unwise. God granted me one life to live, and I'll not wish it away.

Carol A. Sinclair Napanee, Ont.

Strange, I thought feminism had done a lot more for me as a person than enabling me to be regarded as a sex object after 30.

Sandy Frieden Houston

Ugly but Strong

I feel a sense of shame, even pity, for the "Senate 68" who voted aye on the Panama Canal treaty [May 1] in spite of the wishes of their constituents.

When our image was that of "the Ugly American," we felt safe and strong. Now we are known as and have proved we are the "Flaccid Americans." Only God can help the country now, after the Panama tragedy.

Martha W. Arnold Atlanta

Why the hysterics over the Panama Canal? The canal is on the way to obsolescence. By the year 2000, when Panama takes over, it will be no more than a quaint monument to a time when we Americans could do anything. And the Panamanians will have nothing more han the popcorn and hot dog concessions at this museum.

Carl Swanson Raton, N. Mex.

Ladies and Limericks

In response to Limerick Judge Isaac Asimov's comment that "women tend to be dirtier but less clever than men" [April 24], I offer the following observation: The ladies endeavored with zest, The limerick prize to contest

Though their rhymes were quite gross, They just couldn't come close And their entries were judged second best.

George E. Pio Grand Rapids

Imagine my pain! My chagrin! The contest has already been ? It's too late to bemoan, But if I had known, I'd have written a verse to send in.

Donald Spear San Diego

Inflation Conscious

Frustrated, inflation-conscious taxpayers are finally getting through to the President and some of his staff [April 24]. It remains to be seen if Congress will start to get the message that this country can no longer afford to print money to satisfy every social experiment and special interest, including Congress's own insatiable desire for more power, staff, offices and perks.

H. Verne Loeppert Rockford, Ill.

If the leaders and the people of this nation cannot or will not control inflation, there will eventually be a breakdown of the system, resulting in massive disorder and chaos.

At that time, in a desperate last-ditch attempt to keep the nation together and maintain order, we may see the first dictatorship of the U.S. Don't think it can't happen here.

Anthony Pederson Waterville, Iowa

EPA enforcement should not be looked at as "nonproductive spending." The public cost of nonenforcement is more expensive pollutant removal for water use downstream and increased health cost from air pollutants.

Betty Woodruff Columbia, Mo

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