Man of the Year

To the Editors:

Your selection of the Ayatullah Khomeini as Man of the Year [Jan. 7] denies all respect to those in this country who value the most honorable characteristics of modern civilization. You bestow this honor on a person for the mere reason that he created and influenced news, "for better or for worse." I am sure Jesse James would have been pleased to see his face on something other than a WANTED poster.

Allen S. Benas

Clayton, N. Y.

I suppose you'll get a lot of complaints, but may I suggest to the complainers that this is not a popularity contest or glorification of anybody. It is a choice of who has had the most influence on the news in 1979. I applaud TIME for the guts to make the obvious choice in the face of predictable protest during a time of high emotion.

Robert J. Weaver

Layton, Utah

Disgusting! Even Jane Fonda would have been an improvement.

Bennett W. Bubb

Topeka, Kans.

In the future, try not to pick a snake in the grass but a dove in the sky.

June Wilson

Staunton, Va.

After reading "Portrait of an Ascetic Despot" I feel, for the first time, sorrow instead of hatred for the Ayatullah Khomeini. He looks for a Utopia for his people, but all that he can manage, or will manage, is the "rah, rah" of emotionalism. An excellent article.

Dan Tuharsky

New London, Conn.

You showed us the man we have to deal with and why he is doing it. That is your responsibility: to inform.

Christopher Larson

Randallstown, Md.

At a time when the country needs a model to aid in unifying and upgrading our democratic lives, you glorify a self-appointed deity who seeks only to humiliate and destroy us.

Peter C. Zimmermann

Loma Linda, Calif.

Is TIME going backward? Its Man of the Year comes from the Middle Ages.

Ephraim Rein

Oakland, Calif.

That beast Khomeini as Man of the Year? Most of the people I know look upon the choice as an honor, comparable only to the Nobel Peace Prize.

Constance Tierney

Denver

Recognition of this kind is pure stupidity. You should flagellate yourselves.

Ruth Carney

Mt. Vernon, N. Y.

Your choice was obvious. Despite the humanitarian efforts of persons like Mother Teresa of India and even President Carter, the demonic Khomeini was the person who made news. 1979 was a horrible year, which included Three Mile Island, continued violence in Northern Ireland, a coup in Afghanistan, as well as the embassy takeover in Iran. It is fitting that Khomeini, the devil's henchman, is the Man of the Year.

Kenneth Traisman

Chicago

If you insist upon using as your criterion "The person or group who ... has done the most to change the news, for better or for worse," then you might at least consider changing the title to Newsmaker of the Year.

Jill Menkes Kushner

Robb A. Kushner

Trumbull, Conn.

Congratulations on making it perfectly clear, once and for all, that the Man of the Year award goes to the person who made the greatest impact, as opposed to the greatest contribution.

Gil Campbell

Boulder, Colo.

Change your definition or do away with the award.

Madeline Tortolano

Royalton, Vt.

I understand it is the person who generates the most news, but does it have to be the person who generates the most bad news? Disgusting!

Donna Herrmann

West Allis, Wis.

To be blinded by the illusion of journalistic integrity is no less dangerous than to be blinded by religious zeal. Millions will see the cover, but how many will know or understand your intention? You could have shown true courage in publishing the Man of the Year issue with an all black-and-blank cover.

Joseph Napora

Baltimore

You had no other choice than to go with that old bearded baggage. Unfortunately, there are no giants challenging him, and there is such a dearth of top candidates among men of good will.

Jim Griffith

Cincinnati

I applaud TIME'S courage. Your critics reveal a fear and inability to recognize the dynamics of world politics.

Steve Collins

Mexico, Mo.

Your Man of the Year cover "portrait" of Khomeini, complete with reddened eyes and baleful glare, simply serves to show how the media can be perverted to propagate prejudice, hatred and ill feeling among people. Is this responsible journalism?

Edward York

Fort Collins, Colo.

Your cover will be reproduced in Iran on placards, in newspapers, on television and will become just one more piece of evidence that the madman of Qum is winning his war of wills with the American people.

Michael A. Heymann

Broad Brook, Conn.

It looks too easy--all you need to do is wave to illiterate crowds, give your support to a group of uncontrollable "students," and blast fiery criticisms to a distant superpower--to get selected TIME'S Man of the Year.

Pat Wood III

Groves, Texas

If one tiny man can make a fool of the entire U.S., then I say he deserves the title.

Angel M. Rosado

New York City

Apparently an international crime made Khomeini your Man of the Year. Upon what roll of national honor do you record the names of the U.S. hostages who brought him to your attention?

Martha and Henry Hodges

Carson City, Nev.

An excellent choice. Khomeini accomplished what no politician or preacher in the U.S. could do. He aroused and unified our nation.

Leo Sporko

Scranton, Pa.

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