Carter's Policy

To the Editors:

Given Mr. Carter's past foreign policy performance, the Soviets might just wish to accept his challenge in the Persian Gulf region [Feb. 4]. In that event, his options are essentially limited to the early use of tactical nuclear weapons or a humiliating strategic retreat.

Alexander Rudhart Wayne, Pa.

Viet Nam did not threaten our freedom: a takeover of the Persian Gulf region by the Soviets will. Did our involvement in Viet Nam so distort our thinking that we can no longer differentiate between a folly and a serious threat to the future of freedom in America?

Ron Markel Maplewood, N.J.

Sound the war cries, round up our youth, oil the tanks, light up the sky with the awesome splendor of nuclear weaponry! We're off to war! Damn.

David W. Marin Denver

President Carter's statement that the American people have nothing against Iran exemplifies the problem with his leadership. He has been so busy turning the other cheek for the past three years that he is now suffering from terminal dizziness.

George G. Daniels Orlando, Fla.

The last Red scare gave us such wonders as the hydrogen bomb and McCarthyism. What will we be blessed with this time around?

Myles Miller Alexandria, Va.

Willing to Fight

I am 19 years old. A year ago, the thought that the draft [Feb. 4] would be brought back some time used to frighten me. Now I feel that if a young person is not willing to fight for his country, he has no right living here.

Darryl Johnson Plainfield, N.J.

War is the ultimate manifestation of the stupidity and evil within the human race. We have reached the point where we must recognize that either war is obsolete or the human race soon will be. I will not have on my conscience that I took part in this great sin of mankind.

Joseph A. Hayes Chicago

The only thing the U.S. should draft is beer.

Tim Pickl Duluth

The 18-, 19-, and 20-year olds got the right to vote in federal elections in 1971. They used the rallying cry, "If we are old enough to fight, we are old enough to vote." I guess those of us who believe in the military draft should now use the rallying cry "If they are old enough to vote they are old enough to fight."

Ervin J. Halvorson Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Of course, women should be drafted--but only in those states that have ratified the ERA.

Margaret Love Pascagoula, Miss.

How dare a country that cannot find in its male-chauvinist little heart to accord women equal rights expect them to register for the draft? ERA, first.

Steffi B. Rath Woburn, Mass.

What would we give for oil? No less than the lives of our own children.

Sally Lingle Arcata, Calif.

A Good Neighbor

Canada's brave and unselfish actions in rescuing six Americans from Iran [Feb.11] deserve the deepest praise of the entire civilized world. Canadian friendship toward our country stands as a blueprint for international cooperation and humanitarianism. May no American forget this great favor.

Joseph M. Vallowe Chicago

Where are allies when needed? Right next door.

Volker G. Winkler, M.D. McKenzie, Tenn.

When Cornrows Are in Style

I guess a style is not a style until a white woman wears it. Wearing one's hair in cornrows [Jan.28] has been "in style"since my great-grandmother was a child. Cicely Tyson has worn cornrows for years, but not until blond, white Bo Derek wears them will anyone admit that they are beautiful.

Donna Hartman Bolingbrook, Ill.

Population Explosion

The state of Iowa does have some cities with more than 190,000 people in them, but I can assure you that Elberon [Feb. 4] is not one of them. The population there should be hovering around 200, unless some of those Connally supporters forgot to leave.

Stuart Clark Tipton, Iowa

Dubious Privilege

Congratulations for the Essay "Back to Reticence" [Feb. 4]! It admirably depicts my feelings since my arrival in this country. I recently had the dubious privilege at one of the Yale dining halls of sitting next to a law student who ate with his hat on and used a chicken bone as a toothpick. In many countries, such behavior would automatically render a person ineligible for any qualified position. How can you bear it?

Carlos Escude New Haven, Conn.

I can't pinpoint Lance Morrow's age, but his Essay does seem to be a case of one generation speaking to another. I am a product of the "new lingo" generation, and I admit I often find myself flinching inside while maintaining a deadpan expression. However, what really catches me off guard is when someone older than I tosses around what are considered vulgar words and expressions in my presence. I have been running into this in job interviews recently.

I doubt that a 50-year-old man speaking to a 50-year-old woman would use crude language, so I am baffled as to why he can, rather comfortably, use such language around a 20-year-old.

Susan Gernert Falmouth, Me.

Please tell Lance Morrow that as soon as we have eliminated pride, avarice, bigotry and selfishness from the world, I intend to settle down to some serious worry about these indignities to my artificially generated sensitivities.

Bert Hudson Pittsburgh

Harassment on Campus

As a college graduate, ex-employee of several universities throughout the country and wife of a former college professor, I have no doubt that sexual harassment [Feb. 4] does exist on college campuses. The next step should certainly be the creation of FOASH (Faculty Organized Against Sexual Harassment), an organization whereby faculty members, while remaining anonymous, can publicly name those students who offer sexual favors for a grade and charge them with prostitution.

Rose Lee Warren Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

If the male professors who demand sex for a higher grade are fired, the female students who offer sex for a higher grade ought to be expelled. The former are exploiting a position of trust for private gain; the latter are cheating.

Michael N. Biggs Colorado Springs, Colo.

In college, the student and the professor have a contract. The student studies and the professor teaches. Sexual harassment grossly violates this contract. Every university and college has the responsibility of eliminating this problem immediately.

Molly Ryan Cargill Washington, D.C.

A Matter of Import Your article "A Made-in-America Japanese Car" [Jan. 28] says that Toyota sends 44.6% of its output to the U.S. For your information, Toyota produced about 3 million cars and trucks last year, of which 610,000 were exported to the U.S. That amounts to slightly more than 20%.

Charles F. Burlingame, National Public

Relations Manager, Toyota Motor Sales

Torrance, Calif.

TIME at the Fair

I thought you might be interested in this story, which affirms that TIME magazine has everlasting value.

Shortly before Thanksgiving last year I decided to clean out my attic, and reluctantly agreed that I should dispose of my collection of 42 years of TIME magazines. But after I mentioned to a friend the dilemma of how to dispose of them, she requested the issues for her children's birth dates. Her mother then suggested that others might want to avail themselves of the same opportunity.

I donated the lot to the church and set up a booth at its fair. The sign on the booth said IF YOU'VE GOT THE DOLLAR, WE'VE GOT THE TIME. Interest was strong for this nostalgic trip, and we took many orders. But it didn't stop there; word spread, and we filled orders for more than 600 copies. Since then we have had orders for more than 100 other copies, and the phone still rings.

Russell H. Peebles Grosse Pointe, Mich.

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