America's Past

To the Editors:

Lance Morrow's "Rediscovering America" [July 7] was an enlightened, critical and sensitive review of recent American history. As Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1786, "History, by apprising [the people] of the past, will enable them to judge of the future."

Dewey P. Fasnacht Jr. Akron

You say that "of all cultural adjustments, the notion of an end to progress seems the most difficult for Americans to accept." What is progress? The neutron bomb, Three Mile Island, Love Canal, Miami? Perhaps the real American myth is believing that progress will eventually solve our cultural, economic and spiritual problems.

David Eisenstein Lawrenceville, N.J.

What will the future of America be? Corporate, overly governmental and computerized. It will also be complex and expensive, with the simple things of life having the most value. Above all, it will be a challenge, though no harder than that of any other age. For many this challenge will hold only terror and pain; for some of us, it will be a delight.

Robert Francis Regan Logan, Utah

In 1976, at our nation's 200th birthday, I was 19, idealistic and even flag-waving. Only four years later, I'm tired of the lies and deception in this same nation. Since the flag is a symbol of this country's greatness, I would never burn it or step on it, and after reading "Rediscovering America" I may even raise it again--to half-mast.

Eileen Foley-Faitoute Summit, N.J.

The remarkable Americans who drew up the Constitution believed in man's inherent evil and selfishness, but possessed the foresight to realize that man would operate best through a system of democratic rule.

Jim Reisler Harrisburg, Pa.

While inclusion of a Confederate flag on your Fourth of July cover may infuriate some, it will delight millions who view it as a reminder that the same spirit which overthrew the Crown and blazed up in vain in 1861-65 burns today with increasing fierceness against a Federal Government that has swelled into a mountainous monolith of overbearing, overburdening bureaucratic tyranny.

Ashley Halsey Spotsylvania, Va.

Taxes and Politics

I'm only sorry that in your article "Opening the Tax Battle" [July 7] you didn't mention the insult to the intelligence of the American public by the candidates trying to hide behind tax-cut promises until they can slide through another election. They could have at least tried to find something more believable to make promises about.

Jackie Duffy Cincinnati

What an incredible development: the liberal Democrats stumbling over one another to enact a tax cut. What next--a balanced budget?

Arthur A. Ahr Astoria, N. Y.

Suicidal Thoughts

Many will await the publication of the guidebook on how to commit suicide [July 7] and many will use its information gratefully. As a volunteer in nursing homes, I hear prayers nightly pleading to die before morning.

La Vere Hoskins Topeka, Kans.

With inflation the way it is today, is it surprising that life is getting cheaper? People who are physically ill and psychologically troubled need love and understanding from a society that cares, rather than a guide to self-destruction.

Lieut. Barry M. Donovan, U.S.N. Monterey, Calif.

It's a shame that A Guide to Self-Deliverance will never receive acclaim from satisfied consumers.

Leichia Reilly West Seneca, N. Y.

Those Oil-Eating Bugs

Scientist Ananda Chakrabarty [June 30], when asked what would happen if his oil-eating bacteria found their way into petroleum that we did not want destroyed, replied, "I can't respond to imaginary scenarios." Could there be a more damning statement against uncontrolled scientific investigation?

Can we do without progress? Of course not. But let us get one of the scientific juggernauts under control before we start on new forms of life, cloning and similar experimentation.

Raymond W. Heffron Hendersonville, N.C.

I was very relieved to read that Chakrabarty states that the bacteria would not pose any danger, that after the feast they would die for want of oil. Now I do not have to worry that some might not die, but travel in the microscopic layer of oil that seems to coat most of the world's oceans, or attack offshore drilling platforms, or find their way into a country's refinery and pipeline system, or perhaps develop a taste for fish oil, or for the oil on human skin ... I am so happy to be reassured.

Michael J. Barkley Oakland, Calif.

Exodus from Israel

If 400,000 Israelis prefer living in the U.S. to Israel [June 30] and more are emigrating every month, is it time to rethink the Promised Land? Is what Zionist Jews wanted in 1948 necessarily what they want or need in 1980? Since so many are now happier elsewhere, how about returning the land to the people who really want it--the Palestinians?

Helen Livingston Olympia, Wash.

Every citizen in a democratic country, including Israel, is free to emigrate wherever he wishes. There are many Israelis, like myself, who return to Israel after a relatively long stay abroad (e.g., in the U.S.).

Ehud Bracha Kiriat Tivon, Israel

I wouldn't leave this country for the material aspects of life. A Big Mac and the New York Mets aren't everything.

Neil Schultz Carmel, Israel

The Death of Sanjay Gandhi

Although he was a controversial man, Sanjay Gandhi [July 7] was an intelligent and able politician who stood out like a shining jewel among the hordes of inept Indian politicians, and was probably going to be the next Prime Minister of India. His tragic death has created a "black hole" in Indian politics, and getting someone to replace him will be impossible.

Rajiv Narula Whitestone, N. Y.

In the death of Sanjay Gandhi the masses of India have been saved from the deluge that he would inevitably have unleashed--corruption, sycophants, personality cult and dynastic arrogance, all backed by the state--a deluge that would have engulfed the helpless peoples of the region and affected their lives for decades to come.

Small Sinnathamby Jaffna, Sri Lanka

England in Florida

Working at Disney World for the past three months has brought me into close contact with the British tourists who are pouring into Florida for their vacations this summer at "Blackpool in the Sun" [July 7]. I find them charming people who often seem to enjoy Disney escapism much more than American tourists do. Because of this influx, a multimillion-dollar Little England-theme park is being planned near Orlando. The possible effect it will have on Disney World is causing quite a bit of controversy here.

Stephen Winzenburg Winter Park, Fla.

Execute the Pushers

Vermin is exactly what dope pushers are, so I applaud Ayatullah Sadegh Khal-khali, Iran's notorious "hanging judge" [June 30], for getting rid of the rat-scum. We should adopt the same exterminating procedures in this country. If we ever do, I want to volunteer to be a member of the execution squad.

William T. Lantrip Sr. Huntsville, Texas

The Music Maker

Your article on Violinist Isaac Stern [July 7] traces a lifetime of consummate dedication to serious music. His epitaph will surely have to read: "He left no tone unsterned."

T. Paul Weiksnar Snyder, N. Y.

Male Show-vanism

Thank you for the equal educational opportunity provided by the photograph of Orioles Pitcher Jim Palmer [June 30]. Until now, TIME has helped to perpetuate a worldwide inequality by regularly featuring attractive and often scantily clad women in the People section with nary a male body in sight.

All you men who defend this inequality with the hackneyed phrase "People aren't interested in seeing the male body because it isn't beautiful" should stop uttering such obvious nonsense and start admitting the truth: you fear the very competition that women have been subjected to for eons.

(Mrs.) Wendy MacPherson Dusseldorf, West Germany

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