Visit to Saturn

To the Editors:

Never have I seen so breathtaking a photograph as the one of Saturn and its rings that appeared with your story [Nov. 24]. For a few exciting seconds, I felt as if I were sitting astride Voyager 1 and that I could almost reach out and touch the rings.

John M. McKenna Wireton, Pa.

The most glaring and obvious fact that appears from the data collected from our celestial neighbors is that none are even remotely similar to earth. The cliche, "There's no place like home," rings true. Whatever else space exploration may provide, it will surely not be the new "suburb" into which to move when the neighborhood goes bad.

James M. Kiturkes Wyandotte, Mich.

How shocking it was to read that the space program is on the wane because of insufficient funding. If we have a box on our tax forms to give a dollar to the campaigns of politicians, certainly we can have one to support voluntarily the exploration of space.

William N. Confer Dothan, Ala.

May the millions of the starving sing hosannas in praise of our science god, who provides such life-enriching technological developments as microwave ovens and live TV broadcasts. Would that this god look about his feet with the same dedication that he looks at the stars.

Ralph J. Keller Nesconset, N. Y.

The irony of it all. The rings of Saturn and beyond--and here we are diligently seeking ways with which to destroy ourselves and the tiny planet on which we live.

(The Rev.) G. Rowell Crocker Wethersfield, Conn.

Man of the Year?

I strongly believe that this time you will have the same Man of the Year as in 1979, the Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Behram D. Irani Zumikon, Switzerland

The American hostages dominated our minds and hearts in 1980, and affected the way we Americans think about ourselves and our role in the world: They are the Men and Women of the Year.

Frank A. Wood Waterville, Me.

My vote goes to the same person I chose on Nov. 4: Ronald Reagan.

Stuart L. Walker Grand Forks, N.Dak.

Lech Walesa, leader of the Polish workers, who has championed freedom and the rights of his fellow Poles.

Lucien C. Olivier Meerbusch, West Germany

Carl Sagan, by a long cosmic mile.

James Lauck Miamisburg, Ohio

After a summer of record heat and drought, Hurricane Allen, Mount St. Helens, earthquakes, I nominate Mother Nature for Woman of the Year.

Susan Loscalzo Lafayette Hill, Pa.

Battling over Biking

Your Essay "The Great Bicycle Wars" [Nov. 24] rang a bell with me. When I was young, I went to the Big Apple to seek my fortune. All I found was a job as a bicycle messenger in midtown Manhattan. I'm glad I returned to New Hampshire, where they don't have dangerous work like that.

Kenneth Desmarais Peterborough, N.H.

Bikes were fine and fun when I grew up in the 1930s. Today they are a menace. There is no way that you can put bikes into a 40-m.p.h. zone without endangering both bikers and motorists.

Wilfred S. Allen Huntsville, Ala.

We should have a pretty good idea whether the bike or car will still be at work in 100 years. Surely when God tells us to line up for the next century, he'll be preparing us for a long bike ride.

James C. McCullagh, Editor

Bicycling Magazine

Emmaus, Pa.

Citizens vs. Crime

In "Absolute War in Our Streets" [Nov. 24], your reporters suggest that it is irresponsible for police officers to encourage citizens to arm themselves. If government cannot provide protection, what is the answer? Roll over and let the criminal element do whatever it chooses? Or take up arms and defend yourself, your family and your property?

Roger Mitchell Fresno, Calif.

You endorsed the Citizens Crime Watch in Dade County, whose members call police when spotting a crime and "armed with pencils and notebooks ... jot down details." You may prefer to have a notebook by your bed when some drugged-up nut kicks down your door, but I'll stick to my .357 magnum.

Leonard E. Hess Latrobe, Pa.

The Citizens Crime Watch is rational and effective. It is refreshing to see equal space given to a sensible and successful crime-fighting technique based on community organization and police support, not individual anger, frustration and revenge with a gun.

Steve Thomas Gainesville, Fla.

Judging Judges' Salaries

The claim of some federal judges that they cannot live comfortably on a $54,500 salary [Nov. 24] defies common sense, and will add to public cynicism about government and the legal profession.

Joel Jacobson Ithaca, N. Y.

Blessing the Prayer Book

The trouble with many of those who claim that the new revisions of the Book of Common Prayer [Nov. 24] diminish "the majesty of God" is that they wish God's majesty preserved only in the prayer book and the traditions of the church. Many people in this country who have participated in services from the new book have found that a vague aesthetic appreciation has been supplanted by a real challenge to greater commitment and faith in God and his Christ.

(The Very Rev.) Thomas E. Winkler Faribault, Minn.

That's Entertainment

I was really amused at the review of Private Benjamin by Richard Schickel [Nov. 24], who couldn't, it seems to me, give the movie any credit for being just plain entertainment. The film is simply an amusing way to face the fact that it is --has been, and always will be--"a man's world." Goldie Hawn was great.

Patricia O'Brien Detroit

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