Maggie's Woes

To the Editors:

So Britain's socialists think they have all the answers to their nation's economic problems [Feb. 16]. By throwing out Margaret Thatcher, they will be losing their last real hope. Would the unemployment, inflation and unrest really disappear if Thatcher left, or would it stay and flourish under Karl Marx II?

John A. Heldt

Eugene, Ore.

Are the "frightening doctrines" of the left wing any worse than those of a government that is responsible for 10% unemployment, double-digit inflation and a crippled (and still declining) economy?

Richard K. Edwards

Durham, N.H.

Your assessment of Britain's economic and political difficulties must not be allowed to remain flawed by the statement that Liberals have "never" held power. Gladstone, Asquith and Lloyd George were among the Prime Ministers who headed Liberal or Liberal-dominated governments. An ideological split in 1918 was the cause of the decline of the Liberals, which in turn resulted in the rise of the Labor Party. If the present schism in the Labor Party continues, the centrist Liberal Party may yet prove to be a political phoenix.

Peter Bessell

Liberal M.P., Cornwall 1964-70

Oceanside, Calif.

Had Orwell been a better prophet, he would have predicted the advent not of Big Brother, but of Big Mother. Almost every Western industrial nation conforms to the slogan of the mother-state: "Debilitation through dependency."

How refreshing, how perfectly just it is that a woman, Margaret Thatcher, should lead the movement to wean her people from their maternal fixation.

John Haynes

Bakersfield, Calif.

The only libertarians or, shall we say, democratic-socialists of the old mode who now remain in Britain are the likes of Tony Benn and Michael Foot and the radical democratic Labor Party. Only democratic socialism can save Britain from Maggie Thatcher's ruinous corporate socialism.

Charles Curry

Dansville, N. Y.

Trial by Tube

I am a court reporter. Televising courtroom proceedings [Feb. 9] will make a mockery of what is supposed to be one of the last bastions of a true democracy.

Anyone is permitted to enter a court and view the proceedings. If an individual is concerned about legality and fairness, let him go and observe.

Claudia Ream

Chicago

I am worried about the potential damage in a rape case if TV is allowed in the court. The victim, who must return to society, becomes a recognizable public figure. It is now very difficult to bring charges for rape. With cameras in the room it will be close to impossible.

Mary Peterson Hartzler

Falls Church, Va.

Garwood's Guilt

As a former rifleman in Viet Nam, I cannot condone what Robert Garwood did [Feb. 16]. However, a Government that can forgive draft dodgers who went to Canada and Jane Fonda, who made broadcasts against the war from Hanoi, should be compassionate enough to understand someone who was so psychologically affected by the war that he collaborated with the other side.

Gregory Kazelka

San Francisco

The Garwood "trial" is an absurd ending to an absurd war. I find no mercy, no justice and finally no sense whatever in even holding a trial, let alone the guilty verdict. I say, let the man go. He has paid enough.

Keith O. Piper

Pasadena, Calif.

Admitting Ignorance

William Clark's ignorance and nonanswers are an embarrassment to himself [Feb. 16]. His confirmation by the Senate as Deputy Secretary of State is a disgrace to the country.

William A. Henry

Brunswick, Me.

Mother and this Marine

Your article "The Things She Did for Love" about the trial of Jean Harris misquoted me [Feb. 9]. I said, "All she needs is a chance to get up there and tell the truth . . . and then it will be a great day for American justice and this Marine" (not "the Marines"). I can assure you that the Marine Corps is in no way affected by the outcome of my mother's trial.

James S. Harris Jr.

First Lieutenant, U.S.M.C.

Oceanside, Calif.

Escape from Iran

I was happy to read of TIME Reporter Raji Samghabadi's escape from Iran in "What Is to Happen to Me Tonight?" [Feb. 16]. What, however, became of his wife, who "had been frantically phoning [his] government sources"? Did she escape with her husband?

Kathy Zawilenski

Chicago

Although Mrs. Samghabadi did not escape with her husband, she too has now left Iran.

In your Press story concerning the release of the hostages [Feb. 2] you reported that in a moment of tension near the climax of the hostage story, CBS's Dan Rather had referred to Agence France-Presse as a "pillar of inaccuracy." In fact, Mr. Rather's statement referred only to one report out of Iran. CBS acknowledges "that its characterization of Agence France-Presse was unwarranted."

Claude Moisy, U.S. Director

Agence France-Presse

Washington, D.C.

Welcoming Old Age It was good to read a scientific substantiation of what Gray Panthers have long believed--that the image of all elderly as toothless, sexless and energyless is a stereotype [Feb. 16].

The title of your article "Fighting Off Old Age," however, reinforces the stereotype. Old age, which can be a useful and creative time right to the end, is not something to be resisted or fought off. It should be accepted and welcomed as the next natural and hard-earned stage of life.

Edith Giese, Executive Director

Gray Panthers

Philadelphia

Truth or Twaddle

The Irish were not outraged when one U.S. press attache noted that their country was dull [Feb. 9]. The Irish Times devoted a eulogistic editorial to him. In fact, several letters to that paper praised his remarks as a refreshing change from the usual diplomatic twaddle. Mr. Berrington verified the old adage "Try truth. It works."

James Grew

Belfast

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