Right with Helms
To the Editors:
I consider myself politically conservative. Nevertheless, people like Jesse Helms [Sept. 14] who try to impose their morals on other citizens through legislation frighten me far more than the Soviets. Gary N. Hamby Montgomery, Ala.
Jesse Helms and his Moral Majority friends say that they want to get Government off our backs. Instead, these people would put federal authority more firmly in our bedrooms, living rooms, schools, stores and theaters.
Anne B. Manning Raleigh
Helms seems willing to trample on the freedom of "sinners" in order to make all men over in his own saintly image. He is not a true conservative, or even a traditional Christian, but a potential dictator.
Duane O. Miles Sunnyvale, Calif.
It is time to pause and ask ourselves if we, the middle-class taxpayers, can continue to support the giveaway programs we have allowed the liberal left to push on us. Perhaps this country can only get back on its feet by having more representatives in Washington with Senator Helms' convictions.
Elizabeth Beck Winston-Salem, N.C.
I am one North Carolinian who is proud of my Senator. One day, when our country lies in ruins from the effects of years of liberalism, someone may be forced to admit that the Senator from North Carolina was right.
Randy L. Brantley Ahoskie, N.C.
I found interesting the assertion by Senator Jesse Helms that the ideas of Thomas Jefferson and our other founding fathers were "divinely inspired" through prayer. Jefferson had no formal religious affiliation and believed that religion was "solely between man and his God." He was a vigorous opponent of religion in government and public education. If he were alive today, Thomas Jefferson would doubtless be a leading target of Senator Helms and the New Right.
Wayne B. Ditsvorth Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jesse Helms is a small-town boy who is apparently proud of his small-town ignorance and close-mindedness. He is culturally and intellectually unprepared to see more than one aspect of complicated issues. Anyone who could read Christ's commandment to Peter to "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15) and still vote to turn society's back on those in need is severely limited in applying Scripture to daily life.
Pat Lunn West Lafayette, Ind.
Deadly Needle
With executions now carried out by lethal injection [Sept. 14], capital punishment will become more and more humane. Prisons will have small, intimate death chambers that look like cocktail lounges. At the appointed time, the condemned prisoner will saunter out of his cell, up the hall and into the tavern. He will tell the bartender, "Give me a hemlock on the rocks, with a twist."
Robert L. Kocher Thousand Oaks, Calif.
We should fear, most of all, a state that has devised a humane method for committing murder.
John Donaldson Nyack, N. Y.
A gallows by any other name Smells just as foul.
Clyde Stephenson Columbus
Executions by needle may be less inhumane than other types of executions, but they still do not have a legitimate place in a civilized society.
David C. Leven, Executive Director
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
New York City
Mission into Angola
The Reagan Administration's position that South Africa's invasion of Angola [Sept. 14] was justified because the Soviets are providing support to SWAPO illustrates the racist character of our current African foreign policy. The real reason that the Soviets are in southern Africa is that SWAPO and the other black liberation groups were refused support by us and had to turn to other sources.
By aligning ourselves with South Africa under the guise of "balanced neutrality," we are setting ourselves against the course of history. Unless we really believe that black Africans are inferior and incapable of self-rule, our support should be with them.
Alfred L. Ball Marietta, Ga.
When will the West, and the U.S. in particular, start facing reality? The inevitability of black rule not only of Namibia but South Africa as well is a fact. Supporting South Africa is condoning apartheid. The West should come to terms with this issue for its own long-range interest, or it will ultimately be on the losing side, as in Viet Nam.
Ahmed Tijjani Habib Peterborough, Ont.
Re strengthening U.S. ties with South Africa: you quoted Donald McHenry as saying, "We are in danger of being on the wrong and losing side, as we were in Viet Nam, Iran and Nicaragua." Does McHenry imply that we should have been on the Marxist side in Viet Nam and Nicaragua, or supported Ayatullah Khomeini in Iran?
Joyce Ferrell St. Louis
Travel El Cheapo
Before World War II, bed-and-break-fast hostels [Sept. 7] used to be called tourist homes, and they could be found all over America. They were great stopovers for tourists and traveling salesmen who for 750 or $1 a night were provided with comfortable beds, clean towels and tastefully furnished rooms. In most of these homes, an additional 250 enabled you to share breakfast with the owners. Every once in a while breakfast was "on the house." B & B is not a new invention, only a rediscovery of what was once a delightful way of traveling.
Saul Block New York City
Bed and breakfast. Bah, humbug! What Americans have done to that noble institution dedicated to the budget traveler is another example of our ability to distort good ideas. Having traveled throughout Great Britain and Ireland, I know that a true B & B even in 1980 need not cost more than $10 a night, with a real breakfast the morning after. America's B & Bs cater not to the visitor with limited resources, but to the luxury-oriented person who wants a dash of snob appeal thrown in for a price.
Ruth Steele Chestnut Hill, Pa.
Outside Help
Re your report on abuses of the illegal immigrant working in the U.S. [Sept. 7]: anybody who thinks the American fruit and vegetable farmer can survive without the Mexican alien is insane. As a former
Washington State orchardist, I know that our fruit would still be on the trees in January if we had to rely on Anglos. I can't speak for others, but the Washington farmer pays and cares for his illegal aliens. They don't live in Holiday Inns or earn executive salaries, of course, but they do receive a fair living wage and decent housing.
Ralph J. Beaulieu Victoria, Texas
Missing from your article "Notes from the Underground" was mention of the increased cost of clothing and other products should underground manpower be eliminated. Consumers will not cheerfully pay higher prices for the peace of mind that comes from knowing no worker has been exploited.
Donna Sandin Sao Paulo, Brazil
Loving the Blues
Thank you for the richly deserved article on TV's Hill Street Blues [Sept. 14]. If I ever have to call 911, I hope it will be the Hill Street Blues who respond.
Jane Harper Aurora, Colo.
Critic Richard Corliss's praise of Hill Street Blues is by far the best analysis of the series I have read, yet Corliss misses the point of the relationship between Captain Francis Furillo and Joyce Davenport. Joyce is not only Frank's girlfriend, but a defense attorney. The question of whether a policeman should have a personal relationship with someone on the other side of a case is raised each time the two meet. To call Joyce "Frank's elegant girlfriend" is an injustice to her role. Mark L. Curelop Brockton, Mass.
Restoring Cities
I applaud the economic development work of Rouse & Co. in large American cities as reported in "Cities Are Fun" [Aug. 24]. I want to point out, however, that most developers have not yet considered investing in small cities of under 100,000 population. These centers are the backbone of our country, and need the same influx of investment and development if they are to survive. These communities, like the bigger ones, are faced with eroding tax bases and struggling downtown commercial districts. Yet they have a wealth of architecturally significant buildings. As mayor of a small city, I hope that developers will form partnerships with the public and private sectors to ensure our economic future.
Philip B. Mitman, Mayor Easton, Pa.
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