Cloudy Miami

To the Editors:

Miami, a paradise lost [Nov. 23]? No, invaded. At the moment we are under attack. I prefer to fight in a city that is developing with boundless potential than to cope in a city that is crumbling around me.

Paul McEwen Miami

Ever since word got out about your cover story on South Florida, all I have heard from local TV, radio and newspapers is how unfortunate that the report ran at the beginning of the tourist season. Not a word about how right you are, and what are we going to do about it?

Claire Yanow North Miami Beach, Fla.

If I must live with crime, I prefer to do so under the sunny, blue skies of the Gold Coast of Florida.

Geraldine S. Mapstone Lighthouse Point, Fla.

You can't blame South Florida for drug traffic. After all, there's an estimated $50 billion market of eager users. You can't blame the Cubans for Miami's woes. After all, who botched up the Bay of Pigs and then virtually guaranteed Soviet hegemony in Cuba? You can't blame Haitians for "America fever." After all, it's the same disease that emptied half of Ireland, Scandinavia, numerous German principalities, southern Italy and southern Poland onto these shores. There are social and historical patterns at work here. Please don't blame South Florida.

Victor Sanchez de Fuentes Battle Creek, Mich.

As an "Anglo" who lived in Miami during some of the area's fastest changing years (1975-80), I take issue with Mayor Ferre's statement that the "Anglos can't adapt." How could the situation be otherwise? English-speaking Americans have no job future there if they don't speak a foreign language. After five years of feeling like a foreigner in my own country, I moved back to New York--a refugee from South Florida.

Kaye E. Marquette Howard Beach, N. Y.

Stockman in the Stocks

Why the fuss about David Stockman's loose talk [Nov. 23]? He only expressed what anyone with half a brain has already figured out.

David J. McEwen Troy, Mich.

David Stockman is just another name on a long list of political unfortunates who have been boiled in oil for committing a cardinal sin: telling the truth.

Jeffrey D. Sterling Franklin, Pa.

It's about time David Stockman joins the unemployment lines that he so perniciously created.

H. Stuart Irvin Jr. Atlanta

Why wasn't Stockman fired? Because if you have the books juggled, but don't understand the numbers, you better hang on to the juggler.

Margaret Stanford Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Man of the Year?

Lest we forget, former Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher, for his remarkable role in negotiating the release of the hostages from Iran.

Ascension Hernandez Shawnee, Kans.

King Juan Carlos of Spain, who rescued Spanish democracy from the putschist generals and civil guards who stormed the Spanish parliament last February.

John Paul Paine Philadelphia

Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes and the others who were willing to die of hunger to protest the conditions in Belfast's Maze Prison.

Keith Ditto Fort Worth

The lovely Princess of Wales.

M. Roy Brenner Johannesburg

The newest Justice on the Supreme Court, Sandra D. O'Connor.

Haldon Arnold Alexandria, Va.

President Ronald Reagan. He enlightens, excites, appeals, infuriates, entertains and animates his many constituents, friends and critics.

Joseph W. Romita Bakersfield, Calif.

Pencils for Guns

Reading your article on Artist Edwin Landseer [Nov. 16] reminded me of the story about his famous painting The Monarch of the Glen. As a guest of Queen Victoria, Landseer went deerstalking with a gillie from Balmoral. After following a five-pointer stag for over four hours, they had it trapped in a corrie. At that moment Landseer quickly laid down his gun, pulled out a pad and pencil, and started sketching. The proud animal became the famous "monarch."

Alastair D. Hardie Zellik, Belgium

Roll On Rolling Stones

Have you lost your mind? What you said about the Rolling Stones was absolutely terrible [Oct. 26]. I'm only 16 so I wasn't in diapers or even around when the Stones started. I first heard their music when I was twelve, and since then have thought they were grand.

Lee Ann Hill Grand Marais, Minn.

I am 17 years old. When the Rolling Stones played Seattle recently, I got up early and waited in line 24 hours for a ticket. I did this not because I wanted to "ease into the slipstream of a myth," or because it might be their last tour, but because I love their music, wanted to see the band, and have a good time.

Rebecca Gates Portland, Ore.

Fifty Too Many

Canadian Consul Neil Currie's invitation to Americans to come home [Nov. 23] is inconceivable. Our government can barely control the present ten provinces. What on earth would we do with 50 more?

Michael T. Carney Meaford, Ont.

Newstour Note

Members of the TIME Newstour [Nov. 16] have made an important observation that has been ignored by those who formulate our foreign policy. The tour to Eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf prompted some of its participants to voice their surprise that Communist ideology comes not in one shade of red, but several.

The State Department's obsessive conclusion that all leftist movements originate in Moscow is based on too much raw emotion. It fails to evaluate the conditions unique to each country. Polarization of thought is more of a threat to democracy than any foreign ideology.

Russell P. Richmond St. Joseph, Mich.

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