Change at State

To the Editors: Al Haig: exit elegance, experience, expertise [July 5].

Ellen Pezzei Reston, Va.

Thank you, Alexander Haig. Don't go away. Like Winston Churchill, we may need you later.

Irene Laune Phoenix

Haig was pushed out of office for pursuing answers to geopolitical problems without resorting to the emotionalism that dominates the Reagan Administration. My generation is not secure under the hawkish pursuits of Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.

Michael R. DeNight Waltham, Mass.

Haig's letter of resignation was the epitome of bad taste. He implied that the foreign policy of the U.S. is going to hell in a handbasket. Haig is and has been arrogant and petulant, both as an Army general and as Secretary of State. He resigned in a most unpatriotic way.

William L. Guild Wheaton, Ill.

Haig's resignation exemplifies a circumstance that exists in all professions and branches of life: success depends only partly on capability, gifts and genius. At least 50% must be credited to how a person is able to handle and get along with people.

Walter L. Odenheimer Brussels

George Shultz's close association with the Arabs could prove to be an asset to America's peacemaking efforts in the Middle East, provided his attitude is not anti-Israel. One doesn't have to choose sides, does one?

Richard H. Breneman Newcomerstown, Ohio

Don't look now, but American foreign policy has just been sold to the highest bidder. And the winner is Saudi Arabia, with two former executives of the Bechtel Group, Caspar Weinberger and George Shultz, in Reagan's Cabinet.

Dave B. Olim Ambler, Pa.

If George Shultz is as much a "team player" as portrayed, U.S. foreign policy will finally move toward consistency, clarity and steadiness of purpose.

Peter T. Zatir New Bedford, Mass.

Hinckley Furor

We the people find the jury guilty of temporary insanity for its verdict in the trial of John Hinckley [July 5].

Sastry K. Ganti Wheeling, Ill.

Shooting the President for the love of a movie star is the acting out of a fantasy by a man clearly not in touch with reality. John Hinckley's deed was not motivated by revenge or the desire for political aggrandizement. It was a violent act by a man who didn't understand the difference between right and wrong. The American justice system worked. If it continues to function properly, then John Hinckley Jr. will be treated as the sick man he is.

Gary Dembs Houston

John Hinckley Jr. tried to deny us our electoral choice, and for that he should spend the rest of his days in jail.

Michael G. Blee Boston

Does Hinckley get the gun back too?

Richard A. Lumpkin Mattoon, Ill.

The time has come for Americans to start defending themselves against their own criminal justice system.

Thomas Evan Kiraly Walnut Creek, Calif.

The Hinckley trial illustrates a major flaw in the U.S. criminal justice system. His guilt was obvious, but it became irrelevant to the outcome of the trial. Why not establish guilt first and then settle the question of the mental state prior to sentencing? Defendants proved insane could receive the treatment they require and serve the remainder of their sentence in prison. The insanity defense would thus become more than just a legal way to let guilty criminals go free.

Virginia Pereira Santa Ynez, Calif.

Most people who have served at trials can sympathize with the perplexities of the Hinckley jury. After delivering a verdict, many jurors leave the courtroom feeling that a travesty of justice has taken place. In reality they have followed precisely the judge's instructions regarding the law, and yet somehow the outcome is skewed, if not all wrong.

Elizabeth R. Goree Prairie du Chien, Wis.

Untangling Lebanon

Former Special Ambassador to the Middle East Sol Linowitz says that a hardline, get-tough attitude is not the way to move Menachem Begin [June 28]. I say it is the only way. I see him not as "the thundering prophet of the Old Testament," but as a madman determined to exterminate the poor, homeless Palestinian nation and willing to risk the security of the world doit.

Edward T. Clapp Jr. Burlington, N.C.

The dying act of the P.L.O. is to hijack an entire city. Let us help Israel stamp them out once for all and eliminate the core of world terrorism.

Lawrence J. Kamm San Diego

I would be less than honest to claim that the invasion of Lebanon met with unanimous approval at home. Israelis do not like war. But you were less than honest to declare that it's the "first war in which the country's life was not threatened." One has only to look at the bunkers and caches of the P.L.O., overflowing with weapons, to recognize that the P.L.O.'s goal has been and remains to destroy Israel totally and wipe it completely off the map.

Ghana Rivka Shemaya Karmiel, Israel

Junking the Jitters

Dr. Charles Brantigan's prescription of the hypertension drug propranolol as a preventive for stage fright [July 5] is yet another example of ho w our society turns to sedatives both legal and illegal in order to cope with stressful situations. If something makes you that damn nervous, don't do it!

Jill Winkler Oklahoma City

As a veteran of many amateur plays, I cherish the excitement of performing. It's exhilarating. I can't imagine taking a pill to diminish its effect.

Jane Gray Thompson Anderson, S.C.

Loose Literature

The Jewish Publication Society Bible translation [July 5] is neither Orthodox nor genuine. It is a freewheeling, liberal translation, which substitutes Americanese and sociological jargon for the authenticity of the rabbinic tradition--"norms" instead of "statutes." American Orthodox Jews prefer two recent Bible translations,

The Living Torah and the Mesorah Bible Series, which are more readable and far more authentic.

Rabbi Pinchas Stolper Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations New York City

Talking Turkey

Thank goodness the eagle won out over Benjamin Franklin's suggestion that the turkey become the country's emblem [July 5]. I cannot imagine having a patriotic national march titled Under the Double Turkey!

Avy H. Constantian Sierra Madre, Calif.

Franklin's criticism of the eagle was really directed not against the American bald eagle but at its traditional European counterparts, which are symbols of military prowess, aristocracy and feudalism. His praise on behalf of the turkey and opposition to the eagle were an affirmation of the rise of domestic, democratic, middle-class values and burlesqued traditional European ones.

J.A. Leo Lemay Greenville, Del.

Baby William

Three cheers for little Prince William Arthur Philip Louis [July 5]! It's splendid to see the British lavish all that affection on the royal family and its newest member after fighting a war that leaves a big debt to pay off.

Katy Murphy St. Louis

The birth of a healthy, wanted baby anywhere in the world is always cause for rejoicing. The maudlin delight that the new royal baby in England was male is sickening. England's greatest decades have always been in the reigns of its Queens.

Mary Scott Toronto

Hereditary Hire

In response to your article "Genes and Jobs--Screening Workers for Defects" [July 5]: how beneficial to us all if we could test political aspirants, including Senators and Congressmen.

Carol Kalicki Indian River Shores, Fla.

If an employer screened my genes, I would regard the act as a flagrant invasion of privacy.

M. Dawn Martin Roselle, N.J.

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