Judging Israel

To the Editors:

Thank you for a thorough and judicious account of the "Verdict on the Massacre" [Feb. 21]. The distinction between direct and indirect responsibility is sound, though it is still questionable whether the top Israeli command was not more directly, though only partly, responsible for the calamity. Nevertheless, it is even more imperative for the Lebanese government to bring to justice those Phalangists who perpetrated the mass murders in the camps. Unless this is done, and done soon, the conscience of humanity will forever decry the horrendous miscarriage of justice.

Haig Khatchadourian

Cambridge, Mass.

It is appalling that the Jews, who for hundreds of years have been the victims of the worst atrocities, turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the events in the Sabra and Shatila camps. However, we are forgetting that the Christian Phalangists carried out the massacre.

Judith Tatarzyn

Fort Smith, Ariz.

That Begin and Sharon remain in positions of authority in spite of their complicity in the Beirut massacre shows that Israel believes belligerence, self-righteousness and indifference to the plight of non-Jews are the only paths to survival.

Charles R. Simpson

State College, Pa.

The exit of General Sharon is a test not of Israeli democracy but of Israeli stupidity in succumbing to outside pressure. In the streets, Sharon is now a hero, the most popular leader next to Begin.

Mali Alon

Jerusalem

After the report of the Israeli commission was published, Yasser Arafat demanded a further inquiry by an international body. Arafat did not set up an investigation after his people wiped out the Lebanese city of Damur or for other horrors the P.L.O. conducted against Lebanese Christians.

Benjamin Arazi

Baton Rouge, La.

In your Essay you refer to the "principle of indirect responsibility" and conclude, "The report is about the treacherous and devious mind. And it says as clearly as may ever be said that we know what we know, and what we know, we act on -- or do not." What are the implications for the majority of Israelis, who, knowing the findings of the commission, continue to support Begin and Sharon?

Harry R. Bain

Glenmont, N. Y.

If the conclusions of the commission are to be viewed as a "lesson in democracy" and a "turning point for Israel," then the Begin government must be replaced by one that will truly work for peace in the Middle East. Israel deserves it, the Lebanese deserve it, and the Palestinians deserve it.

John Andrew Hobden

New York City

Toxic Troubles

It is a disgrace that President Reagan appoints people to the EPA who make a mockery of this nation's efforts to clean up its carcinogenic filth [Feb. 21]. Ill-qualified administrators who view their environmental-protection duties with indifference may lead us into another national nightmare.

John Zelezny

Sacramento

I cannot believe people are so greedy that they continue to contaminate the only place we have to live. No new chemical, regardless of its potential good, should be marketed if it cannot be treated to become nontoxic waste.

Pat Theriot

Zachary, La.

The real tragedy in the EPA controversy is that President Reagan supports the continuing emasculation of this agency.

John W. Ferner

Fort Mitchell, Ky.

Getting Mugged

As a onetime resident of New York City, I can answer one of the questions raised in your article "In New York: Be Kind to Your Mugger" [Feb. 21]. Mugging becomes an easy crime to commit because the criminal puts little value on his life and is willing to risk bodily harm, arrest and imprisonment to take someone's money. The victim, on the other hand, treasures his life and consequently is willing to part with money and pride in order to escape unharmed.

Jed Schwartz

DeWitt, N. Y.

The middle-aged householder who got mugged might be questioned for being so unusually calm. Actually, his reaction was perfectly normal. He knew that he was going to be a victim of some crime in his lifetime and was aware that his turn had arrived. Though he showed signs of anger toward the muggers and even contemplated murdering them, he knew that in reality there was little or nothing that could be done.

Carmen Phillips

Philadelphia

If the protagonist had carried his gun, he could be facing trial for manslaughter for killing a couple of irritating kids over a $17 exchange. Violence does not solve the problem.

Ken Meyer

Pierre, S.Dak.

The tale of a New York City mugging sounded all too familiar. Recently robbed and beaten by seven youths in a deserted subway station, I too was surprised that "for them the whole thing had been a sort of game." However, I reject your victim's conclusion that we should arm ourselves to do battle. If we handed down more severe punishment, word would spread that mugging is a losing proposition.

Ron Wechsler

New York City

If bleeding-heart liberals suffered the pain, humiliation and fear that a mugging victim endures, they would quickly stop feeling sorry for the "disadvantaged" who do it and put their sympathies where they belong: with the victims.

Jo Garzelloni

Monticello, Iowa

$99 Coast to Coast

The losers in the airfare war [Feb. 21] are not the airlines but the people in cities where there is little competition. In these places, airlines charge outlandish fares to subsidize their discounts. It costs more [basic rate: $131 compared to $99] to fly 55 minutes from Mobile to Atlanta than to fly coast to coast.

Charles H. Behlen

Mobile, Ala.

Funderburk Furor

As an active alumna of Auburn University [Feb. 21], I must add my disapproval of its president, Hanly Funderburk. While agriculture is an important part of the school's curriculum, liberal arts must not be allowed to become less of a concern. Dr. Funderburk's vision is shortsighted.

Marie S. McCann

Providence

The troubles at Auburn University appear to be very similar to those at Boston University, where I am a student. Boston University's president, John Silber, is much like Funderburk. He has managed to alienate most of the faculty and students. His $49 million Engineering Center brought shrieks from those protesting higher tuition costs. Yet Silber is actually safeguarding Boston University by considering the interests of future generations of students.

Bill Hewitt

Allston, Mass.

I served as Auburn's student-government president in 1977-78 and as an ex-officio member of the university's board of trustees. In these hard economic times, Auburn should be glad it has Funderburk. Without him, the institution would lose its financial battle and more programs would fall.

William J. Waites

Dothan, Ala.

Nuclear Vote

The Church of England's vote on nuclear strategy, in which unilateral disarmament was rejected in favor of deterrence, is irrelevant [Feb. 21]. The role of a church is the teaching of faith and morals, not strategy. A vote on the morality of the use and possession of nuclear weapons would have been more in keeping with the church's task.

Edward Ciaccio

Douglaston, N. Y.

Fathering a Country

Congratulations to Hugh Sidey on his piece on George Washington [Feb. 21]. Reading about Washington reminded me that Albert Einstein once wrote, "Goodness and a strong character are better than intelligence and learning."

Donn Joyce

Bondi Junction, Australia

George Washington led a revolution and became the leader of his country. When his term was finished, he graciously stepped down and let a new leader take over. This act of relinquishing leadership truly demonstrated the genius of George Washington.

Norman Roth

New York City This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.