Michael's World

To the Editors:

The public did not fall in love with Michael Jackson for his talents as a songwriter, musician or innovator [SHOW BUSINESS, March 19]. They fell in love with Jackson the dancer, the showman, the sexy teen idol, the ultimate entertainer.

Duke Hruska II Wexford, Pa.

It was Christmas in March to see Jackson on the cover.

Sharon Williamson Ward, S.C.

Michael Jackson is to the 1980s what Sinatra was to the '40s, Elvis was to the '50s, the Beatles were to the '60s, and Elton John was to the '70s.

Daniel Guder Dayton

Michael is magic.

Becky Rassier Minneapolis

Were you describing God or Michael Jackson?

Kent McCormac Fayetteville, N.Y.

As an 18-year-old, I am comforted to see that there are entertainers who have a firm belief in the Bible and are not ashamed of it.

Ellen Seay Rector, Ark.

Jackson may have sold millions of Thriller records to a willing and undemanding public, but the truth is that the only good song on the record is Billie Jean. The rest of the music is standard disco hyped by electronic gimmickry. For true musical innovation and inspiration, I will take the Beatles or David Bowie over Jackson any day.

Fredric Cooper Forest Hills, N. Y.

Classroom Prayer

The school-prayer issue [NATION, March 19] has become a modern-day crusade. Today's religious warriors are armed with words rather than swords, yet the fanatical zeal remains intact.

Scott C. Vigder Akron

If the Lord had a vote, he might say to our squabbling Congressmen: you concentrate on getting hunger, hatred, fear and ignorance out of the classroom. Then you will find I never left.

Kenneth B. Marble Lake Forest, III.

Prayer is a private matter; ethics is not. Schools should teach children moral principles and responsible behavior, not prayers. The community should not be forcing the religious beliefs of some of its members down the throats of others.

Ray Ripper Alexandria, Va.

The moral and spiritual values being taught in our schools generally reflect secularist views. Consider the antitheistic emphasis of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, which students are often required to watch. Or the presentation of atheistic evolution propounded by Darwin as the only explanation for the origin of man. Or sex education. Why not throw us Christians a bone and give us a minute?

Stephen Dorsey Hawthorne, N.J.

How can any American wish for even the smallest breach in the wall between church and state after seeing the tragedy of no separation in Iran?

Louis A. Bledsoe Sorento, III.

Does anyone really believe that a wayward child, without guidance from home and church, will turn away from drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and even suicide because of one minute of prayer in school?

Dave B. Olim Ambler, Pa.

Democratic Bout

As a Republican, I have not paid attention to the Democratic race. I assumed Walter Mondale would take the nomination, and I would vote for Ronald Reagan. After reading your article on Gary Hart [NATION, March 19], I find I may now have a choice to make in November.

Katherine Johnson Tempe, Ariz.

Two of the Democratic Party's biggest mistakes in recent years have been the nomination of George McGovern in 1972, and the presidency of Jimmy Carter. So why are we now offered as front runners Hart, who was McGovern's campaign manager, and Mondale, Carter's loyal Vice President?

William F. Helwig Summerville, S.C.

The trouble with Hart is that he thinks he is John Kennedy when he is really David Letterman.

Jeffrey S. Hunt Providence

Deterring Libel

Your story "Of Reputations and Reporters" [PRESS, March 19] implies that it makes more sense for publications to retract charges proven false than to pay libel awards. You cite an Iowa professor who concluded after studying 114 cases that plaintiffs show "great interest in vindication rather than money." That may be true. But the study's conclusion ignores the fact that the threat of costly damages has far more deterrent value than the threat of simply having to print a retraction. All too often the published retraction does little to undo the harm caused by the original statement.

Robert Bao East Lansing, Mich.

Red Riding Hood's Id

Little Red Riding Hood is a violent fairy tale [BEHAVIOR, March 19], but I cannot believe the symbols our so-called academics are finding in it. I doubt that children who are of an age to read and enjoy fairy tales would recognize the red cap as a sign of menstruation. Nor would they suspect that Red Riding Hood's encounter with the wolf was actually rape. Surely our intellectuals have other things to do than this pointless analysis of the Brothers Grimm.

Stephanie DiMartino North White Plains, N. Y.

Back in the days when tales like Little Red Riding Hood were spoken, fables were a means of indoctrinating youth in the customs and beliefs of their elders. It is apparent that the wolf (moon dog) swallows Red Riding Hood (the sun), placing her in a state of total darkness. This darkness is nothing to fear, because the woodsman (divine deity) will cut open the wolf (moon dog), restoring Red Riding Hood (the sun) to her former existence. What a simple and entertaining way to explain a solar eclipse to a curious child.

Patrick S. Stacey Plymouth, Mich.

Adieu, Trudeau

I have often noticed that you Americans spend a lot of money trying to find a suitable President. Why not accept a gift from your neighbor to the north, Canada, and elect our retiring Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau [WORLD, March 12]. He will give you free medical care and old-age pensions and might even make you bilingual.

Vern DeLancey Selkirk, Man.

Trudeau has helped influence the world as well as shape Canada. I am sad to see him go, but proud to have had him as our leader for nearly 16 years.

Tracey Beaton Montreal

Canada's CANDU

In your story on nuclear power [ENERGY, Feb. 13], you covered almost every country possessing a nuclear power plant or planning to have one. However, you failed to mention Canada's successful nuclear reactor, the CANDU, which has achieved outstanding performance records. Canada has been instrumental in building CANDU nuclear power plants in South Korea and Argentina, and is negotiating a facility with Rumania.

Moshe Dobner Willowdale, Ont.

Editor's Epistles

Your letters to the editor have always awed me [LETTERS, March 12]. It is incredible that 53,226 people were inspired to write last year. When I read through back issues, I sometimes find that the news is outdated but never the letters.

Zachary Kittrie Bethesda, Md.

The "village green" lives every week in the Letters column.

Peter Kushkowski Haddam, Conn.

I remember a neighbor who came storming out of his house, letter in hand for TIME to cancel his subscription. "I have always wondered what kind of crackpots wrote letters to the editor," he said. "I just found out."

Elizabeth F. Clark Lynchburg, Va.

If you only knew the letters that have been written to you. Some are written in anger, some in the middle of the night when I have insight into a world problem or want to vent my disdain for a journalist's half-baked idea. By morning the anger is gone. Last night's letter is no longer insightful, and the half-baked idea is now mine. The letter to the editor is never mailed, but some day, dear TIME . . .

Jan Yeskie Denver