Dems Under Way

To the Editors:

The thing I value most about the Democrats is their diversity [NATION, July 16]. They differ in thought, opinion, vision, background, race, creed, color and sex. As for the Republicans, well, when you have seen one, you have seen them all.

Lin Hartwell Santa Monica, Calif.

Your story about the Democratic Party's future is one of hand-wringing and furrowed brows. On the contrary, I believe this is an exciting period. For the first time we have seen a strong bid for the presidential nomination by a black, and a woman is running as the vice-presidential candidate. These developments are far more than cynical bids for the support of special interest groups. They point, instead, to a surprising measure of health in our political processes.

Critics of the Democrats have maintained that the oldtime liberalism is dead. This is nonsense. The advancement toward social justice and decency has been led by Democrats. The methods for reaching this end may have shifted, but the principle of Government as protector of the disadvantaged must never change.

Kevin D. Paulson Loma Linda, Calif.

The Democratic Party decries the "Teflon presidency" of Ronald Reagan. Yet it sheds responsibility for the consequences of its control of Government during 36 of the past 52 years. The Democrats have plunged us into four wars in this century and still come out as the party of peace. Talk about Teflon.

Charles F. Gieswein Silver Spring, Md.

I fit the prototype of the neoliberal as you have described him. But I am caught in a philosophical and political vacuum somewhere between Reagan's saber rattling and Walter Mondale's giveaway plans. In 1980 my views found expression in John Anderson. This year I may not vote at all. One of the last wry comments my 80-year-old mother made as she lay on her deathbed last spring was, "At least I won't have to decide who to vote for."

William H. Stewart Granby, Conn.

Fallout over Jesse

I am appalled by the latest escapades of the Rev. Jesse Jackson [NATION, July 9]. I can appreciate any humanitarian reasons that Jackson may have had for his trip to Central America and Cuba; however, he has no right to conduct foreign affairs and should not be meddling.

Karl A. Jarek Waynesburg, Pa.

In this time of poor relations with Communist countries, Jackson's trip to Cuba shows that Americans and Marxists can break through old suspicions and reason together over mutual problems as reasonable men should.

John Thomas Chiles Greenwood, S.C.

We should take advantage of Jackson's success abroad and embark on a dialogue with Cuba, the countries of Central America and any others that Jackson may choose to visit.

Michael D. Coleman Sacramento

Jackson's global gallivanting and his attempts at conducting personal diplomacy are a disgrace and an embarrassment to our nation.

Richard Panczyk Tucson

Man in the Box

Your account of the aborted kidnaping of Alhaji Umaru Dikko in London [WORLD, July 16] was overly concerned with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's anger over the incident. The more important aspect of the story is that other Dikko-type Nigerians are living off stolen public money in London. Instead of unpacking Dikko, Scotland Yard should be uncrating the millions of dollars that corrupt Nigerian officials have been stashing away in British banks.

Nicholas Alozie Houston

Blackmail by Greenmail

Your reference to me as a "sometime greenmailer" [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, June 25] is inaccurate. During the Gulf Investors Group's bid for Gulf, we were offered $70 a share on all our stock. The market price then was $54. We flatly declined the greenmail because the same offer was not made to all Gulf shareholders. In fact, I support any legislation that prohibits greenmail.

T. Boone Pickens Jr.

President, Mesa Petroleum Co.

Amarillo, Texas

Recession and Health

TIME'S treatment of my study documenting the long-term ill effects of recession on the health of Americans [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, July 9] contains errors and also misses the opportunity to encourage actions that could help this nation avoid the life-threatening consequences of economic fluctuations. Contrary to the inference in the story, my reference to a "10% to 15%" error refers to the standard margin of confidence used in all professional statistical analysis. The story refers to a 2.8% rise in deaths from heart at tacks. My study reports a 2.8% rise in cardiovascular deaths, which include overall heart disease and also death from strokes, kidney disease and diabetes.

The study makes it clear that the recent recession may continue to produce ill effects on the health of the American people for at least another decade, despite the current economic upturn.

M. Harvey Brenner, Ph.D.

Professor, Health Policy and Management

The Johns Hopkins University

School of Public Health

Baltimore

Rights and Wrongs

Charles Krauthammer's 'The Moral Equivalent of. . ." [ESSAY, July 9] is timely, vital and on target. It shows that part of our modern dilemma is that we have lost the ability to distinguish what is morally right.

Fred A. Slimp San Antonio

The intellectual equivalent of an alarm clock, that is Krauthammer's brilliant essay on moral distinctions. This alert should be distributed to all politicians, government officials and teachers. Philip J. Brunskill Mayville, N. Y.

Fine writing, fine thought, fine example.

William J. Weber

Alexandria, Va.

Controversial Tour

Beyond the bad publicity the Jacksons' tour has got [SHOW BUSINESS, July 16] are five sexy, talented entertainers.

Este Richardson Silver Spring, Md.