Letters

Gift of Giving

To the Editors:

How touching was your article "A Christmas Story," by Roger Rosenblatt [NATION, Dec.30]. Every city in this country has a Sunset Park with its Mallorys, Marias, Geraldines and Mary Pauls. Reading about their lives made me take stock of myself and forced me to swallow a large dose of "shocking reality." George Harris Sr. Houston

After spending Christmas Day serving meals to the poor and homeless of New York City, I returned home to read your moving story. It focuses on the simple truth: love is a shared pleasure that comes from helping others without asking for anything in exchange. Timothy Corrigan New York City

Twelve years ago we worked as group parents in the community-center programs initiated by Sisters Mary Paul and Geraldine, and we were delighted to see your story about them. While readers will find your coverage interesting and enlightening, we believe the piece does not begin to suggest the depth, intensity and total commitment of the sisters. Nettie and Herman Frank La Mesa, Calif.

You captured well the love, gratitude, faith, trust and belief in each person's uniqueness and mystery that Sister Mary Paul and Sister Geraldine exhibit. Their commitment is a witness to the life of a religious in the '80s, and they serve as models for each of us. Robert J. McMahon, Executive Director St. Christopher-Ottilie Services for Children and Families Sea Cliff, N. Y.

Sister Geraldine and Sister Mary Paul are doing the kind of work most people admire but would not do. Loving and doing for someone and not being loved or thanked in return is not a lifetime occupation many would choose. Yet I suspect the good sisters have found more satisfaction in their work than most of us do. Kay Robertson Everett, Wash.

Your Christmas story was splendid. It teaches that we should celebrate the growth of the human spirit, not only in late December but all year. Esther Hamel St. Ignatius, Mont. Reviewing '85

In looking over the year in pictures [IMAGES, Dec. 30], I noticed that you did not include any photographs of the astronauts in space. You often feature forces that divide mankind. It would be useful to show us a picture reminding us that we all live on the same small planet. Gregory N. Papadatos Fort Ord, Calif.

You can have your Prince and so-called macho men Don Johnson, Pete Rose and Sylvester Stallone. For me, it is the picture of Koko and kitten that makes my heart skip a beat. Shirley A. Tavormina Nokomis, Fla.

Between your farewells to Konstantin Chernenko and Jean Dubuffet, both of whom died in 1985, you should have placed Philippine democracy. I have been waiting to read of its demise in TIME's Images since 1972, when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in that "bastion of democracy in the Pacific." Gus Fernando Richmond Hill, N.Y.

You failed to highlight the visit of President Reagan to the Bitburg cemetery in West Germany. This event was condemned by numerous religious and veterans' groups and was widely perceived to be insensitive to the memory of those who perished during the tumultuous years of World War II. Noach Dear, Councilman 32nd District, Brooklyn New York Fit and 57

When Author Carlos Fuentes, 57, was asked how he was enjoying his year at Harvard [PEOPLE, Dec. 23], he replied, "You don't have too much time to stop and say, 'Hey, I'm a celebrity,' because such things mean nothing in the face of death." I read the piece, shuddered, then ran my eyes back over it, hoping to find a mention of cancer or some other dread affliction. No such luck. Fuentes was apparently referring to his age. I am 57 and feel happy and horny. Don't do this to me, Carlos. Orson Bean Venice, Calif. Abandoned Hope

Senator Ted Kennedy's withdrawal from the 1988 presidential campaign [NATION, Dec. 30] is a healing gift to the Democratic Party. We can now have a winning ticket with New York Governor Mario Cuomo as presidential candidate and Virginia's former Governor Charles Robb as vice-presidential nominee. Nancy Means Columbia, S.C.

Senator Kennedy is smart to drop his ambition to become President of the U.S. After Chappaquiddick, he could not fill the godlike role needed for the presidency. The voters of Massachusetts can continue to elect him to Congress if they wish. James L. Comstock Ellendale, N. Dak. Justice Prevails

In its guilty judgment against Argentina's military rulers from 1976 to 1982, the country's civilian court sets an important example for all the other nations of Latin America [WORLD, Dec. 23]. The courageous actions of President Raul Alfonsin will make it more difficult for other democratic governments to avoid bringing to justice the perpetrators of human rights violations. Milton Swartz Orlando

As an Argentine, I am proud of the verdict against General Jorge Videla and company. However, I believe that the sentences were very mild. This trial is unique and set a precedent that should be noted by the other dictators in Latin America. Juan M. Cutri Arcadia, Calif. Mickey in France

In your story on Mickey Mouse taking up residence in a French Disneyland [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, Dec. 30], you say, "While anti-Americanism has swelled up in other areas of French life, no one ever seemed to have anything against Mickey Mouse." I have been involved in Franco-American relations for years and have never seen French and Americans, from tourists to government officials, from cultural leaders to businessmen, so much on the same wavelength. Edmund van Gilder Consul General of the U.S. Marseilles

Only naive Americans would invest so much money in a country where anti-Americanism is spreading. President Franc,ois Mitterrand openly attacks the U.S., and Premier Laurent Fabius blames America for every French ill. Disney Chairman Michael Eisner has made a mistake in choosing the Marne-la-Vallee for the company's first European Disney theme park. Bad weather in that region will keep this amusement park closed at least four months a year. My prediction: Eisner will lose "his" $1.8 billion and will be forced to pack Mickey's bags and run to Spain begging forgiveness. Anthony Mantykowsky Carrouges, France

Are there 10,000 friendly French to be found who can be employed to staff the European Disneyland? Don Jensen Falls Church, Va. Castro's Christianity

Fidel Castro's idea that Communism and Christianity have so much in common [RELIGION, Dec. 30] is his own theory and is not true. Christianity is based on the one-to-one relationship of the believer and Jesus Christ, and the value of that individual in the eyes of God. Castro rationalizes a divine gift to fit his own ego. Phyllis Wilcox Williams Indianapolis Smokeless Advertising

I would like to suggest a compromise between advocates of free speech and the American Medical Association, which wants to prohibit all cigarette advertising [LAW, Dec. 23]. Why not levy a 20% tax on cigarette advertising to be used for advertising the hazards of smoking? This way, all parties would be happy: the cigarette industry could continue promoting its product, the A.M.A. could educate the public, the advertising agencies would not see their revenues curtailed, and I would not have to worry about my sons starting to smoke in a few years. Roger Wipperman Waterloo, Belgium

Advertising toxic substances like tobacco should be banned. We all know that advertising is effective in promoting sales, and the sooner we stop encouraging it, the better. People who choose to smoke and thereby risk their lives will still be free to do so. Heinrich E. Beernink, M.D. Task Force on Smoking and Women American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Berkeley

Banning cigarette ads will not stop young people from smoking. They know that there are cigarettes, and they know how to get them. It makes no difference if cigarette ads are banned or not. Kristen Edelman Thousand Oaks, Calif.