TWA FLIGHT 800

Your coverage of events surrounding the crash of TWA Flight 800 [SPECIAL REPORT, July 29] was particularly sensitive and sincere--an impressive achievement in contrast to the sensationalism with which such tragedies are often greeted. The ability of witnesses to sympathize is something so nobly human, so inherently decent and moral, that it inspires and uplifts. A woman described her feelings as "very sad. Sad for the people, for the families." In the wake of the Oklahoma City and World Trade Center bombings, it seems that terrorism's vulture has found new carrion. It is a mark of the times in which we live that one's initial reaction is "terrorist bomb." As long as nations worldwide continue to pursue democracy--for all its failings--as the morally correct way to live, however, the freedoms they grant will be used against them by enemies who decry those freedoms as immoral. RAMON WIDMONTE Randburg, South Africa Via E-mail

If this was a bomb, we should stand up to the terrorists, not give in to panic. If paranoia wins, the bombers win: they rob us of our peace of mind and our tradition of freedom; we accept a bunker culture in which liberty loses to suffocating security measures. We dishonor the memory of our dead by giving in to hysterical fear. And we betray our children, who look to us for strength. We take pride in singing about the home of the brave; now is the time to show that this is. PATRICK GRANT New York City

President Clinton played right into the hands of every terrorist group with a grievance against the U.S. when he ordered stepped-up security measures at American airports. The purpose of terrorist acts--real, threatened or imagined--is to instill fear in the general population and alter the behavior of John Q. Public. The President's action makes that goal of terrorist strategy official policy. Each time we allow our lives to be controlled or manipulated in search of "guaranteed" safety, we give up a bit of what it means to be free. Our government's approach to terrorism is the equivalent of building one section of fence after another without a clear objective. We stand an excellent chance of being on the wrong side of the fence when it is completed. BRUCE JOHNSON Fairfield, Ohio

Whether the victims of flight 800 met their end through an accident or a despicable act of terrorism is not the issue. The real disaster is the loss of 230 lives and with them the happiness of the thousands who held them close. Whatever the cause, this is truly the grief of Greek tragedy. Finding the reason for it will never diminish the loss. MIKE FOSTER Randwick, Australia

While living in germany, our family flew TWA Flight 800. Recently we traveled again to Frankfurt, and as a security professional I was impressed with the thoroughness of TWA security measures. TWA, however, is a flagship carrier to many places that are especially dangerous for Americans. In this brave new world, some U.S. cities are equally dangerous. We must be patient, follow prudent security measures, know that actions carry risks and prosecute criminals no matter where they hide. GLORIA CASTRO HEARN Boulder City, Nevada

Catastrophes like this will continue to happen no matter how stringent the security measures are. Anyone can be the next victim. So just pray before takeoff and touchdown that everyone reaches his or her destination safely. That's all we people can do. ARSHAD ALTAF Karachi Via E-mail

Terrorism will not be defeated by taking more defensive measures, whether screening airline baggage more carefully or closing off Pennsylvania Avenue. If we are serious about fighting terrorism, we should increase our intelligence capabilities to infiltrate terrorist groups and render them ineffective, and we should, in concert with other nations, severely punish outlaw nations that sponsor and train terrorists. STEVEN J. WANGSNESS Seattle

Grief, and nothing but grief, remains after the loss of someone who was gentle, friendly and always encouraging others to further efforts to do better. Such a person was Arthur Benjamin, my teacher in Philadelphia, where I stayed in 1991. I was paralyzed upon seeing his photograph in Time among the victims of the 747 crash. I will never forget his wonderful teaching and paternal support. The greatest loss to humanity is the loss of people like him. RAFAL ZYGMUNT Lublin, Poland Via E-mail

Congress must not reduce but rather increase Amtrak funding in light of new air-safety worries. Even the QE2 is regaining its old popularity as a transatlantic carrier. MARVIN L. DOUDNA West Palm Beach, Florida

Welcome to the 21st century! internet, global communities and terrorism! Welcome to the United (Police) States! CHRIS CANTORE La Crescenta, California Via E-mail

NO BARRIER TO MAYHEM

I am a frequent traveler, both nationally and internationally. Thirty-three years ago, my wife gave me a bronze replica of a famous medieval crucifix. It has been in my carry-on luggage ever since. As long as carry-on luggage has been X-rayed, its discovery--or failure to find it--has been my private check on airport security. Abroad, at least 8 out of 10 screenings discover this object, and my hand luggage is searched; in Britain, 19 out of 20 screenings pick up my cross and result in inspections. In the many hundreds of times I have gone through the process in the U.S., having the cross has resulted in an alert and a search only twice. It is a miracle to me that more bombings and terrorist episodes have not happened on U.S. planes. WOLFGANG JOCHLE Denville, New Jersey

As an airline supervisor, I would send bogus bombs twice a day through airport-security X-ray machines, and several of them went frighteningly undetected. There are an infinite number of ways to put explosives on airplanes, but we trust that no one would be insane enough to try it. If the White House really wants to do something about airline safety, it needs to take off its blinders. Ask airline employees, airport staff or even travelers for the facts. Naivete is going to be the demise of this country. TRACY SCHADEBERG Laguna Hills, California

THE SOUND OF DADI'S GUITAR

Marcel Dadi, a passenger aboard Flight 800, was one of the greatest "finger-style" guitar players in the world, a prolific songwriter, an enthusiastic performer with a wonderful sense of humor and an international ambassador of the Travis-Atkins style of playing. He had been in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Your article naming Dadi "the French 'flat-picking guitarist' " is tantamount to calling Babe Ruth one of the all-time great Brooklyn Dodgers. Finger-style players create a sound so different from that produced by flat pickers that to mistake the two is almost blasphemous. The world of music has suffered a tragic loss. We will certainly miss you, Marcel! SAMUEL A. SIMOWITZ Savannah, Georgia

COLORING THE PRIMARY SUSPECT

In the 18th century, several newspapers published anonymous and pseudonymous letters and articles criticizing British management of the American colonies. The author of these often satirical treatises, which did much to further the cause of revolution, was Benjamin Franklin. Joe Klein [PUBLIC EYE, July 29] is no Ben Franklin. The American Revolution should probably not even be mentioned in the same breath with the Clinton presidential campaign. But there is a tradition, older than America itself, of writers' being less than honest about their work to make an honest point. ERIN COOMBS-FRIEDMAN San Jose, California

Those of you in the print media who are upset with old Joe are taking yourselves too seriously, if not bordering on entertaining delusions of godhood. It's time for a reality check. Did you really think anyone would go to the trouble (not to mention the marketing expense) of creating the Anonymous cover only to reveal the truth immediately upon being asked? After the book was published, the first reaction from your corner was to say the writer had to be one of you. Well, you were right. LYNN CAPEHART San Diego

HOOKED ON SMOKE

With so many humans unable to kick the cigarette habit, it seems superfluous that Italian researchers have tried to duplicate this condition in rats [HEALTH, July 29]. Millions of lives could have been saved if we had heeded the observations of thoracic surgeons instead of relying on the effect of tobacco smoke on other species. BINA ROBINSON, Director Citizens for Planetary Health Swain, New York

"LIVING FLAG" FOR BRITAIN

Your article on Prince William [COVER STORIES, july 22] offers an insight into what is in store for this boy. I do take exception, however, to the question on your cover: "Can This Boy Save the Monarchy?" Once again the American media have seized on the sensationalism of the royal family. I can assure you there is no danger of the monarchy's collapsing. It is a "living flag" for Britain, bringing in millions of tourist dollars every year. It is something America does not have, and therefore America is very jealous! GORDON WARING Singapore Via E-mail

The monarchy in Britain is the manifestation of a society in crisis, which expends millions of pounds, while millions of people day after day struggle just to survive. JOSE MANUEL RESTREPO Eastbourne, England

AT THE ORANGEMEN'S MARCH

Just a few words on Ulster [WORLD, July 22]: around 900,000 Protestants, around 600,000 Catholics. And Christians? Probably none or very, very few. MASSIMO SPILA Madrid

A NEW WRINKLE

Your wrinkle report [NOTEBOOK, July 29] says 76% of baby boomers think they look younger than their age. Those creams must be working. A local TV consumer reporter gave a "wrinkle-out" spray a rating of 6 out of a possible 10. He should try it on a shirt next time. SCOTT FELDMEYER Milwaukee, Wisconsin Via E-mail