Another Kennedy
To the Editors:
Just the mention of another Kennedy [Nov. 5] White House gives me a surge of hope and a sense of patriotism. Call it the Kennedy mystique or charisma, but I choose to call it that intangible quality, leadership, and a feeling of well-being that the citizens of this country have not had since 1963.
Perhaps Ted Kennedy won't solve all of America's problems, but he will make them appear more bearable.
Roger D. Spickler South Bend, Ind.
Aw, gee whiz! Why don't we save ourselves a year of tiresome rhetoric and a lot of money too, and anoint by acclamation another of the Royal Family Kennedy as King--er, President? With Camelot II and its fun and games established in the White House we will see how well charisma can run this country. While standing in awe of the new White House occupants, we will forget our troubles of inflation, unemployment, energy shortage and high medical costs.
Charles E. Thompson Seneca, S.C.
I think many people would vote for Edward Kennedy solely because he is the brother of a President. Billy Carter has the same qualification.
H. Gordon Havens Kansas City, Mo.
Ted may be ready to run for President now, but I'm not ready to vote for him.
Donna S. Bailey Windsor Locks, Conn.
How difficult it will be for anyone, Democrat or Republican, to campaign against Ted Kennedy! It just wouldn't be sporting to mention honor, courage, truth, fidelity, economy-mindedness, coverup, character, cheating, special privileges, confusion, irrationality or even such ordinary phrases as "crossing that bridge when we come to it" or "troubled waters." The list seems endless.
Rita Craig Longboat Key, Fla.
I feel a man should be judged by what kind of man he is on a daily basis, not by his darkest moment.
Frederick Cleveland Milford, Mich.
Vegetarians' Beef
Some have said that Americans are becoming enlightened about nutrition. Then there appears an Essay [Nov. 5] like "How to Beat the Beef Against Meat."
Contrary to what Mr. Leo implies, not all vegetarians are young people following a fad. There are millions of vegetarians in this country, people of all ages and walks of life who have decided to abstain from meat for health, ecological and/or ethical reasons.
Julianna Bickus Normal, Ill.
I admit it! I'm a practicing vegetarian. By the age of two, I was exceptionally adept at avoiding the meat my parents continually poked in my direction. Receiving protein in the form of mangled flesh and sizzled blood vessels has never been my idea of nutrition. As to the argument of "faunaism," I have yet to dissect a plant and discover a brain.
Carla G. Quick Salem, Ill.
I am one of those "uppity, bloodthirsty, macho, white males" who happen to love meat. I admit that occasionally I get a feeling of guilt mixed with nausea. But then my good sense returns, and I enjoy my meal of medium rare, juicy animal protein source.
Mark C. Birdsell McLean, Va.
I did not, in Animal Liberation, deny that a human may be more worthy of respect than a zebra or mosquito. What I condemn as "speciesism" is the attitude that the interests of animals of other species are less important than similar interests of humans. Humans have many interests that zebras and mosquitoes don't--their careers, the pursuit of knowledge, artistic interests--and these may entitle them to extra respect. But these interests cannot justify forcing animals to lead miserable lives in today's factory farms just because we like the taste of their flesh.
Peter Singer Washington, D.C.
Aggressive Christians
Your article about the Freedom Festival of the Christian-Patriots Defense League in Louisville, Ill. [Nov. 5], is interesting, but scary. It is ironic that people who profess to be aggressive, patriotic Christians are giving lessons in how to blow away their fellow man.
Jane Rolon Bloomfield, Conn.
If anything brings the world down it will be those redneck conservatives who feel they have a monopoly on the truth. Fanatics, like the ones described in the article, scare me more than a "Commie takeover."
Daniel Clay Russ Atlanta
Your feature on the Freedom Festival angers me--not because you ran the article, but because such groups as the Christian-Patriots Defense League exist at all and have the gall to use the name Christian. This league can only be Christian if Christ said, "Shoot those who hate you and tip over the desks of those who spitefully use you." I think they must know quite a bit more about their rifles than their Bibles.
(The Rev.) Cal Stevens Greeley, Colo.
I resent the whole tone of the article "In Illinois: Festival of the Fed-Up." The people who went are frightened and are trying to help themselves and their families. I feel that many of them are making one very big mistake though. Jesus came to tell us we are all beloved of God.
Ann Bogen Jacobs Exton, Pa.
Being the product of a "mixed marriage," I caught John Harrell's comment that mixing races has caused half of the world's problems. Harrell and the members of his Christian-Patriots Defense League probably believe they represent the core of the American spirit, but they actually epitomize some of the worst features of Americans: bigotry, narrow-mindedness, paranoia and irrational fanaticism.
Karla Werninghaus Philadelphia
Sinful Profits?
How nice that House Speaker Tip O'Neill thinks it "sinful" that the oil companies are making profits [Nov. 5]. At least they are doing something to help keep this country running. Can Congress say the same?
James Brescoll Lisle, Ill.
As one who has no direct interest in oil companies, I think it would be fair to say that if prices had been allowed to rise gradually for the past seven years, these "sinful" and "pornographic" profits would have been acceptable. Also, small cars would have been in demand sooner, energy conservation materials would not be suddenly scarce, other forms of energy would be more advanced, oil exploration would be up, and oil imports would not have reached the current high levels.
Hank Page Kilgore, Texas
A Loan for Chrysler
The oil companies have made tremendous profits [Nov. 5]. Chrysler Corp. has sustained enormous losses. Chrysler produces vehicles that consume petroleum. Wouldn't it be logical for the automaker to ask the oil companies for a loan?
Lloyd Clark Phoenix
Imagine the possibilities had the Government given Chrysler $10 billion to produce a vehicle that runs on alternative fuels or solar power. Instead, it gives $1.5 billion for an obsolete product.
Steven H. Mosenson New York City
Uncle, can you spare a billion?
John M. Williamson Reedley, Calif.
Crime and Punishment
You were making fun of Islamic justice in the story about the flogging of prisoners in Pakistan [Nov. 5]. You call the floggings brutal, but they provide a lesson the guilty one will remember for the rest of his life. Each stroke also reminds the person who watches that there is law and punishment. I think that is better than letting a criminal out on bail to rape, mug and murder.
Tanveer Hussain New York City
Islam is a complete guide for the whole life of a person. I cannot understand why everyone has to start by writing about its punishments instead of how it nurtures social wellbeing. Flogging a human being in the presence of 10,000 people is sickening and inhumane. More sickening, however, is the way your reporter covered it.
Ghazanfar A. Sheikh McKenzie, Tenn.
Snakes vs. Bureaucrats
Congratulations to Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus, the perfect bureaucrat, for completely ignoring the purpose of his office. He fired a man who expressed what Andrus himself should have said about the eating of an endangered type of rattlesnake [Oct. 29] just because he used the wrong sheet of paper.
Andrew Durny Nulato, Ark.
Isn't it the job of the Interior Department to protect animals? Wasn't it Herpetologist Kenneth Dodd's job to warn the restaurant that the snake was endangered? Bravo! At least someone seems to be doing his job.
David Dimston Great Neck, N. Y.
Let Andrus eat crow or cake, not snake.
Dina Anderson Reston, Va.
Princess and Prejudice
With one slip of the tongue, Princess Margaret [Oct. 29] has illuminated the source of a decades-old problem: British prejudice, inspired now by the vestiges of an imperialistic haughtiness, even though the problem virtually laps at their own shores.
Craig Savoye New Canaan, Conn.
Little Princess Margaret Rose has grown into a thorny bush.
Terry O'Duffy Rochester, Minn.
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