Really Unreal!

To the Editors:

The Empire Strikes Back [May 19] is my choice for the best picture of 1980, 1981,1982...

George Poulis New York City

I couldn't help chuckling at your journalistic priorities. In an election year, when we are faced with the current hostage situation, a deep recession, a huge migration of Cubans and the possibility of war, it is encouraging to see that Darth Vader leads the pack.

Raymond E. Sutch Jr. Baltimore

After months of dispiriting news, thank you for the heady subject of this week's cover. Really unreal!

Diane R. Hinzelman Schenectady, N.Y.

You mean to tell me that Darth Vader is still out in space? I've thought all along that he escaped to earth, where he threw away his helmet, grew a beard and set up shop in Iran.

Steve Seay Knoxville, Tenn.

I won't debate whether Star Wars and The Empire should be classified as science fantasy or science fiction, but it is interesting to muse about how earth colonies across the galaxy in A.D. 2980 will react to these films.

Anthony Hans Klotz Babylon, N.Y.

The Princess Debate

The Death of a Princess [May 19] is the exploitation of a pathetic human tragedy. How lovely it would have been if PBS had withdrawn the program, not because of pressure but simply out of respect for another country's religious beliefs and customs. Such an act of kindness might have been one small step toward peace, a healing balm for our frightened and anguished world.

Isabelle Burton Dover, Del.

A dishonest and slanderous film. Under a documentary cover, it insults Saudi Arabia, one of the few U.S. friends left in Islam.

Paul Soares Belmont, Calif.

The furor is a perfect example of petrodiplomacy. Do we value our gas tanks more than the First Amendment?

M.T. Oshman Baltimore

Freeing an Embassy

The courage of the British in freeing the Iranian embassy in London [May 19] is ample evidence that it is not socialism that ruins the courage of a nation, but rather capitalism under inept leadership.

Thomas P. Thompson Rome, Ga.

NBC's Retreat

It took a lot of guts for NBC to walk away from the Olympics, the money and the advertising [May 19]. I just hope that the athletes understand the importance of what NBC has done: a large corporation has put the nation's values and policies above material gain.

Wendy Eckberg Detroit

The Pope and the Priest

In just one year the Vatican has summarily dealt with issues such as the theological questioning of Kueng, the aspiration of women to a full role in the church, and now Father Drinan's activities in public office [May 19]. Surely Pope John Paul II, who spoke to millions of Poles of the "Church of Silence" and who knelt in prayer at Auschwitz, cannot be unappreciative of a priest's part in politics. Or are we to believe that the return to his homeland last June was only a sentimental journey?

Margaret Murphy Littleton, Colo.

The Pope's statement that holding an appointive office is acceptable, while holding an elective office is not, is contrary to Christian philosophy. In Father Drinan's 27 years as a priest, he must have discovered that the founder of his church was a man totally involved in and a part of the world he lived in.

Pat Lanser Piano, Texas

Details on Drugs

No one claims patient package inserts [May 19] are perfect, but they certainly are better than ignorance. As a community pharmacist for 15 years, I know that any factual information is the patient's first line of defense.

Shirley A. Chapura Norwich, N.Y.

A licensed pharmacist, not a printed insert, is the best source of drug information for consumers. He can sense how much an individual needs to know about his medication, can help the patient monitor his progress and act as an effective link between patient and physician.

Elizabeth A. Jenkins Grand Rapids

Clarity as a Priority

Thank you for your article "The Righting of Writing" [May 19]. As a writing consultant numb from seeing writing problems and errors in English, I am glad to know that my effort to help people ex press themselves in a clear and concise way is a priority in the land.

Mary Esther Mills La Jolla, Calif.

I wish that your generous report on Iowa's institute had given credit to the National Endowment for the Humanities, without whose funding the project here, at Beaver College and in the Bay Area would not have been possible. NEH has frequently been subjected to congressional criticism for allegedly being elitist in funding projects. But its support of writing demonstrates that NEH is strongly committed to serving a fundamental need in a democratic society.

Carl H. Klaus, Director The Institute of Writing University of Iowa

The Wrong Prince

Family resemblance has confused you [May 12]. Her Majesty the Queen is accompanied by her son Prince Edward, not Prince Andrew, in the photograph taken at last month's Badminton Horse Trials.

Richard C.D. Biddle London

Where's Minnie?

A decade ago, during an illness, I read TIME cover to cover, including the list of staff. Since that day I have looked for one particular name: Minnie Magazine. I long pondered the implications of her name. Imagine my surprise to find it no longer listed. Please tell us Minnie's fate.

David Johnson Waterbury, Conn.

Minnie, after 36 years with TIME, has retired as chief of the News Desk, but happily for us is continuing to work as a consultant.

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