U.S. Jews: Issues and Attitudes To the Editors:

Your story "American Jews and Israel" [March 10] is a reasoned, even handed treatment of some volatile, emotional issues.

It is important to remember that the struggles of the Jews have aided many others because, as TIME noted, "a history of persecution has convinced them that safety lies in an open democratic society." Most Americans, including my fellow American Jews, may have forgotten that in 1654 Peter Stuyvesant opposed granting civil rights to the first Jews arriving in America. "Giving them [the Jews] liberty," he wrote, "we cannot refuse the Lutherans and the Papists."

Even then, just as now, the Jews sought freedom not only for themselves but for everyone.

Newton N. Minow Chicago

The writer was chairman of the Federal Communications Commission 1961-63.

TIME was a far better magazine before this obsession and compulsion to tout for the Israeli lobby.

Many involved in this propaganda appear to be arrogant, militant zealots. These persons want to raid the U.S. Treasury for Israel and even want the U.S. Army to kill Arabs for Israel. History tells us the Jewish people always push too far, then cry persecution when pushed back. They are playing a perilous game with potentially dire consequences for all.

Henry E. Titus Yarnell, Ariz.

The U.S. support for Israel has far exceeded that given to my state of Michigan and is paid for by my tax money and that of every other U.S. taxpayer.

If Israel is in need of perpetual support by the U.S., I believe that serious consideration should be given to making Israel a part of the U.S., as either a protectorate or a state.

Michael E. Ellis, M.D.

Grand Rapids

Israel is a tail wagging a dog. We should, as the Arabs have said, be wooing those interests benefiting all Americans, not the minority, as is the case.

If our American Jews are so enamored of Israel and wish to contribute to Israel, why don't they just leave this country? Anyone living here, earning a living here, and supporting another country has divided interests and should be considered a traitor to these United States.

Peter J. Friedmann Garland, Texas

We are "worried" about having to make the "agonizing choice" but, as you state, we are "American Jews," not Jewish Americans. If forced to choose, many of us (myself included) will side with the blue and white Star of David, for, as you stated, "The Jews are one people ... You cannot separate parent from child, the Jews from Zion."

Sandra Rothkugel Norwalk, Conn.

Your report on American Jews and Israel regrettably misquoted me. What I said in my New York Times article was not that I could, but that I could not--repeat, could not --"foresee the possibility of Jews being massacred in the cities of America or in the forests of Europe." However, I did say that I am afraid, "because of a certain climate, a certain mood in the making."

Elie Wiesel New York City

As a member of the 97% of the American people whose silence has given "supposed" support to Israel, I feel it is about time I spoke up. I can find no sympathy for a nation that refuses to follow the golden rule. Twenty-six years ago, Israelis were in the same position as the Palestinians are today--a people without a country. Why can't they find it in their hearts to deal with this very real and, to them, familiar problem?

Mary Beth Crowley Chicago

Though there was no sovereign Jewish state for close to 20 centuries, isn't it a fact that Judaism, through its religion, was a nationality for people temporarily without a homeland (to quote the Passover prayer, "next year in Jerusalem")?

It is not only morally wrong for Jews to disassociate themselves from the Jewish state--it is absolutely absurd. Many, if not most, American Jews who do not practice religion are as proud of this country and as loyal to it as their fellow Americans who descend from Ireland or Italy, for example. But like them, they have the right to be proud of the heritage and accomplishments--and the duty to be concerned about the future --of their brethren in their young "old country."

Elazar Hiller New York City

Even if I were an anti-Semite, I would have to support Israel. It is the only reliable and trustworthy ally we have in the Middle East. It is the only outpost of Western civilization left in that part of the world. We have to support it, not because it is a Jewish state but because it is part of the Western world, and we need it for the same reason that the Arabs want to destroy it. Israel is not a Jewish question.

Gunter Eisenberg Minneapolis

Fascinating Woman

I used to think I didn't want to be a Total Fascinating Woman [March 10] but I have decided to give submissive wifemanship a whirl. Tomorrow I will greet my man by wearing only mesh stockings, high heels and a fetching little apron. That will teach him to bring home unexpected clients to dinner.

Helen Morris Stamford, Conn.

It's time for Helen Andelin and her students to try what some of the rest of us are doing to make ourselves fascinating: working for degrees, serving on boards of trustees, exploring new job fields, etc. I'd like to see a Fascinating Woman find a job anywhere besides the Fascinating Womanhood Foundation.

Sally C. Currie Westport, Conn.

You describe Mrs. Morgan's book The Total Woman as nonfiction. That may be true. Your article, however, as it relates to my wife Susan is fiction.

After 25 years of marriage (some of them high-pressure years), I can assure you that Susan has never been a student in a "total woman" course or any course that purports to teach women how to be successful wives. The love, understanding and support that she has demonstrated attests to the fact that, aside from being a total woman, she is a total person, which is even more important.

Frank Barman Miami

The writer was an Apollo astronaut and is now executive vice president of Eastern Airlines.

After reading "Total Fascination" it became apparent to me that I could simplify my struggle to be a Total Person by concentrating on being a Total Woman. So I slipped a note that read, "I crave your body" into my husband's carton of blackberry yogurt. My husband immediately wrote to the yogurt company and explained what he had found in his lunch. The company wrote back, most apologetically, explaining that one of their notes might read, "Your body craves this," or "We love your business," but certainly not "I crave your body."

In spite of minor setbacks like this, I shall persist at being a Total Woman.

Karen L. Rancourt Annapolis, Md.

Refuge for Cambodians

The only reasonable course left open in Cambodia [March 10] is to offer sanctuary in this country to the several thousand Cambodians who have been most clearly identified with the prosecution of the war, and to engage in negotiations for a peace settlement.

Lawrence B. Murphy Farmington, Mich.

The Ford Administration has said that if Cambodia falls because of our lack of aid to Phnom-Penh, our credibility will fall in the eyes of the world. But is our credibility really worth more to us than the people who are dying because we are supporting the corrupt government of President Lon Nol?

Paul Miroff Monroe, N. Y.

Surprise Party

Conservatives expressing their dissatisfaction with the Ford Administration and discussing a new party [March 17] may be in for a surprise. They may get a new party, but one far different from what they anticipated or want. Others, much more numerous than they, also are discontented with President Ford's obvious mental and leadership lack. Yet, these are equally disenchanted by the tired, threadbare remedies of the Democrats and also suspicious of the corporation elite.

The new party, possibly entering and winning in 1976, will be a populist party dedicated to the interests of the vast middle class, the productive segment of our society now neglected by Democrats for welfare and minority groups, and by Republicans who favor vested and inherited interests.

Productive-oriented in domestic affairs and winning-directed in foreign relations, such a party may deal harshly with the non-productive at both ends of our social structure.

William Loeb, President & Publisher

Manchester Union Leader

Manchester, N.H.

Humane Assembly

Your report on six American auto workers' experience of Scandinavian conditions [March 10] is similar to an inquiry by George III of England into the sanity of the founding fathers of the Constitution. America developed the production line, particularly in the auto industry, and any deviation from Henry Ford's practice is now regarded as heresy.

Apparently the only specific complaint of the visiting U.S. team was of the shortness of the lunch break--a pretty trivial objection to a system that is breaking up nearly three-quarters of a century of dehumanizing production-line monotony.

Linden Prowse

Dept. of Labour and Industry

South Australian Government

Adelaide

Planning for Death

Hooray for the Van Dusens' decision to carry out their suicide pact [March 10]. We determine whether another's life should be conceived, why should we not decide upon the termination of our own? Is it really preferable to store away a fund during one's vital years in order to support senility? At the very least, the privilege of self-inflicted death should be easily available to those who choose it.

Eventually we may become sufficiently enlightened to recognize the choice to be the result not of mental illness but of mental health, sound thinking and planning.

Rosemarie Oilman Indian Hills, Colo.

Pie in the Face

Vicarious degradation from the godfathers of mercenary humiliation is not "lighthearted havoc" [March 10]. The humble-pie manifesto reads clearly between the lines: 1) stamp out sanity, 2) uphold anarchy, 3) wreak pandemonium, and 4) escape reality.

Will America be blinded by this craze? We must face the whipped-cream threat and lick it before it meringues our morals. Ask not for whom the pie flies, it flies for you.

Richard Eaton Chula Vista, Calif.

Wouldn't it be great if the pieman could cometh to Congress! Each opening session would begin with an intense ten-minute pie fight. It would be a grand way to get rid of hostilities and envelop that august body in a meringuey camaraderie. I think it would raise public esteem for our legislators as well--they would get most of the foolishness, pomposity, orneriness, pettiness and childishness out of their systems in one brisk fling.

Tom Gill Columbia, Md.

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