To the Editors:

TIME states [Sept. 22] that busing has run "against the deepest instincts of a clear majority of whites and quite a few blacks." "Instincts" is hardly an apt description of racism, a learned behavior.

Busing may now be a "much hated stepchild" of school desegregation, but this stepchild may grow up to be the parent of a more equality-minded society.

I think the goal is worth the effort.

Marilyn R. Palla Santa Cruz, Calif.

Forced busing, forced abstinence--forced anything is wrong!

Dan Parow Warren, Mich.

Suddenly eyes are being opened. The white parents of children being bused to previously all-black schools are now faced with the poorer educational systems in our inner cities for their own children. Funny thing--the schools were just fine when all the young faces behind those desks were black.

Karen Holmes Garden City, N. Y.

We have been taught that if people are unhappy with a law, they can go to the ballot box and elect representatives who will change it. In the case of busing, this option is nonexistent. Federal judges, appointed for life and unaccountable to the voters, have nullified all efforts of our representatives to carry out the mandate of the people.

Charles A. Modernne Indianapolis During the antiwar years, protesters were called subversives and Commies for speaking out against the Viet Nam War and turning the American flag upside down. Now those people who sup ported that illegal war (silent majority, etc.) are out protesting busing, burning buses, turning cars and the American flag over.

Mary Johnson Denver

The liberals in the country, by forcing busing down the throats of the white citizenry, are digging their own graves. They are radicalizing the law-abiding, ordinary Americans who have made this country work while the students, blacks and other loud-mouthed crybaby minorities have been protesting and rioting.

Dick Hill Seattle

The cure for cancer or the solution to the energy crisis might some day lie in the heads and hands of those black students whom we whites are anxious to deny a decent education.

Kathleen A. Moors

Richard A. Moors

Anaheim, Calif.

You fail to mention the rising level of violence in schools as the proportion of blacks increases. Unless the problem is faced, integration will continue to be an expensive failure.

Victor Jaeggli Jr.

Bellaire, Texas

The antibusing demonstrators in Boston and Louisville are the victims of something much more dangerous than the threat of blacks or whites in their schools. That something is ignorance.

Emmett Charles Costello St. Paul, Minn.

A President's Life

The attempts on President Ford's life [Sept. 29] underscore our ridiculous way of campaigning. Why must we use methods that were necessary 150 years ago, when the only way to reach people was to travel across the country and stop at every town?

Anne Munson Rochelle Park, N.J.

If our society could expedite its justice system to balance its award of instant notoriety with instant punishment to fit the crime, say within 30 days, there would be fewer victims to mourn.

Paul E. Reed Bethany, Conn.

Being in prison, I can see the steady erosion of so-called "social misfits" into the more deadly "psychological cripples" and "psychopaths" your story focused on. Couldn't you have looked as deeply on the social side as you did on the personal side for the reasons and motivation that led to the attempts on the President's life?

Thomas Lahikainen Marquette, Mich.

Will it take another dead President to prove the point of those who favor gun-control legislation?

Kevin McCormack Fayetteville, Ark.

CBS and Pravda

"Guns of Autumn" [Sept. 22] comes about as close to hunting as Pravda does to the ideals of journalism.

John R. Rice Durham, N.C.

Those "machos" who get their kicks

out of watching bears torn to pieces or

enjoy blowing the brains out of deer are

the Charlie Mansons of the wilderness.

Ginger Anderson

La Mesa, Calif.

I hope some day to find a publication or a legislator who will champion the cause of the white middle-income male who happens to like the company of the opposite sex, a strong national defense posture, internal governmental security, strict law enforcement and traditional mores, as well as hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports.

Daniel N. Weitzner Leominster, Mass.

Any man who needs to reinforce his manhood by slaughtering helpless animals is probably reinforcing what was never there.

Ron Barwick Limestone, Tenn.

The truth of the matter is that the thrill is the kill.

Jeffrey H. Freedman San Diego

I feel the National Rifle Association people are responsible for more than the deaths of animals. These fine people have brought us a murder rate unmatched by civilized countries.

(The Rev.) Dennis R. Fakes Kingman, Kans.

Did Amnesty Fail?

An American Note is headlined "The Amnesty Failure" [Sept. 22]. You are wrong. Amnesty did not fail. Only the narrow, shallow, unrealistic "clemency" program has "quietly fizzled." It deserved to fail. Now let's give amnesty a chance.

Alice Walton Deerfield, Ill.

Isn't it ironic that those highly principled young men who found it impossible to take part in an unjust war have no qualms about cheating on an agreement with their country--an agreement designed to facilitate their re-entry into American society -- by jumping through the first loophole they can find?

David C. Healey Charlottesville, Va.

Skinning TIME

Your article "Skin Trouble" [Sept. 22] failed to mention another up-and-coming skin mag--TIME.

You managed to break the boob barrier with a nude shot of "Squeaky" Fromme (of all people), and the next week's issue abounded with nipples and braless breasts. Not so much a complaint as an observation.

Rick Gallion Pittsburg, Kans.

Panne's Fine Grind

Apropos of your most recent report on Fanne Foxe [Sept. 22], I must say the goddess of Mr. Mills grinds slowly and exceeding fine.

Glenn E. Van V actor Fremont, Calif.

I have been amazed at the number of Americans who have taken it upon themselves to judge a public servant for his activities in pursuit of happiness, rather than his capabilities in handling his elected job. I still fail to understand how Wilbur Mills' relationship with me could in any way reflect on his ability to write tax laws. When certain people were calling upon him for favors and guidance, I doubt if they prefaced their requests with questions about his personal life--be it sex, alcohol or whatever--and I have no doubt these same people are not asking those questions of any of the politicians they are seeking out now.

I marvel at the aim of some sinners when given a stone.

Annabel Battistella (Fanne Foxe) Westport, Conn.

Swat That Bug

Your story on Dr. Ananda Chakrabarty's new oil-eating bug [Sept. 22], the "multiplasmid hydrocarbon-degrading pseudomonas," hailed the bug as a major advance in battling oil spills.

Before he lets that thing out of the culture tube, someone had better find a way to control it. I have visions of standing by helplessly while it attacks oil tankers and storage depots, home oil heating systems and even my engine oil and gas tank.

Victor Zalma, M.D., Director State Health Agency Santa Fe, N. Mex.

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