A Genuine American Tiger

To the Editors:

Three cheers for Pat Moynihan [Jan. 26]! He is the epitome of the American success story--from bootblack and bartender to ambassador at the U.N.

How great a President he would make--no paper tiger here.

Mireille R. Gale Berkeley, Calif.

A genuine "American tiger." We are so lucky to have him in that glass menagerie on the East River.

Jitney Hodges Norfolk

Not since Adlai Stevenson have we had so articulate, witty and righteously wrathful a spokesman.

Adelaide Faralli Springfield, Pa.

Not since Winston Churchill...

Margaret Lyman Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Moynihan rivals William F. Buckley as a purveyor of grandiloquent nonsense.

Charles W. Griffin

Denville, N.J.

Palestine and the Palestinians are indestructible. Mr. Moynihan knows it. His "act" is for home consumption.

Abdur-Rahim D. Dudar Kettering, Ohio

Moynihan is worth two in the bush.

Craig Vasey Towson, Md.

Having served under Ambassador Moynihan in India, I can appreciate that you understand his talents and idiosyncrasies. His appointment gives us, at long last, a spokesman of courage and conviction. His forthright manner was bound to disturb the U.N. I suggest that some Churchillian growls of support from Britain's representative would have been more appropriate than the petulant laments of a piqued neo-Chamberlain.

Stephen Duncan-Peters Potomac, Md.

Never have I been more proud of a kinsman since my father told me about my grandfather (another Daniel in the lion's den), and Moynihan's granduncle, who told British ground-rent collection agents to "go to hell" in 1900.

Pat Moynihan New Hyde Park, N. Y.

If I may paraphrase Harry Truman, Mr. Moynihan is not giving anyone hell; he is simply telling the truth and they think it is hell.

Peter Carlson Glendale, Ariz.

Yes, Moynihan gave 'em hell, but his ego trip alienated our allies.

Norman R. Jensen Los Angeles

Sex and the Vatican

The new Vatican bit of nonsense on sex [Jan. 26] is a true masterpiece. Until such time as the church decides that Galileo was not a heretic, Paul VI is free to believe that the world is flat and the sun rotates about the earth.

Lybrand P. Smith Torrance, Calif.

Do you have a thing against Roman Catholics? You are not to make fun of my religion or anyone else's. Sex is on a rampage, and yet you have the nerve to point out how wrong we are.

(Mrs.) C. Cascio Williston Park, N. Y.

It would seem to me that lifelong abstention from sex or masturbation would be "an intrinsically and seriously disordered act."

How does the Pope justify this?

Paul L. Harris Los Angeles

It has been my observation in 25 years of practice that those who consistently follow the teachings of Christ on sex are more peaceful, successful and happy, and look healthier and younger than those who choose not to.

Russell F. Compton, M.D. Pasadena, Calif.

As a health educator working primarily in the area of human sexuality, I continually meet young men and women who are victims of doctrines similar to the one issued recently by the Vatican. They deny or repress their sexuality, cannot accept it, and therefore cannot take responsibility for it. The results are unwanted pregnancies, unhappy marriages and a booming business for abortion clinics and sex therapists.

Cynthia W. Schuetz Carbondale, Ill.

Your interpretation of the papal statement is a howl. No one has ever said or implied that Catholics can't mix sex and fun. Only unmarried Catholics can't.

Thomas Morrette Tarrytown, N. Y.

The aged celibates who wrote this naive, restrictive document are themselves lacking in sexual experience.

Ironically, while purporting to set norms for others, they glorify the most peculiar sexual aberration of all--abstinence.

Myron J. Wiess Pound Ridge, N. Y.

Scott-Free

Re Gulf Oil and illegal political contributions by corporations [Jan. 26]: The law states it is illegal to give; is it not also illegal to receive what it is illegal to give? How can one have faith in our democratic process if some are only lightly punished and others get off Scott-free?

Roger F. Stickney Exton, Pa.

Why Don't You Stop?

Some time ago an officer of the CIA was murdered in Greece [Jan. 5], and the story was published in our papers as if the murdered man were a member of some shameful, secret gang. Why don't you Americans stop undermining your institutions and your way of life, which, for all their defects, are the best this world has seen in the past 6,000 years? When are you going to stop blaming your Government and yourselves for everything that happens in the world?

Victor A. de Choch Buenos Aires

Brother of James E. Ray

After reading "The King Assassination Revisited" [Jan. 26], i have to make a few comments since i am the Brother of James E. Ray. First, if George McMillan is telling the truth, then why didn't he Testify in front of Judge Macrae in November 1974? That was James E. Ray's hearing for a New Trial in which i testified. Does TIME think that George McMillan is smarter then the FBI? If not, then i would also be in Prison for helping in the King Murder. I am sure TIME didn't beleive all of that Garbage that George McMillan wrote, but it does seem like a lot of people connected with the News Media don't want to rock the boat, and are trying to do everything in there power to keep James E. Ray from getting a full Trial where all of the facts will come out.

You can beleive one thing, and that is if. my brother James E. Ray committed the crime and did so without any help, then the Justice Department wouldn't be fighting so hard against him receiving a Trial.

Jerry Ray Lake Zurich, Ill.

Dame Agatha

The beloved Agatha Christie [Jan. 26] left me a legacy I would like to share with others. In a letter to me dated May 4, 1968, Dame Agatha declared: "I assure you the world is really a good and very interesting place. To enjoy sunlight one has to notice shadows."

Richard Williams Manteno, Ill.

I have been devouring the Agatha Christie novels and short stories with the intention of enjoying all 80-odd. Unfortunately, I had not come upon The Murder of Roger Ackroyd before Dame Agatha's death and your regrettable revelation of the culprit's identity.

Had any sort of prior restraint been available, an injunction would have been issued forbidding the publication of the issue and condemning the author of the article to an eternity sitting before the fire with Miss Marple. My vexation with you is unbounded.

Larry Denenberg Omaha

Ford's Fall

One last word on Jerry Ford's falling on the slope [Jan. 5]: anyone who can ski for two days without a fall has my greatest respect. My bottom should be so lucky.

Nancy Love Pueblo, Colo.

Scrutable Chinese

A People item [Jan. 26] shows Julie Eisenhower presenting her father with a cake: "It said 'Happy Birthday, Mr. Nixon,' " disclosed Julie, "both in English and Chinese."

From what I can see of the photo, the Chinese says [random Chinese characters], which means China, Shanghai.

(Mrs.) Laura K. Loughridge born and brought up in [random Chinese characters]

Kensington, Md.

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