The Hot New Rich

To the Editors:

Some men see things as they are and say "Why?" I dream things that never were and say "Why not?"

The above thought, borrowed from George Bernard Shaw, expresses what I feel is the philosophy of those new rich [June 13].

Hats off to those who have the zeal to make their dreams realities.

Ann Brookman Elkins Park, Pa.

Of the 15 individuals covered in your sketches of the new rich, not one became rich producing necessities of life in the U.S. (The closest candidate apparently made his in buying and selling coal leases.)

For those who see the doughnut, this story illustrates that producers of necessities do not make fortunes because the costs of necessities can be low. For those who see the hole, it says that we are willing to reward those who produce the non-necessities.

Perhaps that's the real sign of an affluent society. Our necessities are taken for granted.

H.M. Elliot Phoenix

Your article on "The Hot New Rich" was an excellent analysis of what makes America great.

As one of the subjects of the article, I was pleased. One thing I would like to correct: I am not associated with Willie Wonka in any way, but am merely "Uncle Al, the Kiddies' Pal."

Uncle Al Silverstone Oakland, Calif.

The "Hot New Rich" are overpriced, overadmired and an indictment of the U.S. open market economy. The "Sherpas of the Subclause" are the secondary perpetrators of this financial fraud on the American public. The most guilty parties of all are the mass media. This article graphically endorses financial inequality.

It must be remembered that 55% of the American workers made less than $10,000 in 1976.

John W. O'Day Buffalo

The quote attributed to me with regard to the Sharon Tate tragedy in your article "The Sherpas of the Subclause" is not only totally inaccurate, but in bad taste for anyone to have said.

Sue Mengers Los Angeles

Forget About Honor

It took me until I had earned my Ph.D., reached middle age and read your Essay "The Big Puzzle: Who Makes What and Why" [June 13] to decide to desert a profession I'm good at and one I love--teaching.

In the past I had felt contempt for friends who deserted education for the almighty dollar, but when I find my salary lower than all save the sewing machine operator and the bartender in your random sample of pay, it's time to forget about both honor and education and time to think about paying the mortgage and feeding the kids.

Alex Hander Branson, Mo.

I was delighted to learn that the chairman of Dow Chemical made nearly half a million dollars in 1976. I'm sure he's worth every penny of it too. My only question is: What did his secretary make?

Myself, I make $8,400 a year and in exchange I am expected to be loyal, obedient, circumspect and addicted to unpaid overtime. A former boss of mine told me, in a moment of undue confidence, that a divorced woman with a child is the ideal employee; she can't quit and she can't complain.

Deborah Hayford-Parker Evanston, Ill.

Anita Bryant v. the Gays

Anita Bryant's campaign [June 20] to deny fundamental civil rights to homosexuals will flounder and fail as have all other witch hunts that have preceded hers. These misguided crusades, all supposedly "God supported," are eventually wrecked on the rock of fundamental decency that exists and supports this best of all countries.

Robert Pennell Highland, Mich.

The Rev. F. William Chapman, pastor of Anita Bryant's church, needn't worry about burning down his parochial school "rather than permit a homosexual to teach" there. It's obvious that his parish has already been consumed by a much more ravaging force than fire --hate.

(Mrs.) Patricia Anne Crowell Huntington Beach, Calif.

Hooray for Anita Bryant! I agree: enough is enough. What next after gay rights? Exhibitionists' rights. Rapists' rights. Child molesters' rights. Necrophiliacs' rights. Perversion is perversion is perversion!

(Mrs.) Lois A. Maxwell Lawrenceville, Ill.

The deliberately selective use of Scripture to bolster one's point of view cannot be tolerated regardless of the validity or worthlessness of the viewpoint.

Anita Bryant quoted from Corinthians I to add authority to her opinion concerning homosexuality. Had she read further in that same Epistle, she would have found the following: "Let your women keep silence in the churches ..."

(The Rev.) William J. Knittle Jr. Venice, Calif.

The real "abomination" is Anita Bryant's self-righteous bigotry!

Georgia Davis Siloam Springs, Ark.

Maybe Anita Bryant needs to be "born again" again.

Robert Javorcic Denver

I think it is apparent that the Silent Majority is no longer silent. The hymn Onward, Christian Soldiers has just been taken out of mothballs. Charity toward people, yes; but tolerance toward sin, no!

Ruth Gervase La Grange, Ill.

Even though I am the mother of two small children, I cannot begin to understand Anita Bryant's reasoning regarding homosexual rights. She is so worried about homosexuals serving as teachers. Quite frankly, I believe that if my son is not safe in a classroom with a male homosexual teacher, then surely my daughter is not safe with a male heterosexual teacher.

Carol Bellomo Flushing, Mich.

We here in Texas are so glad to hear that Anita Bryant will be coming to San Antonio.

We have already started gathering the stones. Now don't you worry your pretty little head about what the Bible says--"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"--because we down here in Texas are without sin.

Frank H. Ferryman Dallas

No true Christian could disagree that today's homosexuals must be granted the same God-given "rights" that their forefathers in Sodom and Gomorrah enjoyed: principally, the right to a speedy death by fire. The argument that it is a Christian virtue to accept homosexuals as "brothers in Christ" is a liberal theological crock.

Adam C. Pauli Jr. Cheyenne, Wyo.

Anita Bryant has set the goals of Christianity back seven centuries.

Brian Cooper Los Angeles

Religious Garbage?

It was with great dismay and utter disbelief that I learned about the report on human sexuality [June 13]. I find it incredible that some Catholic theologians are giving their approval to extramarital sex and teaching that such relationships can be "creative and integrative for all involved." Who repealed God's commandment: Thou shall not commit adultery?

Furthermore, Father Anthony Kosnik and his committee insult the characters and reputations of widowed and divorced people by saying that these men and women cannot be expected to live as though they were "nonsexual beings." This patronizing attitude is an insult to people who are leading exemplary, well-disciplined lives, without resorting to extramarital sex.

This is the kind of cheap, do-it-yourself theology that shocks all God-fearing people of whatever religious affiliation. These theologians are not religious leaders offering spiritual food to their followers. They are misleading the faithful and giving them religious garbage to eat.

(The Rev.) Stanley C. Limanowski Boynton Beach, Fla.

According to the Scriptures, Christ said to the woman taken in adultery. "Go, and sin no more." Would he, speaking in today's cliches, say something like this: "As to your extramarital affair: Was it self-liberating, other-enriching, life-serving, creative, integrative and joyous? If so, then it was morally acceptable. Go now, and have a good day."

D.B. Donnelly Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Catholic Theological Society of America study on human sexuality is not a rejection of official church teachings about sex or a "sweeping challenge" to hierarchical views on this subject. Quite the contrary, in the committee's own words--it gives "particular attention to magisterial statements regarding sexuality" (including an appendix containing the 1975 Vatican declaration on sexuality), and remains faithful to the basic elements of the Christian Catholic moral tradition. Where new directions are suggested, it seeks to contribute "not to dissent but rather to the development of Church teaching."

(The Rev.) Anthony Kosnik, Chairman C.T.S.A. Committee on Human Sexuality Orchard Lake, Mich.

Referendum King

Every state in the Union is in dire need of a "king of the referendum" such as the North Dakotans are blessed with in the person of Millionaire Robert McCarney [June 13]. He saved his state's taxpayers some $200 million. Wow!

I hope and pray my state of Connecticut will be the next to claim such a benefactor.

(Mrs.)F.H. Buteau Branford, Conn.

Bob McCarney, "king of the referendum," is more than a politician's foe. He's the foe of everyone interested in more than immediate monetary gain. Those buildings mentioned so casually in your article are desperately needed university facilities. If McCarney had his way, our state universities would simply be starved of funds till they died a natural death.

Heidi Kolberg Grand Forks, N. Dak.

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