Cause for Alarm

To the Editors:

For Israel to be somewhat suspicious of its neighbors' "good" intentions and moderate policies, there is some justification. Four wars, terrorist activities directed against civilians and avowed determination to destroy the state of Israel seem to be circumstantial evidence sufficient to give Israel some cause for alarm. I don't think you had to point out "How to Lean on Israel" [Oct. 3]. It's been done by experts.

Alex Temkin Madison, Wis.

Normally, when American interests are at stake, we would not hesitate to turn the screws on any country. It forces me to wonder seriously about just who is in control of the screws when we learn that American financial assistance to Israel is the equivalent of $600 per man, woman and child; that the U.S. might be in some way responsible for financing Israel's illegal settlements; and that American Congressmen, for the obvious benefit of Israel's powerful lobby, castigate American policy in the presence of Israeli representatives.

Raymond G. Hanania Arab American Congress for Palestine

Chicago

What about the Arab lobby? Into what context would you put an oil embargo, an economic boycott against Israel and world Jewry, and anti-Israel resolutions in the United Nations, if not lobbying? The Arab nations' use of oil coercion against foreign governments is shocking, morally reprehensible and lobbying in the extreme.

Marsha Levy Montreal

Nowhere in TIME'S undiplomatic prescription is it suggested that there be U.S. pressure on the Arab states to recognize Israel's right to exist, to cease its economic boycott of Israel and Jews or to compromise on issues of territory.

Leonard J. Davis, Director of Information American Israel Public Affairs Committee Washington, D.C.

You neglected to consider the advantages of having a strong Israel as an ally in the Middle East. Israel is the best investment the U.S. has ever made.

Bruce Karp, Iris Richman Waltham, Mass.

Excuses, Excuses

How about a few more reasons people give for not attending church [Oct. 3]: Sunday morning illnesses that always clear up by noon; "I worship at home with Oral and Rex"; "The church is full of hypocrites"; "Why support a preacher who only works one day a week?"

(The Rev.) John E. Eliason Burlington, N.C.

The study by the Rev. J. Russell Hale omitted the most obvious reason why 80 million Americans will have nothing to do with organized religion. Most of these unchurched people feel that organized religion is a form of mental enslavement. I believe that what we really yearn for is freedom from religion.

William E. Skovan Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Many of the unchurched find religion a necessity for baptisms, weddings, funerals and free advice in times of trouble. But they contribute nothing toward maintaining these services.

The Rev. Robert M. Brueckner West Nyack, N. Y.

Lenny Bruce said it the best: "The people are leaving the church--and going back to God."

John F. Heenehan Stamford, Conn.

Overused Rhetoric

It would be wonderful if the New Right [Oct. 3] could actually provide a counterweight to the left. But alas, like conservative movements of the past, these rightists have picked their issues to fit their overused, Bible-quoting, patriot-inspiring rhetoric. Thus we have their position on the Panama Canal and ERA. Meanwhile, the liberals are left to untangle the tax and welfare mess they created. How about some input on these problems from the so-called New Right?

Mark Hoffman Parma Heights, Ohio

As a 24-year-old Republican, I found your advice to the party intriguing. How can the G.O.P. benefit from the national rightward trend by moving to the left? A G.O.P. revival will be catalyzed not by an acceptance but by a resounding refutation of the moral and economic bankruptcy of status quo liberalism.

Jay Grassell Milwaukee

Total Confusion

Your article "Alien Backlash" [Sept. 26] leaves me totally confused. Are the citizens of this country or the illegal aliens determining policy? People moan over unemployment in young minority groups and yet sit back and watch while millions of illegal aliens take jobs.

We limited our family to two children and now I find myself forced to handle the consequences of the irrational population growth of Mexico.

Peter J. Horn Spokane, Wash.

Please keep in mind that the "goodies" for illegal aliens consist of below-minimum-wage jobs that few Americans want, fear of being exposed to immigration authorities, beastly living conditions and severance from their families.

Mary Golden San Francisco

A Welcome Relief

TIME may consider increased pot smuggling in New England [Oct. 3] to be "threatening," but to the millions of us who smoke marijuana, it is a welcome relief. The real threat is the Government's refusal to accept reality and move promptly to a system of regulated and controlled marijuana sales.

Paul H. Kuhn Jr. Chicago

Repaying a Debt

I am one of those students you refer to in "Go Now, Don't Pay Later" [Sept. 26]. If so many students are defaulting on these loans, shouldn't someone ask why? For the past three years I have been diligently seeking a job in health planning, that my "Government handout" educated me to do, but have had no success. If the Government or anyone else would assist me in my pursuit of a career, I would repay my loan. I am at present working for $3.20 an hour. I can't possibly repay this debt.

Thomas A. Albright Tempe, Ariz.

The Federal Government's renewed effort to collect from the relatively small number of delinquent student borrowers struck a nerve that may soon become completely exposed. Congress is contemplating a repeal of the new law that makes it more difficult for these young people to discharge their college loans through bankruptcy.

Not only are basic moral principles involved here, but if the students resort to uninhibited bankruptcy they can do great harm to the integrity of the program, which is counted on to provide annually at least $1.4 billion in student assistance from private lending sources.

J. Wilmer Mirandon, President National Council of Higher Education

Loan Programs, New York City

Love Is Worth Keeping

The passing of romantic love [Sept. 26] is probably a good sign if it means more emphasis on making conjugal love work. But that takes a lot more depth of commitment to a person than many people are capable of. Maybe the illusion of romantic love is the only element that brings out any emotional investment in another person. In that case, let's keep it around. It may be the only way two people can believe they care about each other.

Brian Hill Emporia, Kans.

Loyalty and Steel

Anyone who reads about the critical situation caused by Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.'s relocation of its steel mills [Oct. 3] should be as horrified by the news as are the citizens of this area. We need action by people all over the country to pre vent more of these abuses. If companies are allowed to walk away from areas where they have been located for years every time the Government imposes new regulations or equipment wears out, there are going to be many more Youngstowns. Why should the worker who has given years of hard work be pushed aside and forgotten? Workers should receive the same loyalty from their employers that they are expected to feel toward them.

Janet Jackson Youngstown, Ohio

What's in a Name?

Christopher Andersen's "The Name Game" [Sept. 26] is plain obnoxious. He should note that "plain" Patricias include two Academy Award actresses (Neal and Duke-Astin), a Cabinet member (Harris) and a bank robber (Hearst). Andersen better get his first-name vibes down pat before he publishes them.

Patricia M. Bonneau Deming, N. Mex.

What's in a name? I'll tell you. It's not who you are but where you are that counts. For years, in addition to constant mispronunciations of my first name, I had to endure the humiliation of being assigned to an all-boy cabin in summer camp, and the embarrassment of an arrest warrant for failure to pay a male poll tax when I lived in Brookline.

Then I entered Radcliffe College. Oh joy! My classmates were women named O'Brien, Michael and Charles. They dated Harvard men with first names like Colgate and Fenton and Schroeder. I had found peace at last.

Bennette Avis Shultz Watertown Mass.

Why is it that no male names suggesting culture and intelligence were listed? Is this another example of our sexist society's attitude that males are merely sex symbols or meal tickets?

David Edmondson Kensington, Md.

Groaning Pains

You have your nerve. You condemn William Safire for his "groaners" in the same issue [Oct. 3] that you commit "Sloops du Jour,'' "The Spy Who Came in for the Gold," "Growing Fonda of Jane" and, worst of all, "did not go gently into that good nightside."

Caroline Wingate Birmingham

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