Man of the Year

To the Editors:

You made an excellent choice in selecting Anwar Sadat as the Man of the Year [Jan. 2], but you really did not select him--by his bold deeds he selected himself.

(The Rt. Rev.) Thomas J. Havlik

Abbot, St. Procopius Abbey

Lisle, Ill.

An obvious choice. But how long has it been since your selection was so easy?

George Schmitz Los Angeles

Man of the Year--rubbish. Sadat betrayed the goals and aspirations of the Arab people. Who else has sold his dignity and that of his people so cheaply?

Veronica-Gillian Pugh New York City

A poor choice. Because of the economic condition of his country, and for only this reason, Sadat decided to open up diplomatic relations with Israel and search for peace. The man's back is against the wall.

Michael Kanter Chicago

I have no quarrel with Anwar Sadat as Man of the Year. But to state that Sadat started his "peace campaign" by attacking Israel in 1973 is the most convoluted type of logic I've come across in a long, long time. To add insult to injury, you go on to say that after the Egyptian army "had taken a battering from the Israelis," Sadat "accepted" a ceasefire. Whose leg are you trying to pull?

Pearl Furman San Francisco

Although I applaud TIME'S Man of the Year, I am sorry and disappointed that he is not sharing the honor with Menachem Begin. Much like a tree falling in a forest, without anyone to hear, the sounds of peace would not have been heard.

Constance C. Holden Brewer, Me.

Moods in the Nation

In your article "New Year's Mellow Mood" [Jan. 2], Student Eric Mowrey is quoted as describing the prevailing national mood as a "beneficial apathy of satisfaction." It could be more accurately characterized as one of reckless complacence. As we "go forth and party without feeling a sense of remorse," let us bear in mind that unless we rapidly alter our concept of energy and environmental coexistence, this may well be our last party.

John T. Stigner

Citizens for Environmental Responsibility

Phoenix

Existing in an age when it is hard to be much of anything without money--including mellow--I think the outburst of optimism you so vividly express is a bit off target. Sure, everyone enjoys seeing a movie where the good guys defeat the bad guys. But when it costs $3.50 to $4 to witness such an event, some of the excitement vanishes. As I look toward 1978, I still see the black hat of inflation prevailing in America, making my mood somewhat "mellow yellow."

Marijane Engel Denver

As Perfect As Possible

I enjoyed Stefan Kanfer's Essay on the state of the English language [Jan. 2]. It might interest you to know that Brown University's instructions to doctoral candidates told them to make their dissertations "as perfect as possible." I did.

Eric L. Hinderliter Providence

While in Plattsburgh, N.Y., I found the following item on a Howard Johnson's menu: "Steak with Smothered Onions." I asked the waitress whether they smothered their onions with a pillow or a crumpled sheet. She did not understand my confusion.

James Kuzmak New City, N. Y.

Come now. Shouldn't your picture caption "... a sense of well-being and community pervades throughout the land" have appeared as an example of tautology in your Essay on "The State of the Language"?

James C. Hepler Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Rage over Regulation

As one of those "autocratic bureaucrats" [Jan. 2] I must take exception to the concept that we regulators have an "ideological animus against the private sector." Regulations are developed because of laws written by Congress. The complexity arises following successful sidestepping of the spirit of the law by the ever clever private sector. We bureaucrats have to try and write regulations to cover every loophole.

If you want to cut down on bureaucracy stop writing laws designed to protect every man from everything.

Wayne J. Socha

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Denver

"Rage over Rising Regulation" was TIME at its best.

As a bureaucrat most of my adult life. I am more conscious than most of the increasing infringement of government upon the daily life of all Americans.

There are some who are alarmed by the excesses and abuses of business or labor. Others are aroused by the leftist movement of the past decade, and still others by what they consider U.S. moral decay. Such hazards are dwarfed by our growing bureaucracy, which is becoming all-consuming.

America would benefit if the "rage" became the cause of many.

Pete Quesada

Lieut. General, U.S.A.F. (ret.) Washington, D.C.

If Quebec Goes

Since the election of the Parti Quebecois, a number of writers have assumed that Canada would inevitably be absorbed into the U.S.A. if Quebec votes to go it alone [Dec. 26].

If Quebec leaves, I do not see why the extinction of my nationality should follow. We, like other peoples of the world, are willing to sacrifice for our survival, and we would find a way to survive.

Dale Overall Ottawa

Even if Quebec chooses to separate, I seriously doubt that Canada is interested in obtaining 50 new provinces by uniting with the U.S.

Frank J. Papp Lethbridge, Alta.

Should Canada (sans Quebec) become just another part of the U.S., most of us would have nowhere left to go if we became dissatisfied with life here. The frontier would at last truly be closed, and the morning after the celebrations, a great psychological shock would be felt. Too late, we'd realize the most important fact about Canada was that it existed.

Laurits Hansen Davis, Calif.

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