Black Power

To the Editors:

Congratulations on your coverage of Jesse Jackson and his attempt to mobilize black voters for the presidential election of 1984 [Aug. 22]. Jackson represents a rallying point for all voters disillusioned with the status quo of American politics. His dedication to fulfilling the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. should remind Americans of their obligation to ensure equality of representation for everyone, regardless of color or station in life.

Bill Graves Brady, Texas

Jesse Jackson and other black leaders are being lauded for encouraging blacks to support black political candidates, who will of course be sympathetic to their needs. Yet if white leaders encouraged whites to support white candidates for the advancement of their race, they would not be lauded, but be accused of racism. What this country needs is a joint effort to improve the lot of all people, not one race at the expense of another.

Gary P. Matregrano Fairfield, Conn.

Jesse Jackson is intelligent, impartial and impressive. He commands respect in the U.S. and abroad. America could do a whole lot worse than elect him its Commander in Chief. I hope the Democratic leaders have the good sense to recognize quality and select Jackson as their presidential candidate. I might even go back to the polls myself.

Judith Reiffel Berlin

A black presidential candidate is an idea long overdue. But Jesse Jackson as President is an idea whose time will never come.

Elizabeth Stivers Atlanta

The idea of a black running for President is highly premature, considering that there are no black Governors or Senators, which is where the majority of our Presidents have come from. Electing a qualified black will be hard enough; electing an unqualified one like the Rev. Jesse Jackson would be impossible. The funds, time and effort being spent in a vain attempt to elect Jackson could be put to better use in a Senator's or Governor's race.

William Holmes Galveston, Texas

Barbarous Jails

The excellent firsthand account "Inside Castro's Prisons" [Aug. 15] by Armando Valladares is a rewarding sign of the strength of true democracy and a free press. The inhuman conditions of Castro's jails either have not been permitted to be reported objectively in the American news media or have been shouted down by the well-oiled and lavishly financed international Marxist left. You have shown bravery and independence in publishing this touching narration.

Sergio Lopez-Mesa San Pedro, Calif.

Thank you! After 25 years of Castroism ravaging the nation of my birth, someone finally had the courage to publish the truth.

Salvador Gonzalez Longoria Jr. Gretna, La.

Your terrifying look inside Castro's prisons is a perfect illustration of why left-wing revolutionaries must not be allowed to shoot their way into power in El Salvador.

Michael Alex Glendora, Calif.

Your article on Castro's prisons summarizes quite well some of the terrible atrocities committed by the Cuban dictator and his regime. However, it is only a glimpse of the ruthless methods being applied by Communist rulers around the world to attain and maintain their power. Let us be aware of what is occurring to mankind and start doing something about it.

Theodore A. Irra Berwyn, Ill.

Assessing the Council

Richard N. Ostling's article on the sixth assembly of the World Council of Churches in Vancouver, B.C. [Aug. 22], sized up the situation exactly. I attended, and it was good to see the W.C.C.'s decidedly anticapitalist bent exposed with the use of solid facts.

Brad K. Gsell Philadelphia

I was an accredited visitor at the sixth assembly of the World Council of Churches, and as near as I am able to ascertain, your reporter must have attended a different meeting. The assembly was the most exciting event of my lifetime. It is too bad your reporter missed the whole event.

Douglas T. Ibach Reston, Va.

Have the spiritual leaders of the worldwide Protestant community so lost their perspective that they are willing to trade their integrity for the approbation of a few Soviet lackeys? How can they look at the plight of the millions of Soviet citizens who have been imprisoned or denied freedom of worship and dare to compare that nation's policies favorably with ours? We may not be perfect, but as a people we have a great respect for justice and integrity.

Barbara J. Kantz Greenwich, Conn.

Your report fails to recognize the universal aspect of the Christian faith. The World Council of Churches is not a propaganda arm of either the U.S. or the U.S.S.R. It is to be commended for the way it remains free of the influence of nationalistic political and economic systems that continually seek to hold it in bondage.

Alton M. Motter Williamsport, Pa.

Baseball Heaven

As a baseball fan for half a century, I dispute Tom Callahan's contention that we all depreciate present-day stars in favor of those from our youth [Aug. 22]. I rate Johnny Bench ahead of Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey and Roy Campanella. I rate Strikeout Artist Nolan Ryan above Bob Feller, Dizzy Dean and Sandy Koufax. And I rate Callahan's pithy, disciplined but delicious piece on the waning golden age above any single article I have ever read by Grantland Rice or Red Smith. So, Tom, don't go around prejudging us as prejudgers! Hear?

Howard E. Quirk Montclair, N.J.

I cannot believe you would put Reggie Jackson with the future Hall of Earners. He's a poor fielder, poor runner, a .269 lifetime hitter, and right now he is batting only .213. Sure, they call him "Mr. October," and for two weeks out of a six-month season he gets hot. But Reggie's nickname has become more of an insult than an accolade.

Stan Lichtenstein Oakland, Calif.

You were remiss in not including the veteran pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, Phil Niekro, 44, among the potential candidates. His knuckleball still fools many hitters.

Michael D. Davis Chamblee, Ga.

First, Home-Run Hitter Harmon ("Killer") Killebrew, then your twelve.

Mike Demmer Buffalo, Minn.

Beauty and the News

Kudos to TV Journalist Christine Craft and her attorney [Aug. 22]. Years ago, television's supergroomed plastic dolls with their baked-on smiles drove me to radio for news programs, and I plan to stay there. To me, Craft's photographs convey intelligence and humanity, and I very much like her looks.

Wilma Bradley Seattle

Newscasting is show business, not journalism. Thousands of people can read the news equally well. The only way to distinguish among them is to hire the ones with the most sex appeal. Neither Diane Sawyer nor Connie Chung would have her job if she were an ugly old man. You don't hear them complain about discrimination. Nor will you until a couple of cuter, younger chicks displace them.

John Bartlett Manassas, Va.

People who delude themselves into thinking that beauty qualifies someone to be a news expert are the same ones who believe that Lauren Bacall knows coffee and Joe Namath is an actor.

Harold M. Molter Saginaw, Mich.

Communicating

As one who has spent a career analyzing and dealing with the complexity of international conflict, I was more surprised than pleased to see myself identified in Charles Krauthammer's Essay [Aug. 15] as believing that all international problems are simple, requiring no more than communication to solve them. Clearly, that alone is not enough to reduce conflict, but it can be remarkably helpful. You oversimplified my views.

Roger Fisher Cambridge, Mass.

Friendly Byte

I rejoice that adults are packing to go to computer camps [Aug. 22]. As a 15-year-old computer owner, I am sick and tired of trying to explain to my parents the difference between RAM and ROM. Adults should realize that computers do not bite. They just help save time, if you let them.

Neil Uchitel Los Angeles This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.