Carnage in Beirut

To the Editors:

To be successful, a peace-keeping force must work with opposing groups who want peace. This is not the case in Lebanon [Oct. 31]. It makes as much sense to keep Americans in Lebanon as it would have to station British forces along the Mason-Dixon line at the beginning of the American Civil War.

John Me Phillips Las Vegas

Another Sunday, another sneak attack and another day of infamy.

Mary Kelly Walsh Oak Park, Ill.

When the Government puts a young man into a situation where he might die, it is obliged to protect him with all the resources at its command. This was not done in Lebanon.

Donald Davis Crown Point, Ind.

The massacre in Lebanon has caused me to understand Menachem Begin. I have finally come to realize that Israel really is surrounded by murderous neighbors.

Donald R. Schindel Chicago

Forget about finding out who drove the truck into the U.S. Marine compound. Forget about finding out who provided the driver. More important, discover where the munitions were manufactured and who sold them. The real international terrorists are those who supply arms to fanatics.

Robert A. Heaton Jr. Muskegon, Mich.

The U.S. military demands billions of dollars from the taxpayers for high-technology equipment and sophisticated armaments, yet fails to come through with basic security for its fighting men. It seems that there are many more bucks than brains in the Pentagon.

Gisele A. Greenhaw Houston

As in Viet Nam, our commitment in Lebanon is based on honorable intentions and poor judgment. The major difference is that in Viet Nam there were only two contending sides; in Lebanon there are many. If the Lebanese wish to kill one another, we must let them. It is their country and their choice.

Samuel R. Kaplan Ann Arbor, Mich.

Incompetence! Incompetence! Shocking incompetence!

James M. Hoy Houston

Yankee, come home.

Robert W. Agler Delray Beach, Fla.

A few weeks ago, our teacher suggested that we each write a letter to a Marine stationed in Lebanon, expressing our appreciation for their peace-keeping efforts. Most of us tried to include recent news, trivia and information about the latest movies. When we learned that many of these Marines had been killed, the violence in a far-off land suddenly became a reality.

Aaron Milstone Lathrup Village, Mich.

Middle Easterners have been fighting one another and everyone else for 6,000 years. It is arrogant to think that we can bring a lasting peace to the area.

Myra Catherina Souby Houston

President Reagan's assertion that the Marines are in Lebanon to protect vital Western interests clarifies their role. In that light, however, they can no longer be perceived as "angels of peace" but as agents of a Western-dominated solution. Thus it becomes quite easy to understand why the peace keepers have become targets for those opposed to a settlement on the West's terms.

Alan P. Stopper Bisbee, Ariz.

We must not let our anger and sadness control our better judgment. Removing our troops would only strengthen the hand of the barbaric forces struggling for control of Lebanon. Remember, these groups are supported and protected by Syria, which is heavily supplied by the Soviet Union.

Salvatore Garofalo Middletown, Conn.

No commanding officer permits "sleep-ins" in a combat zone. No commanding officer fails to permit sentries to have loaded weapons. No commanding officer fails to secure adequately all approaches to a vulnerable position. The commanding officers in Beirut failed in their responsibilities to their men, their President and their country.

Robert A. Palko North Caldwell, N.J.

Holiday for King

This tenth national holiday in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. [Oct. 31] will in no way force white America to love black America. But now Americans will be albe to pay homage to George Washington, the Father of Our Country, and to King, the Father of Equal Rights.

Arthur A. Mauge

Brooklyn

As supporters of the King holiday bill, we thank Senator Jesse Helms for helping to secure the bill's passage. Helms reminded us by his behavior of the freedoms the Rev. Dr. King fought for. Once Helms made this so obvious to his colleagues, the Senate agreed to set aside a day when we celebrate our freedom from racism, bigotry and persecution. Thank you, Senator Helms!

Retta and Charles Gray Winston-Salem, N.C.

We need a holiday to honor the civil rights leader but do not need another day off for federal employees. We should have set aside a Sunday to show honor for the Rev. Dr. King.

Barry Bradley San Antonio

A day in January was established as a national holiday because King was a black man. I find this disturbing. With due respect to his accomplishments, the emphasis on his race as a consideration is a case of racism in reverse. This could have been counteracted if another great man, like Abraham Lincoln, had been added for his role as the emancipator. Together, the two men could have been honored by the same national holiday, to be called a human rights day.

Abe Kalan Denver

We have 22 intelligent Senators who had the guts to vote against the multimillion-dollar King holiday. The rest are nothing but self-centered, self-serving politicians who hold their own personal interests in winning re-election above the good of the country.

Hope Bisbing Brigham City, Utah

Regardless of Jesse Helms' motives, he has expressed a concern about an additional national holiday that many in this country share. Unfortunately, it is almost sacrilegious to express open opposition to the King holiday.

Harold Whisenhunt Racine, Mo.

Plain-Speaking Jeane

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Jeane Kirkpatrick [Oct. 31] may be abrasive and supportive of right-wing dictators, but she is honest. She acknowledges that the regimes the U.S. tries to bolster are authoritarian but that these governments are also friendly to the U.S. and necessary to our security. I disagree with Ambassador Kirkpatrick almost 100%, but I respect her for her candidness.

Antonio J.A. Pido Lansing, Mich.

So Jeane Kirkpatrick's feelings are hurt. Poor little soul. I get the impression she could tramp over others without wincing.

Rene Denis Echirolles, France

Boosting Anaya

Governor Toney Anaya of New Mexico [Oct. 31] has been hailed by environmentalists, praised for forming with Chicago's Mayor Harold Washington the nation's first brown-black coalition, and lauded by women for his commitment to equality. Yet all TIME can discover about Anaya is that the young, activist, Hispanic Governor is ambitious.

Steve Cobble Arlington, Va.

As a homesick New Mexican, I was pleased to read about Governor Anaya, but disappointed that you failed to mention his record on appointing women to Cabinet-level and policymaking positions. Unfortunately, your report reminded me of those published back home. It was another complaint about some uppity Hispanic who doesn't know her/his place.

Rita Triviz Cambridge, Mass.

Mondale, Glenn, etc.

Why does the press persist in making the race for the Democratic nomination two-way [Oct. 24]? Walter Mondale and John Glenn are not the only men vying for the honor. Nor are they the only candidates with a chance of gaining it. The Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Iowa proved that Alan Cranston is a force to be reckoned with.

Carol J. Wallace Sioux City, Iowa

I don't see why Walter Mondale's rigid liberalism should be more attractive to Democrats than John Glenn's moderate stance. Mondale is beginning to show a disturbing resemblance to Mr. Reagan in his obstinacy and self-righteousness, while Glenn's attitude of cooperation and compromise would be a refreshing change in the Oval Office.

Michael W. Walsh West Lafayette, Ind.

Muzzling Spinney

I am mad as hell. By denying Franklin Spinney access to data on weapons costs [Oct. 31], the Pentagon is deliberately thwarting the will of Congress and showing that the military is willing to deceive the people. Spinney deserves a medal and a raise.

George Blanchard Houston

Luther's Reforms

I appreciated the conciliatory tone of your article on Martin Luther [Oct. 31]. As a result of the Second Vatican Council, some of Luther's insights have now found acceptance in the Roman Catholic Church and have caused the church to experience another but more peaceful reformation. I am a former Lutheran seminarian who is now a confirmed Catholic. I could not have converted without Vatican II's reforming influence.

Terrence J. Thompson II Miami

Luther's anti-Semitism confirms that his reforms were man-made and not divinely inspired. Luther failed to understand God's plan for mankind's salvation. Christians should look to their Jewish roots, which are the foundations of the Christian church, if they wish to see all God's people united in "one fold and one shepherd."

Patrick W. Gill Bridgend, Wales

Miami in Manhattan

I read two years ago about the earth's warming up because of the increase in carbon dioxide from oil and coal burning [Oct. 31]. Since then I often take the bus and turn off every unnecessary light in my apartment. The impending hotter climate should inspire Americans to practice conservation diligently.

Kelly Kynion Hoboken, N.J.

If you think that a Florida climate is a benign prospect for Northeasterners, think again. The greenhouse effect's purely mechanical "benefits" are small comfort in the face of this unprecedented, inescapable ecological disaster.

Robert M. Simms Troy, N. Y.

Should we start building arks?

Bob Novak Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hero or Quitter

How dare you suggest that Marcus Dupree [Oct. 31] is a great symbol of college football? As soon as the criticism got a bit heavy, Marcus jumped ship. He did not even have the courtesy to inform the coach he was leaving. That shows what a great symbol he is. Dupree will never make the National Football League.

Pamela Wickham Norman, Okla.

I am not a champion of University of Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer, nor do I pass judgment on his methods. But to suggest that he is the main cause of Dupree's problems is unfair. Switzer has successfully coached many black athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Paula Pettigrew Tulsa

Dupree should be congratulated for enrolling at another college where, because of the ineligibility rule, he cannot immediately play football. Now he can concentrate on his studies, something Oklahoma did not care about. Dupree's decision is hardly, as Oklahoma Coach Switzer called it, that of a "quitter."

Ian Orme Saranac Lake, N. Y.

Fie Britannia

Something in Author Paul Theroux must have died if he has tired of London [Oct. 31]. I hope no one is deterred from visiting Great Britain because of the negative feelings Theroux reveals in his new book The Kingdom by the Sea. Tourists would miss the chance to know some of the finest people anywhere.

Mary M. Callaway Baton Rouge, La.

It is a pity that Paul Theroux did not "go down to Kew in lilac time."

Louise Shelly Arlington Heights, Ill.

Patina and Design

Re your article on the modern design show in Philadelphia [Oct. 24]: Americans do not reject the "form" of modern design. It is the materials that they resist. People want objects that reflect warmth, texture and the patina that develops with use. These qualities are found in wood, not chrome, glass and polyvinyl. As a cabinetmaker, I believe that it is not ornament that is demanded, but natural materials and some evidence that a human hand has touched the piece.

Thomas F. Moser New Gloucester, Me.

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