Erma's Laugh-In

To the Editors:

Your cover story on Erma Bombeck [LIVING, July 2] was a revealing close-up of that gifted lady. I must be a maverick. I am not one of her fans. But I admire her ability and the self-discipline she brings to her work. If she has been able to ease the strain of thousands of harassed housewives and mothers dealing with their daily chores, so much the better. Catherine T. Squires New London, N.H.

She gives us the lift we all need, a look at life with a laugh. Mary M. McCarthy Waban, Mass.

Erma Bombeck lives in us all. My law-student daughter says I gave her three housekeeping tips: keep pins in the pincushion, have a pencil by the phone and arrange fresh flowers when you do not have time to dust. Those chores will not kill her, and following that advice should fit in with her law career. Long live Erma's revenge: laughter. Martha Weston Plano, Texas

Some day, although it is not likely, I may fathom the reason for Bombeck's popularity. I find her provincial and inane. I am amazed women's brains do not rot during the time they are listening to her. Alexandra Mayerle Minneapolis

A part of motherhood is the pleasure in reading and loving Erma Bombeck's observations. Robin Endow Las Vegas

My husband claims one of Erma's columns can undo what I have learned in six months of Heloise. Connie Daley Upper St. Clair, Pa.

Erma Bombeck may be the best friend I ever had. Mary Lou Seubert Eugene, Ore.

Debt Strategy

How long do you think the Federal Government and the banks can pull the wool over our eyes? The banks that lent money to Latin American countries knew there was a good chance those countries would default [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, July 2]. They also knew that the U.S. Government would help them out with our tax dollars. Citizens should tell our Government to stop bailing out the banks. Jan Theiss Guffey San Jose, Calif.

In your excellent article on the world's debt, you say that Colombian President Belisario Betancur named the IMF as one of the villains of the international drama in his address at Cartagena. Those words were not used by the President. He said that "the IMF's adjustment programs do not necessarily lead to maintenance of high employment levels and real income in its member countries, as stated in the by-laws." We also hope that the President's remarks regarding the devastating consequences of the debt bomb's explosion will not become reality. There is still time to save several developing countries from chaos and several international banks from insolvency. The recent increase in the U.S. prime rate makes this more urgent. Diego Pizano Economic Adviser to the President Bogota, Colombia

Missile Maneuverings

Strobe Talbott's article [WORLD, June 25] is inaccurate and one-sided and not a balanced analysis of the most critical issue of our time: reducing the risk of an outbreak of nuclear war. Talbott failed to report the real story behind the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START): the dramatic, if quiet, movement by both sides toward an equitable and verifiable agreement. He also skips lightly over the fact that negotiations are in a hiatus because the Soviets refuse to return to the bargaining table.

I categorically reject Talbott's main thesis, namely that the U.S. has taken an intransigent and unrealistic position in START. In May 1982, President Reagan proposed the most sweeping reductions in nuclear arsenals ever offered. In contrast to the picture you presented, the U.S. proposal was not one-sided; it would require both the U.S. and the Soviet Union to reduce their ballistic missile warheads by one-third. In addition we proposed substantial reductions in the numbers of ballistic missiles themselves, limits on ballistic missile capability and intercontinental bombers. It was offered in a spirit of flexibility. In July 1983, the U.S. tabled a draft treaty which modified our original position in several ways in order to take account of concerns the Soviets had expressed.

Furthermore, in October 1983, we incorporated build-down into the U.S. approach and offered to explore trade-offs between the areas of U.S. and Soviet advantage. These trade-offs offered the best prospects for a breakthrough. Unfortunately, the Soviets were unwilling even to discuss tradeoffs. The Soviets are highly patient and will attempt to outwait the West, hoping that we will negotiate among ourselves. Talbott fails completely to recognize this tried-and-true Soviet tactic. Edward L. Rowny, Chairman U.S. START Delegation Washington, D.C.

Despite Ambassador Rowny's assessment, TIME believes its story is accurate.

Farrakhan Fury

Your sidebar on Minister Louis Farrakhan [NATION, July 2] was hypocritical and condescending. You said, "He is a bit-player who will not get offstage." Why should he, as long as he can find an audience? Also, why should Jesse Jackson, just to impress people who are mostly enemies, "repudiate" a man who has shown friendship? His supporters are not demanding that he denounce Farrakhan. Janet Singleton Denver

Unaltered Facts

In "Embroidering the Facts" [PRESS, July 2], which properly criticizes a New Yorker writer for inventing scenes and using composite characters in non-fiction reportage, you wrote, "Reviewers challenged the reconstructed dialogue in David McClintick's 1982 Hollywood expose, Indecent Exposure, and Don Kowet's A Matter of Honor. "Insofar as it pertains to Indecent Exposure, the statement is demonstrably false. No facts were altered in Indecent Exposure for any purpose. Reviewers in general did not "challenge" or otherwise criticize the reconstructed dialogue. Indeed, many reviewers praised the meticulous handling of the dialogue as well as the overall accuracy of the book. David McClintick New York City

Balance of Jobs

The super-good industrial jobs [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, June 25] that paid super-wages gave Americans the opportunity to buy automobiles, homes and furniture, take vacations and send their children to universities. Even without skyrocketing interest rates and a federal deficit out of control, low-paying hospital, fast-food and custodial jobs will hardly put bread on the table. The Remarkable Job Machine will backfire and spew out all the miseries of poverty for America. Richard T. Baurmann Humble, Texas

The growth of low-wage, low-benefit, low-skill, low-security jobs explains the need for a two-paycheck family income. But why should the two-paycheck family be the envy of the world? Gene Damm Albany

When American troops entered Italy during World War II, they found the economy in dire straits. The resilient Italians survived by selling black-market goods to one another. Americans will soon be playing a variation on the Italian ploy. They will survive by serving hamburgers and doughnuts to one another. Frank Holan Westminster, Vt.

Anonymity Revealed

Shame on TIME for giving no byline

To a house poet who wrote a tribute fine

After the death of Laureate John

And all others who have long since gone.

Laureates and I would like to know it

Your name, you very clever poet.

Amy E. Preston Bethlehem, Pa.

Our rhymer deemed his anonymity O.K. But signs himself, most gratefully, Paul Gray.

Drinking and Driving

A child is an adult when he takes out a loan, marries, registers for the Selective Service, commits a crime or votes [NATION, July 2]. But when it comes to drinking, that responsible adult suddenly becomes a child again. Teen lives can be saved by abolishing mandatory registration with the Selective Service and letting young people enlist at their will, or by having mandatory registration at 21. Anthony W. Dallmier Olney, Ill.

I am a 19-year-old college student who works to pay part of my tuition. How can anyone tell me I cannot sit down and relax with a beer after a long, hard day? Susan Lee Atlanta