Letters

Ailing President

To the Editors: One fact about American society struck us during President Reagan's recent hospitalization [NATION, July 22]. Unlike citizens of some countries, we know exactly what illness our President suffers from. It was not kept from the public, nor was it disguised as a "bad cold." Charlotte and Jeff Blair Fort Valley, Ga.

Like all other Americans, I am happy that the President's cancer is localized and that his prognosis is good. However, I question the way Reagan was portrayed by members of his staff as a sort of Superman because he seemed to recover so quickly. I fear it is a disservice to imply that major surgery is a minor inconvenience that requires only minimal recuperation. Paula S. Richardson Springfield, Mo.

The reports on the rapid recovery of the President from abdominal surgery would have us believe that the luck of the Irish still holds. But his health is not explainable just in terms of luck. We should consider ourselves fortunate indeed to have a man of old-fashioned virtues and moral strength leading our nation. J. Robert Hall Veronia, Ore.

Everyone is concerned about the state of Reagan's health. But once again the media told me more than I wanted to know. Any day I fully expected the CBS Evening News to sign off as follows: "Thanks for being with us. This is Dan Rather reporting from inside the President's colon. Good night." George Zinnemann Upper Marlboro, Md. The Whiz Kid's Exit

Director of the Office of Management and Budget David Stockman was a breath of fresh air in Washington [NATION, July 22]. His candid Stockmanisms broke through the murky atmosphere of partisan political rhetoric like rays of sunshine. The clarity of his words and position gave hope to citizens who were tired of hearing horror stories about the deficit while watching its continued rise. Now that the Whiz Kid is leaving, the weather outlook is gloomy, and the chances for reducing the deficit seem bleak. Betty Driscoll Monkton, Md.

Goodbye, David Stockman, and good riddance. Thomas W. Young Sr. Denison, Texas

Stockman is the budgetary genius of our time, but he has been repeatedly rebuked by Congress and the Administration as he has attempted to guide them toward a stable policy. Perhaps as this nation gains momentum toward economic devastation, House and Senate members will remember the man who wanted them to balance their country's checkbook. Edward G. Blizzard Charleston, W. Va. The Biggest Rock Concert Ever

Organizer Bob Geldof, the bands and the technical staff who made Live Aid [MUSIC, July 22] a reality deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. They united us all for a day and in so doing instilled eternal hope that the people of the world may someday live as one. Michael W. Oliver Seattle

As a teenage rock-'n'-roll fan, I have heard many insults directed toward this type of music by my elders. But the Live Aid concerts overcame all these affronts when rock music was used in a truly noble cause: saving the dying. Daniel A. Madey Burkittsville, Md.

Live Aid has demonstrated to the world that it is possible to transcend political and geographical barriers to conquer apathy and alter the course of humanity. Geldof should be named TIME's Man of the Year. Perhaps the world would be better off if our leaders carried guitars instead of briefcases. Lisa Christine Scott Riverside, Calif.

I am black, and it did not bother me that the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia was not dominated by black performers. Regardless of what some critics say, I thought the music was great. Wayne Browne Los Angeles

The highly original pairings of acts and the willingness of so many high-priced performers to appear free far outweighed any minor technical glitches. Never have such lofty goals been realized so exuberantly. Rick Emmer Belleville, N.J.

Conventional wisdom dictates that one person cannot make a difference. Bob Geldof has gloriously proved otherwise. Katie McNamara Redford, Mich. Beyond the Melting Pot

I read your articles on America's new immigrants [SPECIAL ISSUE, July 8], but I do not think of our country as a melting pot. To me that term implies that we have all been reduced to one large blob. I prefer to think of us as a symphony orchestra. Each instrument retains its individuality, yet contributes to the whole. Zena Sky Kansas City

Recent arrivals are willing to work for little or nothing, but black Americans are geared to white Americans' goals and want to be paid a decent wage. I admit that I feel a great deal of animosity and jealousy toward our new immigrants. Many white Americans still hold deep-rooted prejudice toward blacks that they do not yet show for the newcomers. Teresa Garland Los Angeles

Perhaps the greatest social challenge to our nation is to realize the enormous potential of our racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. Creating a climate in which each of us is truly comfortable with difference is not an easy task. It requires training and commitment to treat multiethnicity as the essence of our country. Burt E. Schuman, Executive Director Panel of Americans, Inc. New York City Dipping Snuff and Chewing Tobacco

In my opinion, your article on smokeless tobacco [MEDICINE, July 15] was short on facts and long on emotionalism and innuendo. You totally ignored the large body of public testimony by eminent medical experts about the lack of scientific justification for health-warning labels on the products. I thought it was unfair and unbalanced reporting of a complex and important issue. TIME readers deserve better. Louis F. Bantle, Chairman U.S. Tobacco Greenwich, Conn.

For many years now, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have been warning smokeless-tobacco users of the potential health hazard posed by these products. We are extremely pleased that many lawmakers are now considering legislation requiring warnings on smokeless-tobacco products sold in their states and that the Surgeon General has appointed a panel to study this issue. William E. Hall, D.D.S., President American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Chicago

Betty Ann Marsee may be blaming U.S. Tobacco for manufacturing the product that caused her son Sean's cancer, but where was she when her twelve-year-old began dipping snuff? It is frightening to see so many children using tobacco. I believe that the primary responsibility lies with the parents. Saul Hoffman, M.D. New York City

I am a sophomore in college and chew snuff. My senior year in high school, I started to use snuff in order to lose weight for wrestling. Instead of eating, I would chew. I cannot count how many times I have tried to quit. My parents offered me a car, but I could not stop. The power that snuff has over an individual is frightening. I have fears that I might be the next Sean Marsee. I just hope that others won't be so foolish and have their lives ruled by a can of pulverized tobacco. Mark Mooney Pittsburgh Coke Is Back

Coca-Cola [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, July 22] may have made a terrible error or pulled off one of the greatest marketing coups ever, but I'm glad the maker of my favorite beverage wasn't too stubborn to return to the old formula. Vanessa R. Phelps South Charleston, W. Va.

What a shallow society we live in when a great furor is made about the new taste of Coke. Gerald LeGagnoux Los Angeles

Who cares why or how? Welcome back, Coca-Cola. Steve Paschang Omaha

I wish to thank new Coke for curing me of a lifelong addiction. It has helped me kick the habit! Raquel S. Maravilla San Francisco Redesigning an Extinct Creature

Your article "Return of the Pterosaur" [SCIENCE, July 22] accurately described our program to re-create this giant flying reptile. But you neglected to mention that I and the other scientists and engineers who are conducting the development project are in the Aerosciences Division of AeroVironment Inc. Incidentally, each week we seem to be progressing about 2 million years further along the evolutionary scale and gaining increasing respect for nature's engineering. Paul MacCready, President Aero Vironment Inc. Monrovia, Calif. Madonna Revealed

I don't know what's worse, the magazines that publish nude photos of Madonna [PRESS, July 22] or the people who buy them. No matter what she may have done in the past, Madonna's music, appeal and talent have made her popular today. Tracey MacDermott Parker, Colo.

Re Madonna's pictures in Penthouse and Playboy: if clothes make the man, then naked people have little or no influence on society. Randy Crittenton Atlanta Sunbelt Teacher Shortage

As a teacher, I am not only encouraged but excited by articles like yours about predicted teacher shortages in the U.S. [EDUCATION, July 22]. The fact that Sunbelt school systems are finding it difficult to hire qualified educators lends credence to the adage "You get what you pay for." If school boards and taxpayers had set more realistic salaries, they wouldn't find themselves in the bind they are in today. I can only hope that states won't permit carte blanche certification of prospective teachers and once again glut the market, thus ensuring another generation of underpaid and overworked educators. James F. Johnston III Portsmouth, N.H. Maya Masterworks

I believe your article on touring exhibits of Maya art [ART, July 15] gives the mistaken impression that the objects dredged out of the sacred well at Chichen Itza were resurrected from basement obscurity at the Peabody Museum. The Peabody Museum is a research and teaching institution whose major priority has never been public exhibition. However, the collections from the sacred well have had significant exposure over the past 50 years. Our museum has developed a nationwide collection-sharing program, pioneered by Frances Silverman and Lea McChesney, to make the rich resources of the Peabody available to others. Karl Lamberg-Karlovsky, Director Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University Cambridge, Mass.