HELL HATH NO FURY

Isn't it a sad commentary on today's world that a movie like The First Wives Club, with revenge as the central theme, is so popular [Society, Oct. 7]? The notion that revenge must always be obtained against anyone you now consider your "enemy" contributes to the thinking patterns that are responsible for so many troubled and failing marriages. Hollywood continues to do its part to subvert American society while laughing all the way to the bank. M. KENT MILLER Lexington, North Carolina Via E-mail

I am a divorced woman in her mid-50s, and I disagree with the sweet-revenge focus of your story. My motive for going to (and thoroughly enjoying) The First Wives Club was to see these three fiftyish women who are talented, sexy and successful. Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn are inspiring examples of life after menopause. They illustrate the fact that mature women need not feel invisible but are still vital and appealing. The best revenge is living well--and looking great! MARSHA E. HUBERMAN West Los Angeles

If first wives author Olivia Goldsmith had consulted sociologists or psychologists who specialize in divorce, she would have learned that her book does not depict the common experience of middle-age divorced women in America. It describes a very small minority of divorces. Here are some of the myths contrasted with what recent studies in fact tell us:

Myth No. 1: Most men cheat on their wives. In the best-designed study to date, 80% of men reported they had never cheated on their wives.

Myth No. 2: Most divorced women are jilted by their husbands. Actually, the great majority of divorces are initiated by women. Studies have shown that men are generally happier being married than are women.

Myth No. 3: Women bitterly regret divorce. Most divorced women do not regret it. Moreover, divorced women are generally happier than divorced men, and divorced women are better off emotionally too.

One aspect of the film is accurate: women in general are financially worse off than men in the years immediately following a divorce. But some studies indicate that this difference washes out after five years. ORLI PETER, Director Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Program Mount St. Mary's College Los Angeles

Why should first wives want revenge? They can end up with the home, the kids and a big slice of their ex-husband's future earnings. That type of alimony makes marriage the only job in the world that one can quit but still get paid for while providing no service whatever. Alimony is a holdover from those unequal times when single women had few employment options and little status. Now there is plenty of equality, status and jobs. Divorced women should shoulder their load like the men, get on with their independent lives and turn a bit of that anger inward. After all, it takes two to mess up a relationship. RICHARD P. HUEMER Vancouver, Washington

Women should be lining up in support of Prince Charles. He had the guts to dump the young, beautiful princess chosen by Mom and go for the frumpy, older woman. Three cheers! JUDITH BRILES Denver Via E-mail

I thought my (younger) husband and I were the happiest married couple I knew. Then one day he came home from a business trip to announce he was having an affair with a co-worker--she's older than he, younger than I. I'm beyond being devastated. I left my friends, family and career to move with him to his new job. In 18 months, I have been unable to find work. I'm either "overqualified" or "underqualified" for every position. Translation: too long in the tooth. I am alone, abandoned, jobless and friendless in a strange city. I laughed, cried and ached through The First Wives Club. Sadly, I'm just one more statistic. From now on, the only man I will ever trust is God. Without him, I don't think I'll make it. NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST Houston Via E-mail

Amid all the hype over the first Wives Club, no one mentioned that it is a lame, ho-hum film. For almost two hours the three stars talked at the same time, trying to be funny, but they weren't. What's the big deal? ARMAND E. DE BEQUE Denver

I was first elated and then saddened by your reference to the nonprofit legal-aid center in Los Angeles named for my cousin Harriett Buhai. Unfortunately, you referred incorrectly to the center's and her name. Harriett's efforts and compassion for those who could otherwise not afford any legal representation is carried on by the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. Please honor her legacy and the good works of the center by spelling her name correctly. BARBARA J. BUHAI Barrington, Illinois

PEACE IN FLAMES

Peace, as you mentioned in your article on resumption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians [World, Oct. 7], has never been so far away. The reason why, however, lies much more with the Israeli attitude than with Yasser Arafat. The Arabs cannot afford any more wars. Israel, with its military superiority, can. In the past months Israel's government has taken stands showing the inability of the Israeli people to feel secure with Palestinians around. Meanwhile, peace remains a dream. MONA FAWAZ Cambridge, Massachusetts Via E-mail

The controversial tunnel the Israelis reopened, which deserves to be called the Tunnel of Death, should be sealed forever because it is soaked with the blood of both Jews and Arabs. To defuse the situation and to end the conflict, sincerity and rationality should be practiced by experienced politicians on both sides. Otherwise, without these two human elements, the conflict is likely to continue for many decades. MOUSTAFA F. MOUKARIM Houston

The clashes between the Palestin-ians and the Israeli forces were the culmination of months of frustration and despair with the actions of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Palestinian mini-intifadeh comes as a strong and unequivocal reminder of the failure of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. America does not hesitate to impose the strictest of sanctions against Iraq for its alleged violation of U.N. resolutions, yet it turns a blind eye to Israel's violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that call on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Arab lands. LEEN DADA Paris Via E-mail

What the Palestinians need today is what the children of Israel needed some 3,000 years ago: time and a great leader. After gaining their freedom from their Egyptian oppressors, the children of Israel spent 40 years building their character as a people and wandering in the desert under the guidance of a great leader until they could reach the promised land. The Palestinians lack both the time and Moses. CHAIM OSIN Haifa, Israel Via E-mail

The Israeli military machine has total disregard for the Palestinian people, something that is all too evident in everyday life. The Palestinians have proved to be a most patient people, but the occupation of their land needs to cease. There is only one "diplomatic solution" that Israel needs to consider: redeployment from Hebron and the rest of the West Bank and Gaza. MICHAEL MUMFORD Bir-Zeit, the West Bank Via E-mail

Open contempt for Islam will not enhance the security or credibility of Israel, especially at this critical time. What to do? The victims of the recent uprising are dead. If Netanyahu would apologize to the Palestinians for not advising them in advance of the opening of the new tunnel entrance, that courteous act would not endanger security and would do much to restore goodwill and trust in the peace process. JOHN TOMASIN West New York, New Jersey

Muslims always retaliate when a holy site is invaded. We have seen it again and again in Chechnya, Afghanistan, Srinagar, Ayodhya and for the past 30 years in Jerusalem. If sanctions can be placed on Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Bosnia and North Korea, then why can't they be placed on Israel? OSAMA SURVERY Kingston, Canada

EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE

In his piece about mankind's looking for life in space [Essay, Oct. 7], Charles Krauthammer calls the 1968 film 2001 "a bit campy," with its "metaphysical stuff" and "psychedelic ending." In fact, the movie is uncannily prescient because it portrays three obviously approaching landmarks of the 21st century. Computers will become smaller, faster, more numerous and incredibly powerful at a breakneck speed until they equal and then surpass the human brain. We will have ever more complete knowledge of our own biological processes, and this will give us control over our mortality, metabolism, emotions and form. The ability to manipulate our physical form will allow us to travel to distant stars and thus confront the as yet dimly seen face of God. It is often noted that science, like population growth, is advancing at an exponential rate. But it is important to remember that the beginning of exponential growth is ordinary and unremarkable. Once it gathers steam, however, it is overwhelming. KEVIN KARN Osaka, Japan

What's all the fuss about finding life in space? Captain Kirk's been doing it for years. DAVID JOHANNSEN Wildwood, New Jersey

ON DEATH ROW

As the attorney who acted as the prosecutor of Crips co-founder Stanley ("Tookie") Williams, I read with interest your report on his writing books against gang violence for youngsters [Education, Sept. 23]. Williams insists that his "transformation" should be judged separately from his crimes. Williams was convicted of killing Alvin Owen, a young, white, 7-Eleven employee. He later laughed about the gurgling sounds of his victim's last gasps. Then Williams shot an Asian couple who owned a Los Angeles motel, and shot off part of their daughter's face and killed her. He bragged about his exploits to a friend while walking his pit bull.

You noted that Williams' case recently reached the federal appeals system, but a battery of appointed lawyers (at taxpayers' expense) has been searching the trial record since 1981 in an effort to find something, anything, to argue about. So far, the prosecution has prevailed with the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, two lengthy habeas corpus hearings and numerous motions.

Evidence regarding Williams' guilt remains firmly intact and is hardly an issue. However, meritless appeals will undoubtedly continue until the appeal process is further revised. Williams has had more than his share of due process. His victims had none. He received a just sentence, and no apology or writing of books can mitigate his execution of four innocent people. ROBERT M. MARTIN Former Deputy District Attorney Los Angeles County Los Angeles

If your otherwise excellent article was intended to suggest that I committed the crimes for which I am imprisoned ["his transformation, he insists, should be judged separately from his crimes"], then a serious error has been made. I did not commit those crimes, and I did not state or imply that to your reporter. Also, the quote "I simply don't believe that I am going to be executed" left out the point I was really trying to make: I have to be optimistic to survive. So I have to believe that I won't be executed. STANLEY ("TOOKIE") WILLIAMS Crips Co-Founder San Quentin, California

AMERICA'S ROYAL WEDDING

Who would have guessed that John F. Kennedy Jr., the most watched and eligible bachelor in America, would fool us all and get married [Nation, Oct. 7] without the chaos, cameras and reporters that have haunted him for most of his life? Whether he was playing under his father's desk or failing the bar exam, we have watched Kennedy grow up in front of our eyes. And now he has managed to pull off the difficult task of getting married just like anybody else, without any disturbances from the media. There is no doubt in my mind that Jackie was looking down and smiling! AYSHA GHADIALI Baldwin, New York Via E-mail

I thought kennedy was supposed to be the sexiest man on earth; if so, then why did he marry Carolyn Bessette? She has a deformed nose, and her cheekbones make her look awful. I am a freshman in high school, and I know about women. This one is totally disgusting. SHAHRUKH MALIK LAHORES, Pakistan Via E-mail