Doleful G.O.P.

To the Editors:

The Ford-Dole presidential ticket [Aug. 30] will be tough. Democrats should return to their battle stations. And Jimmy Carter should not ship his furniture or appoint his Cabinet yet.

Thomas B. Givens Renton, Wash.

My moderate instincts warn me against Dole's smart-alecky shallowness as he stalks arrogantly along. There is something of the Nixon-Agnew flavor here. I wonder uneasily how distressing it would be should this glib practitioner, by some unfortunate circumstance, become President.

Henry E. Biggs Front Royal, Va.

Robert Dole is a man of intelligence, humor and wit. It is pleasing news to me that a candidate can open himself emotionally to the public and that our leaders aren't mechanical robots.

Laurel Wurth Briarwood, N. Y.

How come Dole can cry but Muskie can't?

Charlotte Minnette Evansville, Ind.

I would buy a used car from Ford. I would not buy a used car from Dole. I would probably buy a used car from Carter. I might buy a used car from Mondale.

Irene Streeter McLean Devils Lake, N. Dak.

Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Robert Dole's homecoming introduction of President Ford as a "man I consider to be a friend of rural America, a friend of small-town America" was appropriate rhetoric, given the time and place.

Unfortunately, it is not rural America or small-town America that desperately needs friends, but our overcrowded, problem-beset cities.

Gene Paul Yarnell, Editor Community Advocate Detroit

Betty Ford's crude, unwarranted remarks about Nancy Reagan typify the mindless, permissive drivel we have come to expect from that dancer turned counterculture apologist and defender of public immorality.

Curt Smith Clinton, N. Y.

My choice is so close, yet not running. It is Betty Ford, a wonderful and amazing woman.

Jean Louise Fiftal Cheshire, Conn.

How ironic that the G.O.P. strategy is to "Give 'em hell." The Republicans did enough of that with Watergate.

Diane Bright Fairfax, Calif.

The Republicans will always lose the popularity contest to the Democrats because "sharing the wealth" is a much more salable term than an abstract word like freedom.

Timothy P. Utter Hopkins, Minn.

Bring on the debates! We the people are eager to see pilots of the Jimmy and Fritz, Jerry and Bob shows before deciding if we want to vote for one to premiere in January.

Sue Tracy Maplewood, Minn.

No, Never!

Pardon, amnesty, forgiveness [Sept. 6]. No, never!

Who in hell is going to fight the next war? Those unsophisticated Soviets will not be deterred by the peace sign.

Calvin D. Ream Wewahitchka, Fla.

Jimmy Carter exhibited a tremendous amount of courage in making his policy statement on amnesty and pardon at an American Legion convention, in view of the paranoid patriotism that is always present.

The pardon would grant forgiveness in the hope that this country can get behind it the nightmare of Viet Nam.

Jack R. Dean Spokane, Wash.

Send the B-52s

Our latest in a continuing series of foreign policy blunders-- accepting the propaganda "apology" of the North Koreans in exchange for the lives of two U.S. servicemen [Aug. 30]--demonstrates again the "gutless" approach of the Ford-Kissinger regime in dealing with puppet dictatorships.

Our response to this wanton act of cold-blooded murder should have been a squadron of B-52 bombers containing our explosive sentiments delivered personally to Kim II Sung.

Jerome J. Longton Albion, Mich.

Peace will come to Korea only when North and South are united.

The American presence in Korea is supposed to contribute to peace, but it is only temporary. When our troops are withdrawn, a struggle between North and South will determine which dictatorship will govern all of Korea.

The American presence in South Korea is expensive to us and a negative factor to the Koreans, whose destiny is to unify their nation, either by agreement or by war.

We should withdraw and permit the inevitable to occur.

Joseph W. Mosser Washington, D.C.

Worth a Journey

Your article "The Wall Triumphant," describing Berliners as "embittered and demoralized" in their "rundown and dreary" surroundings [Aug. 23], only furthers the myth of a Berlin populated by a handful of manic-depressive refugees clothed in gray sweatshirts. To the 2 million-plus people living freely within the 185 square miles of West Berlin, your comments ring contrary to a firm belief-- "Berlin ist eine Reise wert" (Berlin is worth a journey).

David Mark Thomas West Berlin

I just came from West Berlin and let me say that the city is definitely alive and kicking--beyond those six blocks on the "Ku-Damm." Surrounded by walls, barbed wire, mines, armed guards with eager trigger fingers and dogs, the West Berliners deserve a medal for courage and tenacity.

Dale Dalton Sunnyvale, Calif.

No Accounting for Kids

Jerome Miller wants to help juveniles [Aug. 30], but he should consider the needs of society. As a police officer, I am frequently disgusted with the lack of accountability juvenile delinquents are required to show for their actions. Laws without penalties are meaningless.

Robert W. Adams Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Jerome Miller's method may have left Massachusetts with a $600,000 balance of unpaid bills in his wake, yet that 50% reduction in recidivism probably saved the state millions of dollars in terms of taxes it would have spent for institutionalization, etc.

Lawrence A. Hull Tempe, Ariz.

Battle of Bennington

Your article "The Unmaking of a President" [Aug. 30] makes Bennington College sound like a haven for immoral relationships and gossip. Bennington is a fine school. The educational policies have always been progressive, and we hope to keep them that way.

Jennifer Gray Chicago

Re "real" Gail, "mature" Tom and "tutorial" Rush at Bennington: Will they write a position paper differentiating the fine points between moral and immoral adultery?

Barbara A. Litrop Bridgeport, Conn.

Sleepy Scholars

Pearlman's discovery of a significant correlation between REMS and memory [Aug. 23] supports my rationalization for not studying at night.

Jon Huber Bloomington, Minn.

In My Life and Loves, published a half-century ago, Frank Harris relates that he discovered that if he wished to have dreams of sex, he kept thinking about sex until he fell asleep. Later he applied this method to learning German. Harris found that by studying before sleep he learned more than he did by studying early the next morning since his mind, while he was asleep, was still active.

Lakenan Barnes Mexico, Mo.

Little has been added to what Shakespeare recorded nearly 400 years ago:

. . . Sleep that knits up the ravell'd

sleeve of care. The death of each day's life, sore

labour's bath. Balm of hurt minds, great nature's

second course. Chief nourisher in life's feast.

John P. Ward Buenos Aires

Whom to Hate?

Since Arthur Koestler writes that most American and European Jews trace their origins to the non-Semitic Khazars [Aug. 23], whom should the anti-Semites hate now? The Arabs?

Marek Padavitz Tel Aviv

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