New Morality?

To the Editors:

Jimmy Carter has something to offer this country: a new morality. Who says that compassion, a little understanding and love should be left in Plains? This is one American who will be proud to vote on Nov. 2 for a change this country so sorely needs.

Mike Mitchel Frostburg, Md.

Isn't there some way we can elect Jimmy Carter President retroactively?

Not only would this cure the recession, but with his connections we would have avoided those disastrous droughts, earthquakes, devil's-grass and rainy weekends.

Charles Palmer Hollywood

For the first time in my life (60 yrs.), I shall not vote for the man I think is best qualified (McCarthy) to lead our country. I shall vote for Carter in the hope of getting the least qualified out of office--Ford.

Bill Jerse Euclid, Ohio

Carter is a born cheerleader. He is earnestly excited about lower taxes, full employment, a world full of nations that love us, lower defense budgets, health for all, motherhood (with or without abortion), "peace on earth, good will toward men." So are we all.

But let's not make the awful mistake of taking him out of the bleachers and putting him on the field.

Boynton Merrill Columbus, Ohio

Governor Carter's statement that as President he would declare "economic war" on the OPEC nations in the event of another oil embargo sounds fine on the surface, but it ignores the unfortunate fact that we need their oil more than they need our goods. Governor Carter's stand precludes negotiation or compromise, and exemplifies the rigidity that self-righteous morality can give to foreign (or domestic) matters. In his attempt to show strong moral leadership and support for Israel, Governor Carter has bitten the lands that fuel us.

Robert Bruce Aird Philadelphia

Presidential elections in America are of great importance for Europe too, and we can't help having our likes and dislikes. As for me, I am suspicious of a man with an eternal smile on his lips, and I like a man who sometimes stumbles as I do.

Franz Kottira Salzburg, Austria

The debates were a mistake. Instead of giving the voters a basis for substantive comparison, they have made imagery and theatrics more important than issues. Ford's blooper will be recalled long after Carter's non-responses have faded from memory. Vague sermons on morality will never stop a war. The naive desire to bring heaven to earth through federal spending will bring catastrophe instead.

Jonathan Taylor Cleveland, Tenn.

As I see it, we have two choices for President: a Pet Rock or a Cheshire cat.

Anne Hageman McLean, Va.

If the presidential campaign were two weeks longer, neither Ford nor Carter would be elected.

William S. Doxey Carrollton, Ga.

Keeping a Distance

With the waves of Watergate barely receding, you'd think all the President's men, including Earl Butz [Oct. 18], would know enough to keep a good deal of distance between John Dean and themselves.

But what can you expect of a group of guys who--despite Earl's hasty departure--seem to have their brains in their Butz?

Harold Willens Los Angeles

Prison Protest

I am writing to protest the story "Inside Job" [Sept. 13], which alleges that inmates in the computer training program at the U.S. penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kans., defrauded the Government of up to $6 million in illegal tax refunds. We have checked this allegation as thoroughly as possible with the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Attorney's office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and our own computer specialists. There is no evidence that would substantiate the charges. Furthermore, the inmate referred to in the TIME story, who has been charged with filing for an illegal tax refund, has never been connected with the computer program at Leaven worth in any way.

The value of the computer training program at Leavenworth is that it provides relevant training for inmates who, upon release, are able to find jobs that utilize the skills they have learned while incarcerated. We are trying to expand such programs so that incarcerated offenders may have more opportunities to acquire skills and experience in legitimate occupations.

Norman A. Carlson, Director Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C.

Grease for the Elbow

The recent peace shuttle in South Africa by Henry Kissinger [Oct. 18] is one of the greatest efforts by man in recent times.

As an African, I say "more grease to your elbow, Kissinger." History will remain incomplete without your works.

James Chucks Ezimoh Lagos, Nigeria

After breaking away from Britain, defying the U.N., frustrating an international economic boycott and oppressing black Africans, Ian Smith is offered a $2 billion "safety net" if he gives up what never was his in the first place.

The situation in Rhodesia is only one in a series of thunderclaps -- the real storm is moving down south, and the Cape of Good Hope may soon be the Cape of Storm. Who will be willing to throw another safety net approximately 16 times larger?

Chilozie Pat Oguagha Cincinnati

All the governments of the world are aligned against South Africa and Rhodesia, but no one does much of anything about Idi Amin.

One hears many arguments about expediency, diplomacy and other high-sounding terms, but it all comes down to this: it is a terrible thing when a white deprives poor blacks of some vague political rights and an intangible called human dignity, but nobody really cares if these same poor blacks are deprived of life itself so long as it is done by another black.

(Mrs.) Marcia S. Lowrie Zurich

Other Than Platitudes

Congratulations to Mexico's President Luis Echeverria Alvarez [Oct. 11] for writing us something other than congratulations and platitudes on the occasion of our Bicentennial. It is seldom we read a forthright, dispassionate summary of our foreign policy, how it has evolved historically, and where we stand today in the eyes of the world.

Helen Mary Harding Hudson, Wis.

For the sake of Mexico, let's hope President-elect Lopez Portillo, unlike Echeverria, spends less time and energy pouting about the land he doesn't have and more time and energy industrializing his already present human and natural resources.

Doug Rhodes San Luis Potosi, Mexico

About Bladder Surgery

Like millions of Americans, I wish Senator Humphrey [Oct. 18] well. I am sure that in not too many weeks the Senator will be back in the mainstream of life. His misfortune in needing radical bladder surgery, and having public attention called to it, may turn out to be good fortune for thousands of others.

In the past, too many people have refused surgery, or waited until it was too late, because of the fear of what might come later. What comes later is usually the opportunity to lead a vigorous and productive life.

Marshall D. Glen, Past President United Ostomy Association, Inc. Los Angeles

Mr. Humphrey's cystectomy was successful, and I'm delighted. My father underwent identical surgery and it was also successful, but it cost him a substantial portion of his life savings. Mr. Humphrey's costs were "largely covered by his federal medical insurance." I don't begrudge his insurance benefits, but somehow ...

Larry Comeaux San Francisco

First Happy's and Betty's breasts and now Hubert Humphrey's bladder; thank God I'm not a public figure, or my private health would also be dissected by your literary scalpel.

Margie Davis Averill Park, N. Y.

Flunking Lawyers

In your article "Degrees for Sale" [Oct. 11] about unaccredited law schools in California, you say that 60% of the graduates flunk the state's bar exam. What of the 40% from unaccredited law schools who are able to pass the bar exam? Are they to be deprived of a chance to practice law simply because they are not top college graduates with 700 scores on the law boards, or are other qualities to be considered too?

Carole Rochlin Berkeley, Calif.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.