G.O.P. Choices

To the Editors:

After watching Ronald Reagan perform marvelously in Detroit [July 28], we Americans can clearly see that he is a sensitive and intelligent man who sincerely believes that our nation's finest days are not buried in the past, but lurking just around the corner.

John A. Heldt

Pendleton, Ore.

It makes perfect sense. Hollywood has given us our hopes, dreams and expectations, so why not our next President?

Don Cox

Philadelphia

Reagan's selection of Bush as his running mate may be a "clear signal that he wants to broaden the G.O.P. base." Unfortunately, Mr. Reagan's idea of broadening the base is to allow moderates and liberals to share his point of view.

Don Joyner

Miami

Had Governor Reagan not probed the possibilities of a Reagan-Ford ticket, I would have considered him an unwise man. Think of the wealth of experience Ford would have provided.

Louie R. Carrillo

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A Bush in the hand is better than two Fords in the garage.

Kenneth C. Stadden

Lancaster, Pa.

I may not support Ronald Reagan, but I cast my vote for the Reagan kids for First Family. They are bright, articulate, attractive, and have minds of their own.

Larry Bauer

Cleveland

After watching the TV coverage of the Republican Convention, I think the G.O.P. should demand equal time with that given to Cronkite, Chancellor, Rather, Utley, Brinkley, Walters, Brokaw, et al. I'm surprised we were permitted to hear all of Reagan's acceptance speech.

Marge W. Dewey

Greenfield, Wis.

Uncle Sam Wants Your Name

Since so much fuss was and is being made about registering for the draft [July 28], let's start a new system whereby all men under, say, 45 who feel that a peacetime draft is imperative would go to the post office and give a written commitment to join our military if the Government should deem it necessary. This solution would stop complaints from our 19-and 20-year-olds and would give the older men a chance to prove again their deep devotion to this country.

Dean Solov

Columbia, Mo.

I, as an American female, should have the right to fight and die for my country.

Lynn Hanson

Flaxton, N. Dak.

All draft protesters know how to say is "stand up for your rights." Well, by God, if they want their rights, they had better be willing to fight for them.

Steven M. Faulkner

Tipp City, Ohio

Motherhood Myth

Having worked for the past ten years with parents who maltreat their children, I find it refreshing to hear another voice denounce the great lie, "maternal instinct" [July 28]. Unfortunately, our society has convinced too many young women that their only reality is motherhood, and that there is some mysterious instinct that will show them how to be good parents.

When this fails to happen, the same society sets out to punish the mother for her "maternal failure," labeling her a child abuser.

Patricia Wood, Director

Blosser Home for Children

Marshall, Mo.

For a professor of philosophy, Elisabeth Badinter's logic is appalling. The fact that the women she studied displayed no maternal instinct does not in any way imply that the instinct is a myth. It just as easily, and more believably, implies that the women in that subgroup were subjected to social pressures that overrode their maternal instinct.

Nancy Silver Cochran

Ithaca, N.Y.

Friendship's Fascination

I feel obliged to make a historian's observation on your fascinating Essay on friendship and patriotism [July 21]. Loyalty to friends is as old as mankind. Loyalty to the nation-state is a recent phenomenon, and will undoubtedly change with history. They are no more to be compared than religion and politics.

David Borbridge, S.J.

Seattle

One need not mull over the so-called friendship with France. In foreign policy the only motivation is national interest, not altruism or friendship. French aid in the Revolution, much propagandized in filiopietistic textbooks and parroted by our press, was in the best interests of a France set on vengeance against England.

Vera Laska

Weston, Mass.

No mention was ever made of the wellspring of friendship--respect.

Ethel Ames Sagen

Bakersfield, Calif.

Deadwood's Housing Crisis

In the article "Deadwood's Defunct Houses" [July 28], you quote Thomas Blair, supporter of "the anti-whorehouse drive," as saying: "I'm not going to legislate my morality on someone else, but I don't want anyone legislating their immorality on me." Mr. Blair seems to confuse permitting immorality with legislating it, as though the law could require him to patronize a house against his wishes. He manifests a tendency, increasingly common among Americans, to equate choice with compulsion.

William D. Nolan

Indianapolis

I am glad to see our law-enforcement officers getting so tough on "crime." When will our lawmakers have enough sense to legalize prostitution in houses where it is safe for girl and customer alike?

Mario Valceschini

Nevada City, Calif.

Picking on the Lilies

You say Ronald Reagan "masterlily" delivered his convention address. Tiger lilies, yes. Water lilies, of course. But wonder of wonders, we also have master lilies. There just is no end to the joyous prolificacy of this lovely species.

Clifford Ware

West St. Paul

I think that I shall never see

A word more awkward than

"masterlily."

Norma Lent Lafayette, Calif.

Awkward it may be,

But Webster finds it sturdy

as a tree.

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