Solidarity Crushed

To the Editors: People around the world are shocked by the military action to crush Solidarity [Dec. 28]. Obviously, the imposition of martial law and the ruthless action that followed were on direct orders from the Kremlin. Under such circumstances, the U.S. and the West should immediately suspend economic and food aid to Poland. Continuing it only endorses and subsidizes Communist oppression. YaWar Shahabuddin Ottawa

Ronald Reagan has again faced a world crisis with a B-grade script. His speech regarding the situation in Poland was simply empty phrases for empty stomachs. I sincerely doubt that a single Pole will benefit from our sanctions or the burning of candles in the windows of America. Craig Schreiner Woodstock, Ill.

President Reagan has said, "We should help the Polish people, not the Polish government." The effect is the same. Whatever help we give, the less the Soviets will have to kick in. James J. Cunningham Hatboro, Pa.

The photograph with the caption ". . . stunned worshipers listen to priest's words of comfort" is a graphic interpretation of Marx's thought that "religion is the opium of the people." Roy D. Baker Truckee, Calif.

It isn't Jaruzelski who clamped down on the Poles. It is the string pullers in Moscow. We do not threaten our allies with invasion if they do not stop their strikes or riots. But the Soviet Union does. The Poles have done what others in Communist countries fear to do. Brigham A. McCown Ironton, Ohio

Poland is a classic example of the "peace" being promoted by the pacifist movement. Anthony B. De Angelis Willingboro, N.J.

All free men must react with consternation to the oppressive methods used by the Polish military government under orders from Moscow. The world can no longer permit the Soviets to deny essential freedoms in Eastern Europe even if the cost is thermonuclear war. Alexander P. Grantt Bonita Springs, Fla.

Poland is another example of the failure of Communism. Bullying, beating and interning people who want to be free are signs of a frightened, cowardly ideology in chaos. Walls, guards and barbed-wire fences should be put up around prisons--not nations. Richard Sypen Aurora, Ohio

Begin's Blitz

The majority of people in Israel agree in principle with the plan to annex the Golan Heights [Dec. 28].

However, most Israelis recognize the blind stupidity in passing a law to legalize such a step at this time. Unfortunately, Menachem Begin is not one of them. Daniel Ben-Tal Jerusalem

If Begin stands by his unsanctioned predation, the American Eagle will drop him, and the Russian Bear will gobble him up. Walter Gerzin Dover, Del.

Syria occupies Lebanon in the name of peace, yet has missiles aimed at Israel and rejects the U.S. negotiating efforts. Israel retaliates by announcing virtual annexation of the Golan Heights and, ironically, is immediately condemned.

Instead of vowing not to talk to Israel for the next 100 years, Syria ought to sit down at the negotiating table. It might be in for a surprise. Israel does have a rapacious appetite--not for land but for peace. Helen Aminoff Ann Arbor, Mich.

Images of '81

Thanks for the Images [Dec. 28]. It is easy to think of the world as one big mess, until one turns the page and finds a gorgeous Princess and her Prince, or a man who changed the way rock rolls. Judith Ray Abilene, Texas

Congratulations to TIME for a prize issue, something to cherish and keep. Gladys Armstrong Winnetka, III.

I wish one line of visual poetry had been included in Images, like the unforgettable touchdown of the maiden flight of the space shuttle Columbia. The beautiful curve of the ship's lifted nose was purely lyrical. Grace Carstens East Sandwich, Mass.

Peace and Pacifism

A letter from Nicola Anne DiMarco [Dec. 21] concluded, "No political or moral ends can be achieved through nuclear arms." I strongly disagree. In recent years, more frequent peace talks and meetings at many diplomatic levels have occurred between the superpowers. In addition, a hot line runs between Moscow and Washington. None of these safety valves, which have political as well as moral implications, existed before nuclear weapons. Tom Sarbeck San Francisco

In his letter, Reader Mark Rogers says he opts for life under the Kremlin rather than death in a nuclear war. Having lived several years under Soviet rule, I, and many others with the same experience, would prefer dying to an endless existence in the people's paradise under Communism. Edward H. Vikart Ross, Calif.

Mark Rogers' selection of life under the Kremlin with the right to oppose such tyranny is the choice of cancer with the freedom to commit suicide. Alexander J. Hardy Northridge, Calif.

Musical Bleeps

I am a onetime avant-garde pianist who has been performing for many years. Among other new works, I introduced Bartok's Second Piano Concerto in New York City as early as 1947.1 always felt I was one step ahead of my time. Yet, I was horrified to read your glowing account of Maestro Pierre Boulez's newest "creation" that was recently performed in France [Dec. 28]. Repons is certainly not the answer to this listener's prayer. Compositions made with the aid of a computer negate everything that music stands for. Andor Foldes Herrliberg, Switzerland

Prowling Polars

If the residents of Churchill, Man., don't want the polar bears rummaging and playing in their town [Dec. 21], why don't they bury their garbage and lock their doors? The polar bear protection law in Canada is great. Mike Voss Pickering, Ont.

Debtor Doctors

As a freshman at college, I am disillusioned and disheartened by the situation presented in "Dock the Docs" [Dec. 21]. Today when students seek federally funded loans, they bear the burden of 19 years of mismanaged bureaucracy, and consequently many are denied government aid. Why stifle the innocent for the delinquency of others? Hara Levy Stanford, Calif.

Since the unpaid loans of practicing M.D.s are prohibiting the education of future doctors, why not take away the physicians' license if a loan remains unpaid after two years? John N. Levi Jr. Beverly Hills, Calif.

Harvard Medical School obviously does not teach its students professional ethics, since many of its alumni do not repay their student loans. Auvo I. Kemppinen Ballwin, Mo.

Key to No Kingdom

One of the advantages of a Phi Beta Kappa key [Dec. 28] is its pawn value. In 1935 I hocked mine (Hamilton College, 1930) for $5 to help pay for food and fuel. Thomas C. Grubb Mount Vernon, Ohio

The uncertain benefit of a Phi Beta Kappa key was impressed upon me long ago when I went on a job interview. As I waited, a clerk, who was pulling paper clips from folders, spotted my key and said, a little wistfully, "I don't wear mine any more." Neither do I. Donald A. Schelp Bellevue, Wash.

Hoodwinking

I read with pleasure your review of Gary Lindberg's The Confidence Man in American Literature [Dec. 28]. Surely you should have cited one of the most noteworthy examples of American con: Tom Sawyer lining up the young and unsuspecting to whitewash Aunt Polly's fence. Dale G. Haake Rock Island, III.

An example of a good literary con can be found in Poor Richard's Almanack. Benjamin Franklin, in a friendly rivalry with Titan Leeds, his chief competitor in the almanack business, foretold Leeds' death year after year until the prediction came true. Martin Mangold Hyattsville, Md

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