Men of the Year
To the Editors:
TIME'S Men of the Year [Jan. 2] choices are appropriate. Ronald Reagan and Yuri Andropov have not only profoundly affected the news of this year but will undoubtedly have an impact on the news of next year and probably for many years to come. Depicting them back to back implies a continuity for catastrophe. Face to face would imply communication, which could reap a harvest of hope for peace on earth to men of good will.
Charles T. Sweeny Quincy, Mass.
President Reagan has my support as Man of the Year. Andropov, however, has not been seen for months. Perhaps he should be Ghost of the Year.
George F. Balas Bastian, Va.
In the most crucial time in the world's history, when our hopes for the future of mankind are at stake, TIME'S choices for Men of the Year are the men most responsible for proliferation of arms and increased global tensions.
Bill Godin Yale Norwick Minneapolis
I grew up in the 1950s and feel less threatened by war between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. now than in those earlier, stark times. TIME'S Men of the Year selection is focused too narrowly on our nation.
World suffering would have been a more realistic subject. Very few issues of TIME during 1983 were without pictures or stories of people suffering from effects of war, hunger or poverty.
Michael Frysinger Lima, Ohio
A more appropriate cover would have shown the Men of the Year with their heads in the sand.
Bruce Gregg Madison, Wis.
What a dismal prospect for the world!
To think that the fate of humanity lies in
the hands of these two arrant mediocrities.
Arnold M. Gallub
New York City
The cover picture of the ashen, waxy, lifeless figures of Reagan and Andropov standing back to back is chillingly accurate. This image of two grim duelists, neither of whom has anything to say to the other, offers little hope to a world awaiting the outcome of a mutual suicide pact. Bart Whiteman Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan and Yuri Andropov standing with their backs to the world would have been more realistic.
Helen M. Cardan Lakeport, Calif.
TIME'S Men of the Year have managed to terrify the people of the earth.
Francis Lee Naud Trinity Center, Calif.
Your double-headed Man of the Year is well chosen. Since both are reasonable men, not madmen in the Khomeini and Gaddafi image, no bombs have been dropped. After a century of Pax Britannica and a short period of Pax Americana, the world has entered the phase of Pax Atomica. The only danger is the so-called peace movement in the West, which imperils the balance of power. This can lead to nuclear war or to nuclear blackmail and surrender of the West. Andropov's side will not relinquish its strength.
Victor Alin Wayne, Pa.
No American should have to share the cover with a Communist.
Marianne Kopko Newtown, Conn.
Certainly this is the first time Ronald Reagan has appeared to the left and Yuri Andropov to the right of anything.
Joe Cestone New Rochelle, N. Y.
TIME selected two men who are bent on destroying our civilization.
J. Hudson Robinson South Charleston, W. Va.
Reagan and Andropov should be careful or they will be the last Men of the Year. Carlos Magallanes Pasadena, Calif.
Rather than affecting world events, Reagan and Andropov act like two reactionary constants. My proposal for Man of the Year: the terrorist. Beside him, the heads of the two most powerful nations on earth look like frustrated policemen, powerless to stop violence.
Andrew R. Wood Chambersburg, Pa.
This year's Man of the Year selection is a copout. Naming the leaders of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. as Men of the Year is obvious. They are the two most powerful, influential people in the world and invariably dominate the headlines.
Kevin O'Toole Bartlesville, Okla.
TIME'S choice is excellent: a pot and a kettle calling each other black and, while they are doing it, dragging the whole world into the flames.
Ursula Lee Richland, Mo.
I was surprised and disgusted to see Yuri Andropov as the other Man of the Year. Regardless of the selection criteria of the subject's influence for good or ill, it is inappropriate and inexcusable to give this label to the head of the Soviet Union, our nation's foremost adversary.
Keith Connelly Monroeville, Pa.
I knew 1983 had hit a low point in our nation's history, but I had no idea it was that bad.
Bob Smith Sweet Springs, Mo.
Beating Crime
Re TIME'S Sept. 5 stories on violence: I would like to send a message to Andrea, the woman who said she could cry when she thought of what Rapist David Partridge did to the poor 13-year-old girl Heather. As the investigating officer on the case, I spent a lot of time with Heather, and I am glad to report that on Dec.
22, in the Worcester Superior Court, Partridge was found guilty of kidnaping, unnatural rape and rape of a child. On Dec.
23, the judge sentenced Partridge to two concurrent life terms at Walpole State Prison. My job is made easier when I am able to reassure the next rape victim that the courts have spoken on how to handle repeat offenders and that they will not get away with it.
Officer Raymond Kraszyk
Police Department
Fitchburg, Mass.
Press on Trial
Many of us grew up believing that the First Amendment was the foundation of our Bill of Rights and that if necessary we would fight and die for it. Sadly, the slanders, libels, bias and arrogance that have become the hallmark of much press and television coverage [Dec. 12] force Americans to question that commitment.
Louisville Newspaper Executive Barry Bingham Sr., quoted in your article, is right: "You cannot hold on to a free press if it behaves irresponsibly."
John Gavin
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Mexico City
TV Rock
The rock videos [Dec. 26] are one more blight for the generation that has already had its brain fried by TV.
Jack Risdell New York City
MTV is the '80s' Woodstock.
Eddie Salmon Mobile, Ala.
Rock videos are nothing more than commercials designed to sell rock music. The product is certainly selling well. But then, so are dog food, pesticides and Kitty Litter.
Joel T. Stovall Corona, Calif.
Despite video's dazzling graphics and fabulous dancing, I find my own images and interpretations of the music superior. Once you have seen the video, your own imagination is stunted, and you accept that picture as the song's only visual translation.
Bertha R. Mitrani New York City
Too many rock videos have violent themes and sexual images that can be seen by young viewers in the daytime.
Greg Allen Beach Haven Park, N.J.
MTV's repetitive format palls quickly. Vicki Dickinson Huntington Beach, Calif.
How could Randy Newman's asinine I Love L.A. make your top 20 videos and not Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf or Union of the Snake?
Stacey E. Henry Clarksboro, N.J.
Ninety-nine percent of the rock videos are musically insipid, banal and worthless. A good song does not need hokey visuals to give it meaning.
Barrett Kalellis, Music Director Detroit Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Detroit
Images '83
Your Images [Dec. 26] said more than words ever could and expressed feelings of pride and sorrow.
Steven D. Splatt Brigantine, N.J.
We were disappointed to see that Frank Reynolds was not included in your retrospective. Frank was one of the best-liked newsmen in television history. His tragic death last July saddened millions of Americans.
Tom Goodman
ABC's World News Tonight
New York City
I and other Chicago Bears fans feel neglected in having been denied a final farewell to football's father, "Papa Bear" George Halas.
Kevin C. Schiferl Richmond, Ind.
Terrorism at Home
The publicity given to terrorism [Dec. 26] only exacerbates the problem. If this hype continues, we in the U.S. will inevitably suffer the consequences.
David C. Lyons Madison, Conn.
Now we can understand why the Shah of Iran put the fanatics who opposed him in jail.
Leo Feinstein Boynton Beach. Fla.
Frightened Children
Your report on hot lines for latchkey children [Dec. 19] gives the impression that it is all right to leave children without sitters as long as there is a phone service the youngster can call for help. On the contrary, this is child neglect. Nine-year-olds have not yet developed the ability to respond correctly to the various emergencies they may face
Richard T. Scofield
Publisher
School Age Notes
Nashville
Support for Silkwood
Your review of Silkwood [Dec. 19] is nasty and obtuse. Silkwood is a troubling film, and Meryl Streep is brilliant. The movie does not patronize working-class people, but shows the horrors of their subjection to nightmares like radioactive contamination.
John Carmody Wichita, Kans.
Los Angeles Police
For your article on the Los Angeles police department's intelligence division [Dec. 26], you interviewed many people on our staff and asked many questions that were answered fully. Unfortunately, your report raises the same questions but does not include the answers. You could have written a balanced piece. You did not. You should have been accurate. You were not. You should be ashamed. I doubt that you are.
Daryl F. Gates Chief of Police
Los Angeles Police Department Los Angeles