Veep Ferraro

To the Editors:

Exciting days lie ahead in this presidential election year. Geraldine Ferraro [NATION, July 23] is a bright, articulate woman and a tough campaigner. She will make the people of this country proud to have her as a vice-presidential candidate.

William F. Barnes

Sheffield Lake, Ohio

I expected Ferraro to be a brassy, pushy New Yorker. After hearing her speak, I became an excited supporter. She has charisma, compassion, the ability to laugh at herself and a human touch that the Republican women in government lack.

Hanna J. Johnson

Atlanta

In November, Walter Mondale will learn how few of his fellow Americans want a woman a heartbeat away from the most important job in the world.

John H. Morris

Richmond, B.C.

The gushing over Ferraro's virtues suggests that Mondale expects to be swept into office on Ferraro's petticoat, a triumph of lingerie over logic.

Sigmund Lance Ross

New York City

Despite the kiss of the beautiful political princess, the toad remains a toad.

John C. Schiro

Camp Hill, Pa.

The 1984 Democratic Convention once again proves that men can exploit women to advance their own careers.

Paul Benjamin Crilly

Las Cruces, N. Mex.

Gerry will be Fritz's Folly.

Carl A. Miller Bucyrus, Ohio

When Mondale is defeated in November, one thing should be made clear. His defeat will occur not because he chose a woman running mate, but in spite of his putting a woman on the ticket.

Howard L. Christensen

Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Those who see Ferraro's nomination as the beginning of the end of male domination in politics are probably the same people who believe that if everyone laid down their arms, aggression would end. This is a serious misreading of the human condition as well as of history.

James S. Karpiak

Ocean Grove, N.J.

In picking Ferraro, Mondale caved in to the threats and pressures from proabortion, pro-lesbian, militant feminists.

(The Rev.) John Putka Cincinnati

I would never vote for any woman for Vice President. Not one has the necessary experience, nor could she be tough enough under stress. That is one job that still belongs to a man.

Vilma Smith

Atwater, Calif.

TIME cites Ferraro's stand, of being personally against abortion but accepting pro-choice for others, as an act of bravery. In reality it is typical of those Catholics who put their political aspirations above their religion. How can we trust someone who denies her faith for ambition?

David E. Baldwin

Philadelphia

I like Mondale's V.P. choice a lot more than I did Carter's.

Al Seltz

Fergus Falls, Minn.

I will not vote for a woman running for public office until 50% of the armed forces are female.

Brad Crattie

Knoxville, Tenn.

Ferraro has set back the image of women at least 20 years. She was taken on as running mate to be the cheerleader. I would call the ticket Walter Mundane and Ms. Rah Rah.

Cornelia Tinkler

Piqua, Ohio

I feel emancipated.

Linda Shayne

Santa Monica, Calif.

America will have truly reached the age of enlightenment when Representative Geraldine Ferraro runs against Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole for President.

Ruth Migdal

New York City

Why are Americans so apprehensive about a woman Vice President? The golden eras of England's history were under two women: Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, who reigned over the largest empire the world has ever known.

Vatsala Mehta

New York City

Voters may worry because Ferraro has no experience in foreign affairs. Ronald Reagan also had no background in international relations when elected.

Jane Rose

Denver

The obvious Democratic ticket for 1988: Ferraro-Feinstein.

Carole Tremblay

Vaudreuil, Oue.

History shows that women can be just as devious, stubborn and incompetent as men.

Peter F. Wagner

Key West, Fla.

The lady has class.

Dennis Davin

Salt Lake City

Waiting Game

I have found the perfect solution to waiting [ESSAY, July 23]. It is prayer.

Ruth Dodson

Fairfax, Va.

Many people, when they find themselves with time on their hands, will say, "I have some time to kill." This remark expresses a subtle form of suicide. Spend time, yes. Kill time, never.

Sarah R. Levinson

Tucson

At the age of 64,1 have taken on this attitude when having to stand in line: life is short; waiting in line makes it longer.

Albert Leon Wilson

Brockton, Mass.

Divine Lightning

So the disgruntled vicar John Mowll is suggesting the heavenly bolt that apparently caused the fire in York Minster [WORLD, July 23] was a manifestation of God's displeasure over the installation of liberal Bishop David Jenkins. But why would God cause such destructive retribution on a temple of worship? Should not the heaven-sent brand have struck Jenkins' own house, thus leaving no doubt as to God's intent? Perhaps God was having a bad day.

David R. Ruekberg

Amenia, N. Y.

Surely only an undiscriminating God would have damaged such a priceless monument. He could as easily and more economically have removed the offending cleric by a fall downstairs.

Sybil Ramsing

Easton, Pa.

A's and An's

Shouldn't your cover [July 23] have read "An Historic Choice," not, as you have it, "A Historic Choice"?

David MacMillan

Stuart, Fla.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Shame on you, TIME. "A Historic Choice" indeed.

Ann K. Smith

Fort Wayne, Ind.

Appalling. Who dropped the n in the An on your cover? Teachers everywhere are groaning. Those of us who used to look to TIME for decent editing have given up in disgust.

William E. Bolster

Rowayton, Conn.

Don't give up. TIME is correct. "A Historic Choice" is proper. According to H.W. Fowler's A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, "An was formerly usual before an unaccented syllable beginning with h (an historian). But now that the h in such words is pronounced the distinction has become anomalous and will no doubt disappear in time. Meantime speakers who like to say an should not try to have it both ways by aspirating the h."

Thank you for setting an example and using correct English.

Carol Layman

North Vernon, Ind.

Full of Air

The controversy over air bags in passenger cars [NATION, July 23] brings to the forefront the fact that Americans do not place a high priority on life. Eighty-five percent of us are not even willing to use the seat belts that are already in our cars. In addition, we spend millions on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which are injurious to our health. If Americans were really concerned about their wellbeing, they would quit smoking, give up drinking and buckle up.

Stewart M. Lee, Chairman

Department of Economics and Business Administration

Geneva College

Beaver Falls, Pa.

I propose spending our money not on air bags, but on mandatory driver training and yearly driver tests. As one who travels thousands of miles a year on America's highways, I can tell you that I am less afraid of the few drunken drivers on the road than I am of those who cannot drive when they are sober.

Steven D. Katz

Budd Lake, N.J.