Letters

Life on the Mississippi

"I'm really wishing I could watch the muddy brown water of the 'mighty Miss' wash over my toes again." PAM STOLTZFUS Burbank, Calif.

"M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I. How many times can you spell it before the car gets to the other side of the bridge [THE PULSE OF AMERICA, July 10]? Oh, the memories for those of us lucky enough to grow up near her banks! My own Tom and Huck built their secret fort near a bend in the "mighty Miss," and I could only feign mild consternation when stories of stashed cigars and stolen Playboys were finally confessed. I wish all kids could experience a bit of "life on the Mississippi." If nothing else, they would learn to spell. BERTEIL MAHONEY Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Thank you for contributing to our understanding of rivers as complete organisms that cross political, socioeconomic, generational and racial boundaries as they interrelate the communities along them. Treating rivers in this way will require a new approach to how we use our resources and employ our people. We must not shy away from this difficult course if we are to face the common challenge of America's river communities: simultaneously realizing prosperity and preserving a cherished way of life. LEN MATERMAN, PRESIDENT America's River Communities San Carlos, Calif.

A big portion of the Mississippi is missing from your cover. From Bemidji, Minn., to Prairie du Chien, Wis., lies the most beautiful and natural part of the river, with scenic backwaters and fantastic bluffs lining either side--and the people are among the friendliest. Too bad you missed it. TOM VOLK La Crosse, Wis.

My love affair with the Mississippi blossomed in 1967 when I moved to La Crosse, Wis., to teach fourth grade and feel the passion of those who lived with the rise and fall of the river. The downtown was still a river town, with colorful saloons. Buildings near the river showed the high-water mark from when the Mississippi rose up to remind everyone of its true boundaries. The early dwellers knew that this river was sacred. If only modern civilization were willing to treat the Mississippi as it deserves. PAUL BEYERL Kirkland, Wash.

Your Mississippi River stories naturally call Mark Twain to mind. While he couldn't predict the future of the river, he was right on target about the future of politics in America. More than 100 years ago, he observed, "We have the finest Congress money can buy." Like the Mississippi, the more things change, the more they stay the same." SID ESTEROWITZ New York City

Return of the Mormons

I was disappointed by the piece "the Invasion of the Saints" in your Mississippi River cover story. The rebuilding by the Mormons of the great Nauvoo Temple is in no way an invitation for the Latter-day Saints membership to move into or return to the Nauvoo area. Nor are the Mormons trying to achieve a redemption for past atrocities. The L.D.S. leaders are concerned for the well-being of the Nauvoo community. SHERYL WILSON Kingman, Ariz.

Thank you for the interesting article about the Mormons' returning to Nauvoo to build their temple. You helped portray the unique challenges a small town faces in dealing with its anticipated explosive growth. The local business owners should be grinning all the way to the bank rather than being upset by the influx of Mormon tourists. KEVIN F. SMITH Mesa, Ariz.

Beam Him Up, Scotty!

I will buy whatever Priceline sells if the company will get rid of those William Shatner commercials [BUSINESS, July 10]. Captain Kirk has banged heads with one too many Klingons. Now he thinks he can sing. EVA GOLD Philadelphia

Changes at Riverkeeper

Re your item on the Riverkeeper environmental group and its chief attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [PEOPLE, July 3]: Kennedy did not "secretly" rehire William Wegner as a consulting scientist. Riverkeeper's executive staff openly elected to hire Wegner, a talented scientist.

By an overwhelming majority, the Riverkeeper board supported the staff decision. Wegner paid for his crime of smuggling the eggs of the cockatoo (which is not a rare bird, as you claimed) with three years in prison. He is genuinely remorseful and intent on reforming his life. Robert Boyle's decision to leave his position as president of Riverkeeper came after he was informed that the board would remove him from that office for reasons unrelated to Wegner's hiring. Boyle is an icon of the environmental movement.

Still, his choice to leave, putatively over Wegner's hiring, is a sad finale to his long and often courageous leadership of the organization and movement he helped found. RICHARD R. KNABEL Riverkeeper Executive Committee West Tisbury, Mass.

The Most Honorary Degrees

In your item on who has the most honorary degrees [NOTEBOOK, May 22], you erroneously reported that "nobody beats Bill Cosby, who has (his spokesman thinks) more than 100." In fact, the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, has received 144 honorary degrees for his more than 50 years of contributions and service to higher education, the Catholic Church and the nation. Father Hesburgh, now 83, served as Notre Dame's president from 1952 to 1987. DENNIS K. BROWN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Public Relations and Information University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Ind.

Missile Impossible?

Though the technological problem persists, the Administration continues to expand a decision to deploy the building blocks of our national missile-defense system [NATION, July 10]. Our leaders suffer from what has been termed a "field of dreams" attitude: If we build it, it will work! WILLIAM E. JACKSON JR. Davidson, N.C.

What if we took a leaf from the Pentagon's playbook and just pretended to build a missile-defense system? Better yet, why don't we pretend to pay for it? CHRISTOPHER ROWLEY Ellenville, N.Y.

Even if a reliable missile defense is feasible, is it necessary? Releasing smallpox in a major city could also kill millions, and it would be difficult to trace the attacker. A missile-defense shield will provide Americans with a false sense of security. RUSSELL ROBERSON North Little Rock, Ark.