Letters: Iran's Revenge

To the Editors:

The Iranian students, with the approval of Ayatullah Khomeini [Nov. 19], seem to be proving that Islam is—at least in the Iranian version—a religion that emphasizes revenge rather than forgiveness. They evidently consider revenge on one very ill man the ideal to put first in the life of their country.

Elizabeth Cubley Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.

The evidence is now available for all the world to see. The people of Iran have deposed a very bad regime and installed a much worse one.

Arthur J. Bellinzoni Jr. Aurora, N, Y.

Let us surrender the Shah to the Iranian courts in exchange for deliverance of the Ayatullah Khomeini to our courts, to be tried for kidnaping.

Thomas J. Carraher Norfolk, Neb.

When the pot boiled in Iran last winter, the scum floated to the top.

Joel Prinsell Syracuse

If our anger toward Khomeini should cause us to try to take some kind of revenge, there is an easy way to do it. All that would be necessary is to declare our recognition of an independent Kurdestan and our readiness to supply it with all the arms it needed.

Jack J. McCubbin Independence, Mo.

Although the Ayatullah Khomeini has publicly endorsed the blackmail tactics of the students and openly called for the Shah's execution, I believe that underneath this crowd-pleasing facade he no more wants the Shah dead than I do. Khomeini knows that as long as the Shah is alive and as long as he can continue to portray the U.S. as the "great Satan power," he has a cause around which he can rally his revolutionaries. Were the Shah dead, Khomeini would soon be forced to face the real problems of the country. No Khomeini doesn't want the Shah executed; he needs him alive.

Robert A. Eckenrod Johnstown, Pa.

The Shah himself is a political cancer that has spread to the U.S. He should be removed from this country as soon as possible, for the sake of this nation's health and that of the hostages.

Marco T. Sanchez San Francisco

Why couldn't the Shah be treated in Mexico City? Joseph W. Mosser Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Jimmy Carter should get his omnipotent and benevolent God to talk some sense into the Ayatullah Khomeini's omnipotent and benevolent Allah.

Robert Newcomb Muncie, Ind.

Why didn't the Iranians invade the Mexican embassy when the Shah was in Mexico? I wonder why they waited till now before taking action? Could it be that it's still faddish to trash U.S. embassies and terrorize the inhabitants?

Michael W. Bell Hillsboro, Ore.

The Iranians say they have no quarrel with the American people, only with the U.S. Government. Has anyone told them that our Government—good or bad, weak or strong—is our people?

Elizabeth Henning, M.D. Rockford, III. Mr. America Contest

"The prize to be won ... the presidency of the U.S.," as written in your article "May the Best Man Win" [Nov. 12], very aptly describes the mad clamoring to "get into the running" going on in our nation today. It presents an aura of a Mr. America popularity contest rather than a serious search for the most qualified candidates for our highest office. Doris N. Gage Western Springs, III.