Letters, Jul. 25, 1977

Here Come the Joys of Summer

To the Editors:

"Here Comes Summer" [July 4] —excellent! Finally an interesting, in-depth article that does not discover a new American problem, ailment or cause to preach on. Nor does it present a view of America in trite, sugar-coated homilies—just reality, professionally spiced with some enjoyable, entertaining and individual perceptions.

Richard Panek El Granada, Calif.

Your cover story on summer describes theme parks as "fun and fantasy." We have lived in Southern California for twelve years and watched nearly everything encapsulate itself within a plastic bubble: not only giant "pop Xanadus" like Universal Studios, but also miniature golf courses, shopping centers and finally the American home. Vicarious living drives me up a tree, which, by the way, used to be a great source of fun and fantasy. So did tide-pools, hopscotch and lightning bugs.

Kathryn Brock San Diego

Swimsuits? One, two, three good strokes and you'd be out of the suit.

Priscilla Weismann Hanover, N.H.

I would not mind seeing a bit of skin to refresh my poor tired eyes from the heaviness of daily news. But I'd prefer to see some male skin, male string bikinis. How about some equal time?

Marilyn Tressel Washington, D.C.

Fiery Abortion Debate

Dollars-and-cents logic is irrelevant when discussing the willful termination of human life [July 4]. The taxpayer has spoken. I will no longer be an accomplice to murder. More money for contraception, not I e more for abortion.

Joann Crocker Buffalo

Justice Thurgood Marshall and others who advocate abortion rather than letting a child live in poverty should realize that it is better to have lived poor than never to have lived at all.

John J. Lydon West Chester, Pa.

Abortion can be made illegal, but this simply puts such operations into the hands of "get rich quick" butchers, instead of competent physicians.

Pam Stone Mabry Greenville, S.C.

The best-kept secret in the U.S. is that abortion is legal up to and including the ninth month of pregnancy. In 1973 the Supreme Court said that in the first three months states cannot interfere. In the second three months they may regulate, but not prohibit, abortions. In the last three months they may prohibit abortions in the interest of the baby's life. Some states, however, allow abortions through nine months.

Betty La Rosa

New Jersey Right to Life Committee Westfield, N.J.

Antiabortionists should put themselves on the line and sign up at Medicaid centers to raise, feed, clothe and educate the children they wish to "save." After all, if they care so much, they wouldn't want to see these children grow up in homes in the slums with too little food, or heat or education—not to mention love—would they?

Mary Schultz San Francisco

Women have been controlled by pregnancy for centuries. Who needs women's liberation? All women do!

Rose Sorna

National Organization for Women Miller Place, N. Y.