Letters: Mar. 30, 1981

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For the past 35 years, every advance in weaponry by the U.S. has caused the Soviet Union to follow suit. Then the hawks cry, "They are trying to pass us! More arms!" So the peril of annihilation escalates and security diminishes. We should be negotiating disarmament, not finding excuses for further delay.

Why should we have more of the CIA's dirty tricks? They toppled popular governments and substituted oppressive dictatorships in Iran, Guatemala and Chile, thus earning for America the hatred of freedom-loving people in those countries and elsewhere. Why should we fan anti-Soviet paranoia by implying that only they commit "brazen and brutal" aggression, as in Afghanistan. In recent years the U.S. has intervened militarily in the Dominican Republic and in Viet Nam to impose governments favorable to us. We do not need a renewed imperialist image but a people-loving image.

Benjamin Spock, M.D. Rogers, Ark.

The special undertaking by all of Time Inc.'s magazines dealing with American Renewal was like a breath of fresh air. Renewal of the American ethos is the linchpin of Western survival. People everywhere need to focus on renewal for the whole of Western civilization. However, we must recognize that the indispensable detonator is renaissance within America itself.

Jim Cameron, M.P. Parliament of New South Wales Carlingford, Australia

TIME'S otherwise excellent reporting on American Renewal was unduly pessimistic about the threat of Communism. The workers of the world have not united, at least not under the same banner. The Soviet Union has very few allies anywhere in the world—far fewer than the U.S. It has satellites populated by increasingly restless populations and dissidents and, in the case of China, the Soviets have a massive and hostile neighbor.

Gordon Ackerman Helsinki

Mebane's Memoirs

I would like to thank Mary Mebane for her vivid and thorough descriptions of black life in the South before the civil rights revolution [March 2]. The shame that is caused by the remembrance of this period is the best medicine for preventing history from repeating itself.

Bardia Besharat Canoga Park, Calif.

Mary Mebane's rhetoric of past injustice and special privilege in our society during the '40s reminded me of my introduction to black people. I grew up in rural South Dakota, where blacks were seldom seen. Then I joined the Navy. I knew of no reason not to sit by a black man on a city bus in Norfolk, Va. Consequently I was astounded when the black passengers screamed "White trash!" and "Move up where you belong!" On the other hand, the whites seemed content with casting hateful looks in my direction.

I am happy that progress has been made. I hope that writers will stop reminding us of an angry past, so that race will no longer interfere with friendship. It's all been said before.

H. Clyde Van Sickle Watertown, S. Dak.

My Friend Walter

When our son was not quite three, he created an imaginary playmate to help him cope with the stress of a new sister. For two years we listened to the stories of their adventures. We had good reason not to doubt our son and his friend. He called his steadfast companion Walter Cronkite [March 9].

Susan Bernhard Las Vegas

First White House Guest