Letters: Dec. 27, 1982

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Uniquely Newman

To the Editors:

I have been looking through history for equals to Paul Newman [Dec. 6] in looks, personality, charisma and intelligence. Hardly anyone comes to mind.

Elsie Cassajaw Isle of Palms, S.C.

Paul Newman's performances demonstrate a depth and understanding of the characters he plays. He is a gifted actor.

Ted Troup St. Albans, N. Y.

Ah... those eyes!

Jan Tyrrell Keyser Phoenix

If we have to have an actor for President, I'd rather it were Paul Newman.

Judy Tunkle New York City

My pleasure at reading your feature on Paul Newman was exceeded only by the jarring sensation I felt when my 15-year-old daughter glanced at the cover and asked, "Who's Newman?"

Mitchell Lynch Boston

After reading the mush about Paul Newman, one longs for an earthy assessment of him. A little humor or ribbing of Newman, the liberal who lives in an East Side Manhattan apartment, a country place in Connecticut and a home in Beverly Hills could have washed down that goo. Your story reminded me of Zelda Fitzgerald's remark to Ernest Hemingway upon seeing Al Jolson, "Don't you think he's greater than Jesus?"

Edward H. Callahan Elmira, N. Y.

Congratulations on your article about my husband. However, I would like to take exception to your description of our daughter's performance at Madison Square Garden as "mediocre." A roomful of ribbons and trophies attests to the fact that she is a fine horseback rider and competitor. To dismiss her ride at the Garden as mediocre is insensitive as well as inaccurate. Might I suggest the word unsuccessful?

Joanne Woodward Newman New York City

Parking the MX

The proposed MX system [Dec. 6] is militarily impractical, economically stupid and morally indefensible.

Mark Bird Henderson, Nev.

The MX Dense Pack plan makes sense now. But the Soviets can figure out a technology to beat the system.

Martin Freund New York City

On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese pilots found the American planes at Pearl Harbor parked wingtip to wingtip. The high brass had ordered this arrangement because it was easier to protect the aircraft from sabotage. Today we would call it Dense Packed.

Robert D. Wilson, M.D. Corvallis, Ore.

The MX missile is a tragedy if we never use it and a greater tragedy if we do. Less rhetoric and more conciliatory gestures by our President can save both the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Roy S. Koch Goshen, Ind.

Throughout history the military has created massive and invariably useless systems of defense, including walled cities and the Maginot Line. These protective schemes have always fallen to a determined enemy who had a better idea.

Joseph Bulba Bloomfield, Conn.

If the U.S. wants to spend so much money on the MX, it should be put where it will be most effective, in Alaska. Installing the missiles close to the Soviet Union would give us more bargaining power and the advantage of faster deployment.

Richard Herold Key West, Fla.

Nakasone's Challenges