Letters, Apr. 28, 1980

Boeing's Birds

To the Editors:

In this jet age, it is comforting to know that somebody like the Boeing Co. [April 7], which really cares, is making those big birds for the world's airlines. American professionalism and engineering perfection have not completely gone down the drain after all.

George Kurien Teaneck, N.J.

Boeing surely deserves credit for excellence in aircraft design, but don't forget the contribution made by the jet-engine companies, including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce. The plane is designed around the engine. Recent advances in technology far surpass those of the airframe makers. The principal reason that Boeing and the other companies are venturing into new models is that these advances cut fuel costs while improving thrust and reliability.

Roily Curtis Ross, Calif.

The eruptions of Washington's Mount St. Helens are just a way of celebrating the awarding of $4 billion to Boeing to build the cruise missile.

Gene Wildman New York City

Glorious Boeing conjures up questions of why General Motors, Ford or Chrysler cannot strive to master the roads of the world.

Richard E. Bicknell Wayland, Mass.

All About God

Now that philosophers are acknowledging the existence of a Supreme Being (God) [April 7], we can once again appreciate the fact that civilizations from pre-Hittite to the present have believed in gods and worshiped them.

This inborn need to have a Supreme Being comes closest to the hitherto indefinable soul. Here is a simple idea any man can believe.

Albert E. Freeman Mount Holly, N.J.

So religion is making a comeback. Can witches, goblins and devils be far behind? When will mankind outgrow this foolish superstition?

Clarence Gregory Philadelphia

Scripture clearly says the wisest of men are fools, indicating that the best intellectual minds we have in our world are not able to cope with what God is really like. The experts are trying too hard. You don't reveal God, he reveals himself to you. Tell them all to relax, forget their intellectual reasoning and open themselves to him. He'll come; we have his promise.

Ormond W. Bray Plainville, Conn.

Where did God stay before he created the heavens and earth? What did he do all day? Where did he come from? Was he created by a superior being?

Steve Handman New York City

Judging from the rest of the news, I'd say you found God just in time.

Robert D. Geller Freeport, Ill.

A Bankrupt Philosophy

With a $140 monthly tithe to the Mormon Church, I'm not surprised the Hobsons [April 7] went into debt—and they hardly qualify as a typical bankrupt family. What happened to the concept of separation of church and state when a court can allow them to continue this tithe while owing legitimate businesses $18,000?

Michael Aidan San Francisco

What a fool I've been! All these years spent living in houses I could afford, paying my bills each month, using my credit cards with care and doing without in order to eat, keep warm and meet medical expenses. How much easier it would have been just to say "charge it" and wind up paying only 16¢ on the dollar.

Emelie J. Wisenbaker Sapulpa, Okla.

An American Image