Letters, Nov. 20, 1978

The Polish Pope

To the Editors:

Pope John Paul II [Oct. 30] is going to be a sensational Pope. He seems to be sure of himself. The Cardinals made an excellent choice. He's just like the man next door, except he just happens to be a Pope.

Terri Freedman

Camarilla, Calif.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that a Polish Pope has been elected. In the Christian society, Poland has always represented the suffering Christ. To have been sold down the river many times (once by an American President) and not have lost faith is indeed miraculous. That the Vicar of Christ should come from these people is merely a reaffirmation of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Katherine Bieluck

New York City

As a Catholic whose faith has been eroded during the past couple of years by hypocrites in habits and materialists in collars, I can only hope Pope John Paul II will bring cohesiveness to the divided laity. I also hope he will be more open on the birth-control issue, particularly in countries where the production of life is the prevention of life.

Bernadette Zimmerman Spartanburg, S.C.

At this moment four of the most prominent men in the fields of religion (John Paul II), politics (Zbigniew Brzezinski and Menachem Begin) and literature (Isaac Bashevis Singer) are Polish-born. Hurray for Poland!

Barbara Schenkel Melbourne

Women and War

I loved your article about women in the military [Oct. 30]. Wow, if I were only 30 years younger. I served in the WASP during World War II. Guess what? I could pick up 100 lbs. even when six months pregnant. And I'm 5 ft. 6 in. and weigh 120 lbs. So don't tell me women can't do the labor. I hope all goes well with the lady military.

Lulie Robinette

Weston, Conn.

Instead of your article being called "Women May Yet Save the Army," it should be entitled "How Can the Army Be Saved from the Women?"

Matt Taylor

Eugene, Ore.

Nothing I saw the troops or their officers do during the time I served in Viet Nam could not have been done by a 100-lb. female. The bleeding is the only hard part, and it requires no special skill.

William D. Watson

Denver

The only objection I have to a military composed of 10% women by 1983 is that since women are unproved in combat, a potential enemy may view them as an American weakness. Foreign military officers I have spoken to tend to believe the U.S. is using its women in combat roles because without the draft it is unable to "man" its ranks.

Jim Bob Green

Plainview, Texas

When the real shooting starts, are the folks on the home front prepared to be told of gal grunts and female flyers coming home in pine boxes? Unless Americans can handle that, all the peacetime combat training in the world won't be worth a spent bullet, because the G.I. Janes are going to stay home too.

Hal Classman Miami Beach

Heart of Democracy