Letters: Jul. 23, 1984

Erma's Laugh-In

To the Editors:

Your cover story on Erma Bombeck [LIVING, July 2] was a revealing close-up of that gifted lady. I must be a maverick. I am not one of her fans. But I admire her ability and the self-discipline she brings to her work. If she has been able to ease the strain of thousands of harassed housewives and mothers dealing with their daily chores, so much the better. Catherine T. Squires New London, N.H.

She gives us the lift we all need, a look at life with a laugh. Mary M. McCarthy Waban, Mass.

Erma Bombeck lives in us all. My law-student daughter says I gave her three housekeeping tips: keep pins in the pincushion, have a pencil by the phone and arrange fresh flowers when you do not have time to dust. Those chores will not kill her, and following that advice should fit in with her law career. Long live Erma's revenge: laughter. Martha Weston Plano, Texas

Some day, although it is not likely, I may fathom the reason for Bombeck's popularity. I find her provincial and inane. I am amazed women's brains do not rot during the time they are listening to her. Alexandra Mayerle Minneapolis

A part of motherhood is the pleasure in reading and loving Erma Bombeck's observations. Robin Endow Las Vegas

My husband claims one of Erma's columns can undo what I have learned in six months of Heloise. Connie Daley Upper St. Clair, Pa.

Erma Bombeck may be the best friend I ever had. Mary Lou Seubert Eugene, Ore.

Debt Strategy

How long do you think the Federal Government and the banks can pull the wool over our eyes? The banks that lent money to Latin American countries knew there was a good chance those countries would default [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, July 2]. They also knew that the U.S. Government would help them out with our tax dollars. Citizens should tell our Government to stop bailing out the banks. Jan Theiss Guffey San Jose, Calif.

In your excellent article on the world's debt, you say that Colombian President Belisario Betancur named the IMF as one of the villains of the international drama in his address at Cartagena. Those words were not used by the President. He said that "the IMF's adjustment programs do not necessarily lead to maintenance of high employment levels and real income in its member countries, as stated in the by-laws." We also hope that the President's remarks regarding the devastating consequences of the debt bomb's explosion will not become reality. There is still time to save several developing countries from chaos and several international banks from insolvency. The recent increase in the U.S. prime rate makes this more urgent. Diego Pizano Economic Adviser to the President Bogotá, Colombia

Missile Maneuverings

Strobe Talbott's article [WORLD, June 25] is inaccurate and one-sided and not a balanced analysis of the most critical issue of our time: reducing the risk of an outbreak of nuclear war. Talbott failed to report the real story behind the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START): the dramatic, if quiet, movement by both sides toward an equitable and verifiable agreement. He also skips lightly over the fact that negotiations are in a hiatus because the Soviets refuse to return to the bargaining table.