Letters: Apr. 28, 1997

• Share

(3 of 6)

I have always wondered whether heaven exists [RELIGION, March 24]. The problem is, you cannot prove it until you get there. Wouldn't newsprint, time and effort be better spent on real problems in the real world affecting real people, instead of on sterile, metaphysical debates that could go on endlessly without reaching definitive conclusions? SAMEER NAGARAJAN Chindwara, India

Nobody will be forever happy in paradise or suffer forever in hell. Thus, we followers of Buddha do not aim for any form of paradise but seek Nirvana--emptiness, nonexistence. Of the three ways to acquire knowledge--studying, contemplating and practicing--Nirvana can only be known through practice. KYAW KYAW Kelantan, Malaysia

FLYING BLIND

The excerpt from the book by Mary Schiavo [BUSINESS, March 31], former Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, was the most disturbing article I have ever read in your magazine. Schiavo's story includes elements of negligence, conspiracy, profiteering and disregard for human life. I fly at least two times a week. After traveling within the U.S. and experiencing the flying-Greyhound level of quality and service there, I am relieved that I do most of my traveling on still regulated European airlines. I would rather pay more in order to avoid political profit issues and have a higher chance of survival. Hats off to Mary Schiavo for her courage! ELIZABETH STEINHAUSER Frankfurt, Germany

I always thought of U.S. airlines as being the most reliable for safety and security, thanks to what I thought were strict controls by government inspectors and regulators. But if this is the sad state of airline safety in the U.S., what can we frequent international travelers expect from non-U.S. airlines? Do foreign governments closely monitor and control their private and national airlines? Is passenger safety high on their priority list, or do they give first consideration to the interests of the airlines--many of which are government owned? It scares me even to think about it! CARLOS F. LIZARDI Madrid

Move over N.R.A.! The FAA poses a greater threat to the lives of Americans. GORDON TUBB London, Ontario

Schiavo has challenged high-level people in a rotten system. Where there is big money there is greed, and corporate ethical standards are thrown overboard in many airlines. The industry operates with the concept of "an acceptable level of accidents,'' typical cost-vs.-benefit thinking. Technical maintenance and pilot training are not only important safety items, they are also very expensive. There is a big difference between the minimum standards employed and the highest standards reasonably achievable. When the FAA watchdogs are not watching, guess which the public is offered? KNUT ANFINDSEN, Retired Flight Captain Stabekk, Norway

The American public was lucky to have an Inspector General like Schiavo, who knew her job and cared about what she was doing. The FAA should have a watchdog with teeth. JOAN HEDENKLINT Lidingo, Sweden

Flying in an accident-prone jet with an airline that has a bad safety record still poses a smaller risk than driving to work in a car every day. IVO KLJENAK Ljubljana, Slovenia