Letters: Jun. 29, 1998

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I used to think the government should stay out of Microsoft's business and let the users ultimately decide. But after reading your article on the upcoming antitrust action [TECHNOLOGY, June 1], I have to agree that the Justice Department makes some very good points. I am thankful there is a dominant operating system for PCs. But to use that system to force me to use certain programs, as Microsoft is attempting to do, is just plain wrong. BENJAMIN F. HAFER Hilo, Hawaii

Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a pathway to your doorstep--soon to be followed by the antitrust division of the Justice Department. Just ask Bill Gates! BILL DUNNING Carrollton, Texas

A TRUE AMERICAN HERO

I had never heard of Juan Romero, the Hispanic busboy who tried to assist Robert Kennedy after he was shot in 1968 [AMERICAN SCENE, June 8]. What an extraordinary story, and what a wonderful attitude Romero has! I'm 17, the same age as Romero was when he crouched next to Kennedy's wounded body. I find myself wondering what I will be like 30 years from now. Will I be like Romero, still following a code that honors Kennedy by embracing hard work, revering God, taking care of my family and living a life of tolerance and compassion? Where does white America get its stereotypes of immigrants? I think Romero has served Robert Kennedy's memory as well as anyone could ever hope to, and he stands for something that Kennedy would be proud of. JULIE ANNE PORTER Oklahoma City, Okla.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Thanks so much for "The Joy of Not Cooking," about the popularity of store-bought, ready-to-eat food [BUSINESS, June 1]. I will never again feel that twinge of guilt for picking up a complete meal for my family at the local shop. I am a single mother of two children, and it's bad enough that my commute to work is one hour each way. If I do decide to play Betty Crocker during the week, my kids don't eat until 8 at night. That creates more guilt for not having them in bed at a decent hour. I just hope things improve by the time my grandchildren are asking, What's for dinner? KATHY MCCORMICK Thomaston, Ga.

I worship the culinary gods. Serving my man a "home-meal replacement" is right up there with replacing me with a plastic inflatable doll! I am just as stressed out as any other working mom, but I take pride in what I put on the table, made by me. Serving food from a box is nothing to be proud of! NANNETTE LAREE HERNANDEZ Yuma, Ariz.

If I were dumb enough to pay $400 for a 12-course, store-bought Thanksgiving dinner, as the couple you cited did, I certainly wouldn't admit it. MAE GARDNER Albuquerque, N.M.

FINDING SPIRITUAL ANSWERS

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series of uplifting books makes no pretense of literary excellence [SOCIETY, June 8], and I make no defense of the books' contents. The series' popularity, however, seems to show a great hunger for hope in our society. Could it be that readers of these books are not finding answers in their churches, temples, synagogues and mosques, much less in their daily lives? Your parting shot, "Uplift without morals, spirituality without religion--it's the perfect faith for the postmodern '90s," was arrogant. Is religion (organized, I presume?) the only means by which one may find either high moral character or spirituality? KERIN FORSYTH Baltimore, Md.