Letters: Sep. 7, 1998

JOHN GLENN'S MISSION

I felt euphoric seeing John Glenn on the cover of TIME in an astronaut's suit [SPACE, Aug. 17]. How refreshing to see a 77-year-old taking a ride in space instead of one in a wheelchair. It was fantastic for Glenn to say "Politics is not only an honorable profession, it's one of the most honorable ones." With more John Glenns in politics, it could be. He certainly has the Right Stuff! VIRGINIA EVERS Dayton, Ohio

Glenn's mission: the right stuff or the right hype? RICHARD T. SEEGER Fort Wayne, Ind.

Like all real heroes who teach by their actions and not just their words, Glenn is leading by example. Glenn's courageous return to space demonstrates that aging need not be feared, but embraced and enjoyed. STEPHANIE LEDERMAN Executive Director American Federation for Aging Research New York City

I wish Senator Glenn the very best as he returns to space. However, I wish he had looked into his soul a little harder as a U.S. Senator. He decries partisanship but demonstrated it to an extreme in his defense of Clinton's flawed presidency. Glenn will be remembered by history for space flights, not for political courage. AL BELTRAMI Ukiah, Calif.

If NASA can determine that Senator Glenn is fit for space flight at age 77, why does the Federal Aviation Administration require commercial pilots to stop flying at 60? If NASA thinks a 77-year-old Glenn is good enough for it, you can bet I'd want to have him in the pilot's seat of the airliner I'm riding in. CARL ZIEGLER Hugo, Minn.

Shortly after Glenn's historic flight in the Mercury capsule Friendship 7, his tiny spacecraft was sent on a world exhibition tour. Ghana was the first stop in Africa. I was there, and in three hot June days of 1962, 75,000 Africans were wowed by the most unusual thing they had ever seen and touched. After Glenn's flight this fall, the U.S. government should take another initiative: send this American hero on a world tour to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. A personal tour by Glenn would spotlight an unpretentious American of character, courage and achievement. MARK LEWIS Chevy Chase, Md.

Glenn's flight is a public relations gimmick. Nothing will be learned about the effects of space on aging. C. RALPH VERNO West Chester, Pa.

To boldly go where no septuagenarian has gone before. Beam him up, Scotty! ALBERTO GESUALDI Ciudad Jardin, Argentina

It could be that significant medical and scientific accomplishments will result from Glenn's journey. But no matter. A needed uplift to the American spirit will surely result. GERALD BAZER Toledo, Ohio

Roger Rosenblatt said of Glenn's upcoming shuttle flight, "The public does not require a usefulness beyond its own admiring pleasure." Actually, yes, we do. The estimable Glenn is having his dream fulfilled at taxpayer expense, a privilege denied the rest of us. The pursuit of happiness does not carry with it the requirement of government funding. Don't insult our intelligence by pretending Glenn's voyage into space is good science instead of a mere joyride. GARY ABBOTT Atlanta

WISDOM OF SOLOMON NEEDED