De Lorean's Fall
To the Editors:
The John De Lorean story [Nov. 1] has a haunting quality that goes beyond the personal tragedy. He may be typical of the best, and possibly the worst, in the free-enterprise system's hustle for success. Others, including some astute corporations, have been succumbing with alarming frequency to overwhelming pressures and strains that have caused them to spin out of control like De Lorean.
Hans Kleefeld Toronto
Many businessmen have gone under after decades of success. I lost my home, career and pension. Unlike De Lorean, most of us started again from scratch without resorting to the drug trade.
Ian Bulloch Moraga, Calif.
Certainly no one would condone John De Lorean's actions. Nevertheless, we should be grateful to him. Our society craves such people in order to reaffirm our self-worth and goodness. The higher they are and the harder they fall, the greater our fix.
Carol J. Moola Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
John De Lorean probably saw his auto company going down the drain and subconsciously courted disaster. For many highly successful people the only alternative to spectacular success is dramatic failure. De Lorean was too shrewd not to be aware of the dangers a novice faces in the drug trade. Your story noted that he appeared calm and unsurprised when he was arrested. Perhaps De Lorean was also relieved.
John Pritchard Somerset, N.J.
Do not worry about John De Lorean. Once he gets over this crisis he will revert to being the entrepreneur. He will begin work on his autobiography, which will be made into a motion picture, and he will become a highly paid speaker on the lecture circuit. If he goes to jail he will be born again and will make inspiring sermons.
Martin Elkort Beverly Hills, Calif.
The De Lorean bust is a typical case of entrapment and sensationalism. The Drug Enforcement Administration claims that he stood to make $50 million from the sale of 100 kilos of cocaine. I'm a former dealer serving time on drug charges, and I can tell you that a dealer would get a return of between $10 million and $15 million. The standard rule in selling drugs is that you can double or triple your money in a very short period of time. The notion that someone can make a 900% profit is an affront to anyone with any business sense.
Earnest Paul Tress #334287 Sugar Land, Texas
Your Essay "The Man Who Wrecked the Car" asks, "Why have the adventures of John De Lorean attracted so much notice?" The answer is that the media have sensationalized a criminal event beyond all reason. Rich or poor, De Lorean is a suspected dope dealer who hardly merits the attention.
Gerd S. Grombacher Sierra Vista, Ariz.
After reading your extensive coverage of John De Lorean, I was reminded of the story of a junior high school student whose assignment was to write an essay on penguins. At the end he wrote, "This is really more than I cared to know about penguins."
Dickie S. Allen Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Freeze Factor
Your story on the nuclear-freeze movement [Oct. 25] says that the issue has been overwhelmed by interest in the 10.1% unemployment rate. But unemployment is the primary concern of many of the nation's pro-freeze organizations. A study commissioned by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers concludes, "While military spending creates jobs, almost any alternative use of the same money would create many more jobs. If tax dollars are spent on weapons, jobs are forgone in other fields like housing, education, civilian research, energy efficiency and consumer goods." By wanting to convert weapons manufacturing into civilian industries, the nuclear-freeze movement will help stimulate employment and aid economic recovery.
Cindy Lubel Miami
The proposal that the U.S. and the Soviet Union should agree to a freeze on nuclear weapons is absurd and unrealistic. Soviet aggression will be contained only if the U.S.S.R. fears the military capability of the U.S. and its allies. Equal strength is not enough. We must be stronger.
Mariana Astudillo Austin
I must take issue with the statement that refers to those who support the freeze as people facing "the task of transforming uninformed enthusiasm into sober thought." My experience shows that antinuclear advocates are better informed than most regarding the nuclear-arms race. Their enthusiasm reflects concern for the human race and is an outgrowth of a great deal of sober thought.
Donna Gentile Kennett Square, Pa.
Mudslinging Campaign
During the recent campaign, as your article points out [Nov. 1], a colleague on the House Committee on Agriculture, Cooper Evans, was charged with missing 40% of the committee's meetings. Attendance records prove that untrue. Cooper Evans is a diligent and able first-term member whose legislative solutions are most effective. Clearly, he takes his job seriously, so much so that the people of his Iowa district have re-elected him.
Paul Findley
James M. Jeffords
William C. Wampler
Members, Committee on Agriculture
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Candidates who resort to negative advertising are losers. Misleading commercials shed no light on a politician's ability, character and position on key issues. The public's rejection of negative tactics should be a warning that American voters value honesty and fair play.
Gary Scholl Bel Air, Md.
Tamperproof Tops
It is a shame that seven lives were lost before the FDA and the consumer products market would agree that certain guidelines must be set for over-the-counter products [Nov. 1].
Paige Lemmon Churchville, Md.
Blister packs will not stop a determined person from tampering with a drug. Most of us would not notice the pinprick made by a syringe. Why not use a seal that changes color when broken?
Rita M. Stimpson Presque Isle, Me.
Among the tamperproof packages already on the market are aluminum containers. The original bottle could be wrapped in soft bubble-pack padding and sealed in an aluminum can.
John H. Cone Pasadena, Calif.
First a Lady
Your obituary on Bess Truman, "A Lady in the White House" [Nov. 1], implies that a "lady" is one who confines herself totally to the private spheres of family and home, one who "would not rock the boat," and one who never expresses an opinion on anything. I am certain that Mrs. Truman possessed many admirable qualities, but that you should single out these attributes as most praiseworthy and ladylike simply perpetuates insidious stereotypes of women in general.
Diana Leo New York City
Tuning Wurlitzer
Your story on the Wurlitzer Company's fight to survive [Oct. 11] implied that Wurlitzer's problems are principally the result of current economic conditions and competition from "low cost-high quality foreign imports." As a former 20-year employee of Wurlitzer, I know that while Japanese pianos are of very high quality, they are not low priced compared with many pianos built in the United States. In addition, the problems that Wurlitzer is now experiencing are principally the result of nearly five years of gross financial mismanagement for which the current president and chief executive officer, George B. Howell, is in no way responsible.
Robert S. Hill El Paso
Anyone who is considering purchasing a piano or organ will be misled by your article. Foreign imports such as Yamaha and Kawai are not better values than the Wurlitzer. I have sold Wurlitzer products for 20 years, as well as more than 40 other brands, including Japanese and Korean models. No other manufacturer has maintained the consistent high quality of Wurlitzer.
Sandra N. Rosen Patchogue, N.Y.
Grrr, Helen Gurley Brown
Helen Gurley Brown has done more to demean women than any man I know [Nov. 1]. Apparently it has never occurred to her that some females do not want to be empty-headed plastic dolls. Nor do all women feel the need for some big, brave male protector. Of course, it is nice to have a special guy in your life. It is not necessary, however, to sacrifice your mind and identity in order to keep him, which is what Ms. Brown seems to advocate in her new book.
Ellen E. Nevins Somerville, N.J.
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