Mexico's Future

To the Editors:

Your cover story on Mexico [Dec. 20]

beautifully illustrates that nation's best

hope: its long-suffering, noble people and

vast, wasted natural resources.

Victor Orozco Briggs, Texas

Your fine story will go far to cement the warm relations between Mexico and the U.S. Fortunately, Mexico now has a great statesman in its new President.

Richard L. Higby Adams, Wis.

The message is clear. Mexico is a mature nation and should be allowed to solve its problems. At the same time, the U.S. is expected to sit back, furnish billions in bailouts with no strings attached and permit hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens to enter our country.

J. Randolph Johnson Rock Hill, S. C.

Mexico is doomed to poverty and chaos because it refuses to limit its population. President de la Madrid's large family is a poor example for a country that is drowning in people.

David McCargo Jr. Anchorage

Bravo for the refreshing article by Octavio Paz. It was time something was said about the problems existing in Mexico because of American foreign policy.

Nettie M. Cameron Bellingham, Wash.

Palatable Death

The death penalty is the ultimate punishment for Charlie Brooks [Dec. 20]. It also grants equity to the victim. Brooks' execution is proof that in a civilized society, people cannot commit barbaric acts without paying the consequences.

Gabriella S. Ciocci Miami

You make it sound as though the 1,100 inmates on death row are there for a petty offense like shoplifting. They are in prison for murder. Society would be much safer if these prisoners were put to death.

Rhea Beth Compton Phoenix

I do not understand this preoccupation with the "humane way" to execute killers. What compassion do they show the victims whom they dispatch with gun, knife, ax, club or poison?

Robert H. Dodsley

Managing Editor, Sioux City Journal Sioux City, Iowa

Killing is immoral whether done by the state or an individual. Murder will not cease so long as society feels it has a right to put to death those who kill.

(The Rev.) Daniel R. Gangler Lincoln, Neb.

Australian Intrigue (Cont.)

I was pleased that TIME gave attention to my recent Foreign Policy article on American-Australian relations [Dec. 13]. However, TIME'S insinuation that I draw upon whispers and rumors (and only left-wing ones at that) rather than normal scholarly sources is unfair. The question of U.S. improprieties in Australian politics was raised not by me but by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and by highly placed Labor Party officials. The case substantiating CIA involvement in the downfall of the Whitlam government can be found in books, police reports, TV documentaries and hundreds of newspapers ranging across the political spectrum. This evidence strongly suggests that the CIA was not a passive witness.

I would like to believe that the U.S. Government acted correctly. But those whose faith has been shaken will derive little reassurance from Assistant Secretary of State John Holdridge's letter [Jan. 3] denying CIA complicity. The matter should be laid to rest by an airing of documents and the taking of sworn testimony at an official inquiry. The Australians are old friends and valued allies. They are ill served by TIME'S story and by Mr. Holdridge's official disclaimer, which only add to the appearance of a coverup.

James A. Nathan, Professor

University of Delaware

Newark, Del.

Too Much Me

Amitai Etzioni's criticism of individualism and self-fulfillment [Dec. 20] is frightening. He is suggesting that people emulate the organization man, the person who sacrifices individuality and integrity in order to function well in a society obsessed with economic growth.

Doug J. Francimore Trenton, N.J.

It is not Abraham Maslow or self-fulfillment that has destroyed America's traditional values and institutions. It is the many changes that occurred in our society after World War II, including materialism, hedonism, sexual licentiousness, reckless behavior and overindulgence. Together these traits have prevented people from maturing. This situation is graver than the Soviet threat and our current economic crisis combined.

Stanley B. Stefan Monterey, Calif.

Mailer's Nativity

Over the years, TIME has had a few remarks to make about me, but much can now be forgiven. For in your piece about Norris Church Mailer's paintings [Dec. 20] your writer, your researcher, your typesetter and/or your proofreader were kind enough to list the artist's husband as Norman Mailer, 49. The proper age--and only a most scrupulous sense of the need for historical accuracy compels one to correct you--is indeed, and in unhappy truth, 59. I know you never make errors like this on more important occasions.

Norman Mailer New York City

AidforZia

I am against the U.S.'s giving aid and arms to Pakistan [Dec. 20]. The rationale that Pakistan stands between Soviet troops in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf is weak because it is becoming obvious that the Soviets are distressed at their overextension in Afghanistan. Besides, Pakistanis are as intractable as the Afghanis, and the U.S.S.R. would not want to take on another collection of fanatics.

I have recently returned from a year in Islamabad. Promises of U.S. aid to Pakistan have produced no softening of the anti-Americanism that is heard in the mosques, the universities and printed in the newspapers. As long as President Zia receives our technology, Pakistan will not soften its disdain for our ideals and way of life.

Thomas A. Dyer La Grande, Ore.

I disagree with your observation [Dec. 13] that President Zia's efforts to strengthen traditional Islamic values in his country have alienated the intelligentsia and students. I am a Pakistani student. My impression is that most of my fellow students approve of the process of Islamization.

Ghulam Jilani Malik Ames, Iowa

Man at the Monument

It could be that Norman Mayer [Dec. 20], who was protesting nuclear weapons, died in a more sane and humane way than the rest of us will.

Charles A. Gilmore Harrisburg, Pa.

Even an emotionally disturbed man like Mayer can perceive that Dense Pack and the MX are not the antidotes to the world's unrest.

Donald J. Schultz Winnipeg, Man.

Shooting at a truck that is supposedly filled with 1,000 lbs. of TNT is no less an "irrational gesture" than trying to save millions of lives by protesting nuclear proliferation.

Jil Robbins New York City

Gray with an A

TIME ran the wrong photo of Robert Grey [Dec. 20], who has been nominated as deputy director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. The man in the picture is me, Robert K. Gray, chairman of Gray & Co., public relations. Robert K. Gray Washington, D.C.

Home Sweet Home

Recently I moved to a new job where the coldness of urban life made me want to run back to the warmth and comfort of home. Then I read your Essay, "Why There Is No Place Like It" [Nov. 29], and decided to stay. The thought of having a home to return to is enough motivation for me to become a success here.

Wale Okediran Lagos, Nigeria

Ulster's Troubles

The atrocity at the Razzmatazz discotheque [Dec. 20] once again points up the solution to Ireland's problems: the British must go!

Jack W. Calve II Edwardsville, Ill.

Unfortunately, a minority sect in Northern Ireland thinks Ulster should be part of the Irish Republic. This group bases its arguments on events that took place hundreds of years ago. A sense of history is no excuse for the murder and mutilation of innocent people.

Raymond C. Hope London

The people of the Republic of Ireland who desire peace and reconciliation with their neighbors in Northern Ireland would be grateful if the misguided Irish Americans would cease contributing money to fund the mindless terrorists on this island.

Francis Farrelly Dublin This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.