Letters: Dec. 7, 1981

Forever Gold

To the Editors:

Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda are not just “golden oldies” [Nov. 16]; they are pure gold and always have been.

Cynthia Evans La Selva Beach, Calif.

You evoked poignancy, not just for Hepburn and Fonda, but for all who inevitably face aging. Their example reminds us to grow old in a generous and spirited fashion, with achievements we can be proud of right down to the end.

Linda Lashbrook Fanwood, N.J.

Years ago, Dorothy Parker made an accurate analysis of Hepburn’s acting ability: “She ran the whole gamut of emotions from A to B.” Today she has trouble getting beyond A. Fonda has been able to avoid her until now; he too must be slowing down.

Paul O. Powers North Plainfield, N.J.

Katharine Hepburn’s picture on your cover is remarkable. In that face is sensitivity, warmth, strength and a mighty spirit that none of life’s vicissitudes has dampened.

Larry Hyman New York City

Bell’s Background

As president of a minority executive-search firm, I have much to lose if someone with the conservative bent of William Bell becomes head of the EEOC [Nov. 16]. However, Mr. Bell should be judged on his capacity to do the job, not on such factors as whether his firm’s number is listed in the phone directory.

Lionel M. Stevens New York City

Wasn’t it Candidate Reagan who assured us that he would fill positions of responsibility with people from the world of business; people who “would be taking a step down” to assume the job? Isn’t Bell’s nomination just taking care of another political IOU?

Glen York Ocean Park, Me.

Fathoming Foucault

Our Government officials could learn a lesson from French Philosopher-Historian Michel Foucault’s process of reversing questions [Nov. 16]. Instead of asking why industry must endure “burdensome” regulations, Federal authorities should turn the question around and ask why were the rules enacted in the first place? They will find that the regulated industries, on the whole, refused to act in a responsible manner.

Keith Peterson Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Mercy for Mustangs

“Chasing the Mustangs” [Nov. 16] is written from the point of view of humans who are having an exciting time corralling these magnificent animals. The horses hardly have a chance against helicopters and “steel traps.” These creatures are a reminder of our free-roaming heritage. They should be left to enjoy their lives in peace.

Wayne Johnson Seattle

Nattering About Nabokov

The review of Fredson Bowers’ book on Vladimir Nabokov’s lectures [Nov. 16] reminded me of the extraordinary final exam I took 24 years ago in Nabokov’s course at Cornell. All his students were aware of his emphasis on “the word, the expression . . . not ideas” and, consequently, had read Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina with great care. However, very few of us were prepared for questions like “Describe Vronsky’s last glimpse of Anna” (dead under the wheels of a train), and the “trick” question: “What color paint was on the walls of the room where Anna was sick?” (no paint at all—there was wallpaper).

Donald M. Gleklen Newtown Square, Pa.

I am not qualified to debate with Mr. Nabokov about Russian literature, but I do advocate that Dostoyevsky’s writing has the wit to entertain, the insight to enlighten and the moral vision to transform lives. Unlike Nabokov, many readers find nothing banal in the works of this great artist.

Chuck Semonian Torrance, Calif.

Soviet Sub

I partly believe the Soviets’ claim that their submarine was on a routine mission when it “accidentally” came into a restricted area on the coast of Sweden [Nov. 16]. For the U.S.S.R., perhaps it is routine to penetrate other countries’ territorial waters. It must now be obvious that the Soviet talk about the Baltic as the “sea of peace” is nothing but empty words.

Per-Olof Knuts Osthammar, Sweden

Eh?

Your report on TV’s Today’s FBI [Nov. 9] refers to the agents learning “markspersonship.” Please, give us a break.

John O’Hoski Toronto

Complaint

TIME carried a story about the Catawba Corp. [Nov. 16], founded by my father, William F. Buckley Sr. That story made several generalizations based on allegations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Director of Enforcement of the SEC has written individually to all the members of my family as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Your counsel have expressed to me their displeasure with the article in the Nov. 16 issue of TIME magazine. I am concerned with the impression left by the article that the Commission’s complaint alleges that the Buckley family “defrauded stockholders to feather the family’s nest.”

Although the Commission’s complaint alleges violations of Rule 10b-5(2) under the 1934 Act and Section 17 (a)(2) of the 1933 Act, it does not allege that the described transactions were “fraudulent.” It is important that the results of the Commission’s work not be misunderstood.

John M. Fedders, Director

John W. Buckley Lakeville, Conn.

TIME stands by its story in every detail including the quote: “In effect, it [the SEC] accused the companies of having defrauded stockholders to feather the family’s nest.” Mr. Fedders told TIME his letter was not intended to address the question of whether TIME’s interpretation of the transactions was accurate.

How to Teach

In your article describing the conflicting theories of learning in the follow-up to the Head Start program [Nov. 9], you refer to children playing dress-up in first grade and making apple pies in second. When I was a pupil, these activities were saved for after school. We didn’t burn out in front of the tube. Dressing-up and cooking are no trade for literacy.

JoAnne B. Smith Wheaton, Ill.