Letters: Dec. 8, 1997

THE DARK SIDE OF J.F.K.

Every president, particularly a martyred one like John F. Kennedy, deserves a modicum of respect. The measure of any leader ought to be his stewardship in office and his ability to put the public good ahead of private gain. But, sadly, every President since Washington has had “debunkers,” like Seymour Hersh in his new book about Kennedy, The Dark Side of Camelot [NATION, Nov. 17]. Such authors are all too willing to embellish the facts to besmirch the personal life of the individuals who have held America’s highest elective office. JOHN T. BERNSTEIN SR. Bloomington, Ill.

Far worse than Kennedy’s private infidelities was his public policy. He failed to support fully the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and allowed Fidel Castro to establish a beachhead for communism in the western hemisphere. Kennedy did not act effectively when the Berlin Wall was erected, profoundly affecting the NATO alliance, and he increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The consequences of his misguided policies plagued the U.S. long after his brief, disastrous presidency. RICHARD BLAUW South Holland, Ill.

Seymour Hersh is an investigative journalist only as long as his inquiries fit the prior conclusions he has reached. His recipe for writing: boil down some quotes from murky sources, add a few references to obscure documents, smother with one’s own exalted theories and half bake. PHIL LEVY Danvers, Mass.

No matter what Hersh throws out, I choose to remember Kennedy as a hero in war, as a person living a full life despite chronic pain, as a wise and thoughtful leader who understood the forces of history and as a voice of hope for the young, minorities and the underprivileged. I will remember Kennedy as a man who could have lived the life of an idle rich person but chose instead the path of public service. And I will remember him as a President who died in the service of his country. RUTH MELHEIM BRUBAKKEN Jamestown, N.D.

Your story again raises the often debated question of the relevance of a President’s personal life to his ability to govern. We need to remind ourselves that we elect a President, not a Pope. Although Kennedy may have been losing the battle with his personal demons, he certainly brought forth the better angels of our nature. This is shown in the legacy he created: an extraordinary resurgence of pride in being an American and a rekindling of the notion that public service is a noble calling. Kennedy’s true stature should be judged by his public accomplishments, not his private life. JEROLD L. ZARO Ocean, N.J.

The democracy that allows absolutist thinkers like Hersh to handle history the way Geraldo handles news is the same democracy that forces leaders to compromise consistently as they work toward important goals. Hersh’s version of the truth seems to come from a mind as immoral as those he rails against. JIM MURPHY Senior Broadcast Producer, 48 Hours CBS News New York City

By giving Hersh’s book such prominence, TIME has probably ensured the commercial success of a work that best deserves to be disdained and ignored. It is just the latest example of the sordid tabloid mentality that pervades so much of today’s “journalism.” Devoid of historic revelations or insightful analysis, Hersh’s book offers nothing more than lurid sensationalism while seeking legitimacy under the guise of investigative reporting. What is the motivation for such a vitriolic work? Such tawdry prying serves only to taint the perpetrator. V. CRAIG CANTRELL Dallas

Think not what a man did in bed. Think what he did for his country. But now it looks as if people believe it’s supposed to be the other way around. BRIAN D. BLAIR Cypress, Calif.

The president of the U.S. lives under a tremendous amount of stress and should have the choice of what to do to relax: golf, jogging, crosswords, juggling–or sex. As long as the Chief Executive is good at the job, who cares? Sex is normal. Imagine Picasso, Chaplin or Miller without women. The world’s cultural heritage would be pretty boring. AGNES JACQUEMIN Brussels

Kennedy had everything–looks, youth, wealth, intelligence, articulateness, military background, fine family and good friends. Everything except fidelity and sexual discipline. A private life finally ends up strengthening or destroying the public life and image. You cannot separate the two. PETER J. RIGA Houston

Those old enough to remember will never forget where they were and what they were doing when the clock stopped for the Kennedy years on Nov. 22, 1963. J.F.K.’s flaws and indiscretions did not keep him from gaining and shaping a piece of the Western world’s psyche. His place in history remains secure. BOB DELANEY Mississauga, Ont.

How much more can be written about one man’s sex life? What is Hersh trying to prove? Were Kennedy’s sexual adventures the cause of the Cuban crisis and the tragedy of Vietnam? This book is the latest attempt to blacken the myth of Kennedy, which is still alive 34 years after his assassination. Even Columbia professor Alan Brinkley overestimates the impact of the book in his review when he comments, “Reading this book is a depressing experience.” Only if one takes yellow journalism seriously! GOPI NATHAN Oslo

Hersh has a tendency to jump to conclusions that may not be backed by concrete evidence. He should refrain from writing pseudo history. MOHIT MISRA Makati City, the Philippines

Hersh’s digging into J.F.K.’s affairs is another example of the sensationalism and cheap journalism that permeate every aspect of the American way of life. Let the dead rest in peace. VINOD VARMA Bad Vilbel, Germany

BLAMING IT ON EL NINO

The connections between the El Nino phenomenon and ecological disruptions like seabird starvation and crop failure are based on solid scientific data and cannot be dismissed as “bunk,” the term used by Charles Krauthammer in his commentary on blaming El Nino [VIEWPOINT, Nov. 17]. The potential connection between global warming and the increased frequency of El Ninos in recent decades was taken directly from peer-reviewed scientific articles. Attempts to educate the public about science should be based on true scientific understanding, and not on subjective journalistic whim. ERIC SANFORD, Ph.D. candidate Department of Zoology Oregon State University Corvallis, Ore.

I must agree with Krauthammer that the El Nino phenomenon is being blamed for things that it has nothing to do with. Instead of focusing on the hype and rhetoric surrounding El Nino, the U.S. should reflect on the underlying causes of global warming and cooperate to slow or eliminate them. If they fail to do this, humanity will be headed toward a disaster of biblical proportions. By burning the rain forests, freely using fossil fuels and increasing the pollution from motor vehicles, mankind may one day create a hell on earth, where fertile regions, such as lush tropical rain forests, become uninhabitable deserts. CHRISTIAN ZALAI London, Ont.

It is misguided to say there is no link between global warming and recent anomalous El Nino behavior. El Nino is certainly a natural phenomenon, but it occurs because there is a need to move heat out of the tropical Pacific Ocean, where it would otherwise build up. Because global warming caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere disturbs the heat balance, it affects El Nino. The behavior of El Nino in the past 20 years is statistically very unusual compared with that of the previous 100 years. Determining exactly which part of this unusual behavior is connected to global warming is still a scientific challenge, but that there is a connection should not be in doubt. KEVIN E. TRENBERTH, Head Climate Analysis Section National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder, Colo.

THE COUNTERPART TO FIRST LADY

RE the Verbatim quote from Bob Dole: if Elizabeth Dole becomes President, I hope we can find a more fitting title for her husband than “First Man,” a term which you seemed to find appropriate [NOTEBOOK, Nov. 17]. If Hillary is the First Lady, then Bob Dole should become the First Gentleman. Besides being the correct successor to First Lady, it would be quite appropriate for Bob Dole. But I suspect the press won’t like it. First Husband, perhaps? RUFFORD HARRISON Washington, N.H.

CASINOS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS

I found your article on casino marketing and the use of player reward and recognition cards insulting [BUSINESS, Nov. 17]. It is unfair and inaccurate to assume that the people who participate in casino player programs have gambling problems. I fail to understand why a recreational activity that is enjoyed responsibly by millions of healthy and normal Americans was so maligned. The vast majority of those who enjoy recreational casino entertainment are highly intelligent, successful and personable people anyone would be proud to know. Our customers deserve more respect than you gave them. PHILIP G. SATRE Chairman, President and CEO Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. Memphis, Tenn.

You reported that former Station Casino St. Charles [Mo.] customer Sharon Willman continued to get solicitations from the casino in spite of efforts to have her name removed from a promotional mailing list. We would like your readers to know that Willman’s name was removed from our mailing list Nov. 1 after a database error was discovered Our company made a mistake, admitted it and corrected it. JACK TAYLOR, Director Corporate Public Relations Station Casinos Inc. Las Vegas

BARNEY’S NO LAUGHING MATTER

Your item on “Feud Of The Week” said that the Famous San Diego Chicken mascot was a winner for assaulting Barney and that Barney was “always a loser” [PEOPLE, Nov. 17]. I disagree. I used to make jokes about Barney, the popular purple dinosaur. But now I have a two-year-old daughter who at the very mention of the name Barney breaks into a joyful, excited dance. I think the Famous Chicken is just jealous. I bet he’d love to be recognized the world over. NANCY HOLTROP Palmdale, Calif.

THE DISHEVELED-GENIUS LOOK

You said the funniest photo you could find of New York City’s November fashion shows was one of designer Bill Blass with his collar popping out, a pant leg looking as if it had a cyclist’s clip, and a tie that stopped mid-chest [PEOPLE, Nov. 17]. What Blass needs is to use suspenders to hold his pants up, instead of a belt. Not only will his pants hang correctly, with a slight break at the instep, but his pectoral muscles will improve because he’ll change his posture and no longer rest his belly against a belt. ROBERT APSION Guildford, England