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No one would object more violently than I if Roman Catholics were refused permission to schedule ''Bishop Sheen," "The Christophers," etc. on TV, but by the same token,
I vehemently protest the interference of Roman Catholics in the showing of programs not in accord with their beliefs.
MRS. TOMMY MCGEORGE
Billings, Mont.
Too Bad About Sade
Sir:
I would like to add some unrecognized facts to your Dec. 31 story on the Marquis de Sade controversy. I pointed out in my recent book We Can't All Be Sane that Sade was really an early-day Kinsey—an overenthusiastic medical researcher who has been much maligned by history. As he clearly explained, his so-called ''torture" of a poor servant girl was an imprudent attempt to test a healing ointment on some superficial abrasions during a time when he was plagued by boredom and domestic strife. The girl was terrified but unharmed. The so-called poisoning of the Marseille prostitutes was a planned experiment to test the aphrodisiac properties of "Spanish fly" (Cantharides) on the unfortunate girls. Most of the "dreadful" books of Sade are quite mild compared to many paperback novels sold today.
WILLIAM H. KUPPER, M.D. San Pedro, Calif.
Advice for the Met
Sir:
Like all art forms, opera is inclined to settle in a rut until someone comes along who is capable of rekindling the spark of creativeness. I for one welcomed the advent of Maria Callas as the one bright spot in the otherwise dull Metropolitan Opera performances. Her talents, vocal and histrionic, far outweigh her faults. A singer who can maintain a perfect record for all performances has yet to be found.
JOHN W. HARMON Colorado Springs, Colo.
Sir:
I wish to go on record as saying: "We don't want Callas!" If it is a drawing card the Met needs, the estimable Fred Muggs may be at leisure.
WILLIAM HAMILTON JR. Fort Worth
Sir:
Really, there is only one thing wrong with her as an opera singer—her voice.
GUY BAKER Fort Kent, Me.
Operation Deep Freeze
Sir:
I have just read "Compelling Continent" in your Dec. 31 issue. If there lhas been sweeter writing in a decade, more eloquent and descriptive prose, then I have not read it, and would like to.
DAN POLING Editor
Christian Herald New York City
Sir:
Several thousand persons, here and abroad, who have known Dr. Paul Siple since the start of his exploring career 28 years ago will read with satisfaction your story. It was a splendid article and well illustrated.
AUGUST HOWARD Secretary
American Polar Society New York City
What the Cardinal Said
Sir:
Your Dec. 17 article on Cardinal Josef Mindszenty stated that the letters C.F. mean coactus feci ["I have been forced to act"]. Another magazine said they meant contra fidem ["against my will"]. Could you tell me who is speaking cum fiducia?
MICHAEL MURPHY Auburn, N.Y. ¶TIME.—ED.
The Cardinal & the Bishop
Sir: