Dialogue on Amnesty
Sir / I very much appreciate the support that you have given to my amnesty proposal in your TIME Essay [Jan. 10].
If passions are to be replaced by more reasoned dialogue on this critically important subject, it will be because of additional understanding through essays such as yours.
ROBERT TAFT JR.
U.S. Senator from Ohio
Washington, D.C.
Sir / There are at least two young men from this town who, because of the Viet Nam War, are exiled from their homes and families.
One of these unwilling exiles is my husband, who has been a prisoner of war for more than four years. The other young man chose to desert the Army rather than serve in Viet Nam. It is apparent that this war, whatever its effect on Indochina, has hurt our country terribly. I am still enough of a patriot, even a chauvinist, to feel that when we begin the restructuring of our society, America will need all her sons.
Therefore, as the wife of a P.O.W., I will actively support amnesty for the American refugees.
(MRS.) VALERIE M. KUSHNER
Danville, Va.
Sir / As far as the question of giving amnesty to draft evaders is concerned, I do not wish to share the privileges of American citizenship with men who do not fulfill their duties as citizens. In my opinion, these selfish men, who interpret morals for their own benefit, are nothing less than traitors.
JIM MORONEY
New York City
Sir / Having gone through the dilemma of whether to obey or resist, I found myself, against my moral and spiritual conscience, serving as ordered in Viet Nam. As a surgical technician, mine was not a direct encounter with the fighting but a position in which I witnessed the brutality and absurdity of war. I could not help offering my understanding to those deserters and resisters who, according to their higher conscience, refused any association with the military murder machine. I cast my vote for total absolution for these men.
BILL WAGNER
Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Sir /1 cannot speak for all Canadians, but most of my friends are fervently hoping and indeed praying that the U.S. will take back the draft dodgers, deserters, etc. In Canada, we have acquired a motley crew of Maoists, Trotskyites, Communists, socialists, anarchists, college-building burners and what have you. (Correction—what had you.) Please bring them home. Please.
S.A. MELROSE
Toronto
Cutthroats or Heroes?
Sir / In your story on the "troubles" in Northern Ireland [Jan. 10], you constantly wander from the real issue: the right of Ireland to exist as an undivided nation. Problems there may be in uniting the two Irelands, but they are problems created by the British. If the I.R.A. fails, its members will be branded cutthroats and criminals, but if they succeed they will be national heroes. Isn't that always the way? Even the British must know that sooner or later they are going to have to get out.
K.V. ARANDA
Mexico City
Sir / It seems the facts in Northern Ireland's struggle for justice are overshadowed by arguments about the I.R.A.'s guerrilla tactics.
This deprived Catholic minority does not want war and violence; who does? All they want is equality and justice, which they are not getting.
DAVID J. BLAIR