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The proposals are complicated. The creation, following parity, of the ten Common Roll seats through which majority rule will be achieved will be written into the constitution. Alternative arrangements can be substituted only by amending the constitution, which would require a two-thirds majority in each house of the Rhodesian Parliament. Such a majority would need at least 17 African votes in the House of Assembly. Thus it is the Africans who have the "effective veto" on any proposals that would frustrate majority rule.
SIR COLIN CROWE Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations New York City
The Trouble with Scrooge
Sir: It being that time of the year again, I thought it extremely appropriate for TIME to expose Christmas greeting cards for exactly what they are worth [Dec. 6]. I have sent these meaningless cards for years and only very recently realized the alternatives. To my favorite charities, I will henceforth donate a sum equal to what my cards would have cost this year. Scrooge would not have been so bad after all, if only he had given his money away to those less fortunate than himself. I now know how he would have felt had he done so.
B.J. MITCHELL New York City
The Hazard of the Anti-Hero
Sir: "The Bandit Who Went Out into the Cold" [Dec. 6] does journalism an injustice by creating an antihero. "D.B. Cooper," the parachuting skyjacker, prints out as a courageous, daring individual. Let us pray that in the next instance God is the copilot and no lives are lost, and let us treat the recent case for what it was: a serious crime. As a commercial airline pilot, I feel my chances of being hijacked are enhanced by such reporting.
MICHAEL R. BEVER Londonderry, N.H.
Man of the Year Nominations
Sir: Man of the Year? Henry Kissinger, who has been instrumental in moving the world toward a historic rapprochement.
LARRY BAUER Cleveland
Sir: Edward Finch Cox, living symbol of the dreams and aspirations of millions of decent young Americans. What divine justice that this young man, who refused to betray the values his forefathers cherished, should be rewarded with the hand of America's own princess, Tricia Nixon.
ALAN SPALDING Durham, N.H.
Sir: Our Supreme Court Justices. They upheld one of our most basic tenets for existence as a free state: freedom of the press.
PHIL ENOS Fresno, Calif.
Sir: My choice for TIME'S Man of the Year: Danny Murtaugh, manager of the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
ISRAEL GOODMAN Louisville
Sir: George Harrison, the musician who tied together his friends, fame, talent and human concern to the benefit of the Pakistani refugees.
JOEL F. GLAZIER Wilmington, Del.
Sir: My nomination for the Man of the Year is Lee Trevino, because he brought laughter, excitement and suspense to many, many millions of people.
JESSE AGUIRRE Garland, Texas
Sir: Our policemen as Men of the Year. Twenty-four hours a day they place their lives on the line for the citizens of this country. How many people could or would take the risks and indignities that each lawman has thrust upon him daily?
ELIZABETH I. STRANG Burbank, Calif.
Sir: Gloria Ms. of the Year. MICHAEL REARDON Billings, Mont.