Poland's Plight
To the Editors:
Three cheers for Lech Walesa and the leaders of Solidarity in Poland [Dec. 29]. With the Soviets threatening their homeland more and more each day, they have stood calmly defiant in support of their ideals and their legitimate demands for a free union system. Their message to Moscow is not only making the Soviets squirm, but is also informing anticapitalist idealists right here in the U.S. that Communism is not working.
John A. Heldt Eugene, Ore.
By scaling the gates of the strikebound Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk last August to lead what may be the most remarkable workers' revolt in the history of organized labor, Lech Walesa showed the world that the "inevitable" march of history is no match for the indomitable spirit of the individual will.
Edward L. Ozog Burlington, Ont.
While praising the brave Poles who are seeking simple human freedom, we should try to understand Soviet fears of isolation and encirclement. The time has come to give the Kremlin fewer belligerent warnings about what not to do in the future and more praise for the restraint it has shown in the recent past.
Nathaniel Borenstein Pittsburgh
Lech Walesa has given new life to the motto "Workers of the world, unite!"
Sanjay Upadhya Katmandu, Nepal
No Apologies
I am disturbed by the Carter Administration's apparent submission to the demands of Iran [Dec. 22]. The Iranian funds in this country have been forfeited. They should be used to satisfy all creditors and claims against the Iranian government, including the cost of rebuilding the embassy. The hostages and their families should be adequately compensated. There should be no apologies. What have we done wrong?
Clarence Gregory Philadelphia
The U.S. Government should refuse to negotiate for the freedom of the hostages, for doing so means succumbing to bribery and acceding to the defiance of international law. For the greatest nation on earth to so humiliate itself is lunacy. Any self-respecting nation must be prepared to sacrifice the lives of some of its citizens to preserve its integrity and honor.
Alan Coburn Nelson, N.Z.
First Decorator Nancy Reagan proposes to squander the price of four modest American homes to redecorate what must be—by any standards—a more than adequate dwelling place [Dec. 29]. Is the future First Family unaware that these are times in which responsibility means practicing continence, if not austerity?
Barbara McClatchie Andrews Clinton, N. Y.
If Mr. Reagan wants to cut the fat off Government spending, perhaps he should start at home by educating his wife to set an example.
Denise Stewart-Sanakria Norwood, Mass.
Don't you think it is about time for us to lay off dear Nancy? After all, she is new to the job it took her ten or twelve years to gain.
Ruth Yates King sport, Tenn.
Motown Woe
Doesn't it seem strange that at a time when Big Business and some Government economic experts have told us price and wage controls will not work and are "the wrong way to go," the Chrysler Corp. has asked for a two-year wage freeze for its workers and for a price cut on materials from its suppliers [Dec. 29]?
Thomas M. Spencer Washington, D.C.