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As a child growing up on a wheat farm in Kansas, I can remember my folks praying for rain. Still, I was appalled to read that the only option left to the American farmer this year is to pray for plagues and bad weather in the rest of the world [April 12]. Something is wrong if the success of American agriculture depends upon the misfortune of farmers in Bangladesh, Africa or even the Soviet Union.
Billie Ann Lopez Vienna
Knoxville's Fair
In light of the widespread evictions of residents in Knoxville, Tenn., by landlords who hope to rent for more money to out-of-towners, I have decided to forgo the World's Fair [April 12]. The profiteers of that city are acting like sharks in a feeding frenzy. If that's how they behave toward their own people, I can imagine how they'll be with tourists.
E. Paul Huisking Jr. Tuxedo, N.C.
TIME seemed more than a little disdainful of the fact that the business leaders of Knoxville hope to profit from the
World's Fair. For what other reason would they support it? What happened to the good old days when the pursuit of an honest buck was considered one of the things that made this country great?
William L. Brown Concord, Tenn.
Unjust Justice
It's a sad commentary on our nation when the U.S. Justice Department feels it has to protect criminals like Miguel Nassar Haro [April 12]. Justice indeed! Nassar and his gang stole 600 cars in Southern California between 1979 and 1981. Yet the Government blocks his prosecution because he has supplied the U.S. with important information about Salvadoran and Guatemalan guerrilla figures. It is ridiculous to waste the fine efforts of a good man like U.S. Attorney William Kennedy, who wanted to indict Nassar.
Bruce Howard Watertown, N. Y.
Basketball at Its Best
Seldom has such a fine sports piece been written as your "Pretty Night in New Orleans" [April 12]. The play, the officiating, the mutual sportsmanship were things a sports fan appreciates.
Robert H. Ewing II Phoenix
Some men are destined to be great
scholars; others great sportsmen. Why are
college basketball players, and Patrick
Ewing in particular, expected to be both?
CarlF. Walser Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Courting Friends
The best present TIME could make to its Italian readers [March 29] was the fair recognition paid to the new image and fresh influence of our country on the international scene.
Giovanni Boschi Alessandria, Italy
Your article about Italy's new image and stature was interesting but not realistic. It is difficult to believe that Italy, with all its internal problems, can have either a leading position or substantial influence. If we can, our neighbors must be in very bad shape. As the U.S. comes to realize the amount of influence it has lost, particularly in Europe, it has decided to flatter its friends. Italy, which since World War II has been an American satellite, appears to be at the head of the list.
Prince Lorenzo de' Medici Milan