(2 of 4)
If the voters in their infinite wisdom are always right, as Sidey suggests, how does he explain their choice of Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover, Warren Harding and other disasters?
Irving Elman Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Sidey goes too far when he rhapsodizes over the wisdom of the plain people, whose voting preferences differed so sharply from those of America's intellectuals. Was it wisdom that North Carolinians showed in returning Jesse Helms to the Senate? Better to see it for what it is, a mixture of prejudice, gullibility and fear.
Ted Klein
New York City
If Sidey will look at the popular vote, he will see that the out-of-touch "elite" he describes as favoring Mondale numbered in the millions. We voted for Mondale and Ferraro because they were intelligent, honorable, patriotic candidates.
John C. McLucas Baltimore
Theodore White, in his analysis "The Shaping of the Presidency 1984," says Jesse Jackson's campaign called for black separatism. But before condemning Jackson's ideas, we should recall the price paid for the earlier triumphs of Roy Wilkins and Martin Luther King Jr. Many suffered and died to have those issues addressed. Perhaps if those same people had had better representation in government, which is what Jackson is seeking, they would be here to enjoy those victories.
Stanley U. Levy III Fairborn, Ohio
Man of the Year
For TIME'S Man of the Year: women.
Gary Dembs Southfield, Mich.
Jose Napoleon Duarte of El Salvador and Raúl Alfonsin of Argentina, two leaders who symbolize democracy, peace and social justice for Latin America.
Richard H. Ebright Boston
Andrei Gromyko, the dour and durable Soviet diplomat who has survived 40 years of purges, intrigue and cutthroat competition for power.
Joseph W. Romita Bakersfield, Calif.
Sally Ride, Geraldine Ferraro and the women of the XXIII Olympiad. Can there be any doubt that TIME'S choice should be the American woman?
Sally Larsen Tillamook, Ore.
David the bubble boy, who through his life showed us courage and through his death may have shown the way to prevent immune-deficiency disease.
Timothy Oliver San Diego
George Orwell, whose classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four has during this year affected all.
Abbi Rose New York City
Jesse Jackson is the Man of the Year for 1984, if not the Man of the Century.
Harriett Cotharn Chicago
I nominate John De Lorean for his courage in battling the Government.
James A. Torok Sparks, Nev.
White House Ivy
Your article on the durable Swedish ivy plant in the Oval Office [LIVING, Nov. 19] should have pointed out the likeliest reason for the plant's vitality: life in a room with plenty of hot air.
Catherine Curtin Fenzel Eastchester, N. Y.
The plant looks a little bedraggled. Are you sure President Reagan hasn't been cutting it back too?
Thomas J. Reardon Virginia Beach, Va.
Wouldn't that dense ivy be a great place to hide a microphone?
Daniel J. Bader Seattle