Environmental Concerns in Latin America Require US Attention
The article "Natural-Resource Losses Reduce Costa Rican GNP Gains," Dec. 18, perhaps will force the United States and other developed nations of the world to stand up and take notice of the destruction of the global environment. The article speaks in terms governments can understand - money.
The destruction of Latin American natural resources is not a new issue, and Latin Americans cannot be held accountable for this situation. People living at or below the poverty level cannot see beyond their next meal, much less the impact of slash-and-burn farming on the global environment. The responsibility lies with the developed nations of the world, which have the funding and knowledge to turn natural resources into profit without destroying the environment.
The US needs to set an example by stepping to the forefront of environmental protection, despite the economic strains. Jennifer L. Paluso, Windsor, Conn. 'True crime' literature abundant
Regarding the editorial Son of Sam' Ruling," Dec. 16: The author's observations that overturning the Son of Sam law "could open the floodgates to a deluge of 'true crime' trash" seems disingenuous considering that we're already barraged with such works, albeit from third-person perspectives.
The only difference between the accounts published now and what the overturning of the law may give rise to in the future is that the latter will probably be more accurate. John Trappe Florence, Ariz. Abortion: education, options
I commend the very frank, humanitarian article "Abstinence Is OK," Dec. 20. Promotion of virginity and its concomitant, abstinence, should be a unifying goal for both pro-choice and pro-life advocates. These issues should be a compulsory part of sex education in order to reduce teen pregnancies and possibly abortions. Charles Rasoli Long Island City, N.Y.
Concerning statements made by Wanda Franz, president of the National Right to Life Committee, in the article "Two Voices on Abortion," Nov. 25: Dr. Franz argues that it is the woman who is victimized by an abortion.
How can taking away a woman's choices and silencing the voices of those who would educate her about those choices make her less a victim? She may or may not suffer psychological repercussions at the loss of a pregnancy, which is why she needs unbiased and experienced counsel to fully inform her of all her choices and all the potential repercussions of those choices. If she has been so educated and has chosen abortion, we must respect her right for self-determination.
The potential suffering and trauma of an unwanted pregnancy or an unwanted child would be far more severe and longer lasting, victimizing both mother and child. Julia & Jonathan Morgan-Leamon, Santa Fe, N.M. Corporate restructuring concerns
The article "US Finds Its Form of Perestroika Difficult," Dec. 16, neglects to define the term "corporate restructuring." In the case of those global mega-corporations the author talks about, corporate restructuring can refer only to automation and/or the moving of the work force to other countries where labor is cheaper. The grim fact is that technology and greed are about to make the American worker extinct.
The situation is serious and only Congress can take action to restore the working class, on which the economy of this country rests, to its proper place. Edgar Schenkman, Central, S.C.