Espionage and human rights

The Walker spies did more damage than originally thought -- but implementing some of the 95 recommendations of the Select Committee could cost us in loss of basic rights [``Spies cost US security dearly,'' Oct. 8]. Espionage is a fact of life. But we shouldn't condone it, glamorize it, or get so pious about it every time we catch it. Neither do we need senators and national-security advisers arguing that deception is a necessary evil. It's too easy to go from there to making it a justification to ``tighten up'' security to the extent that we let some of our rights such as privacy, free thought, free expression, and diversity of opinion become dispensable in a campaign to implement, in an atmosphere of fear, the recommendations of the Select Committee. David Neal Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Military education As a past administrator of continuing education, I applaud your special section on adult education [Oct. 24]. However, having been one of the first to introduce and administer a military degree completion program at Hampton University, Hampton, Va., in 1969, I believe that your otherwise thorough presentation would have been more so had you included a treatment of the various educational programs on military establishments, such as those here at Langley Air Force Base. As a semiretired professor who still teaches at the base I can attest to the challenge presented the teacher, especially when the arena is made up of adults from civilians as well as from world-traveling military personnel. Edward C. Kollmann Professor Emeritus Hampton University Hampton, Va.

European view The rejection of nuclear ``defense'' by several European political parties was lamented in an editorial that unfortunately missed the long-term significance of the issue [``Trouble in Blackpool,'' Oct. 2]. The nonnuclear policies of Britain's Labour Party, West Germany's Social Democrats, and others represent the collapse of a consensus that has allowed for the nuclear arms race. The effect of such a shift, if sustained, will be far-reaching. It will undermine the nuclear arms race in both East and West. Sooner or later, as President Eisenhower so aptly observed, our leaders will have to get out of our way and let us have peace. Steve Freedkin Editor Mich. Peacemakers Bulletin Lansing, Mich.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Espionage and human rights
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1986/1031/ed31-f.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe