JANUARY 1984 - VOLUME 5 - NUMBER 1
F R O N O U R R E A D E R S
JANUARY 1984 - VOLUME 5 - NUMBER 1
First invasion was 1919How is it that an important part of the history of the relationship between the U.S. and the USSR has been forgotten - or even written out of our sources of information? I refer specifically to the opening paragraph of your December editorial, "The Return of G.I. Joe." You say, "For the second time in history American troops have invaded and occupied a socialist country" - Grenada and North Korea. What of the invasion of Siberia by American, British, and French troops towards the end of World War I? The new-born socialist government had made peace with the Germans and was struggling to maintain itself against the White Guard - and we joined the White Guard, hoping to destroy the first socialist country in history. And this was long before the new government could even remotely threaten the U.S. - before atom bombs, before "human rights" were discussed. What frightened us? Also, if memory serves, for ten years after the establishment of that government, we did not recognize its existence - until Franklin Roosevelt realized that the market the Soviets represented could help us ease the disaster of our own 1929 depression. Is it reasonable to conclude, therefore, that even the idea of a socialist state - with whatever weaknesses - is something we cannot permit? And if that is true, why? Are we so afraid that what we have will not stand peaceful competition?
- David Golden The "allied" invasion of the Soviet Union after World War I is certainly a forgotten piece of history; and I agree that the U. S. has an inordinate fear of socialism, no matter what form it takes. In my editorial, however, I was referring to the only two incidents in which the U.S. has actually invaded, overthrown, and occupied a socialist country. - T. S. Toy issue "disturbing"I found the articles in your recent December issue on the manufacturers of children's toys both disturbing and enlightening. With my children now reaching the ages where they are becoming victims of this form of corporate assault, I am looking for information and organizations to help me cope. Reference was made in the article by Kathleen Selvaggio to the Association for Children's Television. Would you please send me the association's address as well as other sources about which you are familiar?
Charles W. Lindsey We neglected to include the address for the Association for Children's Television in our December issue. ACT can be reached at 46 Austin Street, Newtonville, MA 02160, (617) 527-7870. AppreciativeI've been getting MM for only a few months, and I love it. It's wonderful. Your articles take me all over the world. Of course, wherever we go, it's the U.S.A. destroying the poor; but we must face the truth. I can understand what you write. Where there is hope, you discuss that too. Thanks so much, and carry on.
Ann Morris |