In this era when government spending must be checked, it makes no sense to prosecute whistle-blowers [“Leaks and the Law”] who expose incompetent, wasteful and irresponsible behavior.
John N. Bilderbeck
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Secrets and Security
there is a great difference between blowing a whistle on pigheaded mismanagement, malfeasance or illegality and the willful divulging of secrets that could benefit America’s enemies. The “Leaks and the Law” article does not seem to pay enough attention to that distinction. On the question of the “public’s right to know,” no such right could ever be absolute in the face of the government’s valid countervailing interests in protecting the security of this nation.
Garland L. Thompson
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I love Smithsonian magazine and read it cover to cover, but “Leaks and the Law,” by David Wise, was way out of place. I want to read something interesting about history, archaeology, nature or astronomy, which are the areas the magazine usually covers. This story was about a legal debate and national security. Leave it for the newspapers.
Gary J. Banuk
Hanson, Massachusetts
Dubious Hero
I have a clear recollection of the deeds of Wernher von Braun, the Nazi rocket scientist who worked at NASA after World War II [“Wernher von Braun’s Launch”]. One of his V-2 rockets fell in a field near my home in Kent, England, during the war. Luckily, we suffered the loss of only the roof and windows. I was appalled at the hero-worship this monster was later afforded after his appointment at NASA. I am reminded of an old joke: Who won the war—the American Nazi scientists or the Russian Nazi scientists?
Patricia Turnbull Felmar
New York, New York
I have always found Wernher von Braun’s link to NASA via the V-2 weapon unsettling, along with the lack of full disclosure at some exhibition sites about his role as a Nazi scientist. The fact that “more people died building the V-2 rockets than were killed by them,” according to National Air and Space Museum curator Michael Neufeld, should not be taken lightly. This article makes clear that concentration camp prisoners were used to build the V-2 factory and assemble the rockets, and “at least 10,000 died from illness, beatings or starvation.” Even though such revelations heighten my discomfort over the prov-enance of the space program, at least they no longer allow us to ignore unpleasant facts of history.
Steven Schreiner
St. Louis, Missouri
Potluck Tradition
I concur with Judith Martin’s declaration [“Q&A: Miss Manners”] that blatant greed is a major problem in our society today. I must, however, disagree with her assertion that asking guests to bring a dish to a party is an example of this greed. It’s called potluck, and it’s an American tradition. The notion that only those who are wealthy enough to feed a large group of people can host a gathering isn’t good manners; it’s just elitist. BYOB!
Joe Herbert
Aurora, Colorado
Glass or Plastic?
Hats off to brewmasters Sam Calagione and Patrick McGovern [“Dig, Drink and Be Merry”] for their efforts in producing world-class beer. But the photo on page 42 threw me for a loop. What a faux pas—serving wonderful suds in plastic cups! Glass only, sirs, please. From now on glass only. But keep on digging, brewing and pouring.
C. Joe Stefanowicz
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
“Dig, Drink and be Merry” is a very one-sided article about our relationship with intoxicating drink. You overlooked the immense wake of destruction and heartache alcohol has unleashed on humanity. Would you be willing to publish the same historical article about our relationship with tobacco or cocaine?
Lance Hostetter
Brownsville, Texas
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Comments (2)
Thanks to his genious and perseverance,was possible for the americans to land in the moon.
Posted by Felix Costa on October 29,2011 | 05:40 AM
I wish to respond to the 2 "Dubious Hero" letters in the October issue and the "Wernher von Braun Launch" article in the July/August issue.
While Dr. von Braun lived in the terrable Germany of WWII and was able to survive, I do not believe that any of us who did not walk in his shoes should judge him on what we do not and cannot know of his early life. We do know that he was incarcerated in Germany at one point for trying to buck the system.
I am an American engineer from Chicago who spent 16 years working for and with Wernher from 1955 to 1971 in Huntsville, Alabama and Washington D.C. The last 3 years of this period I reported directly to him and spent time with him almost every day.
Wernher considered himself to be very fortunate to become an American citizen, and he worked hard at leading the U.S. space activity and helping to pioneer the U.S. Apollo/Saturn Program leading to the Manned Lunar Landings. As a man and as an Engineer and Physicist he was brilliant, thoughtful, and sought the views of his associates before taking a decisions. He was interested in many things and was an excellent conversationalist. He made many friends throughout the U.S. and earned his place in American history,with his brilliance and insight in the challenging space environment.
I considered Wernher von Braun a friend and an American Hero who did much for his adopted country. When he was alive and could speak to his critics, he soon won them around to his cause. Wernher was well loved by his associates and he was considered by all an outstanding manager. The critcism in hindsight I believe to be unfair and unwarrented. The criticism also demeans those Americans in Government and Industry who supported Wernher and trusted him with the manpower and resources to make America a leader in Space.
Posted by J. N. Foster on October 12,2011 | 01:30 PM