An important segment of the learning-in-retirement movement is composed of peer-learning organizations typified by Sacramento State University's Renaissance Society. Sponsored by the university for more than 20 years and nearing 1,000 members, the core of the Renaissance Society program consists of seminars on subjects ranging from bonsai to the Supreme Court, from personal memoirs to American intellectual history. Coordinated by volunteers, they feature presentations by members who have made the commitment to do in-depth research on a specific subject and share the results with their fellows. Supplemented by numerous other programs, including a weekly lecture series, excursions, and travel programs, the peer-to-peer learning model provides seniors opportunities to remain intellectually sharp, build friendships, and encourage a feeling of community between themselves and the local university.
JOHN H. ANDREW
President
Renaissance Society
Sacramento
Thank you for the wonderful article "The Class Goes Gray." It made me think about enrolling at Rowan University, within 5 miles of our home. I am 81-years-young and need more mental stimulation. I have to get away from the computer.
SAL BAIO
Washington Township, N.J.
Presidential Parallels
The Bush administration may downplay the comparison between President Lyndon Johnson and President Bush, but "Two Texans in Trouble" [November 13] correctly points out that both the current Iraq conflict and the Vietnam War began on the basis of faulty intelligence. The White House may not like it, but the bad intelligence behind the start of the Iraq and Vietnam wars is what makes those conflicts so comparable.
KENNETH MICHAEL WHITE
Upland, Calif.
"Two Texans in Trouble" Author Kenneth T. Walsh provides little prospect for victory in Iraq with disturbing comparisons to the Vietnam conflict. Most significantly, the Vietnam defeat was motivated by mounting casualties over a long period of time, which seems to be the case in Iraq. Can a persistent enemy prevail in any war with America? Another perspective should be considered in answering that question: that of the enemy. Our enemies will be encouraged to prolong their war if they see our resolve faltering in the wake of mounting casualties. Our lesson should be that we must resolve to work together toward conquering our enemy, who is not invincible. We must face the fact that, whatever strategy we use, casualties cannot be minimized by opting out of the conflict.
ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN
Arlington, Va.
There are more parallels between LBJ and Bush than the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Both presidents demonstrated little concern about running huge deficits, both domestically and militarily, impairing the lives of younger generations. They are different in that Johnson seems more human, with his efforts toward civil rights and combating poverty. Most striking is that Bush had the opportunity but failed to learn from Johnson's problems, and he has turned traditional Republican principles upside down in his adventurism abroad and big-government spending at home. We are in this trap because Republicans forgot the lessons that they once taught the nation.
LYNN DAVIS
Tustin, Calif.
"Are the comparisons fair?" Absolutely not! LBJ played the hand he was dealt. Yes, the Gulf of Tonkin situation was a disaster, but he did the best he could with the rest of it. President Bush, the other Texan, fomented an armed incursion on false pretenses, and this nation is paying the price for his folly.
MICHAEL L. OWEN
Muskogee, Okla.
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