Jess Jackson

Jackson's popularity should come as no surprise to Robert Shogan ("Jackson Poses a Dilemma for Party Leaders," Part I, April 4) and the Democratic kingmakers. During seven long Ronald Reagan years, the political pendulum has swung so far to the right that it has no choice but to magnanimously careen back to the left. The apathetic non-voter of 1980 has become the disenfranchised voice of the people in 1988. RHYS THOMAS Van Nuys

Will is to be congratulated for finally "pulling the covers" on Jackson. Jackson has had a free ride from the press and the other Democratic candidates because of his skin color. It is time that careful attention be focused on the content of Jackson's statements, the assorted misrepresentations of his background and his persistent anti-Semitism. Many other blacks would have made far more credible candidates than Jackson. Unfortunately, the uniqueness of a black man running for national office in the United States has transformed that individual into a "sacred cow."

In answer to the question "What does Jackson want?" he wants to be President. He wants the opportunity to run the country in what he (and his supporters) feel will be beneficial to all the people of the United States and not just the "elite." He wants the same thing that every other presidential candidate wants. His ideas are not radically different just because his skin color is a few shades darker. CYNTHIA A. MORROW Chatsworth

Dennis Rodman is getting advice from all over. First President Clinton suggested that Rodman shape up and admit he was wrong to kick a TV cameraman. Now Jesse Jackson says he is advising the Chicago Bulls star, and the civil rights leader wants to plead Rodman's case before the NBA. Jackson said he planned to meet with NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday in New York concerning Rodman's 11-game suspension for the Jan. 15 incident. NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said no meeting was scheduled.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson's column, "Why Then Embrace De Klerk" (Commentary, Sept. 27) made a lot of sense in terms of South Africa's continued exploitation of that nation's black population and other inexcusable conduct. No one can really take the part of South Africa or defend its actions. It is Jackson's actions that are open to question here. You will have to look very hard to discover his efforts to rescue innocent blacks when Idi Amin was in the business of slaughtering hundreds of thousands of them.

Re "Jesse Jackson Considers Taliban Meeting; U.S. Reaction Cool," Sept. 28: Sending the Rev. Jesse Jackson to meet with the Taliban is a great idea. It will send a message to the rest of the world that we will try any peaceful means to reach our objectives. The Taliban, if it wishes to have this meeting, will have to cough up something or someone. It can't let Jackson leave empty-handed. The administration can give Jackson a time limit--a week, 10 days--and that way Jackson will know and the Taliban will know that these talks cannot be dragged out. We should try every means we have available to prevent warfare among the Afghan people, most of whom are being held prisoner in their own country.