CALENDAR LETTERS : CONDOM ADS

Funny how a catastrophe can bring out the best in people.

Take the condom manufacturers. Before AIDS came along, they had to make do with rather mundane ads using slogans such as “For maximum pleasure,” or “For the ultimate,” which clearly went against their clearly altruistic bias.

Now TV is giving them the chance to come out of the closet (“Television Confronts the Contraceptive Issue,” Feb. 3). Let us protect you, they’ll be able to say, finding their own true voice at last, not only from the old usual malady, or the old usual baby, but now from death itself--in colors, lubed and ribbed.

What could be more praiseworthy? What could be more ultimate?

JOSEPH EARNER

North Hollywood