Show t 17 THEm £ InJA YOURSELF Send the question FOR m a pntcari to “Ask" F amity Weekly 641 Lemngton Ave New Wrk Wei pay $5 tor published questions Sorry we can't answer others Postmaster General stamp Why does the flag on the have eight red stripes when it should contain only seven? — BS Iron River Mich O Eight is the correct number This particular design depicts the American flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment in 1814 It is the same flag with its 15 stars and 15 stripes that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the work that was to 15-ce- nt become our official national anthem At that time it was in 1931 customary for a star and stripe to be added to the flag’s design each time a new state was admitted to the Union The historic Fort McHenry flag can actually be viewed at the National Museum of History and Technology in Washington DC Come on in and see it FOR DANIELLE BRISEBOIS featured in CBS-TV- Is it true that Sophia Loren recently lost f a bundle at the gaining tables of Las Vegas? — BG Joplin Mo O No We checked around and were :' told by the management of the Union Plaza Hotel that when Sophia made i her first visit to Vegas a few months ago (as part of her US tour to promote her book Sophia which is nowj being made into a film with Sophia as the star) and they invited her to try her hand at roulette or blackjack in the I the actress Bad in arithmetic expert in paychecks graciously but firmly declined She explained that due to her lack of formal education arithmetic is her weak spot gambling casinos (“except when it comes to what someone is going to pay me for a movie”) unlike those people in Naples where she grew up who can count money before they can say “Mama” or “Papa” FOR JOSEPH COTTEN star of The Hearse When someone asks your age or how long you've been s Archie Bunker’s Place Does working in a TV series make you feel older than your 11 PR Amarillo Texas feel my age I guess people think years? © I around do you get annoyed? — EM Indio Calif © Hardly because the records show I first stepped onto a Broadway stage in 1930 and this is my 50th anI niversary in show business Any irritation might feel is offset by the fact that acting for me has always been a rewarding profession In my younger days I was able to somehow support myself on enthusiasm in lieu of monetary security — I am older because act a year older Sometimes wish I was 16 because then I could drive — at least in California But until I get to be 16 1 think I will enjoy being 11 and 12 then 13 14 and 15 That’s because my mom says you can only be young for a very short time I I FOR ERIC CARMEN rock recording star p If your heart is in the classics as you claim why did you become a rock musician instead of a classical one? — § I MR Bangor Maine © Because there is more money in it But I am still in t love with the classics Many of the songs I write are inspired by them My ambition is to perform Rachmani noffs 2nd Piano Concerto with a symphony orchestra If I have a choice of going to a rock concert or a classical one I go to the latter FOR CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW publisher of books for young people At what age should children start reading books that refer VM Albany NY © There are some lovely picture books that deal with birth and are for the very young child “Sex” is not what they are about but “life” and “love” And there is no age too young for children to wonder about the world around them in all its phases It is how these books are written that matters to sex? PRO (D-- L NY) Yes Foreign holdings in the US probably total $750 billion and are significant in vital sectors of our economy: farmland real estate energy natural resources banking chemicals and high technology yv l pharmaceuticals Despite public concern the Government does not iX i know the nature extent or true' fA ownership of foreign holdings Such unchecked investment means increasing foreign influence over our r J m FOR CONSTANCE TOWERS star of the Jones Beach NY production of The Sound of Music Is there a reason why you keep your children under wraps? fj FOR GEORGE GALLUP of the Gallup poll What section of the country do you poll? I’ve never been polled nor do I know anyone who has — Ruth H McGriSf r yj nation’s economic and political decisions Most foreign investment does not create jobs or bring in capital Like many other nations the US should restrict foreign holdings harmful to US national interests ’i PJ Great Falls Mont © My older children keep a low profile because this is the way they want to live their lives and it is something that I prefer Neither one (Michael 19 Maureen 18) is interested in a theatrical career so there is no sense in getting exposed to it I do keep my younger daughters Maria and Christina under wraps — Fort Walton Beach Fla © This is a frequently asked question Obviously we do cover all sections of this country — the big cities small cities farm areas — and in true proportion The chances of anyone being interviewed in a single survey are only one in 100000 — and that will help explain why you have never been polled — Representative Benjamin S Rosenthal 10022 FOR THE "ASK" EDITOR BOLGER F WILLIAM N Y i - pro flftD con Should Foreign Holdings in the US Be Restricted? CON Elinor G Constable Deputy Asst Secretary International Finance and Development State Department Foreign direct investment in the US can positively affect our pro-- 1 ductivity output employment and technology Existing restrictions in sectors such as national defense 1 utilities and communications pro-- 1 tect our essential security interests j Further restrictions would only en-- 1 T courage like treatment of the $140 billion in US interests abroad and hurt efforts to facilitate viable foreign investment in key sectors with high unemployment such as automotives Moreover fears of foreign control of certain economic sectors are not supported by the facts eg foreigners own less than 1 percent of US farmland s -- © 1980 FAMILY WEEKLY All rights reserved |