Letters

The Last Days of the Taliban

I have my doubts that "The Last Days of the Taliban" are truly upon us, although I wish it were so [THE MANHUNT, Dec. 17]. It is apparent that America is involved in a long and tedious war. During Vietnam, the media made it seem as if the U.S. were winning the war, but that was not the case. History repeats itself. If we jump the gun and think we have won a victory over terrorism, will we not arrive at the same result as in Vietnam? We must push our arrogance aside and maintain our focus. S. KYLE PAULY Manitowoc, Wis.

America has been successful in its military action in Afghanistan. Now, after the collapse of the Taliban regime, the most important issue is what the new government in Afghanistan will do and how it will affect the future of that country. These subjects are of interest not only to the Afghans but also to those in the Middle East and the rest of the world. The new Afghan government ought to be against all radical Islamic activities. Its goal should be to achieve long-term peace. SULEYMAN ZORAL Izmir, Turkey

Many people denounced the U.S.-led military action against the Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan, but it was a justified response to the unprovoked Sept. 11 attacks. Such terrorist acts are unacceptable in a civilized world and must be stopped by appropriately severe countermeasures. Let us give due credit to President George W. Bush, whose resolve to eradicate international terrorism has received full support and accolades from peace-loving nations throughout the world. JOEL R. HINLO Las Pinas, the Philippines

It is necessary to fight fire with fire and to fight reason with reason. So when Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban leader, stated, "The real matter is the extinction of America, and God willing, it will fall to the ground," I was amazed that some Americans still proposed that an in-depth analysis of U.S. foreign policy was the way to change the contemptuous feelings of these fanatics. Wake up! The countries that resent our foreign policy should stop accepting U.S. financial aid. MARISSA DAVIDSON Covington, La.

The Case of John Walker

What John Walker did by leaving his California home and eventually fighting with the Taliban is treason [THE PRISONER, Dec. 17]. He was willing to bear arms for an organization that wants to destroy the U.S. I admire the restraint of those who captured him. I believe that if I had come upon him in Afghanistan, we wouldn't have had to face the problem of what to do with him. MELVIN HOUX Mancos, Colo.

I'm convinced that Walker has no idea what it means to be an American. KARLA MCLEAN Nipomo, Calif.

Walker is the Patty Hearst of 2001, pursuing an elusive, utopian vision that puts faith above humanity and ignores reality. He must now face that reality and accept responsibility for his actions. DON URNER Walnut Creek, Calif.

Walker deserves no compassion. He, at a minimum, stood by while fellow Americans were attacked and murdered in Afghanistan. He did nothing. The U.S. should prosecute Walker to the fullest extent possible. MATT O'CONNOR St. Louis, Mo.

Thinking Outside the Box

Theologian John Milbank, whom you profiled as one of your innovative thinkers [INNOVATORS, Dec. 17], claims that there is no universal truth, as some philosophers assert, yet he uses this to "prove" that Christianity is the true creed. Milbank, like many philosophers, thinks he has found a way out, an answer to everything, but he is obviously still in the fight to prove his religion right. The truth is, he has not proved anything, and nobody ever will. We simply need to enjoy the wonders of life, feeling good and loving and helping others. Thought isn't for getting somewhere; it's for living. ASAF NAYMARK North Miami Beach, Fla.

Physicist Julian Barbour has an unconventional theory: time does not really exist; it's an illusion created by the nature of our ability to perceive events. Can I then infer that your magazine is also an illusion and the subscription bills I get are a product of my faulty perceptions? JIM MCINVALE Columbia, Mo.

Whose God Is It, Anyway?

Roger Rosenblatt's essay "God Is Not On My Side. Or Yours" feebly yet correctly points out the foibles associated with believing God is on one culture's side to the exclusion or detriment of another's [ESSAY, Dec. 17]. Rosenblatt does not, however, address a fundamental and perhaps more morally viable option: Can't God be on everyone's side? Maybe God joins with those who practice the apostle Paul's simple yet profound command to do everything in love. HARRY J. AVERELL Gainesville, Fla.

Rosenblatt says he doesn't believe in seeking or finding God, and yet he is awed by the mystery of God. No wonder. If I didn't believe in seeking or finding a pineapple, a pineapple would forever be a mystery to me. The fact is, Rosenblatt isn't reveling in God's mystery. He's celebrating his own apathy. How is Rosenblatt sure that God can't be known? MICHAEL BRUNER Malibu, Calif.

Like Rosenblatt, I don't believe that God micromanages the universe. Saying "God bless America" is no solace to me. The pulling together of America since Sept. 11 and the military victories in Afghanistan have been of some comfort. A rewarding victory will be when Americans grow to truly respect all nonoppressive religions as well as the choice to be nonreligious. DICK MASTIN Alto, N.M.

More Than a War Movie

Thank you for your article on the movie Black Hawk Down [CINEMA, Dec. 17]. Even though I consider myself an antiwar, liberal, all-you-need-is-love woman bored to tears by war movies, I've been eagerly awaiting this film ever since reading Mark Bowden's brilliant book of the same title. I hope every American will look beyond the labels "war movie" and "failed mission" and see the moving story about heroes willing to give their lives for their country, humanity and ideals that most Americans, including myself, give only lip service to. KARIN ANDERSON Marina del Rey, Calif.

The Best Battle Flicks

As a veteran with a B.A. in film, I must take exception to an omission from TIME's list of "The Greatest Combat Films of All Time" [CINEMA, Dec. 17]. In my opinion, the very best and still the most relevant combat film ever made was Michael Cimino's The Deer Hunter (1978), which featured heroic performances by Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Cimino earned an Oscar as Best Director, and Walken got one for Best Supporting Actor. REIN J. VANDERZEE JR. San Antonio, Texas

Anyone Can Dream

Is actress and model Elizabeth Hurley's estranged partner, multimillionaire Hollywood producer Stephen Bing, a complete idiot [PEOPLE, Dec. 17]? Unlike Bing, I would do anything to be a loving husband to Hurley and father to her child. I am a 23-year-old, soon-to-be graduate student. I speak three languages; I am witty, intelligent, well traveled and highly athletic. I can rebuild a carburetor and make a bed. I would not disappoint Hurley. ROBERT IVAN Boulder, Colo.

Correction

In the introduction to our Q+A with Bill Maher, the host of ABC's Politically Incorrect [NOTEBOOK, Dec. 24], we mistakenly wrote that he drew fire "for saying the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan was cowardly." Maher's remarks were made prior to any bombing campaign against Afghanistan. He was referring in a general way to military strikes that were carried out from a distance.