Letters

Mission to Mars

"Bush's Mars plan is an election-year strategy: a weapon of mass distraction designed to divert our attention from the economy." Gail Moore San Francisco

The urge to explore space is in our blood, and only the uneducated can stop us from going [Jan. 26]. It is certain we will benefit from the knowledge we gain. We should embark on this venture as part of a cooperative worldwide effort. It sounds like a pipe dream, but there is enough out there for all of us. Robert King Edgerton, Wis.

We must aggressively venture into space to exploit the vast resources of other planets and asteroids. It would be the height of stupidity to ignore the opportunity and continue to strip our planet bare. Space exploration is also an insurance policy for humans and other Earth species. We must colonize the moon, Mars and then other worlds to ensure that our species goes on should Earth suffer a cataclysmic disaster. William Hubbell Miami

The proposed manned trip to Mars is a political boondoggle supported only by NASA and the aerospace and defense industries. It will be very expensive, with a low probability of success and very little real scientific value. The same goes for the International Space Station and the Star Wars missile-defense program. It's time we demand real results and use common sense to control reckless, wasteful, political-payoff spending. Truman Hunter Oxford, Ohio

As a freedom-loving American, I would gladly back the mission to Mars if the first person to go were President Bush. I am quite certain that we won't be able to find Vice President Cheney, or I would insist that he go too. Colleen Stone Merced, Calif.

Unless there is some plan to pack billions of dollars into garbage bags and hurl them into space, the Mars project will be essentially a domestic spending program. The bucks will be spent in the good ole U.S., for the most part. They'll be used to pay top-notch technicians, engineers and scientists plus manufacturers--a worthwhile subsidy indeed. Frank L. Cooke Tallahassee, Fla.

U.S. troops are still in Iraq, and we have no reason to believe they can leave anytime soon; the economy has major problems; we are constantly at risk from a terrorist attack. With conditions such as these, only George W. Bush would come up with a stunt like a mission to Mars. It is a slap in the face to our troops, the working class, senior citizens and those of us who are worried we won't have Social Security when we retire. Lisa George Shreveport, La.

Why should we spend vast amounts to reach Mars when there is a very high chance of its not providing anything that would improve our lot here on Earth? Why not allocate those billions for "home improvement"? Think of the progress that could be made in curing cancer, aids and other diseases; in cleaning our water, air and soil; and in feeding hungry nations. Why confront the hazards of outer space when we should be fighting homelessness, poverty and unemployment on Earth? Corey Brunish Lake Oswego, Ore.

We are doing a pretty good job thus far of ruining Earth, so is now the time to spoil other planets? Paul Pugliese Long Branch, N.J.

Would being the first to set foot on Mars earn Americans more respect from other nations? Why not concentrate on making friends with earthlings before engaging the Martians? Junan Ecijan Melbourne, Australia

Do we want to spend money on an expensive, potentially dangerous and nonurgent manned ego trip to Mars or on human welfare and the protection of Earth from real dangers like greenhouse gases? All the world's people should have a say in the matter. Percy N. Kruythoff Oldenzaal, the Netherlands

Martian Musings

In his viewpoint "Why We Shouldn't Go to Mars" [Jan. 26], author Gregg Easterbrook argued that we should be researching advanced methods of propulsion to launch payloads into orbit affordably. But Easterbrook needs to understand that this is not going to happen all by itself. Exploration drives research, not the other way around. Ben Parris Garden City, N.Y.

Easterbrook wrote, "Mars will still be there when the technology is ready." That is like saying we shouldn't go to Mars until we have the technology to do it in days instead of months. But would Easterbrook have argued that Lewis and Clark shouldn't have made their journey of exploration into the Louisiana Purchase until interstate highways had been built? I think our technology is ready now. Michael Gallagher Cortland, N.Y.

Democrats in Name Only

In "Living in Bill's Shadow" [JAN. 26], you discUSSED Bill Clinton's lingering influence over the Democratic presidential candidates' strategies for beating Bush. But genuinely Democratic politicians have been missing in action since the 1960s. The Democrats are vying for the hearts and minds of the party faithful, but they abandoned their core values and hung their supporters out to dry long ago. They made their pact with the devil to stay in office no matter what the cost. Principles were the first casualty. Democrats should stop their charade and join the Republicans. After all, enough Dems sided with the G.O.P. to pass tax cuts, reform Medicare and approve the invasion of Iraq. At least we know what the G.O.P. represents: borrowing and spending, massive deficits, militarism and Big Brother. The Democrats lack the moral fortitude to stand up for their ideals and constituencies. One can only hope that a defeat of the Democrats in the 2004 elections will lead to the party's dissolution. Rick Moniz Davis, Calif.

The Security Factor

In "The Question All Candidates Must Face" [Jan. 26], Joe Klein suggested that lurking around the prospective Democratic nominees for President is the question "Does this guy have the maturity, temperament, knowledge and skill to stand next to George W. Bush in a debate and talk credibly about keeping America safe?" Frankly, given the President's repeated demonstrations of arrogance, ignorance and poor diplomacy, I'd say the answer is yes, regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination, any one of those candidates could make us feel safe. David Morgan New York City

Klein seems to be forgetting that three of the four previous Presidents had no real foreign policy experience when they came into office, nor did the current one. Given the recent revelations of fearmongering used by the Bush Administration to persuade us to go to war against Iraq, it is no wonder the Democratic candidates may have changed their opinions about the war. The real question is not whether we are safer from terrorism but whether we are going to let Bush and friends continue to lie to us to accomplish their policy goals. Kevin M. Kuehl Waupaca, Wis.

Who's Stealing from Whom?

Your story on digital-movie piracy, "Hollywood Robbery" [Jan. 26], left out one of the biggest reasons for the black market in bootleg copies of films. People are sick of getting ripped off at the movie theater and the DVD store. Ticket and DVD prices are outrageous. When we see stars getting millions for making one film and studio execs living like movie stars, the purchasers of bootleg DVDs say, Who's getting ripped off? I'm the one paying a bundle when I spend $20 to see a movie and buy a bag of popcorn. Who cares if the industry loses a few billion dollars? It wouldn't break my heart if some big shot had to drive a Lexus rather than a Rolls-Royce. Dave Bass Killeen, Texas

Sensory Stimulation

I was outraged to see the effectiveness of Zestra female-arousal fluid compared with that of breath mints or Binaca as a sex aid for women in your "Love Potions" chart [Jan. 19]. Zestra, which my company produces, has been in scientific and clinical development for more than seven years, with study results published in three respected, peer-reviewed medical journals. The application of this patented blend of botanical oils results in increased female sexual arousal, sensation, lubrication and satisfaction. More information can be found on the Internet at zestraforwomen.com Martin G. Crosby, President and CEO QualiLife Pharmaceuticals Inc. Charleston, S.C.

The Reluctant Campaigner

Columnist Michael Kinsley argued that "we need to know about a politician's spouse...in order to understand the candidate's character" [Jan. 26], but I have absolutely no problem with Dr. Judith Steinberg Dean's not tagging along behind her husband on the campaign trail. I find her dedication to their teenage son and to the patients in her medical practice admirable, not mysterious. When I make my decision on whom I will vote for, I will do so because I have listened to the candidate's platform and not because his spouse had a nifty outfit and matching handbag. Mary Keenan Fair Haven, N.J.

It is admirable that the Deans are mature enough to let each other pursue his own career. Haven't we progressed beyond those scenes of Nancy Reagan gazing worshipfully at her Ronnie? I saw Dean's wife briefly on TV, and it was enough to convince me that Howard Dean is to be commended. Dr. Judith Steinberg Dean appears to be a real person, taking care of real business. Surely she is doing more good by attending to her patients than she would be by acting like an adoring appendage to her husband. Dean doesn't need an Adam's rib to prop himself up. Carolyn M. Clayton Kent, Wash.

Now It Can Be Told

Re "10 Questions For Bob Dole" [Jan. 26]: At the end of the interview, the retired Senate majority leader said he might write a book, and he added, "I probably won't run for anything again, so I can tell the truth now." He put his finger on just the thing that is turning off American voters. You can't believe anything a politician says, especially those running for higher office. Any one of them will say whatever is necessary to get elected. Dole merely gave credence to that idea. Adam H. Dorsch Arlington Heights, Ill.