Thursday, May. 15, 2008
Inbox
The TIME 100
You went nearly halfway round the globe to find someone who would substantiate the addition of George W. Bush to your list [May 12]. Bush has little worldwide credibility, and a record 70% of the American public no longer supports his policies. By what reasonable measure is he one of the world's 100 most influential people? Jeff Clark, CHURCHVILLE, N.Y.
As a person with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), I am outraged that TIME would regard Bob and Suzanne Wright as heroes. Their group, Autism Speaks, which does not have anyone with an ASD on its board, has joined with Cure Autism Now as part of a campaign to wipe out ASDs. Autistic spectrum disorders are not diseases, and I think I speak for many when I say we are happy the way we are. Autism is a genetic difference in the same vein as skin color, gender and other such factors. Phil Gluyas, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
I'm a geography professor striving to get students to think globally, and I find your list to be disappointing. Tim Russert, Suze Orman, Miley Cyrus, etc., among the "most influential people in the world"? Really? The world is home to about 6.6 billion people, and Americans account for less than 5% of that total. Are your choices really apt for a global community? John A. Alwin, FIRCREST, WASH.
I applaud your choice of Nancy Brinker. In 1977 my mother died after losing a long battle with breast cancer. I had just celebrated my 12th birthday and thought my life was over. I wanted to do something to help find a cure, but dealing with the loss of my mother was overwhelming. Brinker has immeasurably helped those who suffer from the disease and the friends and family who suffer along with them. Andrew Halley, LAYTON, UTAH
AW, C'MON, TIME! one week after your green issue, I find in my mailbox the TIME 100, complete with five--count 'em, five--varying covers. How many tons of extra paper did that require? Joyce Jensen, SANTA FE, N.M.
How could you have overlooked Pope Benedict XVI? Henry Van Wassen, PITTSBURGH, PA.
Let me be the first to say "why didn't you include [my favorite person]?" Paul Merrill, LITTLETON, COLO.
Straight from the Cow's Udder
If your intent with the picture accompanying "The Raw Deal" was to dissuade people from consuming raw milk, you probably succeeded [May 12]. The photo is a highly misleading illustration of the state of dairy facilities in this country. The lack of cleanliness is appalling. I find it amazing that your photographer couldn't find a more representative scene to shoot. Ray Mueller, CHILTON, WIS.
Wright and Wrong
Finally, clarity on the Jeremiah Wright issue [May 12]. Yes, he has done great things, but at a hefty price: despair about racism. People like Wright should be afraid of Barack Obama's promise of change. Joseph Morriss, CHICAGO
I don't see how Obama's "divorce" from Wright can be taken seriously. This was obviously a political maneuver. Benjamin Munda, NORMAN, OKLA.
Terror-Free Investing
"Rules of Disengagement" failed to illustrate that all divestment models are not necessarily "terror free" [May 12]. Despite hundreds of foreign companies' doing business with Iran yearly, Iran divestment bills passed by California and Florida targeted fewer than 30 energy firms. Furthermore, loopholes allowed their pension funds to continue holding these companies in other public portfolios. By contrast, terror-free investing is comprehensive and accounts for the financial well-being of pension funds. That is why terror-free models use prescreened investment products excluding all foreign firms doing nonhumanitarian business with Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This ensures high-yield returns at minimal cost with zero exposure to terror-sponsoring nations. Kevin J. Murphy, Representative Massachusetts House of Representatives BOSTON
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