Inbox
Pointing Fingers over Georgia
Zbigniew Brzezinski certainly knows his subject when it comes to relationships with the Russians [Aug. 25]. I would expect his practical experience to be more useful than the predominantly theoretical knowledge Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice relies on. It is unfortunate that President George Bush's actions in Iraq play into the Russians' hands. How can we criticize their aggression and belligerence when the U.S. under Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney acted similarly with respect to Iraq? I do hope Barack Obama and John McCain follow Brzezinski's advice, and I hope NATO and the rest of the international community can persuade Russia to leave Georgian territory or make the political and economic consequences as painful as possible. Andy Paquet, UNIONTOWN, OHIO
I fear Russia as much as the next guy, but I have a good memory. What would the U.S. do if Russia suddenly started alliances with Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba and other Latin American states and began setting up missiles there? Fortunately, we have an answer. President Kennedy faced the Soviets during the Cuban missile crisis. Why should the Russians be the ones to blame for the current crisis? We ought to look in the mirror and at the Texas cowboy in the White House. Albert Reingewirtz, HAVERTOWN, PA.
As a student majoring in history and an immigrant from the Caucasus, I was astounded that Brzezinski piled all the blame for the Russia-Georgia conflict on Russia. He should have pointed out that for decades, Ossetians and Abkhazians were discriminated against by the Georgians. When the U.S.S.R. was beginning to collapse, Georgian nationalists began to blockade Ossetian and Abkhazian towns. Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's democratic leader (as Brzezinski calls him)--whose police officers were using force on nonviolent protesters just last November--was goaded by the U.S. and NATO into waking up the Russian bear. It looks as if Georgia will now pay the price. Armen Hovhanesyan, WESTWOOD, CALIF.
Both Russia and Georgia are guilty of atrocities. However, Georgia's heavy shelling of South Ossetia, including civilian areas, must preclude it from being seen as a "victim." I would expect that type of language from Fox News, but I expect a powerful media outlet like TIME to report the truth in an unbiased manner. Chris Pappas, LUBBOCK, TEXAS
The Measure of the Medalist
I am happy for Michael Phelps' success in Beijing [Aug. 25]. But it is not apt to compare Phelps with Mark Spitz and the seven gold medals Spitz earned at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Spitz did not have the technological advantages of superspeedy pools and laser-sleek swimsuits. Nor did Spitz wear a streamlined swimming cap to cover his hair. In fact, he swam those events with a mustache. Spitz won his medals the old-fashioned way. It has taken more than 30 years of innovation and technology for anyone to come close to his Olympic success. Mark D. Reese, SALT LAKE CITY
A Meaty Debate over Goat
I have enjoyed goat dishes for some time now, but I've always wondered why goat wasn't more widely available [Aug. 25]. Yours was a great article about how the food we love makes it to our dinner plates. In such a politically correct climate, I want to salute you for publishing this story. I expect that PETA will be lining up to run you all out of town. Jay Ruane, LANSDALE, PA.
Your article espousing the slaughter of goats was repellent. Vegetarianism is advancing because it's irrefutably beneficial for the planet. Soy, nuts, beans, flax and grains can easily supplant animal protein. Spare the goats and enjoy some oats. Brien Comerford, GLENVIEW, ILL.
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