Letters

(2 of 3)

Confronting Arrogance

Re Lance Morrow's commentary about Islam and the West, "Who's More Arrogant?" [ESSAY, Dec. 10]: If arrogance is pride in one's superiority, then, yes, we Americans are hated for our arrogance by those who shouted for joy on Sept. 11. We are also hated for our technological superiority, our cities and skyscrapers, our constitutionally protected rights and our unprecedented standard of living. But if it's right to take pride in these achievements, then Americans, especially opinion makers like Morrow, need more arrogance, not less.
KEVIN OSBORNE
New Hartford, Conn.

Morrow quoted the remarks of the Rev. Franklin Graham, who said, "The God of Islam is not the same God [as that of Christianity]. It's a different God, and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion." But not all Christians embrace the views of Christianity's extreme fundamentalists. It is well established that there are varying sects of Islam, just as there is a multitude of denominations in Christianity. Yes, there have been failures in Islamic societies, but America has its share of shortcomings too. We have not eliminated poverty, racism and injustice in our country. We have not always used our wealth and power in support of Christian principles but have employed them for political purposes.
ALFRED F. BRIDGMAN JR.
Ocean Pines, Md.

A New Set of Wheels

Dean Kamen's latest invention, the Segway "human transporter," seems to be an example of misguided utopianism [TECHNOLOGY, Dec. 10]. It's a neat gizmo, but is it truly necessary or beneficial? You don't drive from place to place when in a city. You park your car, perhaps use mass transit, then walk around. This limits congestion. Also, given the volume of inconsiderate drivers on the road nowadays, their bad traits are likely to be transferred to the nation's walkways if they choose to use the Segway to get around town. I'd rather experience the interaction and occasional ballet of foot traffic among my fellow citizens.
EUGENE KING
San Diego

In the U.S., where 55% of the population is overweight, why is the most hotly anticipated invention something that enables a person to make it through the day without walking even a short distance? Those who cite the Segway's possible impact on productivity should look at the effects of obesity on the nation's health. The main obstacle to the Segway's success among consumers is the passenger weight limit of 250 lbs. Anyone lazy enough to want a Segway is probably too fat to use it.
CHRISTINE MADSEN
New York City

Re the new high-tech scooter: sorry, folks, but unless you can use this device while carrying an armload of groceries and a squirming three-year-old, the Segway's just a guy toy.
SANDIE SCARPA
Fort Pierce, Fla.

The Segway vehicle is a great idea! If inventor Kamen's vision of cities free of automobile traffic comes true, won't this be a much better world? Less pollution from car emissions, fewer traffic jams. Imagine this in Bangkok! Maybe we should start thinking about providing parking lots for Segways right now.
SUMMER KHOO
Johor, Malaysia

I'd rather walk a mile in my city's downtown section than drive my car through it. No matter how well it is marketed, the Segway is little more than an expensive toy.
RICARDO CAMPOS
Viseu, Portugal

At a time when all our resources and energies seem to be diverted toward manufacturing bombs and missiles, it is heartening that there are people who still invest their intelligence, money and time in making the world a more convenient place to live.
MAYANK SINGH
Gurgaon, India

Opting for Organ Donation

I was very pleased to see the article supporting the idea of presumed consent to donate organs [PERSONAL TIME: YOUR HEALTH, Dec. 10]. This means that when a person dies, his organs may be harvested unless he has explicitly refused. It's an approach that can save the lives of thousands who would otherwise die each year waiting for a transplant. Today about 50% of registered organ donors have their wishes overruled by next of kin at the time of death. This has to stop. Organ donation is not a decision that should be made when everyone is upset over the death of a loved one. A nondonor registry would solve all these problems and preserve everyone's freedom of choice.
TERENCE MCCARTHY, PRESIDENT
Presumed Consent Foundation
Voorheesville, N.Y.

Caught in the Fallout

I was interested in your article on Enron's bankruptcy and the company's questionable practices [BUSINESS, Dec. 10]. After taking a moderate hit in the tech wreck of the securities market in the past 18 months, I have diligently pursued a more diversified mix of stocks in 2001. Of course, energy was one of the areas I invested in, including a piece of Enron. Next year I plan to take $10,000 and bury it in the backyard.
DAN WEHRENBERG
Stoneham, Mass.